July 23, 2001 when the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had her first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the opening of the 1st regular session of the 12th Congress House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Quezon City. In fact, her first SONA is her longest SONA because she spent one hour and six minutes. She presented the three “Bangkang Papel” namely; Jomar, Jason and Erwin living near the Payatas dumpsite in the Quezon City. Her blueprint for her 1st year of the presidency took off from the boy’s wishes; jobs, education, housing and food. She stated in her speech what the boys has written in the paper boat during her SONA, “Sana po ay mabigyan ng permanenteng trabaho ang tatay ko para hindi siya mahirapan.. Sana po matulungan ninyo ako makatapos sa pag-aaral ko hanggang kolehiyo, kasi po ang nagpapaaral sa akin ay ang lola ko lamang.. Ipasara ang Payatas dump site at bigyan ng lupa ang aking pamilya”. PGMA mentioned all her plans, cited problems by stating “For I know that the greatest obstacle we as a nation must overcome is inside us” and she also enumerated a few specific deadlines in her speck like; deliver tangible results versus graft within one year, a school building in every barangay by 2004. Peace and order used to be a key issue in her SONA. Months before the SONA, the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped foreign and local tourist from the Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Palawan and they also escaped military offensives in the Lamitan siege, taking a few more hostages as they went. She promised during her speech to end the Abu Sayyaf in 2002 she cited gains in anti-terror and anti-crime efforts particularly versus kidnapping, illegal drugs and smuggling. She is the kind of president who always had a human face because during her first SONA, she cited common folks who benefited from government programs just like the Bangkang Papel boys followed by the OFW hostage Angelo dela Cruz, political supporters and even Filipino achievers like Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. She also paid tribute to her father, former President Diosdado Macapagal. She called for national unity and a stop to political bickering. Her main objectives for the Philippines can be summarized the “FOUR COMPONENTS OF NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY IDEOLOGY” The first is an economic philosophy of free enterprise appropriate to the 21st century which means establishing businesses to provide more jobs to the Filipinos. Not a pitiless free-for-all but free enterprise with a social conscience. The second component is a modernized agricultural sector founded on social equity. The third component is a social bias toward the disadvantaged to balance our economic development plan. And the fourth component is to raise the moral standards of government and society and this is about the morality for the government and for the people as the source of development of the Philippines. At the last part of her speech, she asked the senators and the congressmen to fulfill all their duties and responsibilities for all the Filipinos that empowered them by representing each citizens in the law making process as she stated; “Mga Senador at kongresista: ipangako natin sa kanila, sa harap at sa tulong ng poong maykapal, na sa mga susunod na araw, buwan at taon, tayong mga hinalal, tayong may pananagutan sa kanilang kinabukasan ay handang magsakripisyo at magkaisa para sa kabutihan, kaunlaran, katatagan ng bayan at sa kinabukasan ng kabataan”. Lastly, she acknowledged again the three boys whom she considered her inspiration from doing and fulfilling her role as the new president of the Philippines during that time.
July 26, 2010 was the date when the current president of the Philippines, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III delivered his first ever State of the Nation SONA speech. There were two portions of his speech. First, the current state of the nation; the problems encountered during the previous administrations and the unresolved issues that have to be addressed immediately. The second part was his plans; in order to successfully accomplish whatever unfinished business PGMA has left for him. He was very consistent with his goals and this is what I admire about him, he knew from the very start what he wanted to happen in his administration to avoid failures again. He really has the line of responsibility and this is his advantage. He provided some of the problems that can help him know what to do with his administration like, the calamity funds, the MWSS, the Board of Trustees (who have been receiving; grocery incentives, mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, financial assistance, Christmas bonus and additional Christmas package), the La Mesa Watershed (instead of planting trees, they built houses for the MWSS officials because they are part of the midnight appointees of PGMA), infrastructures, NAPOCOR, MRT, NFA, tax evaders, deficit problem, MILF negotiations and peace and security. He also provided few proposed solutions to these problems he enumerated like Public-Private Partnership, improve infrastructures to attract more investors and this will lead to the improvement of tourism which can help our economy developed, agriculture by improving the food supply chain, business registration, basic education cycle towards the Global Standard in 10 years, implementation of the plan regarding the PhilHealth, League of Provinces, Fiscal Responsibility Bill, “Hindi tayo magpapasa ng batas na mangangailangan ng pondo kung hindi pa tukoy ang pangangailangan nito”, Amend the Procurement Law, Anti-Trust Law, Whistleblower’s Bill, Witness Protection Program and the Truth Commission wherein he stated that he will sign the First Executive Order that will form the Truth Commission headed by the former Chief Justice Hilario Davide.
By comparing the two SONA speeches delivered by the two presidents, we can easily analyze the similarities and the differences of the contents of their speech. First, PGMA mentioned about Philippine relations with the United States, “whose economic and military power continues to make it important as a factor in the affairs of the region and in the nation. We will also strengthen bilateral economic and political relations with Japan, our biggest source of development assistance and a major trading partner. And more and more, we will design foreign policy and foreign trade policy in the context of ASEAN”. She was able to provide plans for the betterment of her country with its neighboring countries like Japan as well as China in terms of technologies but P-Noy did not mention anything about ASEAN or other neighboring countries although he mentioned about foreign investments when he talked about the Public-Private Partnership which means that the government will not spend anything, it is the willing investors who will. “Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo”. Another difference, P-Noy enumerated an example of who and what abused the Philippines. He marked in detail the fiscal irresponsibility of the previous administration, the midnight appointments, the improper usage of governmental funds and using of favoritism over one district or province directly affected by the calamities but PGMA did not say too much about what former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada has done however, she vowed to pursue a fair trial and speedy trial of all the accused involved in the cases against
In terms of similarities, both presidents aimed to stop graft and corruption because they both believed that these hinder the Philippines from developing. They also wanted to reduce the red tape in the government. They also mentioned all their plans regarding the education, health, agriculture and infrastructure but in a different approach. They wanted to resolve the unresolved conflict in Mindanao by conducting peace talks and agreement with the appointed officials and leaders. These two presidents said something about the people who are responsible for the slow progress of the Philippines. PGMA said, “To those speculating against the peso, I only have this to say: have you no pity for the common people, have you no love for your country? Makonsensya naman kayo.” On the other hand, P-Noy said, “Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira-sana kusa na silang magbitiw sa pwesto.”
The last SONA speech of PGMA which happened last year, 2009, she started her speech by talking about the situation that happened in the West that has greatly affected different countries throughout the world but according to her, the Philippines never lose focus and with economic fundamentals intact, the Philippines is a strong economy and she even added, “Good news for our people, bad news for our critics”. She also mentioned about her achievements like the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, airports of international standards, RORO system, tourism has doubled in the last four years, less poverty and a lot more. She expressed her gratitude to all the people who worked hand-in-hand with her successfully finished her goals for the past 9 years. She also talked about the changes she has done in the area of education like; no uniform to all the students in public schools and no more miscellaneous fees for the primary schools and she even stated, “Pardon my partiality for the teaching profession. I was a teacher…” She also talked about the OFWs and mentioned the actions she has taken to helped these OFWs, just like when she traveled to Saudi, “Pinatawad bu Haring Abdullah ang pitong daang OFW na nasa preso”. In line with her objectives, she mentioned about the international engagement that has helped bring in foreign investments. In sum, “We have a strong economy in a strong fiscal position to withstand political shocks…We built new modern infrastructure and completed unfinished ones… The economy is fairer to the poor than ever before… We are building a sound base for the next generation… International authorities have taken notice that we are safer from environmental degradation and man-made disasters…” PGMA said. PGMA addressed the nation for her 10th SONA and the big question during that time was; “Is it really her last?” It made me smile when she said during her 2009 SONA, “Do not tell us what we all know that democracy can be threatened. Tell us what you will do when it is attacked” because for almost ten years, she has been hearing accusations of misgovernance so what she did during her last SONA, she defended herself.
Honestly speaking, I don’t like PGMA but I do not blame her all the things happening in our country because I know, EVERYBODY is responsible for these things. Looking at the brighter side of this woman, she was able to improve the relation of the Philippines with foreign countries and it paved way for more opportunities for the Filipinos to have jobs. According to my professor in POLIGOV, “I don’t understand why Filipinos hate this president, she did not have at least 0.5% of the charisma that Erap has even if she is a very hard working leader”. I know she is a very hard working person especially with the profession she had before she became the 14th president of the Philippines, a teacher but the question is, “HOW DOES THIS PRESIDENT WORKS?” I don’t care whether she works hard or not, what I want to know is how well she performs all her duties as a president. When she delivered her speech, she delivered it very well and I know how good speaker she is although I am not contented on it. She did some just and good things to the Filipino people (according to other people) but I am blind to it. I hate it every time she compares herself to her father. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging your father but the reality is; they are not the same! (I hope she is aware of that). Let me give just a few statements… “When my father left the Presidency, we were second to Japan. I want our Republic to be ready for the first world in 20 years.” Granted that Diosdado Macapagal did a good job during his administration, it does not automatically follow that she can do the same thing. She wants to see the Philippines with first world countries in 20 years??? WHY THAT LONG?! It is better to say, “Mga Pinoy, sisimulan ko sa kung papaanong paraan ko gugustuhin, kayo na lang tumapos ah? GOOD LUCK guys!” What a very sad thought. I do not want to point fingers on whose fault the situation of the Philippines is at present. The problem is that, WE let it happen. She won in the election, she became our leader for nine years, we saw how many Filipinos die because of no food to eat… We saw it coming BUT We did “nothing”. The sense of accountability of the Filipino politicians is absent. We are given the freedom to choose, electing these politicians like PGMA is a choice but at the end of the day, people can do nothing about it what a very tragic experience. There is too much corruption, greedy making shemes and “pami-pamilya governance”. Do you know the most famous game in the Pinoy politics? We call it, PAKAPALAN NG MUKHA Want to join?? I am grateful that we have P-Noy whom I know can 101% lessen the corruption in this country but I know he can NEVER totally eradicate it. He should have fired abusive people already but he did not do it immediately. There is nothing memorable in his speech and I am just afraid that all the problems he enumerated will be left unresolved. He is a very popular president because of his family and I know that even if he is faced with fiscal irresponsibility, corruption, evil government officials, he can still handle it the way people wanted it to be handled. I believe in his determination but I hope he can provide policies that can develop our foreign relations or foreign policies just like what PGMA did in her 8 Realities. I am looking forward for better country this time. I am also excited to see more dramas and conflicts between PGMA and P-Noy because of the future actions PGMA wants to do. Good luck PGMA (evil laugh) and of course God Bless P-Noy!
By comparing the two SONA speeches delivered by the two presidents, we can easily analyze the similarities and the differences of the contents of their speech. First, PGMA mentioned about Philippine relations with the United States, “whose economic and military power continues to make it important as a factor in the affairs of the region and in the nation. We will also strengthen bilateral economic and political relations with Japan, our biggest source of development assistance and a major trading partner. And more and more, we will design foreign policy and foreign trade policy in the context of ASEAN”. She was able to provide plans for the betterment of her country with its neighboring countries like Japan as well as China in terms of technologies but P-Noy did not mention anything about ASEAN or other neighboring countries although he mentioned about foreign investments when he talked about the Public-Private Partnership which means that the government will not spend anything, it is the willing investors who will. “Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo”. Another difference, P-Noy enumerated an example of who and what abused the Philippines. He marked in detail the fiscal irresponsibility of the previous administration, the midnight appointments, the improper usage of governmental funds and using of favoritism over one district or province directly affected by the calamities but PGMA did not say too much about what former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada has done however, she vowed to pursue a fair trial and speedy trial of all the accused involved in the cases against
In terms of similarities, both presidents aimed to stop graft and corruption because they both believed that these hinder the Philippines from developing. They also wanted to reduce the red tape in the government. They also mentioned all their plans regarding the education, health, agriculture and infrastructure but in a different approach. They wanted to resolve the unresolved conflict in Mindanao by conducting peace talks and agreement with the appointed officials and leaders. These two presidents said something about the people who are responsible for the slow progress of the Philippines. PGMA said, “To those speculating against the peso, I only have this to say: have you no pity for the common people, have you no love for your country? Makonsensya naman kayo.” On the other hand, P-Noy said, “Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira-sana kusa na silang magbitiw sa pwesto.”
The last SONA speech of PGMA which happened last year, 2009, she started her speech by talking about the situation that happened in the West that has greatly affected different countries throughout the world but according to her, the Philippines never lose focus and with economic fundamentals intact, the Philippines is a strong economy and she even added, “Good news for our people, bad news for our critics”. She also mentioned about her achievements like the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, airports of international standards, RORO system, tourism has doubled in the last four years, less poverty and a lot more. She expressed her gratitude to all the people who worked hand-in-hand with her successfully finished her goals for the past 9 years. She also talked about the changes she has done in the area of education like; no uniform to all the students in public schools and no more miscellaneous fees for the primary schools and she even stated, “Pardon my partiality for the teaching profession. I was a teacher…” She also talked about the OFWs and mentioned the actions she has taken to helped these OFWs, just like when she traveled to Saudi, “Pinatawad bu Haring Abdullah ang pitong daang OFW na nasa preso”. In line with her objectives, she mentioned about the international engagement that has helped bring in foreign investments. In sum, “We have a strong economy in a strong fiscal position to withstand political shocks…We built new modern infrastructure and completed unfinished ones… The economy is fairer to the poor than ever before… We are building a sound base for the next generation… International authorities have taken notice that we are safer from environmental degradation and man-made disasters…” PGMA said. PGMA addressed the nation for her 10th SONA and the big question during that time was; “Is it really her last?” It made me smile when she said during her 2009 SONA, “Do not tell us what we all know that democracy can be threatened. Tell us what you will do when it is attacked” because for almost ten years, she has been hearing accusations of misgovernance so what she did during her last SONA, she defended herself.
Honestly speaking, I don’t like PGMA but I do not blame her all the things happening in our country because I know, EVERYBODY is responsible for these things. Looking at the brighter side of this woman, she was able to improve the relation of the Philippines with foreign countries and it paved way for more opportunities for the Filipinos to have jobs. According to my professor in POLIGOV, “I don’t understand why Filipinos hate this president, she did not have at least 0.5% of the charisma that Erap has even if she is a very hard working leader”. I know she is a very hard working person especially with the profession she had before she became the 14th president of the Philippines, a teacher but the question is, “HOW DOES THIS PRESIDENT WORKS?” I don’t care whether she works hard or not, what I want to know is how well she performs all her duties as a president. When she delivered her speech, she delivered it very well and I know how good speaker she is although I am not contented on it. She did some just and good things to the Filipino people (according to other people) but I am blind to it. I hate it every time she compares herself to her father. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging your father but the reality is; they are not the same! (I hope she is aware of that). Let me give just a few statements… “When my father left the Presidency, we were second to Japan. I want our Republic to be ready for the first world in 20 years.” Granted that Diosdado Macapagal did a good job during his administration, it does not automatically follow that she can do the same thing. She wants to see the Philippines with first world countries in 20 years??? WHY THAT LONG?! It is better to say, “Mga Pinoy, sisimulan ko sa kung papaanong paraan ko gugustuhin, kayo na lang tumapos ah? GOOD LUCK guys!” What a very sad thought. I do not want to point fingers on whose fault the situation of the Philippines is at present. The problem is that, WE let it happen. She won in the election, she became our leader for nine years, we saw how many Filipinos die because of no food to eat… We saw it coming BUT We did “nothing”. The sense of accountability of the Filipino politicians is absent. We are given the freedom to choose, electing these politicians like PGMA is a choice but at the end of the day, people can do nothing about it what a very tragic experience. There is too much corruption, greedy making shemes and “pami-pamilya governance”. Do you know the most famous game in the Pinoy politics? We call it, PAKAPALAN NG MUKHA Want to join?? I am grateful that we have P-Noy whom I know can 101% lessen the corruption in this country but I know he can NEVER totally eradicate it. He should have fired abusive people already but he did not do it immediately. There is nothing memorable in his speech and I am just afraid that all the problems he enumerated will be left unresolved. He is a very popular president because of his family and I know that even if he is faced with fiscal irresponsibility, corruption, evil government officials, he can still handle it the way people wanted it to be handled. I believe in his determination but I hope he can provide policies that can develop our foreign relations or foreign policies just like what PGMA did in her 8 Realities. I am looking forward for better country this time. I am also excited to see more dramas and conflicts between PGMA and P-Noy because of the future actions PGMA wants to do. Good luck PGMA (evil laugh) and of course God Bless P-Noy!
.....im so biased!@_@ sorry i just can’t help it..........
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