MANILA, Philippines — Take it from one of her mouthpieces; President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “farewell” State of the Nation Address (SONA) is certain to be “great.”

Ms Arroyo has conducted the initial “rehearsal” for her SONA—to be delivered on July 27—and per the glowing account of her deputy spokesperson Gary Olivar, the Palace claque has responded with enthusiasm.

“It will be, as usual, a great document from the President,” Olivar confidently told reporters Thursday. “The SONA that you will hear is the product of the most and the best possible number of inputs from government as well as the best-thinking that can be brought to bear on these issues.”

Olivar said Ms Arroyo read the first draft of her speech in the presence of Cabinet members, who applauded her.

He said the speech was “a work in progress” and could still include issues or events happening between now and July 27.

“It’s the outcome of a democratic process,” he said. “Different people bring different points of view. Otherwise, you won’t have a document as rich in information as the SONA should be.”

Olivar said Ms Arroyo took only about 30 minutes to read the entire speech before her Cabinet, consistent with her supposed desire to keep her last SONA brief and direct to the point.

Loose language

“The President’s speeches are always short,” he said. “She really doesn’t believe in loose language … (She) takes care with every word, with every idea, because she wants to make sure that the truth is what gets across to our people.”

But Olivar, the most neophyte of the six officials authorized to speak for Ms Arroyo, apparently has his own struggles with loose language.

He left reporters hanging with his piecemeal response to questions on the possible talking points in the upcoming SONA.

“The President will be addressing concerns she believes will be important to the country,” he said.

And?

“There are many concerns, but some of them will be highlighted,” Olivar said.

Finally, he offered a more concrete response: “There will be discussions on open items like social services, education, energy and infrastructure, the continuing search for peace and order, strengthening our political system and democratic institutions.”

Vision

Olivar said the SONA would also include a “vision” for the country to help guide Ms Arroyo’s successor.

Overall, he said, it would be about “pride in achievement, hope for the future, and faith in the stability of our institutions.”

Added Olivar: “She will talk about her vision for the country, how she has put the country close to that vision over the last eight, nine years.

“What has not been accomplished is what she wants to pass on to the next leadership.”

Ms Arroyo will deliver her ninth and final SONA amid fears that her allies in the House of Representatives would insist on convening a Senate-less constituent assembly to amend the Constitution and possibly extend her stay in power.

The SONA, to be delivered on the last Monday of July, coincides with the opening of Congress.