Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III s (PRIB file photo / Joseph B. Vidal)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Saturday urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to discuss the situation of the country during his second State of the Nation address on a “household” level since the Filipino people deserve “unfiltered truth.”
Pimentel, in a statement on Saturday, pointed out that Marcos’ speech should focus on microeconomic matters which directly concern ordinary Filipinos.
“During the President’s Sona, it is my hope that he will discuss the real situation of the Filipino people at the household level,” said Pimentel.
“Mahal ang presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin at patuloy pa rin ang pagtaas ng mga ito. Isama na natin riyan ang tubig, kuryente, renta, at transportasyon. Alam ba ni President Marcos ito? Kung alam naman pala ay ano na ang solusyon ng gobyerno? Bakit umabot sa katakot takot na presyo ang sibuyas at asukal sa ilalim ng gobyernong ito? Sana mapaliwanag kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari,” he added.
(Food and basic goods are expensive keep getting more expensive. Let’s include water, electricity, rent, and transportation. Does President Marcos know this? If so, what is the government’s solution? Why did the prices of onion and sugar soar under this government? I hope he explains what really happened.)
Apart from the high cost of living, Pimentel said among the issues that the President should address are the following:
- inadequate income
- problems on education
- unemployment and underemployment
- ballooning national debt
“It is okay to mention macroeconomic figures like GDP growth rate, GDP per capita, and others, but this should only be in passing. What I propose should be concentrated on the microeconomic matters which concern and affect the lives of the ordinary Filipino,” Pimentel stressed.
Pimentel likewise urged the President to explain various issues including the continued operation of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in the country, and the logo issue involving some government offices / agencies.