AP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III ‘s report to the nation on Monday received a thumbs up from two former presidents of the country.
In fact, former president Joseph Estrada could no longer ask for anything more after listening to the more than and a half hours speech of Aquino.
“Ok naman so far. Ang haba na nga e, more than one hour,” Estrada told reporters after the President’s speech delivered during his third state of the nation address (Sona) held at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
Estrada commended Aquino for his efforts to get rid of the “sins and mistakes” of the past administration considering that he has been in office for only two years.
The former leader also backed Aquino’s endorsement of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill.
“Sa akin ‘yon ang isa sa mga solution,” Estrada added.
Overall, Estrada described Aquino’s Sona as credible, saying it showed his zeal in mapping out reforms for the country.
Former president Fidel V. Ramos also gave his approval of the President’s report to the nation.
“We should support the President because he’s the skipper of our one and only ship at lahat tayo ay nakasakay doon,” Ramos said in a separate interview with reporters.
“At kahit ano man ang kahirapan ngayon, marami pang hindi nabanggit, tulungan natin dahil s’ya ang skipper at medyo matindi pa ang panahon at malayo pa ang ating pupuntuhan,’ said Ramos.
Vice President Jejomar Binay was also all praises for Aquino.
“Napaka liwanag ng pagkakasabi ng Pangulo. Ang repormang nagawa niya na hindi nagawa ng nakaraang administrasyon,” Binay said.
“Maliwanag na maliwanag ang reporma sa kanyang panahon,” he said.
But unlike Estrada, Binay could not give a categorical answer when asked if he agreed with the President’s endorsement of the RH bill.
“Tingnan natin kung paano. Pag uusapan pa iyon. Hindi pa naman tapos ‘yong bill na ‘yon,” said the Vice President, adding that he has yet to see the proposed legislation. With a report from Fat Reyes
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