Aquino’s ‘good news’ not in sync with reality—Casiño

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Teddy Casiño. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Teddy Casiño said President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) was a “smorgasbord of good news” that was not felt “on the ground.”

“Ang speech ni Pangulo ay smorgasboard ng mga magagandang balita kaya nga siguro humaba nang napakahaba dahil ho siguro lahat ng mapagkukunan ng magandang balita ay sinama na pero sa tingin ko kailangan balansihen ng aktual na karanasan natin on the ground,” Casiño said.

For example, Casiño said, he had received reports that a lot of Phil Health cards were not really being renewed.

He also lamented how there was no mention about “gut issues.”

“Walang banggit sa human rights, walang banggit sa presyo ng mga bilihin, di nabanggit yung usapin ng housing, these are very gut issues na mukhang hindi na binanggit kasi hindi masyadong maganda yung magiging balita,” said Casiño.

He described the speech as insufficient, a one-sided view of the state of the nation that presented only a few critical aspects.

He also lamented the non-inclusion of the issues of the Freedom of Information Bill and the whistle blower’s protection bill.

“Except for good governance parang wala namang masyadong reforms sa pulitika. Ang problema nga nitong good governance ay parang nauwi lang ito sa pagfa-file ng mga kaso sa mga dating opisyal ng gobyerno. Paano naman yung mga kasalukuyang opisyal, paano naman yung mga long-term reforms tulad ng transparency and accountability?” Casiño said.