State of citizenship

What if every Filipino were to write an annual “State of My Citizenship Report” as a counterpart to the President’s State of the Nation Address?

Our Constitution mandates that the Chief Executive deliver a State of the Nation Address (Sona) every fourth Monday of July before a joint session of Congress as a way for him to apprise his bosses—the people—of his accomplishments at the helm of the government.

This has made the Sona an arena not only for the administration to show off its achievements but also for the entire nation to make an informed assessment of the performance of the most powerful official of the land.

The Sona also calls brickbats from the opposition, cheap commentary from cynics and limelight hogging by over-idealistic interest groups often at the cost of air-polluting effigy burning, not to mention a fashion show by the members of Congress and their wives.

There will be time to ascertain the truthfulness of President Benigno Aquino III’s report today and gauge the brilliance of his plans for his remaining four years in office.

But who will hold each of us accountable as citizens of this land?

It is very easy to yak and yak about whoever sits in public office, sadly to the point of forgetfulness about our own responsibilities in nation-building.

Some people say, for instance, that President Aquino has not done more than crack down on the misuse of sirens on the road.

Have these people examined their own behavior on the streets? Do they conscientiously use pedestrian lanes, skywalks and designated stops for public vehicles? Do they heed signal lights?

Others complain about the chaotic  political realignments among those in power, including those who belong to the President’s own Liberal Party.

Have they consolidated their right to complain, so to speak, by registering as voters with the Commission on Elections, not to mention actually voting during elections?

Still others score the President for lacking a comprehensive environmental agenda.

Chances are they never planted even one seedling as part of the National Greening Program or went through the trouble of segregating biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes in their very own backyard.

Perhaps many of us lambast our officials for their failures in a host of endeavors because we are too cowardly to confront ourselves and offer one another a mea culpa and restitution for being poor citizens.

Let us raise the bar. Instead of complaining about corruption, file a complaint against a fixer with the Ombudsman. Instead of cutting classes to join rallies, excel in class and volunteer to teach. Instead of bemoaning rampant hunger, join a feeding program or start a backyard vegetable garden.

The Sona is an occasion for us to ask what the President has done for his constituents.

Let it also be a time for each Filipino to ask, “What have I done and what more can I do for my country?”