Aquino lauded for economy, hit on RH law, welfare issues

While President Benigno Aquino III was lauded for his administration’s economic gains, it was what he didn’t say in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that left some Cebuanos disappointed.

Pro-life advocates in Cebu were dismayed that Aquino mentioned the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) law as a landmark achievement.

“It’s very sad to know that he delivered such message. It simply indicates that whatever the president wants, he will get it,” Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, country director of Human Life International, said yesterday.

Pro-life groups in Cebu yesterday offered a Thanksgiving Mass inside the St. Joseph’s Chapel at the Archbishops’ Residence for the Supreme Court ruling that suspended implementation of the RH law.

Bullecer rated the President’s performance a “7.5 out of 10” scale.

“He (Aquino) was able to continue the economic development in our country. He has programs that spur economic gains. We also see that he’s sincere in the campaign against corruption,” Bullecer said.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said he believed Aquino is doing his best for the country.

“But as we all know, we have this so-called ‘kumpare (buddy) system.’ There are people around the president who try to influence and take advantage of him. This kind of system exists even in the Church,” Binghay said.

Programs for Cebu

“They are after their motive to lessen population at any rate. Let us remember that the end does not justify the means,” the monsignor said.

Cebu business leaders think President did well in his Sona.

“He admitted that there are still problems that need to be solved and that they are doing something to address them. We laud him for that,” said Philip N. Tan, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president.

Tan said he was proud of the president for challenging Congress to amend the Constitution’s economic provisions to encourage more foreign direct investments.

Tan said he wished that Aquino could have elaborated on programs for Cebu.

Lito Maderazo, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said while the President called for public participation, he failed to elaborate on economic reforms.

“I hope that his economic managers will enlighten our president that sustainable growth can be attained if we are competitive against our neighbors,” he said.

At a forum of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu, sectoral representatives were disappointed about President Aquino’s failure to address concerns on tuition increase, women’s welfare and land reform.

“President Aquino’s address called for transformational leadership that is rooted in values education. But we need more than that. We need structural change,” UP Cebu Professor Phoebe Zoe Sanchez said.With Correspondents Peter L. Romanillos and Apple Mae Ta-as