Philippine President Benigno Aquino III . AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – From rising electricity costs, brownouts, and controversial measures like the freedom of information and anti-political dynasty bill, critical lawmakers refused to buy President Benigno Aquino III’s tears during his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) as they pointed out important issues that the president failed to mention in his annual speech.
Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano said Aquino failed to give specific strategies to address power shortage, rising electricity costs, rice shortages, food security, unemployment as well as poverty alleviation.
“It was a very touching speech but there were some national concerns that the President discussed which I disagree with,” he said.
Former Manila mayor and Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza even resorted to humor and said the president failed to address the more pertinent issues like rice sufficiency, consumer goods, brown-outs, and peace and order.
“Hindi natin narinig ang tama. Hindi narinig ang tama… Ang tawag dyan ng kabataan d’yan, Boompanes!” Atienza said, referring to the recent youth street slang to take a swipe on the President’s speech.
Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan said the President missed issues such as “uplifting the lives of the poor, improving health services for women, raising salaries, inclusive and lasting peace in Mindanao, the plight of farmers suffering, unfair trade policies, the freedom of information and anti-political dynasty bills.”
Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian said the President also missed on the government’s efforts to address “basic social services such as education, free health care and hospitalization, affordable medicine, low-cost housing, clean and potable water, low-cost electricity and cheaper transport fare.”
“These are actually the gut issue of majority of Filipinos who have long been reeling from the effects of inflation as seen in the latest Pulse Asia survey. I think the President missed on these in his Sona,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
During his Sona, Aquino trumpeted the number of the beneficiaries of his DAP, the number of Filipinos out of poverty, the government’s speedy response to major disasters, big-ticket projects under the Public-Private partnership, among others.
He also choked as he held back tears when he remembered his late father Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and how he survived an ambush during the term of his late mother President Corazon Aquino.
RELATED STORY
Allies call Aquino ‘humble’ for sentimental speech