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BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
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The Report Card
I HAVE this personal oddity. I never really watched, whether via livestream or on television, a single State of the Nation Address (SONA) of a Philippine president. Not that I’m not interested. I just don’t want to immediately jump into the bandwagon of conclusion because a lot of experts and professionals get into my mind. Sometimes when a sentence feels too unnatural, they mock it off. Instead, I prefer the hardcopy while sipping a cup of coffee.
A few days ago, I had to look into the online archives of the Official Gazette to pull through a list of SONA of former Philippine presidents. Of course, I also had to dig the speech of our incumbent President.
I read a few and realized something. Almost, if not all, have the same technique and framework in delivering their speeches. I think a lot of people share the same thought with me. It is an obligatory step for the presidents to mention first the difficulties of the former administration and how they are going to manage these difficulties.
This yearly SONA about the nation is usually about detailed efforts, expectations and success of an administration. It is an address delivered where the President lays down the economic and social condition of the nation. Also, the changes that happened in the previous year and the plans for the rest of the year.
What do you remember most from President Rodrigo Duterte’s first SONA a year ago? In my case, I refuse to retort to this question, rather share what I look forward to.
I expected him to inform us about his war on drugs and the war in Marawi City. I also expected him to tackle different issues that the country is facing today, especially the martial law issues and human rights violations.
I expected him to address whatever improvement in the construction of access roads to promote Philippine tourism and farm-to-market roads to help boost our agricultural sector. I hoped he would discuss the increase in the budget of basic education as well as in health facilities and drug rehabilitation centers.
In the political sphere, I expected him to apprise us in the enactment of a revised Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the shift of the government form to federal and the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI).
Another striking area of his speech was the suppression of tensions with neighboring countries and how he established corporate partnership with countries with the same interests.
A SONA is an accomplishment speech like a report card delivered to the people. Expectantly, people will focus on the effect of the proposed resolutions for the country whether it is good or bad. I believe there are a lot of noble things on his report card only when people will be less critical and cynical.
By the time this article is published, the President has already delivered his speech. This might be a checklist whether my expectations are realized.
(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
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