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SONA 2014 Highlights

by ROB SAKE on JULY 28, 2014


Philippine President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino delivered his fifth State of the Nation
Address on Monday, July 28, 2014 at the Batasan Pambansa in front of joint session
of the Upper and Lower House of countrys Legislative Branch of Government. Some
students will surely give their reaction paper with the Pres. SONA as part of their
assignment.
SONA Worth Fighting For
The State of the Nation Address of President PNoy started at around 4:03 PM (PST)
and concluded after one hour and 30 minutes. The SONA 2014 is one of the highly
anticipated date of the administration, as the head of state reports his
accomplishments and plans for the country. During the entire SONA, the President
received a total of 85 rounds of applause.
President Aquino started his Fifth SONA recounting how the Philippines, once called
as the sick of man of Asia and transformed into one of the most promising
economy in Asia. He narrated how the government endured the corruption and
hardships before his terms started. The President then expressed his sentiments
how the national government transformed.
Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP):
Pres. PNoy explained the importance of the Disbursement Acceleration Program
(DAP) as he defended his stance, despite the controversy surrounding its
implementation. He showed all the projects funded by DAP that came from the
savings of the national government. The Pres. noted that because of DAP, it was
able to help TESDA scholars achieved their goals even showcasing a testimonials
from benificiaries of the program.
Through DAP, the government was able to financed the Conditional Cash Transfer
Program which was branded by the government as 4Ps or the Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program.
Pres. Aquino also lobbied the DAPs contribution to the Philippine economy as the
administration was able to manage the countrys budget as well as its debt
effectively. He also noted the investment grades status given to the Philippines and
even mentioned the International Civil Aviation Administrations ban lifting.
Business, Finance, Economy, Public Works & Transportation:

Pres. PNoy shared how the Philippines became one of the leading countries in Asia
for its growth in GDP and GNP. He also noted that the employment rate of the
country had increased and reflects how his administration handled the labor
policies.
According to the President, the Infrastructure projects have doubled even without
doubling to raise taxes. President PNoy noted that there is P28 billion savings at the
Department of Public Works and Highways because of the corruption in the agency
have been cut.
The President also boasted that from the start of his term, a total of 2,184
kilometers of national roads were completed, seven Public Private Partnership (PPP)
projects worth P62.6 billion were approved. He noted that the TPLEX will reach
Rosario, La Union soon, aside from mentioning several projects underway, such as
the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike to help reduce flooding, ease traffic.
Peace & Order, Disaster Management:
Pres. Aquino mentioned the latest development after the controversial Zamboanga
siege. He noted that P3.5 billion allotted for infrastructure projects, and housings in
Zamboanga City. He also noted the recent developments in the rehabilitation efforts
in the earthquake-hit Bohol, the typhoon Yolanda affected provinces. The President
also thanked the international community for their help in the recovery effort and on
their help for Yolanda aid.
The President also mentioned some numbers in relation to labor with a total of
221,987 jobs created during the rehabilitation period of those who were affected by
calamities. He also discussed the governments modernization of the AFP by
purchasing aircrafts, helicopters, assault rifles, naval vessels and radar systems
under the AFP modernization program.
The success of the governments effort on reinforcing the police and army forces
was also noted as an achievement as the government achieved the 1:1 pistol ratio.
Pres. PNoy also cited the PNPs Opland: Lambat and Oplan: Katok in fighting
crimes in Metro Manila, noting that the security situations has greatly improved.
The reforms is also under way in the governments most controversial agency, the
Bureau of Customs which according to the President he had reset the entire agency.
He also cited the ongoing agreeement with the Bangsamoro, pushing for the
Bangsamoro Basic Law before year-end.
Energy, Power, Utility and Agriculture:
President PNoy admits the delay of the new power plants, but he noted that it needs
to be addressed soon so power and energy resources can be managed well for
future shortage. The Philippines is also looking forward for its plans to import more
rice to bring down the rice prices in the domestic market. He also warned those rice

traders hoarding stocks of rice to be careful with their illegal activities because the
government will surely go after them.
Budget and Finance:
Pres. PNoy expressed his proposition for he passage of the Supplemental Budget for
the year 2014 in the Philippine Congress. He also told the viewing public about the
critics of his administrations, saying that the loudest ones dont want reforms in the
government, Pres. Aquino even underscored that his critics are against he whole
nation or the Filipino people.

Moving Forward:
Pres. Aquino also made an advised for choosing the countrys next leader in the
upcoming 2016 Presidential Election. He was quoted as saying Sino ang walang
dudang magpapatuloy sa transformasyong ating isinakatuparan? The President also
noted that The Filipino is worth living for, the Filipino is definitely worth fighting for.
The Philippine President ended his speech with To my Bosses: You are behind the
transformation we are enjoying. You are the key to continuing all the positive
changes we have achieved. I fully believe that, whether I am here or not, the Filipino
is headed towards the rightful destination. nd so, I will leave it here. Good
afternoon to all of you. Thank you very much. he said.

PNoy to next President: Beat my


achievements
by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 07/02/2014 2:40 AM | Updated as of 07/02/2014 2:40 AM
MANILA - President Benigno Aquino believes that his administration's track record
by the time he steps down in 2016 will be the record to beat for his successor.
"If there is a singular legacy that I am leaving and sana, ano, masanay ang
kababayan natin na ito ang kaya ng gobyernong pinapatakbo ng matino," he said.
"Kung sinuman ang susunod po sa atin, siyempre ito iyong --- kumbaga ito iyong
platform, ito iyong base kung saan siya maguumpisa."
"Kung kami ang nagtanim, iba ang mag-aani, okay iyon; pero mas mataas na iyong
antas na pagmumulan niya kaya siguro naman pwedeng asahan ng taumbayan na
mas malayo pa ang mararating niya, he said.

In his earlier speech in Iloilo on Friday, Aquino urged voters not to veer away from
his "Daang Matuwid" in 2016.
Baka naman pag-alis ko ng 2016, bumalik tayo sa dati, magre-repeat tayo nung
lagim para bumalik sa liwanag. Huwag na ho. Dire-diretso na tayo sa liwanag, di po
ba? he said.
Aquino also said Dalawang taon na lamang po ang bibilangin at kakailanganin na
naman nating pumili ng magpapatuloy sa ating mga nasimulan. Huwag na po sana
tayong lumihis. Kung magkakawatak-watak tayo ay hindi natin tuluyang makakamit
ang ating kolektibong mga hangarin."
On the first day of his 5th year in office, Aquino stood by his campaign platform of
"Daang Matuwid," crediting it for the reforms in the Philippine Air Force as it marked
its 67th anniversary on Tuesday.
The chief executive in his speech paid tribute to the Air Forces achievements
through the years despite limited equipment.
He noted what he claimed was the sad state of the Air Force when he assumed
office, saying airmen had to pay for their own uniforms.
Nakakalungkot nga pong isipin ang estado ng Air Force na ating dinatnan: Ang
dating tinitingala bilang isa sa pinakamalakas na hukbong himpapawid sa Asya, tila
hindi na naka-take-off dahil sa maraming dekada ng katiwalian, panlalamang, at
kakulangan ng pansin. Tila ba sinalamin ng kalagayan ng Air Force ang malubhang
estado ng ating lipunan dahil sa baluktot na pamamahala," he said.
He also paid tribute to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and previous Air Force
leaders for pursuing reforms. Malinaw po, sa tuwid na daan, ang hangad natin:
Itama ang maling pamamalakad upang muli nating maabot ang matatayog na
tagumpay na tatak ng ating Hukbong Himpapawid.
Aquino also cited his reforms in other areas. "A lot of the things na na-accomplish
within I think wed be able to do and baka parang gasgas na plaka at sirang plaka
na, ano. For instance, I think the clearest example are the schools."
"In 2011 for instance, merong budget na 8,300 classrooms ang capacity ng budget
ng DepEd and by the time of the SONA there were only 18 made," he said. "Maski
nandiyan iyong pera parang napakahirap gawin iyung dapat gawin."
"Eventually that number became 66,800. And as you know, we finished that last
year. So iyong impossible has been accomplished and we have had the wherewithal
now to support the K-12 program, which will need more classrooms, teachers,
desks," he said.

"I managed to go on the TPLEX up to Carmen Rosales. I understand its open or will
be open this year up to Urdaneta. Iyong before I step down, there will be one
connector for the NLEX and SLEX operational already," Aquino said. Iyung a lot of
the airports, iyung Laguindingan, for instance, will have pati iyong night flying
capabilities and actually ang haba ng listahan, ano, what will happen."
"Siguro the thoughts are, nagumpisa tayo, mamanahin natin lahat ng problema,
wala iyong wherewithal, wala iyong kakayahan para ayusin itong mga problemang
ito at kung babalikan natin ang nakalipas na apat na taon medyo marami-rami na
rin yata tayong na-accomplish na hindi natin akalain na mangyayari," he said.
The Air Force anniversary was marked with a colorful air show. Outstanding
members of the Air Force were also recorgnized.
On Monday, Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda expressed belief government has
a lot left to do -- and some of these may not be finished by the time Aquino steps
down in 2016.

Lacierda refused to do a self-rating of the administration. Its kind of self-serving for


us to rate ourselves."
"I think what you would like to see is that whether we arewe continue to pursue a
policy of governance that would benefit all. A policy ofset of policies that would
truly strive to reduce poverty, increase its social safety nets, improve its social
programs, giving access to the poorest of the poor in terms of education, health.
These are the main concerns, basic concerns of the people," he said. "And we
continue to pursue all these goals, making sure that we alleviate poverty, and all
the other concerns that most Filipinos and every Filipino would be concerned with.
Lacierda explained that 4 years into power, President Aquinos campaign
promises---contained in his 2010 social contract---remain to be finished. "A number
of them are ongoing. For instance, I can tell you that CCT (conditional cash transfer),
we started with 800,000 families or family beneficiaries. We are now at 4.4the
target right now is 4.4 million households."
So far, Aquinos anti-corruption drive has netted the detention of his predecessor
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on plunder and electoral sabotage raps, the ouster of
Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona for his failure to declare his true wealth,
the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez after she was impeached for
entering into an allegedly flawed plea bargaining agreement with a military
comptroller.
In recent weeks, plunder cases were also filed at the Sandiganbayan against 3
incumbent senatorsBong Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Jinggoy Estrada over the
pork barrel scam allegedly perpetrated by Janet Lim Napoles.

Most of those charged are not Palace allies.


In terms of governance, the Aquino administration has claimed credit for the
passage of controversial measures like the Reproductive Health and Sin Tax laws but
has so far been unable to pass a Freedom of Information Law, which watchdogs
claim would be a potent weapon in ensuring government transparency.
Aquino has also yet to get his allies to approve a Bangsamoro Basic Law that will
institutionalize the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that will end the
decades old secessionist movement in Mindanao.
For the CAB alone, his spokesman would welcome a Nobel peace prize nomination
though he emphasizes that the government is not soliciting such a nomination.
His administration also just signed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement
with the United States to allow the latter to have access to Philippine military bases
amid rising maritime tensions with China.
The Philippine military remains mismatched with China, as Manila is still
implementing a modernization program.
On the other hand, the Philippines has been hailed as a rising economy, but this has
been tempered by high unemployment rates.
Aside from this, the Aquino administration's infrastructure investments have been
slow, and thus many of these wont be finished by June 30, 2016-- the end of his
constitutional 6-year term.

60 GREATEST PNOY's ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR


1. unconstitutional EO No.1 & EO No. 2
2. bungled hostage rescue
3. blatant lie about the $430 million MCC grant
4. wrongful deportation of 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China
5. release of morong 43
6. missing in action during the typhoon
7. first and second quarter's GDP is at its lowest
8. unemployment gone from bad to worse
9. people suffering from higher cost of living and having depress wages

10. core inflation rate increased from 3.9 to 4


11. visitor arrivals decreased from 377, 672 to 317,443
13. underemployment Rate increased from 0.178 to 0.194
14. poverty Incidence has remained the same at 21%
15. imports 1/ dropped from USD 4, 568 to USD 5, 497
16. BIR and BOC failed to meet their respective revenue targets
17. Double vat on toll is imposed
18. failed to stop jueteng
19. billion lost in revenue due to missing container vans
20. corruption still rampant in national and local level
21. PPP zero investment
22. crime statistics increased
23. rising cost of food, fuel, electricity and basic commodities
24. very unproductive legislature under pnoy's admin
25. cancellation of flood projects resulting to massive flooding
25. increased pork barrel and CCT budgets and cut the budget on education.
27. failed CCT program
28. 5 million pesos aid to MILF
29. 31 million pesos aid to (not existing) ABB
30. 5-10 million bribe to congressmen to back up steps taken against GMA
31. P-noy's 1.46 Billion intelligence fund for 2011
32. LEDAC MEETING - Food costing almost Php1M
33. Executive Clemency to a dead person
34. Display of Inverted Flag
35. PCSO transferred to PICC
36. Some PCSO Personnel & facilities & equipments in some other offices

37. An Invalid Leader of a syndicate group smuggled out of the country for
defrauding gov't casinos
38. Credit-grabbing of FPGMA's finished & on-going projects
39. Missing in action on the massacre of Military men in Basilan
40. Bribing Congressman in support for Merci's impeachment
41. US$1M aid to Japan
42. Grounded Helicopters during flood rescue operations (di bale ng mas madaming
mamatay basta intact nag evidence against arroyos)
43. Unresolved Hacienda Luisita Massacre
44. dismissed from service a member of the AFP after being killed by the MILF
45. suicide of an ordinary citizen and young father (Pinpin) because of threat
46. gross disregard for human life (the crime of murder can easily be pardoned if
one is willing to become an ally)
47. DBP wrote off debts owed by four Lopez-owned corporations that caused
government losses of P1.67 billion.
48. Pilipinas kay Ganda, a copied slogan
49. in the midst of poverty, there's the porsche!
50. Fake warship (BRP Gregorio del Pilar)
51. Imposed total log ban on woodworking industry only to allow big mining
companies to cut through our pristine forests
52. Endorsed Brazilian coconut drink
53. Imposing new taxes on Social Security and pension contributions
54. Subsidies to GOCCs double from P7.466 billion last year to P14.162 billion
55. PR budget for PNOY's US exposure $15,000 (roughly P657,000) - by eating
hotdog on NY street..
56. willing to pay for law services to help us defend cases filed against us by foreign
contractors (Belgian, German, French, among others) but cutting budgets
everywhere.
57. Several appointees have pending cases in court.

58. Defiance of SC decision


59. succesful rushing of the electotion sabotage case...
60. US , Hongkong, Australia travel warning jeopardizing tourism revenue

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