Neil Don M. Orillaneda Philippine Foreign Policy July 30, 2015A.B. Political Science Reaction Paper – SONA 2015 Atty. Djoanivie Junasa

For the sixth and final time, President Benigno "PNoy" Aquino III delivered a State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 27, 2015, at Batasan Complex, Quezon City, in front of senators, congressmen, his Cabinet, members of the press, business leaders, diplomats and other very important personalities. The President highlighted the outstanding improvements and achievements in different aspects of the country such as manufacturing, unemployment, education, health and social welfare, aviation and transportation, military, and the bills and legislation, all under his 5-year administration built on the foundation of the so-called “Dang Matuwid” program.

President Aquino began his speech by showcasing the inauguration of the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway which, according to him, is the first Private Partnership project approved and opened to the public under his 5-year administration. Arroyo’s administration took a hit when the President said that the previous administration had to beg private sectors just to gain their participation which, in my opinion, is unnecessary. This unnecessary “blame game” continued when he mentioned the problems he inherited during his earlier days as President such as the NBN-ZTE Deal, “Hello Garci” controversy, to which the answer was a mere “I am sorry.”, the Maguindanao Massacre, and many more. While it is true that the architects, perpetrators and main beneficiaries of misuse and unlawful disbursement of public funds should be condemned, the President should keep in mind that it happened in the past and there is nothing that they can do to undo it. The President, during his five-year term, was able to fix the mistakes of the previous administration and it is time for him to burry the hatchet but doing so doesn’t implicate that the architects, perpetrators, and main beneficiaries of misuse and unlawful disbursement of public funds are not to be held accountable for the heinous crime they committed. In relation to this, the President also showcased the end of the culture of “wang-wang” not only in our streets, but in society at large. He was referring to the oath to fight corruption and eradicate poverty. President Aquino didn’t fail to praise the members of the Cabinet for their exceptional performance and the achievements they’ve made in the past years. He lauded his female-appointees namely Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, COA Chairperson Grace Pulito-Tan, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, and DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima. In my opinion, these persons appointed by the President are doing excellent jobs in their own respective fields. For instance, Commissioner Kim Henares filed 380 cases against tax evaders. Under her leadership, the collections of the BIR also went up to P1.3 trillion in 2014 and this year 2015, the BIR collection went up to P1.5 trillion. According to him, this is the first time in our history that the collections breached the 1 trillion mark. With this team, the Filipino people realized that those who were once in power and are considered as “untouchables” are now vulnerable and held accountable through the cases filed against them. The three senators who are currently detained and the former president who is still under hospital arrest is a proof that the

justice system in the Philippines, although susceptible to “politics”, is functioning for the common good. President Aquino also took pride in the Philippines’ economic standing and the international community’s confidence on our economy. Based on the statistics provided, the Philippines showed a growing trend not only on foreign investments but also on domestic investments. The Philippines is now considered to be one of “Asia’s Rising Tiger”, “Asia’s Rising Star”, and “Asia’s Bright Spot.” This shows us that our economy can be reinvigorated to the point that more opportunities are created and more investors are finding it attractive to invest in our country. Indeed the Filipino people, with a proper guidance from the government, can compete in the international arena. Though minimal improvements are to be made, President Aquino is still confident and proud with the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The government plans to buy 2 more C-130. There will be additional 6 landing craft utilities and 3 C-295 medium lift transport. President Aquino mentioned the PNP’s project such as their Capability Enhancement Program of which 2,523 patrol jeeps and 577 utility vehicles were purchased. We cannot deny the fact that some of the most important issues that the Filipino people stumbled upon was not mentioned by President Aquino such as the controversial PDAF issue which shocked the whole nation, the unfortunate events following the Mamasapano Massacre in which 44 of our brave men were slain, and the recent bastardization by the Chinese Government with regards to our territories in the West Philippine Sea.

Truthful and optimistic – these are the words to describe President Aquino’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address. President Aquino’s administration had its fair share of achievements and mistakes. We have to understand that no president can excel on all aspects of public administration. It times that we doubt the efforts of the President, let’s keep in mind that he could have been one of the worst president but he didn’t and as the President said, “I never said I was perfect but I did my best”. At the end of it, what’s important is that the president would not leave us hanging by the thread, and that people feel upbeat and optimistic about the future. As President Aquino said, this is only the beginning. This is only the beginning of a country that will not be cowed, and instead will stand as a beacon of justice and resolve in the global community. This is only the beginning of prosperity brought about by freedom from corruption. This is only the beginning of a society where every Filipino who works hard and does the right thing is guaranteed to succeed. This is only the beginning, and now, history poses a challenge to us to continue the transformation, so that it may bring about even more opportunities for future generations. We are only in the first chapter of the great story of the Filipino people. Guided by the Almighty, as we continue to tread the Straight Path, we will fulfil even greater aspirations. We will open the doors to even greater progress.