When President Arroyo gave her first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2001, she visualized a four-component agenda that would rid our nation of poverty.
The first was an economic philosophy of free enterprise, one with a social conscience. The second was a modernized agricultural sector founded on social equity. The third component was a social bias toward the disadvantaged to balance the economic development plan. Lastly, President Arroyo planned to raise the moral standards of government and society.
True, the Philippine economy has improved under the Arroyo administration. The increase in infrastructure and financial planning has led to notable accomplishments, like the completion of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. The president has paved the way for an increase in employment opportunities, as well as improvement in educational institutions.
But what has characterized her administration are the many glaring shortcomings. Two years ago, the controversy regarding the NBN/ZTE deal broke out. Leaving a trail of accusations, it linked high-ranked officials to multimillion peso kickbacks from the deal. Only the testifiers, it seems, had the social conscience to squeal—after not receiving their commission.
The passing of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (Carper) was a top priority for the president, according to her SONA last year. Yet, it took persistent lobbyists and rallies to make Congress listen to the plight of the farmers.
When it comes to balanced development and morality, only a minority can vouch their trust in the government. Corruption and fraud go hand in hand in widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
It has been eight years, and the four-component agenda has yet to be successfully implemented.
On July 27, President Arroyo will deliver her final SONA. According to an article in the Inquirer, the Palace is already describing Arroyo’s SONA as “great.” In doing so, Gary Olivar, Arroyo’s deputy spokesperson, talked more about the delivery of the speech than the content. But what characterizes a great SONA, really?
At the heart of the SONA is the president’s report on the progress of her administration. If she continues to give hollow promises, then her SONA is merely comprised of words, and not achievement. If she reiterates the same goals, then her SONA is about the past year’s failure. If she gives a speech full of figures and not context, then her projects haven’t made a true impact on our country.
Never addressing urgent issues and questions of leadership, President Arroyo has never given a great SONA. A SONA does not take a day, but a full year to accomplish.
The only thing great about this year’s version may be that it is her last.
