During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, President Benigno Aquino III claimed that his critics—essentially, those who don’t share his vision—are working against him and the Filipino people. He believed that these naysayers, threatened by the achievements of his administration, seek to maintain the status quo by any means possible. If Aquino is to be believed, mass media is just one of the weapons in their arsenal.
“Mga kababayan, [si Maria Cecilla Fruelda, isang Alternative Learning System learner at Aeta tribal leader], at ang marami pang benepisyaryong tulad niya, ang natatabunan sa tuwing umiingay ang orkestra ng negatibismo sa balita (Fellow citizens, it is Alternative Learning System learner and Aeta tribal leader Maria Cecilla Fruelda’s story—and the stories of many other beneficiaries like her—that is drowned out by the din of the orchestra of negativism in the news),” he said.
Contrary to what the president implied, however, his critics—those in the news and otherwise—are hardly against him. Rather, they are working with him by reminding him that there is still work to be done. These so-called anti-reformists are Filipinos as well, all of whom have just as much at stake in the development of the nation as Aquino does.
Oftentimes, what Aquino may construe as unfounded negativism is constructive criticism. The concept of check and balance is not limited to the three branches of the government; if the Filipino people is truly his “boss,” as he so claimed throughout his SONA, he must be prepared to be accountable to them.
“Ang totoo po, hindi naman ako ang kinokontra ng mga ito, kundi ang taumbayang nakikinabang sa tuwid na daan (The truth is that I am not the one these people oppose, but the entire Filipino people who are now reaping the benefits of the straight path),” President Aquino claimed. He even joked that the members of his office have grown used to negative commentators, personal attacks, insults and intrigue.
It appears, however, that these comments shouldn’t be taken as lightly as Aquino had tried to portray them. While media in the Philippines are hardly free of sensationalism and irresponsible reporting, it can be said that most of what is presented to the people reflect the truth and, in turn, the concerns of the people.
Shortly after the event, for instance, Interaksyon published an article on the reactions of some senators and representatives on the SONA. While many supported Aquino and his speech, others commented on what it lacked. Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza had expressed that he had wanted to hear about basic commodities, and peace and order. Former President Fidel Ramos was disappointed by the shortsightedness exhibited by the SONA.
Closer to home, Ateneans have expressed their desire for change. The Ateneans for Agrarian Reform Movement, for example, fought against the expiration of the land acquisition and distribution component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms Law, and continue to stand by their cause today.
On the other hand, the farmers of Casiguran, Aurora, with whom members of the Loyola Schools marched last December 2012 against the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, are still waiting for their Certificate of Renewal Contracts (CSC), which entitle them to rights to their lands. According to the farmers, Aquino had promised the speedy renewal of CSCs before they expire this year. However, the renewal process has, so far, come to a complete stop.
It was issues like these that were pushed aside in favor of other matters, such as a better economy and more transparency in the government, during the president’s term and in his SONA. And while we understand that the president cannot solve the problems of 100 million people all at once—not even in six years—casting them aside as personal attacks and insults is hardly a solution to anything.
“May kasabihan po tayo: Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan (We have a saying: Those who do not look back to the past, will never get to where they wish to go),” said Aquino. With little more than a year left in his seat, however, perhaps the time has come for Aquino to start thinking about the legacy he will be leaving behind.
Institutions are not established overnight; they are formed gradually by people who are willing to invest their time and effort into what they deem to be a worthy cause. If the president wants the changes he mentioned in his SONA to be sustainable, he cannot afford to adopt a close-minded attitude towards any of his constituents—even those who disagree with him. By continuing on this path, Aquino risks alienating the very people who will be continuing his policies, long after his term ends.
As such, the president shouldn’t propagate the idea of us-against-them when it comes to his critics. As angry as these voices might be, they nonetheless hope to push the administration towards the right direction. If “the Filipino is definitely worth fighting for,” then we’re all fighting on the same team.
