Millenials Point of view to 2014 SONA of the Philippine President

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 country’s Legislative Branch of Government. 

Philippine President Benigno Noynoy PNoy Aquino III had delivered his State Of the Nation Address for the fifth time on July 28, 2014 before the member of the congress, the senate, other political figures and dignitaries as well as to his "bosses", both watching on the hall of congress as well as to those who are glued on the television and radio channels.

This year's SONA was indeed being monitored by millions of Filipinos here and abroad amid many economic and political issues this country has been experiencing. It can be recalled that the Philippine are currently in the middle of PDAF-DAP controversies that jolt the political world of the country, dragging big names down to the jail. 

Calamities that brought the Philippines to international attention were also one of the major factor that leads Filipino in questioning the hope that the president instill on us from his last SONA.

On the SONA, the president said that the government services was improved without increasing the taxes on the country, excluding sin taxes - which was increased to lessen the vices of our countrymen.

The president also stated that the Philippine funds had increased due to the proper implementation of tax collection by the government through the Bureau of Internal Revenue. From 1.094 trillion pesos collected from 2010, the government had able to collect 1.536 trillion in 2013.

With the various economic growth, President Aquino had also broke the news that the next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit or APEC Summit will be held here on our country, another proof that the country is indeed again on the center stage for international business.

In regards to the Philippine infrastructure, the president boasted that the country had more than doubled the funds for infrastructure. From 200.3 billion on 2011, the government had now allotted 404.3 billion pesos on nationwide projects.

He addressed all the nurses, midwives, or doctors who chose to serve in the barrios; each graduate who has chosen to work for the government; each Filipino athlete who proudly carries the flag in any corner of the globe, each government official who renders true and honest service that they made the "change" possible.

In the end, PNoy repeated that what was once impossible is now possible. He said the SONA is not his, but of the Filipino nation.

There are more things that the president had mentioned during his speech, and I guess that they are too many to mention. But one thing that I noticed is that the most powerful man in the country had directly talk off the issues that were taboo from the last administrations like the issues of kotong on the government and had also laid facts supported by tangible records that supports to the government's claim of an improving country, not much like the worthless bangkang papel story of the other regime on their SONA.

Watching the militant's rally during the SONA, I can say that the saying "you cannot please everybody" is indeed true, but as I see and feel it, I am more far comfortable on this administration in compare to any other who came before it.

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.”

"The Filipino is worth living for, the Filipino is definitely worth fighting for" -          President Benigno C. Aquino III

In my opinion, this was the best SONA of President Aquino in his 4 years of being the head of the country. It was simple and concise, and his appeal to the emotions was genuine and felt by the listeners, even his critics. He was also wise not to mention the Supreme Court and the three senators who are in jail for the pork barrel scam. 

And it was a relief that he did not blame this time the past administration of Gloria Arroyo for the problems the country now is facing.

Again, I feel bad that he skipped on tackling the Freedom of Information bill. It was one of his biggest promises in when he assumed office 2010, and with two years left in his term, he should make it a priority.

The Philippines has so many problems right now, and PNoy is right in rallying his 'bosses' -the Filipino people- to help him in continuing the positive transformation his administration has started and will be doing in the next two years.

As a reply to your SONA, your BOSS now says “STAND UP WITH YOUR ADVOCACY AND VALUES ... LEAD US ALL TO THE REAL TUWID NA DAAN.