Eventful SoNA week
Opinion columns and editorials for the entire week were all about the President’s concise, coherent, and statesman-like speech during his first State of the Nation Address (SoNA). We cannot help but compare it with the previous six SoNA speeches we heard from former President Rodrigo Duterte (PRRD), but that’s being unfair.
Each President is his or her own brand, and PRRD’s speeches propelled him to be the President with the highest approval ratings globally during his term. Now that we know how President Bongbong Marcos Jr. prepares and delivers his speeches, we shall see if the public shall approve of his actions thereafter.
The SoNA itself was a treat, with the newly renovated session hall of the Batasan Pambansa Complex. We’ve seen the modern lighting and well-decorated rostrum. The attendees’ tables were all changed to look sturdier and more stylish. It was a contemporary Filipino design that added flair to the entire event.
New leaders occupied the podium — President Marcos, Jr., Senate President Migz Zubiri, and Speaker Martin Romualdez – all stalwarts of our political system, tried and tested individuals ready to lead their respective institutions.
As someone from the business sector,
I am most hopeful for positive changes in every administration. What I gathered is the President will be continuing unfinished initiatives, such as the tax reform laws and its spending on infrastructure. In my opinion, there were not that many novel ideas mentioned, rather an emphasis on establishing a strong foundation at the beginning of the six-year administration.
There was nothing to brag about since we are still at the beginning of this journey, but there were a lot of promises backed up by numbers and research, which, with swift and wellthought-of decision-making, can be implemented within his term.
Interestingly, before and after the SoNA, two unrelated incidents took place that tested the executive branch. First would be the detestable act of political violence that took place during the Ateneo Law School graduation, my alma mater, where a gunman targeted a former mayor of Lamitan, Basilan, killing her and two others.
Next would be the earthquake felt in Northern Luzon, Metro Manila, and some areas in Southern Luzon, that have reportedly killed five individuals due mainly to landslides. While these incidents are nearly impossible to avoid, the quick responses of the government are laudable.
On the matter of the earthquake, President Marcos,
Jr. first gave the impression that he would not be immediately flying to Abra to see how our Filipinos are doing there, citing his experience as Governor of Ilocos
Norte. It was a good point — local government units
(LGU) must be given the latitude to handle their own constituents, and the national government must step in after the LGU has taken the lead. President Marcos Jr. still flew to Abra yesterday, together with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, having given the LGU ample time.
Having a President not immediately rushing into emergencies can be a sign of good things. We have someone who we know is thinking of his every move, and not acting based on impulse. Just like his SoNA speech, we knew it was rehearsed since it started and ended on time, and the pace and timing of the pertinent parts were delivered very well. There were no snide remarks or side jokes during the SoNA; we have a statesman doing his job to the best of his abilities.
“Now that we know how President Bongbong Marcos Jr. prepares and delivers his speeches, we shall see if the public shall approve of his actions thereaf ter.
“What
I gathered is the President will be continuing unfinished initiatives, such as the tax reform laws and its spending on infrastructure.