Inside Philippine politics & beyond

The SONA: Our lawmakers and the disconnect

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By Raïssa Robles

In this post, I would like to do live-blogging of the State of the Nation  Address of President Benigno Aquino  before Congress.

IN the end, I think PNoy’s message is – Ang sarap maging Pilipino sa panahong ito.

IN a way, yes. BUt in another way, life is much harder.

***
ANother thing that PNoy did not at all mention directly – the conflict in the South China Sea. THis was only hinted at in terms of the upgrades for external defense.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said it was “prudent” of the President to keep mum about it because of Manila’s pending case of arbitration on the issue before a United Nations body.

***

UPDATE: AS OF July 22, 2013, 6:49 PM:

You can read the English version of PNoy’s speech by clicking here.

First thing quite noticeable is the utter disconnect  between what lawmakers are wearing and the topic of the SONA.  How can they be listening to the gross poverty in our nation while wearing the most expensive designer outfits?

The way the lawmakers, their relatives and firends are dressed to the nines, you’d think this was the Oscar Academy Awards. Not a gathering of the nation’s leaders to tackle the nagging and very serious problem of poverty.

According to Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, the conditional cash transfer covers 4.3 million families. Assuming the traditional assumption that a Filipino family has an average of six members, that’s 24 million individual Filipinos who are very very poor.

And that’s equivalent to around a fifth of the current  assumed Philippine population.

That’s a LOT.

***
An hour has passed since PNoy started his SONA. THere is as yet been no mention of the pork barrel and the FOI bill. HOwever, there has been mention of Philhealth for the poor, of informal settlers, of the peace agreement with Muslim rebels.

***

PNOy mentions the high 7.8% growth.

BUt why hasn’t this growth trickled down to the poor?

I recall a press briefing with an Asian Development Bank economist which I attended eons ago. I asked him how much the economy has to grow in order to reduce poverty.

He said Philipping GDP has to grow 7% for seven years in order to make a difference in the lives of the poor. RIght now, that kind of growth has been accomplished for three years. Four more years to go.

* * *
NOw he knocks the Bureau of Customs.
WHat is he about to say – interrupted by the clapping.
HE slams the way customs personnel are allowing drugs and arms and other contraband to get through.
HE issues a warning against rogue customs men. BUt he doesn’t say if his criticism includes the Customs Commissioner.

***

Will he mention the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo? NO mention yet.

HE praises Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario who went to Libya at once after being appointed to his post.He rescued many overseas workers caught in the conflict there.

AH. NOw he praises Jesse Robredo.

PNOy says –
PAano na sa 2016? Paano pag bumaba ka na. Mga Boss,isipin nga po natin:saan ba tayo nagmula?Kung may agam-agam kayo ngayon ano ba naman ito kumpara sa agam-agam natin nung 2010.”

***

HE suggests reviewing the Civil Service Code that guarantees civil service employees security of tenure.

* * *
Lawmakers are urging the amendment of the present 1987 Constitution in order, they claim, for more foreign investments to come in.

FIrst off, lawmakers should present a study showing FDIs WILL come in once we tinker with our Constitution.

My suspicion is that a lot of FDIs to Asia are coming from China. ANd the only way to attract China to pour in FDI here is to give them Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and the Kalayaan Island Group. Would Filipinos want to do that?

***
Jeez. I’ve never heard such a “disintunado” (out of tune) choir on national TV.

***
Interesting. This is the first time when NO ONE in the presidentil palace leaked the contents of the President’s SONA piecemeal.

***

So far, the President has not said anything in his SONA that is newsworthy. YOu know, something with an OOMPH.

I mean, it’s true that electrification of more towns are good. BUt what is it that would make a VAST difference in the lives of the poor? IN the life of the nation?

***
NOw we get to the more substantial portion of his speech.

He just said the land distribution in Hacienda Luisita will soon start.

***
He said Philhealth will cover the poor.

ONe regional hosptial will be able to do open heart surgery.

***

NO wonder Congresswoman Imelda Marcos is not in Batasan right now. She has been rushed to the hospital after falling down the stairs at the Batasang Pambansa complex before the SONA.

But I just saw Senator Bongbong Marcos on TV. HE didn’t go the hospital with mum?

***
Policemen are getting their homes.
Soldiers are going into farming in several camps.
HE’s batting for an increase in soldiers’ pension.

***
He also wants to raise what we pay for our monthly SSS and GSIS pension.

If Congress does that, it should also raise penalties on SSS and GSIS commissioners as well as other government officials who lean on SSS and GSIS to buy certain stocks in exchange for commissions and payoffs.

And both pension funds should be more transparent with the way the their respective boards use pension money to invest and give loans to themselves. THeir disclosures should be as stringent as those imposed on listed corporations at the stock market.

***
PNOy airs warning against rogue cops.

He personally praises model policemen who did their duty.

***
Now he talks about the negotiations between the government and the Muslim rebels. Hr predicts more good news is coming.
He promises that whatever is forged would be implemented by the government

HMmm. Why is the clapping by the lawmakers on this issue so limp?
***

He wants the “cabotage law” amended.
Cabotage refers to transportation by air, sea and land . Click on this link.

***

Now he talks about external defense of the country.

***
And from there he talks about expenses the state shoulders for MRT and LRT passengers in Manila.
He wants to raise MRT and LRT fares equivalent to the aircon bus.
But what about the commercial rights already given to those occupying commercial space within the MRT and LRT system? Do these rights stay with the original MRT concessionaires? Is that fair to the public?

***
PNOy states why Iloilo is blessed now with government projects.

He notes that the new Senate President is from Iloilo.

And that is what is distinctly wrong with the Senate. Unlike in the US Senate, Philippine senators are not geographically distributed. Most senators are really from Metro Manila. No one is from the Muslim region in the south. Only two claim to be from Mindanao. But really now, do you think Senator TG Guingona grew up there? Along with Sen. Koko Pimentel?

And this is one reason why development in the Philippines is so lopsided – in favor of Metro Manila.

****
As a journalist, I think the problem with the President’s speech is that it is filled with details but there is no over-arching idea to tie them altogether. I get a sense of a long laundry list being ticked off. Not a whole idea, a vision.

But hey, I’m glad he’s not corrupt.

***
NO MENTION OF PORK BARREL YET.

***

Or at all.

Comments

  1. pinadalhan ako ng apo ko ng birthday card noong july 3 mula Pilipinas at dumating lang sa akin july 28 USA, air mail ordinary mail. mailed nya sa bangko central post offrice. ang sobre ay bukas sisra ang ibabang bahagi ng sobre at wla ang inilagay na 2 flash drive na may lamang mga awitin.
    ito ba ang bagong Pilipinas na ipinagmamalaki ni Pnoy? isa sa sangay ng pamahalaan na kahit ordinaryong sulat (natural alam kung ano ang sulat dahil sa laki at korte ng sobre, card) oo nga medyo may nakaumbok kaya alam na may laman sa loob. SAPAT BA YUN PA PAGINTERESAN? YUNG NAGBUKAS NAKITA NYA NA FLASH DRIVE ANO ANG HALAGA NG 2 FLASH DRIVE? YANG SANGAY NG TANGGAPAN NA YAN ISA SA NAGPAPASIRA SA IMAHEN NG MGA PILIPINONG MANGGAGAWA. MGA MAGNANAKAW, MANDURUGAS AT KURAKOT. HINDI NAMAN MAGPAPADALA NG MAHALAGANG BAGAY NA ILALAGAY SA SOBRE. HINDI PA PINALAGPAS. MGA AWITIN ANG LAMAN NG FLASH DRIVE NA PAMAPALIGAYA SA MGA KATULAD NAMING NALULUNGKOT DITO SA IBANG BANSA.

    PANGULONG NOYNOY AQUINO, PAKILINIS MO PO ANG MGA SANGAY MO NA MAY MGA NAGSASAMANTALA AT MGA ANAY SA IYONG ADMINISTRATION. MATAGAL NANG GINAGAWAA NG MGA TAGA POST OFFICE ANG GANITONG GAWAIN. TALAGA BANG ANG MGA PILIPINO AY HINDI NA MAGBABAGO SA PAAGIGING MAGNANAKAW?
    NAKAKAHIYA KAYO!! ANG PINAGSASAMATALAHAN NYO MGA NAGHIHIRAP NA KABABAYAN NYO.

    • Sa america nangyayari din ito. lalo na pag sulat ng pinoy para sa mga kamag-anak niya sa pinas at alam nilang pag papuntang pilipinas, merong perang kasama sa sulat. iyon pala, ang gumagawa ng gano’n, mga empleyadong pinoy na nagtra-trabaho sa post office sa america.

      • @pelang, sana noong nakita na flash drive lang isinoli na lang. nilagyan ng tape. eh di hindi pa halata na gusting nakawin. MGA WLANG AWA TALAGA. MAKARMA SANA SILA.

        • isa pa hindi naman nila magugustuhan ang mga awitin dun dahil mga awitin na luma pa sa mga tatay at nanay nila. baka hindi nila kilala ang mga umaawit at pamagat ng awirin na andun. sana ibinalik na lang sa sobre.

        • @pinay710,
          ay naku talagang mawawala lang ang mga isinisingit sa koreo. danas ko iyan.
          matagal na proseso ang cleansing sa ating kultura.
          ang pang-uumit o pagnanakaw ay matagal nang nagaganap. mas matanda pa sa panahong nagbansag ang mga manlalayag na espanyol at portuguese sa isang pulo ng “islas de ladrones”.
          kaya nga dini-discourage ang magsingit ng mahalagang bagay lalo na kung pera sa isang sobre ng sulat.
          isa ako na biktima na sa pagtitipid ay talagang may kapalit na perwisyo.
          maari naman tayong maglinis within ourselves.
          ito’y isang bagay na maaari nang hindi iasa sa ating presidente na mas maraming priority concerns.
          mag-DHL na lang tayo…:)

        • @ginoong vander anievas, hindi ko po hinihiling na bigyan prioridad ng pangulo ang nagging karanasan ko. ipinararating ko lang sa kanya na ang isa pangunahing tanggapan na nasasakupan nya ay isa sa pinaka matandang nakawan tulad ng customs. ang tanggapan ng customs mga negosyanteng mayayaman ang kanilang mga hinahawakan ang postal ay mga maliliit na mamayan kaya ba HINDI PRIORIDAD? kung ganun po pabayaan na lang. sige na lang huwag nang kumibo? sige total maliit na bagay lang naman ang nawala sa akin. PERO KATIWALIAN PA DIN YAN DI PO BA?

        • …next time…send a flash drive with videao…kung ako yun…ikwat ko…with message sa huli…PARA SA YO KAWATAN Ka!

    • Hi pinay,

      Belated happy birthday! Sorry to hear about your lost flash drive. Might be good to check also kung ano ang regulation sa pagpadala ng electronic devices through mail. I think they’re quite strict about certain items sent to some countries so there’s a possibility it was removed because it might be prohibited. Might just be worth checking.

      My sister tried to send me some dvds before of tagalog movies but she was told at the post office (in Manila) that she had to show proof they were not pirated copies. She had to show the receipts as proof of purchase and they also had to make sure the dvds were in their original package, unopened, before she was allowed to send them. She ended up not being able to send anything at all. :( di ko tuloy napanood si John Lloyd Cruz. Hehe!

    • Pinay@42

      I think Cha is right. I understand that what really disappointed you is the thought that somebody pilfered the flash drive. In my experience about sending CDs/DVDs to my children abroad, I ensure that same are properly identified as wholesome materials and original as shown by accompanying store receipts. IMO your flash drive was legally removed or confiscated for violation of postal regulations, either in the Philippines or USA. Relax and charge it to experience. Do not let the incident spoil your birthday.

  2. “The BOC repeatedly falls short of its collection targets, and has been unable to stop smuggling. Whenever Biazon is asked by the press what he plans to do to increase collections, stop smuggling, and curb corruption in the bureau, he answers: “computerization.”

    “With computerization, Biazon says, there will be no contact between the importer and customs employees. No paper work. Everything will be by computer. Aside from curbing corruption, transactions in the BOC will be quick. Fixers will be put out of business. And collections will increase

    Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/57225/judge-stops-boc-computerization#ixzz2a1DWgVQM

    Computerization “has started at the BOC and was planned for completion next year were it not for a Manila regional trial court judge who stopped the award of the computerization contract to the winning bidder.”

    Another hoodlum in robe?

    PNoy, please put topmost priority on judicial cleansing now that your allies control both the lower and upper houses of congress. This situation may not happen again after you.

    • @ Rene-Ipil,

      Another hoodlum in Robes? Bakit ba hindi mawala sa ating yang mga HOODLUM IN ROBES na yan? Napaalis na si convicted thief justice nato corona at heto pa ulit problema na naman ang hoodlum in Manila Regional Trial Court Judge na ito na nagpahinto nang Computerization sa B.O.C., pakilagay nga nang pangalan kong sino ito ang judge na ito sa M.R.T.C.at parang nagpabor pa sa mga ayaw nang Computerization dahil mawawala kickback nila, Maaaring nasuholan ang nasabing judge na ito? Nagtatanong lang po?

      Sagot ang Computerization para mapabilis ang transaksiyon sa B.O.C. at mawala ang lagayan at palakasan bakit ayaw nang iba lalo na nang M.R.T.C.judge na ito? Nakapagtataka at Nakakagulat naman?

      Tama ka Rene dapat na rin papanagutin ang nasabing judge dahil sa hindi makatarungang judgement o desisyon…

      • totoong ang hadlang sa ating pagsulong ay ang mga corrupt na namumuno. ipagdasal nating kunin na silang lahat ni Lord at ng maging matagumpay ang hangarin ng ating mga tapat na lingkod bayan. ngayon na sana. Lord pakiusap po. ilagay po ninyo sila sa isang maluwalhating lugar sa inyong paraiso na pawang isasaisip lamang ay ang makapaglingkod sa Iyo at sa kanilang kababayan. amen.

      • [email protected]

        The name is Judge Armando Yanga of Manila RTC. BTW all RTC judges are under the supervision and disciplinary jurisdiction of Court Administrator Midas Marquez who remains entrenched in this position despite the dismissal of his boss, Renato Corona.

        • …lagyan ng CCTV ang mga RTC at iba pang korte…schedule of hearings: 8:30 A.M., dadating ang mga ibang juezes alas dyes na!

          Anong ginagawa ng korte supermen? eH…WALA! Bahong medyas lang na man.

  3. Ako ay nagtataka lamang kung bakit sa makailang Talumpati sa Kalagayan ng Bansa ng Pangulong Aquino ay hindi man lamang niya nabigkas ang tungkol sa panukalang batas sa Kalayaan sa Impormasyon, kahit pahiwatig o pasaring man lang. Ito kaya ay nangangahulugan na sadyang hindi siya sumasang-ayon na maisabatas ito? ako’y naniniwala na ang kanyang programa laban sa pangunguwalta at katiwalian sa pamahalaan ay lalong mapapatatag kung ang mga mamamayan ay mulat at may tiyak na kaalaman at impormasyon sa mga transaksyon sa pamahalaan, lalo na sa pagugol ng salaping bayan.

      • dyos ko, hwag namang pahabaan pa ang halos dalawang oras na speech ng presidente baka lalo siyang ubuhin. ang alam ko’y isusulong ni senator grace poe sa senado ang FOI. susubokan niyang gawing batas iyon. sana it will be voted in and made law.

        gloria arroyo meanwhile is proposing to make necrophilia illegal, or having sex with the dead is going to be against the law. that’s what she wants to pass. she seems to be more concern for the dead than for the living. I thought she would help to give closure to the fisher folk of pampanga na na-scam ni janet lim napoles. hindi pala.

        • @moonie

          Re Arroyo: i think that bill is a rhetorical allegory, point being, GMA is, for all purposes, politically dead. So there you go.. :)

        • ha, ha, ha, rejtatel, you have a bad sense of humor, bad, bad sense of humor. and liked, liked, liked you for it. very funny. sumakit and likod ko sa katatawa. bless you!

  4. Oh nasaan na ang mga magagaling na tao ng simbahang katoliko, lalo na ang cbcp? nakinig ba kayo sa SONA ni PNoy at kita ba niyo ang suot ng mga representative ng mamayang Pilipino.

    Eh ang lawak ng agwat, masmalawak pa kay sa sa Pacific Ocean ang agwat sa laman ng SONA at damit at kasuotan ng mga Congresso ah.

    Akala ko ba ang numero unong concern ng CBCP ay ang pagtuturo ng moral values, so what values are you going to say about the SONA and the members of Congress and how expensive they dressed themselves?

    • I’d be terribly, terribly happy if numerologists can come up with a set of winning lotto numbers enough to snare 1st price. the best they could come up with is set of three, not good enough .

      • I think the president has no friends. they all sat and watch his discomfort, and instead of giving him water to drink and soothe his throat made parched by long talk, they counted his cough one after another. no one made sure there was water at arm’s reach, to drink in case he needs it. if there was a doctor at the audience, he was playing dumb, did not recognize the president’s distress cough, symptoms of dry throat getting dryer.

        • @moonie,
          parang ganito ang nababasa ko sa comment mo…
          ….mas magiging masaya sila kung hindi si pnoy ang presidente.
          dahi kaya sa matumal ang dating sa kanila ng kitaan?

  6. @Mel comment#29 about the crying police:
    The incident really proves my theory that BAYAN, KMP along with other MAKABAYAN bloc party list are just fronts of CPP-NPA-NDF. Even the so called foreigner who joined the rally named Thomas van Beersum that berated the police have a communist belief as seen in his facebook page.

    https://www.facebook.com/thomasvanbeersum

    Similar to Bayan Muna’s past rally with pictures of tyrant leaders:
    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/400795/labor-day-protest-marches-heated-but-end-peacefully

    It’s obvious that they want to turn our country in a communist state by abusing the freedom of assembly. Using the words Human Rights Group to further destabilize our country and break law and order/peace.

    I believe that the BI should arrest, deport and blacklist the foreigners who joined the rally since they are doing things beyond the rights of normal foreigner/tourist do when they go visit other countries.

        • The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940

          DEPORTATION OF ALIENS
          Sec. 37.

          (a) The following aliens shall be arrested upon the warrant of the Commissioner of Immigration or of any other officer designated by him for the purpose and deported upon the warrant of the Commissioner of Immigration after a determination by the Board of Commissioners of the existence of the ground for deportation as charged against the alien:

          (8)Any alien who believes in, advises, advocates or teaches the overthrow by force and violence of the Government of the Philippines, or of constituted law and authority, or who disbelieves in or is opposed to organized government or who advises, advocates, or teaches the assault or assassination of public officials because of their office, or who advises, advocates, or teaches the unlawful destruction of property, or who is a member of or affiliated with any organization entertaining, advocating or teaching such doctrines, or who in any manner whatsoever lends assistance, financial or otherwise, to the dissemination of such doctrines.

          – Commonwealth Act No. 613

          Link: http://pcw.gov.ph/law/commonwealth-act-no-613

      • Yes it is Joma, lecturing youth as stated by Thomas van Beersum

        “Joma inspired a whole new generation to study society, history, political economy, philosophy and to merge theory with practice. He was a patient teacher for many generations of activist youth. His ideas still have a major impact in the Philippines. Happy Birthday to Joma Sison! Long live the revolution!” — with Jack Garcia, jack garcia, Alex Primo Molo, Joma Sison, Robert Joseph Stull and Dads Lluz Ocaña II.

        van Beersum is an professional activist promoting communist revolution in several countries, from the US (Anakbayan) till Nepal and etc.

        • Happy BDay JOMA,….. Why not liquidate those Multi Nationals and Billionaires who were really the ONE circumventing our LAWS and eating the small chances of the POOR people to earn more for their daily needs….. Politicians who are grafters , can you not concentrate in exterminating them to our society? Don’t just kill those policeman , go to their BOSSES ” dyan galing ang kasamahan , ginagaya lang silang mga ang kanikanilang mga subordinates ….

      • @Martial Bonifacio…..does not only look like “Joma Sison”….that is absolutely Jose Maria Sison…….none other than the celebrated ‘filet mignon revolutionary’ who is unable to give up his ‘la dolce vita,’ cowardly avoiding the field of battle while his poor deluded followers do the dirty work that will never see the light of day!

        • damn right! human rights group, well, anders breyvick the norwegian mass murderer was also member of human rights group. they later disowned him for putting their idealism into practice, blowing up parliament and killing people.

    • @Martial Bonifacio,

      nakita ko ang fb account ng puti na ito at pati ang picture na nagsasayaw sya. check ko ang fb account ni joma at ang picture duon at ang mama sa likod ng litrato ay iisa. yan ay kung ang mayari ng joma account sa fb ay totoo si joma nga.

      ibig sabihin pinapunta/pumunta na ang mga dayuhan at kasama ng mga pinoy sa pagrally? ibig sabihin may basbas kay joma?

      tanong ko lang sa mga makakaliwa/makapula, di ba meron na kayo kinatawan sa congress (party list)? bakit kailangan nyo pa mag-martsa? manggulo? kung meron na kayo boses sa loob ng gobyerno? ang laki din ng pork barrel nila ah.

      kasi kung ganyan ang kalakaran ay pwede pala mag-rally din ang bawat isa sa atin kahit na meron na tayo kinatawan sa congress?

      baka kaya yun ang ginagamit panggastos sa mga rally-rally na yan?

    • @Martial _ you wrote “… my theory that BAYAN, KMP along with other MAKABAYAN bloc party list are just fronts of CPP-NPA-NDF.”

      Maybe. A blanket front, not really. Partial, definitely.

      As for Thomas _, at least hindi radical jihadist espousing violence. But from witness’ (photos and hear by) account of a Crying Cop by RemZamora, Thomas was complaining why they were being subjected to violent dispersal.

      UP Front? The rank and file (maralita) tagged along the civil march. Protests and mass movements should be encouraged peacefully. Filipinos have come along way (e.g. Marcos Dictator era, People Power 1) – but not there yet. The more, the merrier. Otherwise, the corrupt will continue to flourish and entrench their oligarch power.

      Understand what Policeman Joselito Sevilla answered.

      When asked why he is crying, he replied, “Sa gutom at pagod. Walang tulog. Walang pahinga. Dalawang draw na kame nakadeploy dito. Tapos ganito nagkakagulo.” This was also PO1 Sevilla’s first dispersal assignment. (Because of hunger and no sleep. We have no rest and we have been stationed here for 2 days already and now it’s getting violent.)”

      He’s a big man, check the street huggers (young man and short woman) that showed empathy and console. If they can bear hug him, they would.

      One story I recall during the Edsa or Mendiola road blockades during the Dictator years, one police or soldier was standing for so many hours under the sun and was wanting to be excused in order to relieve himself to piss or pooh. He asked his officer for permission but was denied, threatened with a gun to his head to stay on his post to block the rallyists.

      The poor police/soldier had to piss and/or pooh in his pants in front (middle) of both opposing sides. I wonder if he cried in shame, for being subjected to cruelty and indignity.

      • I’ll forgive officer joselito sevilla for having a human moment, thoroughly, thoroughly. happens to all of us, sometimes.

        in blockades, soldiers can turn around and piss in bottlles, covered by rank and files. no, they dont throw the filled bottles at people even though they wanted to, very, very much.

        judges are luckier, they can call for recess and adjourned, and have breaks in the meantime.

        doctors cannot have breaks when they’re on the operating tables. surgery or operations can take as long as 5hrs, and they must be there hands on all that time, else they lose momentum and end up cutting off or removing the wrong body parts.

    • @Martial _ you wrote “… my theory that BAYAN, KMP along with other MAKABAYAN bloc party list are just fronts of CPP-NPA-NDF.”

      Maybe.

      A blanket front? Not really. Partial? Definitely.

      As for Thomas _, at least hindi radical jihadist espousing violence. But from witness’ (photos and hear by) account of a Crying Cop by RemZamora, Thomas was complaining why they were being subjected to violent dispersal.

      UP Front? The rank and file (maralita) tagged along the civil march. Protests and mass movements should be encouraged peacefully. Filipinos have come along way (e.g. Marcos Dictator era, People Power 1) – but not there yet. The more, the merrier. Otherwise, the corrupt will continue to flourish and entrench their oligarch power.

      Understand what Policeman Joselito Sevilla answered.

      When asked why he is crying, he replied, “Sa gutom at pagod. Walang tulog. Walang pahinga. Dalawang draw na kame nakadeploy dito. Tapos ganito nagkakagulo.” This was also PO1 Sevilla’s first dispersal assignment. (Because of hunger and no sleep. We have no rest and we have been stationed here for 2 days already and now it’s getting violent.)”

      He’s a big man, check the street huggers (young man and short woman) that showed empathy and console. If they can bear hug him, they would.

      One story I recall during the Edsa or Mendiola road blockades during the Dictator years, one police or soldier was standing for so many hours under the sun and was wanting to be excused in order to relieve himself to piss or pooh. He asked his officer for permission but was denied, threatened with a gun to his head to stay on his post to block the rallyists.

      The poor police/soldier had to piss and/or pooh in his pants in front (middle) of both opposing sides. I wonder if he cried in shame, for being subjected to cruelty and indignity.

  7. Off-topic: @Raissa a interesting article about SC and RH law
    http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/318764/news/nation/sc-justice-calls-contraceptives-poison-that-can-harm-unborn-children

    “contraceptives attack healthy ovaries to make them dysfunctional. Court needs only common sense not medical experts to know this.” -Associate Justice Roberto Abad

    What about tylenol? biogesic and aspirin? If that is how Justice Abad will decide then all the medication should be banned as well since it causes side-effects. FDA and DOH should be abolished and let the Supreme Court decide what is good for our health etc.

    • could justice roberto abad enlighten us and tell whose ovaries he talked to? the ovaries that said they were made dysfunctional by contraceptives. I would like to see the sworn statement signed by said ovaries.

      • and how did justice roberto abad know the ovaries were healthy? did he have a good look down there?

    • Ay naku pag ang reasoning ni Justice Abad ang style na masusunod sa lahat ng gamut, food supplement at lahat ng pagkain sa ating bansa, ay sa tingin ko wala ng safe na pagkain at gamut sa mundo.

      Seriously Justice Abad, buti na lang di kayo naging doctor. Mga kababayan bakit natin papakinggan ang isang abogado na magdecide kung ano ang mabuti para sa ating katawan kung ang dapat na magdecide ay isang doktor, eh hindi naman doctor si Abad ah, isa siyang abogado.

      Justice abad tumigil na po kayo sa pakikialam sa bagay na wala kayong alam.

    • That the Court needs only common sense not medical experts to know that contraceptives attack healthy ovaries to make them dysfunctional:

      It’s an outrageous, self-contradicting claim that shows an utter lack of common sense.

      For how does common sense figure out a medical matter such as this?

      For a supposedly learned and well-educated man, Abad, in making this statement, seems to have gone daft.

      • discriminatory pala ang contraceptives na alam ni justice roberto abad and will attack healthy ovaries and make them dysfunctional. meaning contraceptives can distinguish the difference between healthy and unhealthy ones. and the unhealthy ovaries will not be attack, only the healthy ones. so now, more women will simply opt to have unhealthy ovaries and be prescribed contraceptives.

        by the way, where did justice roberto abad got this healthy ovaries idea? been plariagizing, eh? as a judge of high standing, he should use and quote from medical literature no older than 5years to back up his claim.

        cha, tama ka, justice abad has gone daft.

        • Alam kaya ni Abad na ginagamit din ang oral contraceptives sa iba pang mga problema ng mga babae bukod pa sa pagpigil sa pagbubuntis? Katulad halimbawa yung Irregular periods, dysmenorrhea (painful mentrual period), amenorrhea (absence of mentrual period), menorrhagia (heavy period), at endometriosis (lwhen lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus), pati nga sa acne nire-recommend rin ng mga doctor dito sa Australia ang paggamit ng birth control pill.

          Paano niya malalaman ito, unang una hindi naman siya doctor. At hindi rin naman siya babae. Walang silbi yung kanyang common sense sa usaping ito.

    • lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang opinion sa bawat bagay na nakikita/naririnig natin. at malaya tayo na ipaglaban yan. ito ang ibig sabihin ng demokrasya.

      pero bilang mga mahistrado at tao na nagiisip at natitimbang ng mga bagay na inihahain sa kanila ay dapat maging maliwanag sa kanilang isip na di kailangan ang personal nilang opinyon (yun sa sa pribadong buhay lamang nila) ang kailangan at dapat sa posisyon nila ay yung desisyon na ayun sa batas at kung di man sakto sa hinihiling ng batas ay yung makatarungan at makabubuti sa nakararami.

      hindi yung dahil sa yan ang relihyon nila, yan ang kinalakihan nilang pananaw, paniniwala nila o kaya ay may “nabulong” sa kanila na.

      kapag ganito ang nangyari mawawala sa tamang tuwid na daan ang mga desisyon nila.

    • basta ako alam ko, i had to take contraceptive pills IN ORDER TO GET MY REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN GOOD SHAPE IN ORDER TO BEAR CHILDREN. wow. my babies are products of a dysfunctional system huh? so dapat i didn’t do anything and just waited? and waited? and waited?

      PS: anong alam nya sa pagiging babae? may vagina ba sya?

    • nasaan na ang ating tagahuli ng may tama sa isip? dapat sigurong imonitor na ang bawat galaw ng justice na iyan. malaki na ang tama nyan…

  8. I cannot remember who started all these ala Movie Awards Night where all members of the lawmaking body flaunting their expensive coverings as if they are brandishing what they have done with their earnings (or loot) as elected officials. Are their dresses the thing they have to show people about their success or achievement while those who were denied to come near to hear or see their leaders and wanted to be heard wore only what is enough to have their body covered with tsinelas and bakyas?
    And what is this with Kris Aquino wearing red while all her siblings are in yellow? Is it her way of saying she is different or still showing non-conformity as a her sign of being free?
    Some issues have been said already here in our CPM and it may too much if I still have to say another thing.
    SONA is successful as far as what is to be said but a failure on what is needed to be said.

  9. This is what I understand about the 2013 SONA as told by PNoy.

    The Vision : Acceleration of inclusive growth.

    The Goal : To achieve all-encompassing, comprehensive and sustained progress.

    The Strategy : Maximize opportunities for all, especially for those most in need, in receiving the benefits of progress. Stop relying solely on the trickle down effect of progress. Seize every opportunity that comes along. Nurture such opportunity very well into fruition.

    The Action Plans Implemented by Government

    : Pangtawid Pamilya Pilipino Program – from 700k in 2010 to 4M households covered in 2013 to include up to 18 years old until they finish high school.

    : Raise quality of education – K to 12 program implemented, zero back clog in books, chairs, classrooms and teachers achieved in 2013.

    : Agricultural Sector improvement – rice self sufficiency in 2013, tripled sector growth during the first quarter of 2013, increased income of coconut farmers through intercropping in 2012 of 90 sites covering 5,500 hectares tilled by 10,000 farmers, expanding the coverage of such intercropping to additional 434 sites in 2013, completion of a cold storage facility for fish in Bataraza, Palawan, construction of new roads, bridges, ports and other infrastructure for fisher folks, and close monitoring of illegal fishing.

    : Land reform implementation – turnover of Hacienda Luisita lots to farmers in September 2013 and all notices of coverage served for “carpable” lands.

    : Health care – from 61% in 2010, 81% are now covered by PhilHealth and funded the modernization and improvement of 4,518 hospitals, rural health centers, and barangay health stations nationwide.

    : Multi-hazard mapping
    : Waterways clearing
    : etc., etc.

    The successful implementation of action plans provided widespread opportunities for Filipinos to grab at the proper moment and nourish same until they get the benefits of progress in our country.

    • Rene thanks a lot for the summary! but the CEO in Malacañang (or his speechwriter, the DFA, DOLE and DoF) has a lot of explaining to do to all members of the Diaspora why the more than USD 22+ billion remittances of the OFW’s was not part of his SONA?

      Am not asking the President to stereotype this issue but he could have the wit, will and brain to honestly tell his countrymen overseas that if we removed these figures from the GNP/GDP figures what kind of state of affairs will he gonna present to the people?

      • [email protected]

        I think that the OFW remittance is really very significant for the economy in boosting the international dollar reserve and our economic growth in terms of the Gross National Product (GNP) which includes earnings from outside the Philippines. But the country’s economic growth is presently measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which means the wealth produced within the Philippines that should have created jobs among other benefits.

        But despite our 6.8% GDP in 2012 and 7.8% GDP in the first quarter of 2013, the problem of unemployment persists. Thus, the theme about INCLUSIVE growth in SONA 2013 which aims to create jobs and other income generating opportunities for all, especially the poor farmers, fishermen, workers, etc.

        IMO remittances by OFWs help their respective families primarily in buying material needs but not much in providing jobs to the poor. Except that in enhancing the OFW family’s purchasing power, local economic activities are also promoted in the production of consumer goods and, in many cases, housing units. Needless to say, OFWs are generally secured in their jobs. And the focus of the SONA is on creation of jobs for the jobless.

  10. lahat ng proyekto ng administration ni PNOY ay kapakipakinabang sa bansa at sa susunod na generation. SANA…. SANA…. SANA ang mga projektong ito kahit matapos na ang kanyang termino ay ITULOY alang alang sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan. kung sakali at hindi na sya ang pangulo SANA…..SANA….. IPAGLABAN NG SUSUNOD NA MAMUMUNO NA ANG MGA SINIMULAN NA PROYEKTO AY ITULOY. puede naman mangurakot MAGTIRA NG PARA SA BAYAN at ITULOY ANG MAGAGANDANG NASIMULAN.

  11. Raïssa, you asked in your blog article, “PNOy mentions the high 7.8% growth. BUt why hasn’t this growth trickled down to the poor?”

    Answer: (I guess)

    Some economists have urged the BSP to encourage banks to pull out some of their deposits in the SDAs so they could lend more especially to job-generating investments.
    With the attractive interest rates, however, banks found it worthwhile to place significant amount of deposits in the SDAs.

    Source: Banks seen keeping funds in SDAs Rate cuts not big enough to trigger deposit pullouts – By Michelle V. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer 11:53 pm | Tuesday, July 17th, 2012

    Foreign Fund investors, Domestic (incl. Rural) Banks and Finance Institutions prefer to deposit into Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ SDAs, which yields more interest payments than invest or lend domestically.

  12. natuwa ako sa ginawa sa mga nakumpiskang mga torso, ginawa daw mga upuan ng mga magaaral. eh sana yung NAKUMPISKANG ILLEGAL NA BIGAS IPINAGBILI NA SANA SA MAMAMAYAN SA MURANG HALAGA. NASAAN NA KAYA YUNG MGA BIGAS NA YUN?