I watched the SONA 2015 once...

July 27, 2015 — President Benigno Aquino III would go up to the nation and deliver a speech about what his administration (mostly in shreds due to near-constant power-control struggles) has done to the country so far.

Before we proceed, let’s make one thing clear: RandOM Access is NOT a politically-inclined blog. I write RandOM Access to write about anything and everything interesting. Just as I love to blog about random thoughts and glitzy events and fresh local talent waiting to be discovered and hero-worshiping-and-fanboying over chosen male celebs, I can also blog about public governance, legal gobbledygook, and many other current affairs that can affect us all.

I typed this article on Word before pasting this on Blogger. There are some benefits to not using an online connection while simultaneously watching and listening to a major national event.

Image courtesy of Rappler

Image courtesy of Rappler

Welcome to SONA 2015 Filipiniana Fashion Week!

Before the speech…

There’s the aesthetically questionable red-carpet entrance by the who’s-who of the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary Offices—and whoever they took as their plus-one. Yeah, yeah, Filipino designers go all-out when SONA rolls in, mostly because the featured personalities—some of which deserve a “S/he’s not even a legislator!” catcall—would show off their designer duds in an event that is supposed to be the yearly lack-of-any-real progress report of our Third World country. The SONA designer gowns are mainly viewed as a huge FU to the masses who couldn’t even afford to buy even one decent meal. Even the harsh realities of the Filipino masses outside Batasang Pambansa and Malacañang deserves far more press than an inappropriate display of opulence brought about by duping even business tycoons.

Personally, I can’t believe certain thickos of the public governance kind would pay huge just to wear traditional formal wear in an event that I can burn any invitation sent to me because I prefer doing personal one-on-one interviews with each guy who participated in That’s My Bae. If there are any interesting talented youngsters out there who want more publicity at reasonable rates (and no huge charges), just drop me an e-mail at omanlulu.workonline@gmail.com.

Alright, back to our usual program. Almost all local news channels are churning out updates and opinions faster than the Philippines’ actual economic growth. Everyone assembles inside Batasang Pambansa, and the news channels are doling out analyses from PNoy’s past work performance and what-could’ve-beens, to the predictions on who’s gunning for the high seats and who’s heading the agencies. After a few minutes, the President is in Session Hall.

This is gonna be a loooooong blog post thanks to the stat reports I collected.

During the speech…

Here’s a quick look of each topic from PNoy’s speech. Expect some snarking and IMO in this personal assessment of the State of the Nation Address by the President of the Philippines. Please pardon me if I didn’t include time-stamps when I was typing this up.

0. Wow. PNoy is actually courteous and admitted indispotion on his speech.

1. PNoy is proud that members of private proponent companies are now helping the government, with the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway as the example.

2. Yippee… the usual passive-aggressive smack talk against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s ruling. Yeah, CGMA made the PH numb from the nationwide corruption. Which then leads to his rising drive to lead the country.

3. Hey, we get an optimistic AVP about PNoy! We also learn how cronies from the past rule want to sabotage his rule and fail.

4. “Makaka-move on lang tayo kapag nakamtan na ang katarungan” Yup, if CGMA and her minions could just face charges and pay for their actions, we’d move on faster. And you know what? The same thing applies to you, PNoy!

5. PNoy showcases huge stats about GOCC dividends and tax collection revenues, and even praises BIR Director Kim Henares for a really good job in tax collection. Okay, I guess this helps alleviate my potential taxpaying issues for a while.

6. PNoy mentions that the Philippines is rising up on the ranks as a global competitor, and that more countries want to invest in the Philippines. When the foreign investment limits are lifted, we’d really feel it.

7. Another new AVP about how some of the most corrupt untouchables are put behind bars thanks to PNoy’s rule.

8. Lower labor strikes, lower unemployment rate, less OFWs, lessening job-skill mismatches. Okay, the labor sector is somewhat improving. Now if only they could hike up wage and salary rates.

9. DAMMIT, PNOY, QUIT SMOKING ALREADY!!!

10. He’s talking about the 4Ps and how it changed a lot for members of the underprivileged, and he’s still coughing like heck, and after that it’s AVP time!

11. He’s then talking about the greatly reduced number out-of-school children and increased improvements in the education sector thanks to programs such as the Alternative Learning System and souped-up TESDA programs.

12. PNoy talks about the health sector. He mentioned an increase in PhilHealth members and dependents. Wait, is there a warning against PhilHealth-aligned hospitals who wish to abuse the PhilHealth mechanics?

13. More towns now have electricity thanks to the Sitio Electrification Program. Cue AVP.

14. For travel and off-shore workforce, we get news of improved aviation ranks and we can now get direct-to-EU flights! He also mentions that there should be improvements in the railway systems (I don’t go to the MRT that often, but seeing the long queues is enough for me to want change)

15. After the transportation improvements are reports about the tons of modernizations in the AFP and PNP. Oh crap I forgot to get the names of the guys in the AVP talking about the AVP Modernization Bill.

16. PNoy mentions about the hiked-up performance rate and incentives of the PNP.

17. After putting a stop to finger-pointing in handling responsibilities, more new bridges, highway, and flood-control projects are now completed aiming to ease navigation and travel. I just hope the cost to implement them isn’t too large.

18. When a stable road is completed at a formerly inaccessible town, NEVER HOLD A PHOTO SHOOT FOR THE HECK OF IT!

19. PNoy mentions improvements on public-private partnerships and warns that if private companies refuse to cooperate in times of crisis, the government is absolved from the blame game.

20. PNoy talks about statistics reflecting that the Filipino has higher hopes in job satisfaction and car sales. Wait, why are you suddenly talking about automobiles?

21. Once the foreign investment limits are off for good, more OFWs would just go back to working in the Philippines.

22. Okay we’re back to swiping past Presidents Evil for over-extending terms. This time about Marcos. His reply to people who still criticize his achievements? Eh ‘di wow.

23. PNoy mentions the Bangsamoro Basic Law with matching AVP. I was wishing that he’d mention what to do to make sure (1) extremists never abuse this law, and (2) Muslim-majority communities will not discriminate against non-Muslims in their towns.

24. PNoy wishes to pass legislations related to Fiscal Incentives and Pension Reform before he leaves the office. The best part of the wishlist: HE WANTS TO PASS THE ANTI-DYNASTY BILL!!!! He also credited the legislation of choice bills such as the Sin Tax reform and the act allowing foreign banks to fully operate in the PH. See you on the FTSE 100!

25. PNoy’s thanking a lot of people such as his secretaries for their contribution to make life in the Philippines more bearable and all who helped him adapt the president image he has when he was running for the 2010 elections.

26. PNoy knows what he’s doing in the face of the West Philippine Sea drama and recognizes that permanent solutions are better than band-aid solutions. He said it: Aanhin ang pogi points kung magpapamana din ako ng problema?

27. Wait, why are there more AVPs and stat reports about Philippines as highly developed country in the hands of a good governating body? And why did the camera film Jejomar Binay, Grace Poe, and Mar Roxas in one frame?

28. PNoy knows he’s not perfect and acknowledges he was blindsided. At least he admits he committed errors in judgement of certain people.

29. After two-and-a-half hours, PNoy signs off.

After the speech…

WOW! PNoy’s detractors steal the spotlight before the mallet struck down! Fun!

Personal Commentary

Earlier reports stated that PNoy’s speech will be optimistic, and it is. Because we’re so used to complaining about PNoy’s shortcomings, we often forget about the accomplishments his office has done. President Aquino had done a lot for our country, but during his speech I only wished he addressed these things:

1. THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL!

2. The Mamasapano incident 
3. The cases of ex-PNP Chief Alan Purisima.

4. His allies involved in the Pork Barrel issues.

5. The PDAF and DAP.
6. A more personal and thorough addressing of poverty and corruption.

THE BEST WAYS FOR THE PHILIPPINES TO ACHIEVE ANY REAL PROGRESS.

3. Quit political monopolization.

First things first: no political dynasties (thank you for adding the Anti-Dynasty Bill to your wishlist!), no tolerance of wayward allies, no pointing fingers in national scandals. The faster the government thickos clean up their act for good, the faster everything gets done. Just ask Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

2. Implement all the necessary bills, laws, and reforms—with great force and urgency.

This includes environmental laws, agriculture reforms and transparency bills. For the government officials and everyone else doing the actual processing and implementation of the laws, this is pretty simple: People want solid results at the fastest way possible! No one wants to buy the whole mahaba-ang-proseso BS anymore even if they have the bribery resources. At the same time, people shouldn’t demand instant results just to shut up and be happy if they're not doing any legwork. That being said…

1. Every citizen of the Philippines must do his/her part.

Okay, so the actual efforts of the government is slower than they want us to believe. The lawmakers themselves should be more disciplined if they want to be a good example. Here’s something the protesters forgot: The policymakers aren’t the only ones shouldering the heavy-duty responsibility. After all, it’s unfair to expect President Aquino (or any government official in retrospect) to solve every single dang problem while they just march out complaining non-stop about how only a select few gain all the benefits. Private corporations should stop thinking only of their money and benefits and just contribute to the country they’re company stands on.

The list above is something all succeeding and aspiring government officials must consider. Whoever becomes the new ruler should better adapt the achievements while avoiding the mistakes he committed. That way we’d get the wonderful Philippines everybody wants to see.

That’s all for now! Tune in for more RandOM Access!!