PNoy Gets High Mark

source: mb.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines — Officials gave President Benigno S. Aquino III a high grade after listening on Monday to his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), in which he stated his key achievements as well as his plans for the country.

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay was all praises of the President, while senators and most congressmen gave the Chief Executive high marks.

“Tama siya. Walang imposible (He’s right, nothing is impossible),” Binay said referring to the SONA part where the President said that the change the Filipinos were dreaming of, “that was once impossible is now possible.”

Binay said the results of the reforms initiated by the President are evident in the interest shown by foreign investors in the country.

As Vice President and Cabinet member, Binay said he will help the President realize his dream to improve the lives of Filipinos. He also urged all Filipinos to do their part and continue to support the administration.

At the Senate, President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada has this to say after hearing Aquino’s SONA: “I give him a 9.9 grade. We heard everything that he had done in the past two years. I have nothing I didn’t like, I like everything that I heard.”

“It was the most realistic speech I’ve ever heard from him,” Estrada added.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he is giving him a “very objective” 8.5 rating with regards to his administration’s accomplishments.

“The quantitative analysis showed clear numbers to back up his claims. I hope all the gains achieved in his two years will be felt by the lowest sector in our society sooner than later,” Lacson said.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan said he found President Aquino’s report “more or less complete.”

“It was long, but I was happy hearing him say about the deadline for the agrarian reform program, welfare for the bureaucracy, housing, salary, but I think the President had a mechanism for unity,” Honasan said in a phone interview.

“Incrementally it was an improvement of the last SONA. In other words, we have moved a little bit forward. In terms of hearing his priorities and direction, I’m satisfied that these have been met,” he said.

Honasan also said he it was good that President Aquino issued a tamed report on the government’s initiative on its dispute with China over the Scarborough shoals.

Angara agreed with Honasan. “But I think it’s also wise that he doesn’t make a very aggressive stand on that because the whole world knows our position is unwavering and that we are pursuing this aggressively. But since it involves other countries it’s good that he was tactful,” Angara also said in a phone interview.

Senators Francis Escudero, Manuel Villar Jr., and Teofisto “TG” Guingona also commended PNoy’s statement of confidence.

“It was long, but it was a statement of confidence, it’s also a statement of extreme hope,” Guingona said.

“It was clear, detailed and inspiring. It restores our sense of Filipino pride,” Escudero said.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, meanwhile, thanked the President for supporting Reproductive Health bill.

In the House of Representatives, leaders of at least four political parties, the National Unity Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Liberal Party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino gave Aquino the thumbs up after the Chief Executive finished his longest of three SONA’s during his two years in office.

Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II lauded Aquino for his “best ever” speech.

Nationalist People’s Coalition, through its spokesman Valenzuela City Rep. Rex Gatchalian, agreed with Gonzales’ observation.

“The SONA contained bold initiatives that detailed where the President wishes to take the country in the next three years,” Gatchalian said.

Pro-reproductive health Rep. Edcel Lagman (Independent, Albay) complimented Aquino for his “renewed and categorical endorsement” of the reproductive health bill.

LP stalwart and Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone noted that the SONA contained “practically all aspects of governance.”

Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez, vice chairman of the 34-member National Unity Party (NUP), said:

“The SONA struck a perfect balance in telling what has been done and what will be done. It is part report card and part marching orders. The thing to do now, however, is not to hail the achievements but to heed the challenges.”

Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, was also positive of the President’s speech.

“Nakakatulong na po ang pagsasaayos ng ating sistemang pinansyal – malapit na nga tayong makakuha ng investment grade credit rating. Increased government spending has also helped jumpstart our economy,” said Angara.

Rep. JV Ejercito (PMP, San Juan City) thanked Aquino for vowing to upgrade the budget for state universities and colleges.

Lament For Opposition

Oppositionist Minority Leader Danilo Suarez and Rep. Mitos Magsaysay (PMP, Zambales), however, lamented that Aquino continues his tirades against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who is under hospital detention at the Veteran Memorial Medical Center, some eight kilometers away from the Batasang Pambansa building.

Suarez, who is expected to deliver the so-called “contra-SONA” Wednesday, said Aquino’s move did not surprise him.

“It was expected,” Suarez said.

Magsaysay, who will be running for senator in 2013 under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), chided Aquino’s failure to lay down a comprehensive economic road map for the country to attract more investments and generate more jobs.

source: mb.com.ph