‘With so many issues needed to be tackled, there will be concerns that will not merit any presidential mention, and some sectors are bound to be annoyed, angry even.’
LAWMAKERS and guests will troop to the Batasang Pambansa this afternoon. Ordinary citizens will be glued to their TV sets, radios, cellphones and other gadgets. They all want to hear what President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has to say in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The occasion is an opportunity for the new President to spell out in detail particular programs and policies that he intends to pursue in the six years of his incumbency. Second only to his inaugural speech in importance, the President chose to write his SONA himself, according to the Executive Secretary. That is how it should be, because a President is expected to talk with his heart and mind directly to the people, in a language and tone that they will understand.
Depending on their status in life and sectoral groupings, many Filipinos have expressed their personal preferences on what they wanted to hear from the President’s SONA. Farmers want a clear policy on what to do with the Rice Tariffication Law which many of them oppose. Traders and businessmen want to hear about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Muslim leaders are waiting for his plans on Marawi rehabilitation. The transport sector is concerned about fuel subsidies, while the poor will be on the lookout for what he thinks about the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Libreng Sakay. Church people will listen closely to what the Chief Executive has to say about divorce and the death penalty, both included in the legislative agenda of some senators.
Apart from these particular concerns, President Marcos cannot evade discussing food security and agriculture, he being the secretary of agriculture in concurrent capacity.
He will have to tackle the issue of poverty alleviation and jobs, health and economic aspects of the recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, energy issues, national security and foreign relations, especially the nation’s relations with the United States and China, disaster preparedness and the impact of climate change both in the short and long term.
Inasmuch as he will address the 19th Congress directly, Marcos will have to unveil his legislative agenda: what bills should be prioritized, what government departments or programs should be allocated with more funds; will there be new taxes to be passed?
With so many issues needed to be tackled, there will be concerns that will not merit any presidential mention, and some sectors are bound to be annoyed, angry even. They will have to take it as normal, par for the course. This is the reason why every after SONA, and even during the speech, protesters and critics are airing the other side of what was said. The more involved are marching and shouting in the street near the Batasan, waving placards and banners, risking a violent confrontation with the police.
Such is the essence of Philippine democracy, a healthy clash of ideas and political positions. Let us keep it this way, and shun the way of agitators who shout for blood and violence.
