'In nation's new chapter, equality before the law'
Nearly a year after assuming his post, President Benigno Aquino III announced on Sunday that the first steps have been taken to free Filipinos from the twin threats of poverty and corruption. Aquino, who gave a preview of sorts of his State of the Nation Address (SONA), also defended from critics what he called the âreforms" that his administration has pursued. âSinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon sa ngalan ng buong Pilipinas, ipinahayag ko ang pagbubukas ng isang bagong yugto sa ating kasaysayan kung saan ang bawaât Pilipino ay mapipitas [na] ang bunga ng kanyang pinaghirapan, kung saan ang batas ay ipatutupad nang patas sa mahirap man o sa mayaman, kung saan maaring panghawakan ng lahat ang sariling kapalaran kung saan ang kalayaan ay may katuwang na karangalan," he said after the flag-raising ceremony marking the 113th Philippine Independence Day in Kawit in Cavite. (I am telling you now, we are opening a new chapter in our history where Filipinos can partake of the fruits of their labor, where the law will be applied equally to rich and poor, where every one can determine his or her own honorable destiny.) âSiguro naman nagkakaisa tayo sa katotohanang nakapagtanim na tayo ng pagbabago (Perhaps we can all agree that the seeds of change have been planted)," he added. âIto ang malayang Pilipinas, tayo ang malayang Pilipino, hiwalay... sa kambal na salot ng korapsyon at kahirapan, sumasalubong sa kinabukasan nang taas noo at puno ng kagalakan," he said. (This is a free Philippines, we are a people that has broken free from the shackles of the twin threats of poverty and corruption. We welcome the future with heads held high and with joy in our hearts.) He criticized the rhetoric of past administrations, which all failed in their attempts to quash poverty and corruption. This is because corruption had prevented whatever gains of past administrations from reaching the people, he said. âHanggaât di nauubos ang korap hindi mauubos ang mahirap. Kung gusto natin palayain ang bayan kailangan natin palayain ang gobyerno at ang sarili mula sa kasakiman. Matagal na tayong nagtiis sa sitwasyon kung saan ang dapat nakikipagdigma sa kahirapan ang siya ring pinag-uugatan nito," he added. According to him, true independence is freedom from hunger, poverty, ignorance and lack of opportunity. True freedom is freedom with dignity and honor. He also said that while Filipinos are divided on many issues, they share in the conviction that their situation now must improve. âKampi man sa Dallas o Miami, pro o anti responsible parenthood man, iisa ang sentimyento nating Pilipino, hindi natin gusto ang sitwasyon. Alam nating may mas maganda pa rito at gusto natin marating ang mas magandang yan," he said. Last year, Aquino based his presidential bid on an anti-graft platform. Second-class citizens no more But for now, Aquino said Filipinos can take pride that they are no longer treated or considered second-class citizens. He said Brunei has asked Filipinos to help in product design and branding while Cambodia has invited Philippine firms to invest there. âTapos na ang panahon kung kailian meron pang pagkahiya sa pagiging Pilipino. Taas noo natin maihahayag, Pilipino ako kaya kaya na akong tulungan ng aking gobyerno. Kaya na akong tulungan ang kapwa kong Pilipino. At kaya ko na rin tumulong sa buong mundo," he said. SONA preview Aquino also gave a preview of his SONA, where he enumerated the nationâs gains after nearly one year in office. These include:
- The passage of a measure postponing the Aug. 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and synchronizing them with the May 2013 elections;
- The signing into law of a measure limiting the perks of officials of government-owned and controlled corporations;
- The pocket open skies policy that aims to boost Philippine tourism;
- The continuation of the conditional cash transfer program for poor families.