Writing PNoy's second SONA

The speech writers of President Benigno Aquino III have meticulously labored over his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), the crafting of which began as far back as six months ago with much brainstorming and research. Aquino will be addressing the 15th Congress as it embarks on its Second Regular Session on July 25. Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that “[t]he President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session." In a report aired on GMA News' “State of the Nation" on Friday, reporter JP Soriano said the Presidential Management Staff last February told all government departments and agencies to submit their accomplishment reports in preparation for the drafting of the SONA. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang confirmed last month that all key agencies had submitted their respective reports and that there was already a template for the draft speech.

Carandang was part of the team that drafted the speech of Aquino, who got to see six drafts before approving the final version which focuses more on “social transformation." “Kailangan mabilis kang mag-type kasi, siyempre, magdi-dictate sya," said Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III, referring to how to handle Aquino’s hands-on approach to writing his speech. “Walang kahit anong sentence doon na hindi sa kanya. Dahil from start to finish, nandoon siya." “If he wants some changes, he would tell the speech writers to do some changes right there on the spot," said Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, referring to how Aquino makes impromptu changes. “And sometimes, he would feel he would rather do an extemporaneous [speech]." Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino hates long speeches and that “all the details that Aquino has to share in his annual address" probably won’t fit in a short SONA, which was why a “comprehensive technical report" would also be released to include other significant accomplishments of the line agencies. “Ito na rin ang oportunidad para sa Pangulo upang ibalita niya kung ano na ang nagawa niya at kung bakit ang mga iyon ang kanyang piniling gawin," said Quezon. Over the weekend, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte had also disclosed that the SONA was written in Filipino, the national language of the Philippines, and contained “undisputed facts and figures." “Kailangan niya itong gawin sa lengwaheng talagang kayang maabot ng mga kababayan natin," explained Quezon on Aquino’s choice to use the national language in his speeches. As compared to the SONAs of previous Presidents, Aquino’s trademark style appears to be to cite statistics and numbers in his speeches. “Dahil ekonomista nga siya by training, ang realidad para sa kanya ay numero," explained Quezon. “Ang pagpapatunay ng isang programa o bagay ay hindi palabok kungdi yung numero talaga." As regards his delivery, Prof. Monette Flores of the University of the Philippines gave GMA News some helpful advice that she would give the President. “Magdahan-dahan siya," she said. “Kapag dahan-dahan sya, makakahinga sya, may espasyo para makahinga sya."— Marlon Anthony Tonson/KBK, GMA News