Short and Sweet
Today Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivered her fifth State of The Nation Address.
Unlike the previous four, this one undoubtedly was the most important of her political career as it comes in the midst or great political uncertainty and instability.
The entire country as if watching a drama unfold, eagerly anticipated the outcome to this chapter of the story. I too found myself absorbed as she spoke.
It was short, perhaps the shortest in history, nonetheless it spoke of a truth about one of the fiercest realities of this country; that the Filipino people has become its “worst enemy”.
I have refrained from any political posts until now because I find it difficult to talk about the same things I deal with several hours a day at work. Blogging as a past time has been my formula for creativity. Besides, I hate politics.
But President Arroyo’s speech echoed a lot of personal thoughts, so I might as well share while I am it (blogging that is).
I have remained apathetic to all the mud slinging that has been going on in government these last two or three months. I am inclined to believe that the opposition is no better than the administration, perhaps even worse, since they are willing to sacrifice the good of the nation for their own political agenda. The Filipino people are at the losing end regardless of who’s right.
President Arroyo shared similar arguments during her address today. She began by pointing out the division in the country. “The story of our nation is a tale of two Philippines; almost, as it were, two countries under the same name.” One booming and geared for take off, the other degenerated by its political system.
I’ve always believed that the Philippines is too young a democracy to really be entitled to the liberties it provides. Our democracy is many of times abused. Take for example the countless protest rallies that take place every year. We’ve seen the same people over and over again, barking out complaints against the government and it’s policies. Ironically their position has remained the same despite several changes in leadership.
The political scene isn’t different either, with opposing parties slugging out exposes against each other. With all the bickering going on, it is no wonder why we fail to move forward.
As a solution to these problems the President reasserted her call for charter change through a constituent assembly. And although I am still unconvinced that this is will work (especially if the same political parties will be clashing it out under this new government) the idea of change sounds good. For sure what we have right now isn’t working, and people power isn’t the solution (it’s been abused too much that it’s true meaning has been lost).
As expected President Arroyo’s address left many wanting. In a television interview this evening, Senate President Franklin Drilon criticized the President for failing to address the pertinent issues of today. The opposition didn’t hear what they wanted to hear, and according to them the President purposely avoided doing so.
I on the other hand think she said exactly what the people needed to hear.
Her message was a call for unity. “We may disagree among ourselves but let us never lose sight of that greater battle for one people, one country, one Philippines. Not the country of this or that president but the Philippines of our shared and passionate affections.”
This is not President Arroyo’s country to loose, it is ours, and if we continue to focus our efforts on anything else but what is for the greater good then it is our collective loss.
RELATED LINKS:
- Full SONA Text
- Much Applause, Few Surprises – PCIJ Blog
- Sona crowd: mabango vs. maasin – Howie Severino
April 8th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Great article. I am just sad I dont know how to reply properly, though, since I want to show my appreciation like many other.