SONA 2014

          "The Filipino is definitely worth fighting for," this striking message was mentioned by our President Benigno Simeon "PNoy" C. Aquino III, during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in front of senators and congressmen in Batasan Complex, Quezon City last July 28, 2014.
        
          PNoy started his speech by touching the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He mentioned the benefits of the mechanism which helped 220,000 students of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to the tune of Php 1.6 billion DAP funds. He then showed two video testimonials of those who benefited from TESDA scholarships. The address also enumerated the achievements of his administration over the year, which includes good economic performance, increased budget in infrastructure, success of Public-Private Partnerships, calamity efforts, among others. He was also combative against the critics of his administration, saying that they are actually against his "Boss," the people. He also had strong words against rice hoarders and corrupt officials who were put in jail at the Bureau of Customs. At the end of his speech, the President praised some religious leaders, local government heads, NGO's, soldiers and artists who made significant contributions. He also showed another video testimonials of three policewomen who arrested the Martilyo Gang. He was very emotional when he remembered the memory of his parents. To conclude his address, he urged the Filipino people to be the key in continuing the positive transformation that his administration started. 

          For me, this was his best SONA ever in his past 4 years of leading the country. Though it was simple, it catches the attention of the listeners. He is really educated because he did not even mentioned the Supreme Court and the three senators who are in jail for the pork barrel scam. It was great that he did not blame this time the past administrations for the problems the country is now facing.

          Our country has so many problems right now, and our president is right in rallying his 'bosses'-the Filipino people- to help him in continuing  the positive transformation his administration has started and will be doing in the next two years.