Point by Point: Scrutinizing P-Noy's SONA

Point by Point: Scrutinizing P-Noy's SONA

An Information Dissemination and Opinion Solicitation Discussion Group on the First State of the Nation Address of the Aquino Administration

July 30, 2010 4:00PM UP ETC Tambayan

Facilitator: Arjay Mercado

Objectives:

1. To point out the different issues raised by P-Noy's SONA

2. To analyze each point mentioned in the speech

3. To gather insights regarding the SONA

Definition of Terms:

A. Philippine Constitution of 1987 Article VII Sec. 23

• The president shall address the congress at the opening of its regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time

B. State of the Nation Address

• an annual event in which the President reports on the status of the nation, to the resumption of a joint congress

P-Noy's Criticisms:

A. Budget Deficit

• Php 197.6B deficit
• 6.5% of 2010 Budget Left
• 1% of budget per month left

B. Calamity Fund

• Php 2B calamity fund
• 70% was used
• Php 108M in Pampanga
• Php 5M in Pangasinan

C. MWSS

• Php 51.4M Payroll excluding Php 211.5M worth of benefits and allowances
• Only 24% is normal wage
• Php 2.5M per board member

D. Infrastructures

• Only 28 out of 246 priority safety projects
• 72 projects which were not part of the plan were made
• Php 480M spent (Php 425M in the original plan)

E. Rice Crisis

• Too much rice bought for the year 2004 and 2008
• Spoiled Rice due to excessive rice
• Resulted to Php 171.6B debt of NFA

F. Midnight Appointees

• Pertained to the people who built houses near the La Mesa Watershed

G. Energy Crisis

• NAPOCOR sold electricity for a much lower price
• Debts of NAPOCOR increased
• Government was forced to pay its debt of Php 200B
• Resulted to lower supply of electricity

H. MRT Operations

• Lower transportation fee
• Operators Failure
• Bought by Land Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines

P-Noy's Proposed Solutions:

A. Zero-Based Approach

• No capital, but will result to income for the government

B. Law Enforcement

• Case filed against a pawnshop earner who didn't pay taxes
• Case of extralegal killings

C. Truth Commission

• Headed by Chief Justice Hilario Davide
• First Executive Order that Aquino would sign

D. Public-Private Partnerships

• Expressway traveling Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, upto Cagayan Valley
• Rental of Navy Headquarters in Roxas Boulevard and Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio

E. Employment

• Build-Operate-Transfer
• Faster Registration for companies
• Easier Registration = More Job Opportunities
• Call to LGU’s

F. Education

• Widening of Basic Education Cycle
• Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE)
• Conditional Cash Transfer

G. PhilHealth

• National Household Targeting System

H. Competent Cabinet

• League of Cities and League of Provinces
• Efficient Cabinet Members

I. Appeal to the Congress

• LEDAC
• Fiscal Responsibility Bill
• Procurement Law
• Anti-Trust Law
• National Land Use Bill
• National Defense Act
• Whistleblower’s Bill

J. Peace and Order

• Peace Talk with MILF headed by Dean Marvic Leonen
• Anti-Violence

Defenses:

A. Figures

• Wrong according to Minority Leader Lagman
• Energy Price Reduction is for the people
• Pampanga’s budget is legal
• MWSS Issue

B. Energy Crisis

• For people’s sake

C. Pampanga Issue

• Legal
• Went through a process

D. MWSS Issue

• Removal of some officials in the Board of Trustees
• Investigations already started during Arroyo’s administration

E. Truth Commission

· Unfair

F. Rice Crisis

· World Food Crisis of 2007

Criticisms:

A. Counter-SONA

• Minority Leader Lagman
• Bureau of Treasury
• Misleading facts about Pampanga and Pangasinan
• EPIRA Law
• Rice Assumption is Wrong

B. Missed Points

· Sustainable Human Development

· Reproductive Health Bill

· Agrarian Reform Program

· Condition of Workers here and Abroad

· Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

· Freedom of Information Bill

· Foreign Relations

C. Feasibility of Laws Presented

• Immediate Need
• Incentives Confusion

• Unclear

Guide Questions:

1. What part of the SONA did you like the most?

2. What part of the SONA do you find questionable?

3. How would you describe the SONA?

References:

1. Books:

• 1987 Philippine Constitution

2. Websites:

• http://www.quezon.ph/2006/07/19/the-explainer-sona-sources/
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/34867070/2010-SONA-President-Benigno-S-Aquino-III
• http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/26/10/arroyo-camp-belies-aquinos-charges
• http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/insights/07/27/10/sound-and-fury-president-aquinos-sona

3. News Articles:

• “Arroyo ally hits SONA”, Salaverria, Leila, Philippines Daily Inquirer, July 28, 2010