SONA 2014: From the Perspective of an Ordinary Citizen

            President Benigno S. Aquino Jr. already made his State of the Nation Address last July 28, 2014. He reported some of the major accomplishments of his administration. He believed that he decreased the annomalies in the government through his serious program which is to eliminate the corrupt officials from their position. According to him, they already persecuted many government officials who involved in annomalies. This was a part of his campaign called Daang Matuwid. He wants to build a clean image of leadership. Because of this attitude of P-Noy many people admired him. They believed that he is an honest leader that’s why he have a gut to run a country. But today some of his followers left him because P-Noy lost his transparency when they made Disbursement Allocation Program or DAP.

            Of course, P-Noy defended his allies when he said in his SONA that DAP is a great help to boost our economy. He explained that it helped the Central bank of the Philippines when they seeded the fund on it.  Because of this action, the the Peso rate became stronger. Not only that, with the help of DAP they helped many scholar students. That was when they also gave funds to TESDA. The President also elaborated that they also used the funds for police modernization. So, it is a big help for the authorities to fight against criminality. But because of the decision of the Supreme Court, their projects would possible to stop. But he doesn’t want it happen, that’s why he asked the Congress that they should give them a supplemental budget to finish all their projects which first funded by DAP.

            P-Noy gained positive and negative reactions from the public to his SONA. Other people believed that the Aquino administration has good intention of implementing DAP. But the problem is it didn’t undergo in the right process. If the administration only became transparent with their action, maybe they  would not become controversial because of DAP. Others have a doubt that they can use it to their political agenda. We knew that DILG Sec. Mar Roxas is their candidate in presidential election 2016. Well, they already implemented projects, so they need to finish it than to sacrifice of their beneficiaries. It is not true that all of the critics of the president are angry with him. All they want is transparency in the government. That’s why they are asking the president that he must pass the Freedom of Information Bill. From this, he will prove his sincerity that he really wants transparency in the government.

            P-Noy has only two years before he will finish his term. The public convincing him that he should make more effort to improve his governance. For them, leadership is not only about fighting corruption. But he should contribute to change the lives of ordinary citizens in this country. Even the GDP has increased it is nothing if their stomach is hungry. He should focus on making a livelihood for the people. Improve the education quality and the health services in the country. In simple words, he should make easier the lives of his boss. Over-all 2014 has no direct impact with their lives, although some of them are still trusting the President. Although there are some groups wants him to be impeached.