Philippine pride restored under Noy's term: Drilon

MANILA, Philippines - The man expected to be the next Senate President believes that Philippine pride has been restored in President Benigno Aquino III's first three years in power.

Drilon said this is due to the administrations' "adherence to the principles of good governance" and the President's "sound economic policies."

"Well, I think the first three years of the Aquino administration, to a great extent, we have restored the pride of the Filipino in our country. Especially outside, we have made them proud of our country once more," Drilon said in a press briefing on Thursday, a transcript of which was uploaded in the Senate website.

He said these policies resulted in the impressive 7.8-percent growth in the first quarter and in the upgrading of the country's investment grade from two rating agencies.

Drilon also claimed that Aquino administration's "good governance and good economic practice" also led to the record high approval and trust ratings of Aquino.

"If you compare the last performance ratings of the past five presidents after EDSA, the present administration has the highest performance rating. It indicates the approval by the people of the reforms done by the President for three years in the present administration," said Drilon.

On Aquino's statement that "the best is yet to come" in his remaining years, Drilon said the President is "conscious" that more needs to be done for the country.

"It means that he is conscious that notwithstanding all that he has done for our country, there is still a need to do some more. The fact is we still have unemployment rate which we have to address. We have the non-inclusive growth because poverty is still there. We still have to continue these reforms," said Drilon.

"What is important is that we have begun and the President has shown his political will to institute the necessary reforms," he added.

Dr. Clarita Carlos, a political analyst, said there is a genuine effort to reform and to address mainly the economic concerns of the country.

However, she said the Aquino administration's priorities remain unclear while the effects of the reforms it has initiated have yet to be felt by all.

Related story: Noy's first 3 years: 'Unclear priorities, unfelt changes'

Aquino is set to begin the second half of his term after delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, where he is expected to report to public the government's accomplishments in the past years.