PNoy hit for using SONA to defend DAP anew

MANILA, Philippines -  President Benigno Aquino III used Monday's State of the Nation Address  to justify the government's Disbursement Acceleration Program, whose several projects  were declared unconstitutional  by the Supreme Court, according to militant group Bayan.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said Aquino also hinted during his 5th SONA speech before members of Congress that the impeachment complaint against him must be dismissed.

"Aquino used the SONA as a platform to justify the DAP and to send a clear message to Congress that the impeachment complaint should be junked. He used the podium to influence lawmakers on the impeachment proceedings,” Reyes said.

He said that the President has been avoiding accountability of his administration's shortcomings and failures by blaming his predecessors.

"Aquino should know by now that not all problems can be explained by blaming the previous administration. In the same way, not all problems can be solved by invoking the names of your parents. The Aquino habit of referencing his parents every time he needs to ward off criticism is getting tiresome," Reyes added.

He also condemned the "overkill" security measures placed by the government to prevent protesters from marching toward  Batasan Pambansa complex.

“The barricades were illegal. The police violated the laws when they did not recognize that we actually have, by operation of law, a valid permit to march to Batasan Road. They violated our constitutional right to peaceably assemble,” Reyes said.