President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened her State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday by congratulating the recent winners of the last May national elections.
She also congratulated the recently-proclaimed leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
She declared that with the end of the past elections, this should put an end to politicking and greed with everyone concentrating on propelling the Philippines to first world status within 20 years.
She declared that poverty would be marginalized by then in the Philippines with its hallmarks of modern society and strong institutions.
The President noted that hopefully, in 2010, the Philippines would be well on its way to achieving this vision.