President Aquino's sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) has been delivered. It's amazing to realize that five years have passed since he first gave his first one. I can still remember the "utak wang-wang" criticism against those who perennially felt entitled that dominated his speech. The whole speech is available online for those who missed it. There are a few points that I would like to bring up.
President Aquino's final SONA, as expected, defined his presidency of the past five years. His first SONA was an enumeration of the seemingly never-ending discoveries of graft and corruption of past administrations, particularly that of Gloria Arroyo. Indeed, not a SONA has gone by without another dig at the former president, who stayed in power for nine years. A lot has happened in that time. A lot that also needs time to correct.
In the five years that has passed, I doubt if anyone can contest what the Aquino administration has achieved. Economic growth, improvements in education, health care, trade and industry, labor. In his SONA, pie charts abound with comparisons from last year's data, along with some comparisons from past administrations. Military modernization has undoubtedly taken place in the Aquino years, especially with a seemingly festering conflict with China over disputed territory. In short, the past five years have seen a lot of improvement for the country. We are now in the eyes of foreign companies willing to invest, and the rating of the country has reached unprecedented levels.
But the President is also quick to point out that not everything can be solved overnight, or in this case, six years. There is no miracle pill that can solve all of the country's obvious problems. But they have done what they could. Several projects that were proposed and approved way before the President's term has finally been finished, proving that an honest government can make things happen. Something past administrations just do not have.
But with all these accomplishments comes a caveat. That all these achievements can all go to waste with just one election. Indeed, there are those who do not have the track record needed to ensure a continuance of what has been achieved. Those who just want to be in power, indefinitely even, until the end of time. The President took time to thank all those who have truly helped him achieve the successes of the past five years. Including those who personally attend to him, no matter how small a task. I thought that was a nice gesture. There is also that prayer that whoever succeeds him will continue the good work.
There will definitely be critics. Those who protest outside the Batasan Pambansa no matter who sits at the Palace. But I have to say that the rude actions displayed by some known critics of the President at the end of his speech were uncalled for. A desperate move to be noticed. There are proper forums for disagreement. That was not one of them.
In health circles, there is such a thing called a continuity of treatment, where the only way to ward off illness is to keep the treatment going. The Philippines was once seen as the "sick man of Asia." Not anymore. All the more reason for a continuity of treatment. Otherwise, we may backslide into illness once again.