SONA 2015: PH changes in governance, economic standing

Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s last State of the Nation Address, July 27, 2015 (Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III delivered his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) today at the Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City.

Beginning his speech, Aquino looked back five years ago when he made the oath as the fifteenth president of the Philippines, promising to end corruption prevalent in the previous administration as a way to alleviate poverty. Fast forward to today; the President believed that the country has gone far.

With his ‘daang matuwid,’ the President despised every form of corruption. He then reported delegating government officials who had integrity, courage and competence, mentioning Ombudsman Conchita-Carpio Morales, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, COA Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, among others.

While praising several public officials, Aquino also mentioned that others were suspended, ousted and charged with complaints. He claimed that these were evidences that the justice system was not impartial or politically motivated. He also cited as an example the three senators detained and the former president under house arrest. The President then vowed that he will not stop until justice is served.

PH economy

Moreover, Aquino reported about the reforms in the GOCCs, as well as tax and budget reforms. He mentioned the past administration’s dividends only reaching P84.14 billion, while the present administration’s dividends amounted to P131.86 billion.

Mentioning next the BIR reforms, Aquino reported that the past year’s collections have gone up to P1.3 trillion, while this year’s collections have been expected to be around P1.5 trillion. He mentioned 2008’s collections at P778.6 billion only. And in 2012, the country had its first P1 trillion collection. The President took pride with the increase without added tax, except the Sin Tax Reform.

Continuing with more changes, Aquino reported the Philippines’ ranking in the World Economic Forum, starting at the 85th place in 2010 and landing at the 52nd spot this year. Even net foreign direct investments increased to $6.20 billion this year from 2010’s $1.07 billion. With these, the country has been regarded as “Asia’s Rising Tiger,” “Asia’s Rising Star,” and “Asia’s Bright Spot.”

Moving to the manufacturing sector, the 3% average growth from 2001-2009 reached 8% in Aquino’s administration. With the unemployment issue, the rate dropped to 6.8% last year – the lowest recorded in a decade.

Helping poor Filipinos rise from poverty, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program now has 4.4 million families as beneficiaries, from 2010’s 786,523 households.