Neil Don M.

Orillaneda
A.B. Political Science

Philippine Foreign Policy

July 30, 2015

For the sixth and final time, President Benigno "PNoy" Aquino III delivered a State of the
Nation Address on Monday, July 27, 2015, at Batasan Complex, Quezon City, in front of
senators, congressmen, his Cabinet, members of the press, business leaders, diplomats and other
very important personalities. The President highlighted the outstanding improvements and
achievements in different aspects of the country such as manufacturing, unemployment,
education, health and social welfare, aviation and transportation, military, and the bills and
legislation, all under his 5-year administration built on the foundation of the so-called Dang
Matuwid program.
President Aquino began his speech by showcasing the inauguration of the MuntinlupaCavite Expressway which, according to him, is the first Private Partnership project approved and
opened to the public under his 5-year administration. Arroyos administration took a hit when the
President said that the previous administration had to beg private sectors just to gain their
participation which, in my opinion, is unnecessary. This unnecessary blame game continued
when he mentioned the problems he inherited during his earlier days as President such as the
NBN-ZTE Deal, Hello Garci controversy, to which the answer was a mere I am sorry., the
Maguindanao Massacre, and many more. While it is true that the architects, perpetrators and
main beneficiaries of misuse and unlawful disbursement of public funds should be condemned,
the President should keep in mind that it happened in the past and there is nothing that they can
do to undo it. The President, during his five-year term, was able to fix the mistakes of the
previous administration and it is time for him to burry the hatchet but doing so doesnt implicate
that the architects, perpetrators, and main beneficiaries of misuse and unlawful disbursement of
public funds are not to be held accountable for the heinous crime they committed. In relation to
this, the President also showcased the end of the culture of wang-wang not only in our streets,
but in society at large. He was referring to the oath to fight corruption and eradicate poverty.
President Aquino didnt fail to praise the members of the Cabinet for their exceptional
performance and the achievements theyve made in the past years. He lauded his femaleappointees namely Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno,
COA Chairperson Grace Pulito-Tan, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, and DOJ Secretary Leila
de Lima. In my opinion, these persons appointed by the President are doing excellent jobs in
their own respective fields. For instance, Commissioner Kim Henares filed 380 cases against tax
evaders. Under her leadership, the collections of the BIR also went up to P1.3 trillion in 2014
and this year 2015, the BIR collection went up to P1.5 trillion. According to him, this is the first
time in our history that the collections breached the 1 trillion mark. With this team, the Filipino
people realized that those who were once in power and are considered as untouchables are now
vulnerable and held accountable through the cases filed against them. The three senators who are
currently detained and the former president who is still under hospital arrest is a proof that the

justice system in the Philippines, although susceptible to politics, is functioning for the
common good. President Aquino also took pride in the Philippines economic standing and the
international communitys confidence on our economy. Based on the statistics provided, the
Philippines showed a growing trend not only on foreign investments but also on domestic
investments. The Philippines is now considered to be one of Asias Rising Tiger, Asias
Rising Star, and Asias Bright Spot. This shows us that our economy can be reinvigorated to
the point that more opportunities are created and more investors are finding it attractive to invest
in our country. Indeed the Filipino people, with a proper guidance from the government, can
compete in the international arena. Though minimal improvements are to be made, President
Aquino is still confident and proud with the modernization of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines. The government plans to buy 2 more C-130. There will be additional 6 landing craft
utilities and 3 C-295 medium lift transport. President Aquino mentioned the PNPs project such
as their Capability Enhancement Program of which 2,523 patrol jeeps and 577 utility vehicles
were purchased. We cannot deny the fact that some of the most important issues that the Filipino
people stumbled upon was not mentioned by President Aquino such as the controversial PDAF
issue which shocked the whole nation, the unfortunate events following the Mamasapano
Massacre in which 44 of our brave men were slain, and the recent bastardization by the Chinese
Government with regards to our territories in the West Philippine Sea.
Truthful and optimistic these are the words to describe President Aquinos sixth and
final State of the Nation Address. President Aquinos administration had its fair share of
achievements and mistakes. We have to understand that no president can excel on all aspects of
public administration. It times that we doubt the efforts of the President, lets keep in mind that
he could have been one of the worst president but he didnt and as the President said, I never
said I was perfect but I did my best. At the end of it, whats important is that the president
would not leave us hanging by the thread, and that people feel upbeat and optimistic about the
future. As President Aquino said, this is only the beginning. This is only the beginning of a
country that will not be cowed, and instead will stand as a beacon of justice and resolve in the
global community. This is only the beginning of prosperity brought about by freedom from
corruption. This is only the beginning of a society where every Filipino who works hard and
does the right thing is guaranteed to succeed. This is only the beginning, and now, history poses a
challenge to us to continue the transformation, so that it may bring about even more
opportunities for future generations. We are only in the first chapter of the great story of the
Filipino people. Guided by the Almighty, as we continue to tread the Straight Path, we will fulfil
even greater aspirations. We will open the doors to even greater progress.