“I have never seen any president since PNoy who literally echoed a teleserye-like line that seemed to be, well, out of class”
No one would wish for a distressing circumstance to hamper a long-standing tradition. Not even the administration’s critics, I guess, would want to see a Constitutionally mandated ceremony to be hampered by a national tragedy. To long for a great flood to ransack the annual State of the Nation Address.
But here we are, or rather, here we were — the spectators who watched through whatever intent and manner the State of the Nation Address. Delivered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his midterm report to the nation lasted for 1 hour and 17 minutes, another hour-long cavalcade of progressions and promises.
While the House leadership has asked to tone the ceremonies down, it seemed as if the members went back to the Batasan Session Hall donned in their usual ternos — the red carpet had been removed prior to their walk.
After more than a week of typhoons that struck Luzon, the sun began to dry up the rains that puddled up the streets in the wee hours and throughout the morning. Just in time for the President’s arrival through his ever-trusted presidential chopper, its heat was made felt enough for the president to enter Batasan without the hitch.
As with his previous SONA last year, he went again with his practice of firing up his salvo on a particular relevant issue. This time, flood control projects took over the spotlight.
Last year, the President took pride in those projects in his address. As he recognized this challenge, he showcased that around 5,500 flood control works are the centerpiece of his solutions to mitigate its recurrence.
But while he may have gotten his feet into the mud as he assessed the situation on ground, this attempt to recognize and address this problem was sorely enough.
What were the President’s speechwriters thinking over his latest quotable quote? I have never seen any president since PNoy who literally echoed a teleserye-like line that seemed to be, well, out of class. This time around, however, it seems as if Marcos is even exuding this persuasion.
From shamelessness to expletives in the previous addresses, how far have we come so low to hear the president say “mahiya naman kayo”?
I do understand that Marcos sees himself tired. Tired of the politicking that has engulfed over the first years of his term. Tired of the inaction, resignations and even infighting over what’s in store for this charade, who’s to blame, and what’s in store for the next cycle? I can try to empathize with him that he wants to, at least, get the job done.
But, sir, with all due respect, we need to see action. Tangible, visual, and long-term action. We need to have them seen and felt for you to save yourself from the fires of those who wish to topple you out.
We need to see your strength and resolve to work for the people. We need to look into how you would eliminate corruption in all (or most) cycles in government. The public’s patience grows thin day by day. Please, have them done now as soon as possible.
To the members of Congress, as well as town and city mayors, how often will you want to insert malicious funds for your “development projects” that are either ineffective or fictitious?
To counter them as a “political move” by your opponents is a sorry excuse to absolve yourselves from greater controversy. Will you want us to crack the whip to remind you that you are serving the people who have voted for you?
The time for the administration to straighten things out continues to tick fast. Critics and opponents are now cheering for anything that would incriminate the government. Please do not long for the day where the public would get to retort back the words the President had spoken in his address – mahiya naman kayo sa amin na magmamana sa mga ginawa ninyo.
(The writer is a 20-something year-old who floats around between writing and keeping himself company inside his room. For comments, you may send them at ngrolando2003@yahoo.com.)
