Your Say: Online sentiments on PNoy's 2012 SONA

Published July 24, 2012 7:27pm

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President Benigno Aquino III on Monday delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a hopeful public—Filipinos who each have their own national issue they feel personally passionate about. The president's hour-and-a-half-long speech was punctuated by no less than 119 rounds of applause, most notably for his affirmation of responsible parenthood.

Feedback from Pinoys was largely positive, but for some, there's still a lot that needs to be addressed.

Here are some reactions from the GMA News Online community:

From Purple Heart, who reminds his fellowmen to give credit to the Aquino government's efforts against corruption, recalling the adage, "Rome was not built in a day."

Some people think it is easy to become a president? Let us all be realistic about what is going on in the Philippines. The number one problem is "corruption", and the current Government swallowed a bolus of thorns and thistles from the previous administration. Rome was not built overnight and any sane argument will agree. Let us give our new leadership a chance, let us give our Country a new air to breathe, and new hope to cuddle. Least, if you are a Filipino, think of something good to contribute. If you are a foreigner, you are welcome with a big smile. We the Filipino people are proud to have a sincere President. PNoy, you have our support and allegiance.

From Mark Borce, who thought that anti-government rallyists could be more productive with their time instead of simply taking to the streets:

Ang problema sa mga tao e wala nang mahusay na pangulo. Kahapon lang nasaksihan nanaman ng sambayanan kung gaanong nag-aksaya ng panahon yung mga nagrally. Sa halip na gugulin ang isang araw upang maging kapakipakinabang na mamamayan e ayun nag-asal hayop nanaman though their little "civil disobedience". Sa totoo lang, mababaw na antas ng kamulatan lamang ang mayroon ang mga taong ito na nagpapagamit din lamang sa mga tinuturing nilang pinuno. Sila na nasa harapan ng bulto na nakikipagsagupaan sa mga alagad ng batas at isinusugal ang sariling kaligtasan ay biktima rin lamang ng maling kamulatan. Tanungin nyo ang sarili nyo...nasaan ang mga pinuno nyo habang kayo ay nagpapasakit?

No matter how small the reported achievements are, the important thing is we are moving forward. We all know it's a cliche but we cannot solve our problems overnight... and it will prove more difficult to solve if people continue to act this way. Kailangang suportahan natin ang gobyerno sa mga programang kapaki-pakinabang...at kung sa tingin natin hindi tama ang isinusulong, then let our voices be heard in a peaceful and decent manner. Ang ibang tao kasi nagiging lifestyle na ang mamuna at magrally, o di kaya'y mang-impluwensya ng mga magrarally.

From jElly_aCe, who commends the president on his choice of language:

I commend Pnoy sa pagsasalita ng Tagalog, mas naiintindihan ng marami, mas maliwanag ang bawat detalye. sana magkaroon ng katuparan ang bawat pangako bago siya mawala sa pwesto.

Cleo also praised the president's choice of language, observing that the SONA had thus become more accessible to the common Pinoy:

For people who have nothing in mind but PURE criticisms, it's either you did not appreciate the speech because your heart prevents you to, or you just plain did not understand the essence. This was made as simple as it can be so the common tao could understand and maintain interest. Pour in numbers and plans and only 50% of the people would mind to continue listening to him. And WHAT kind of President would not base his/her achievements from what the preceding administration left, anyway?? It's natural and inevitable that they build up their plans from what was left by the former President. His overall message content is not perfect, I, too, am fully satisfied at some aspects and I do agree that there are things left unsaid or less-explained. But this SONA is unique in a way that it makes the ordinary Filipino appreciate--even just a bit--of the current status of his country.

From discerningmind, who calls for more consideration on the part of Pinoys, saying that a full presidential term of six years is not enough to correct the mistakes of past administrations:

It is not going to take half or even full term for a president to correct what the past leaders or politicians didn't do or should have done or have done wrong in the last sixty years. I believe corruption must be significantly reduced, but at the same time Filipinos should let go of the traditional way of thinking. PH would not pass a family planning bill that includes contraceptives and yet Filipinos would not mind moving to progressive industrialized nations where the dividing lines between state and religion are present and the use of contraceptives is of little or no issue. No wonder others look down on your country as well as for other reasons. Future generations of your people will be shorter because more children will be afflicted by malnutrition as the population continues to balloon in an unhealthy irresponsible pace.

From Jervois Hidaldo, an OFW who tells his foreign co-workers of being proud of PNoy's leadership:

Sa totoo lang, ipinagmamalaki ko sa mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho (Indian, Egyptian, Syrian, Pakistani, atbp.) na may pangulo ang Pilipinas na makakapagpabago ng kalagayan ng mga Pilipino. Sana di masira ang tiwala naming mga "overseas professionals" sa pamamalakad ng ating Pangulo. At sana din, dumating ang araw na di na namin kelangang lumisan pa ng Pilipinas para magtrabaho.

From Mangangarap, who feels that rallying against the government is an unproductive activity, at best:

Nakakahiya at nakakadiri ang ugaling ipinakita ng napakaraming raliyista kanina. Sila itong nagrereklamo about human rights violations, pero tignan mo naman ang ginawa nila sa driver ng truck na nagtatrabaho lamang, binato ang bintana, tinusok ng kahoy at kung anu ano pamg karahasan. What a sick and disgusting display of hypocrisy!

And some even brought their kids to the rally, making them say things they probably don't understand. And by the looks of some rallyists, they probably don't even know what they're screaming about. Whoever keeps paying these militant groups should be disgusted of themselves.

In terms of the SONA, The president could have been more direct on the laws and other plans he wants enacted like the RH Bill and FOI(which didnt even receive a mention), instead of just talking about accomplishments. But all in all, I am quite happy for all the accomplishments of the government, I hope that they keep it up! The PNoY admin has my support.

From Bryan B. Rafer, who points out that Filipinos are their own worst enemy, as they are never satisfied with whoever sits as president:

Filipinos will always be complaining regardless who gets elected as president. I am convinced that we are our own worst enemy. Those who do nothing but complain and fight those who are trying to do something good for the country will be our downfall in the end... True progress is not a painless process. That's why everyone should do their part NOT to contribute to the pain this country is going through...

From Rome Hower, who thinks it's time for the president to refrain from laying blame on Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration:

Huwag na tayo mangsisi sa ibang tao. Mas mainam pa harapin mo at ipakita sa buong sambayanan kung ano ang ginawa mo sa loob ng 3 taon. Dapat may vision ka sa kung paano tayo umasenso, di maghirap at hindi magsisi. Hindi yan ang kailangan ng tao, ang kailangan ang may makain sa hapag kainan.

From Happy del Rosario, who strongly agrees with Pnoy's stance on responsible parenthood:

FINALLY!!! I'm sick and tired of hearing complaints about 'there's too many poor people--what can the president do to change this'? For crying out loud, THAT IS NOT THE PRESIDENT'S JOB. You don't want to be poor; THEN WORK, and work hard. While you're at it, don't make lots of babies! Hayayay! Mahirap ka na nga, marami ka pang anak...and then you take the easy (lazy) way and BLAME it on your president.

SMART people make SMART choices for their lives.

From sussmio, who is displeased at what seemed to him a "snubbing" of OFW's:

Ok ang SONA ni PNOY kaya lang ang isang comment ko wala man lang naMention na OFW via POEA or OWWA Performance, kahit na alam nating may ambag ang mga OFW sa economy ng Bansa,non-mentioned Hero na naman ang mga OFW, Isa sa may pinakamalaking papel sa Nation Economy ang mga OFW bakit hindi man lamang nabanggit kahit isang word man lang concerning them, di ba? Kahit man lamang yung nailikas sa mga war torn countries achievement yun, at least there is someting a word concerning OFW, yun lang po.

From johnsonpadilla, who thought the SONA address was "too safe," and should have detailed achievements made in the year, rather than plans:

Masyadong nasa safe side and SONA. Lahat ay bago matapos and 2016 so hanggat hindi pa tapos ang term niya, wag tayong magsasalita tungkol sa accomplishment ng administration. Dapat may target sila by year para ipakita sa bayan ng meron silang ginagawa tungo sa pangako nila. Pagnatapos ang term nila, meron pa bang habol ang bayan kung hindi natupad ang mga ito. Bakit kailangan sabihin na bago matapos ang 2016. Ang SONA ay taon taon ginagawa, dapat accomplishments ng pangako every year ang report niya sa bayan.

Ang paglago ng foreign reserve ng bayan ay palatandaan na maraming dollar and pumapasok pero wala masyadong gumagamit. Wala masyadong nagaangat ng materials galing sa labas para gawing finished product sa bansa na siya namang ibebenta ng mga negosyante. Ang foreign reserve nating ay dahil sa mga filipinong nagpapadala ng pera sa bansa di tulad ng ibang bayan na mabababa ang foreign reserve dahil ang pasok at labas ng foreign currency ay dahil sa import/export nila...

Nasaan na ang RH bill......

Not everyone was pleased with PNoy's SONA, however. As Bertrand2012 says:

A lot of people believe Noynoy is not fit for president. It's hard enough to be president. But Noynoy despite knowing he does not deserve to be one wanted to be one. So cut the crap about your excuses, Noynoy wanted to be one, now Noynoy is now being measured. If Noynoy is not up to it, he should quit and not pretend to be anything but a failure.

And then there are observers like Flugie, who likened the SONA to a free-for-all feast:

Sa akin lang pong palagay...ang SONA ng isang Pangulo (kahit sinong Pangulo) ay parang isang...handaan o salo-salo sa malaking bulwagan - na ang hermano ay ang Pangulo. Sa handaan na ito, maraming inihain na pagakain ang hermano sa mga natatangi nyang panauhin. Sa salo salong ito, maraming iba't ibang uri ng bisita at iba't ibang uri ng pagkain para pag-saluhan. Samantalang ang iba ay masaya at may pagkain na pagsasalu-saluhan, mayron naman iba hindi masaya dahil hindi nila naiibigan ang bilang ng pagkain sa mesa. Mayroon din naman na masaya sa mga uri pero may puna sa lasa. Yung iba naman gusto ang lasa pero ayaw ng ginamit na rekado at sahog. Mayroon din naman masaya na nakakain lang sila - kahit ano pa man ang pagkain - at meron naman din iba na ayaw makisalo sa kainan sapagkat wala ang hinahanap nilang ulam na adobo.

What's your say? — TJD, GMA News

Selected comments do not reflect the views of GMA News Online.

Tags: sona, statofthenationaddress, benignoaquinoiii, sona2012, pnoy