PNoy: 2016 polls will serve as referendum on ‘Daang Matuwid’

By ANDREO CALONZO, GMA News

Published July 27, 2015 9:10pm

For President Benigno Aquino III, the 2016 national elections will ultimately test Filipinos’ approval of his “Daang Matuwid” platform.

“Ang susunod na halalan ay referendum po para sa Daang Matuwid. Kayo ang magdedesisyon kung ang pagbabago bang ating tinatamasa ay magiging permanente, o tatanawin lang bilang tsamba at panandaliang pagbangon sa isang mahabang kasaysayan ng pagkakadapa,” Aquino said in his final Statement of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

The President urged the public to make his reforms permanent, saying these will pave the way for the Philippines to become a first world country within one generation.

“Napakaganda na talaga ng ating naipunla, at nagbuhos na tayo ng matinding pagod at sakripisyo upang diligan ito. Sino ba namang nasa tamang isip ang bigla na lamang puputulin ang puno, kung kailan nagsisimula pa lang nating pitasin ang mga unang bunga nito?” Aquino said.

High praises for Roxas

In his final SONA, Aquino thanked past and present Cabinet secretaries who he said have been instrumental in his efforts to institute reforms in the government.

While Aquino expressed gratitude to former members of the cabinet, including former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla and the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, he made no mention of Binay, who had served as the housing czar and presidential adviser on overseas workers affairs until his resignation from the Cabinet in June.

Of all the Cabinet officials he thanked, it was Roxas for whom Aquino had the fondest of words.

He said the Interior Secretary has become the target of detractors because of his competence.

"Maraming galit sa iyo dahil talagang may ibubuga ka. Pursigido silang ibagsak ka. Palibhasa di nila kayang iangat ang kanilang sarili kaya pilit ka nilang binababa," Aquino said.

The President believes the attacks against Roxas is proof that his political opponents are "afraid" of his integrity and competence.

"Mar, pinatutunayan mong you can't put a good man down," he told the Interior Secretary, the Liberal Party's presumptive standard bearer in the 2016 elections.

Though Aquino stopped short of endorsing Roxas' rumored presidential bid, he urged the Interior Secretary to have faith in the public's ability to discern.

Aquino enjoined Filipinos to join him in making his anti-corruption efforts a way of life.

“Kung ang tugon naman ninyo ay ‘Oo,’ tulad ng lagi, ako naman po’y handang maging inyong dakilang alalay. Miski sa pagbaba ko sa puwesto, hanggang sa aking huling hininga, makakaasa kayo, gaya ng walang patid ninyong pananatili bilang aking lakas, hindi rin kayo mag-iisa,” Aquino said.

“Sasamahan ko kayo, tatabihan ko kayo, magkakapit-bisig nating isasabuhay ang Daang Matuwid,” he added.

Aquino earlier said he will anoint his preferred successor after his final SONA. — ELR, GMA News

Tags: sona2015