PNoy ‘one of best presidents’ despite stubbornness, House ally says

A Liberal Party stalwart on Sunday hailed President Benigno Aquino III, party chairman, as “one of the best presidents” the Philippines has ever had even as he admitted that Aquino can be “stubborn” and hard-headed” at times.

 

A day before Aquino’s last State of the Nation Address, House Ways and Means committee chair Rep. Romero Federico “Miro” Quimbo called the president a “decisive” leader who had the will to make tough decisions even if it resulted in incurring the ire of some politicians and influential sectors of society.

 

Quimbo cited as proof of Aquino’s determination to push for the passage of the Reproductive Health Law in 2012 despite stiff opposition from the Roman Catholic Church.

 

“Despite the criticisms, ang masasabi natin ay si [Pangulong Aquino] ay isang pangulo na nagde-desisyon. He is decisive. He has shown that he can make strong decisions even if they are not very popular… Hindi lamang [nanumbalik] ang confidence ng mga investors at ibang bansa sa atin, ngunit patin na rin ang [confidence ng tao] na kaya pala nating magkaroon ng pangulo na hindi magnanakaw,” he said.

 

As a “valedictory speech,” Quimbo said he expects Aquino’s last SONA to highlight the gains the country has experienced as a result of adhering to the “Daang Matuwid” platform of governance.

 

The president might also voice out some of the problems he feels the government should focus on in his final year in office, as well as his desire to see the continuity of the reforms he put in place, the lawmaker added.

 

Among the issues that Quimbo said the government could focus on until the end of Aquino's term is lowering the individual and corporate income tax rates, since the Philippines has the highest tax rates among Southeast Asian countries at 32 percent.

 

“Kailangan nating i-correct [ang tax rates] para mas lumaki ang mauwi ng taumbayan, at mas marami silang mabili. Anyway, makakapag-produce naman ng panibagong taxes diyan through value-added tax ‘pag may binili ka,” he said.

 

Bills seeking a comprehensive reform of the country’s tax structure have been pending in Quimbo’s committee since last year.

 

'Six hardships'

 

Contrary to allies’ belief that Aquino reformed the country, members of the progressive Makabayan bloc believe the president failed to address the persistent problems of corruption and poverty under his watch.

 

In a statement, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares enumerated the “six hardships” that the bloc believes the public has suffered under the Aquino administration.

 

These are:
 

 

 

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said he does not expect to hear the real state of the nation in Aquino’s last SONA since the president will only highlight the positive things his administration has accomplished.

 

“Hindi natin maaasahan na tunay na isisiwalat ng pangulo ang tunay na kalagayan ng bansa at ng sambayanan sa kanyang SONA. Sigurado ‘magpapabebe’ lang siya bukas at baka sabihin pa niya, wala kayong magagawa dahil nakikinig lang kayo,” the lawmaker said, referring to the viral “Pabebe” video. — Xianne Arcangel/JDS, GMA News