Minority senators find Marcos' first SONA lacking

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) left out several vital issues.

In a press briefing a day after the SONA, the two senators said the anti-corruption drive and the justice system were not extensively discussed during the speech.

"Nakulangan ako sa mga sinabi ni Presidente ukol sa pagsugpo sa kurapsyon. Marami akong narinig tungkol sa rightsizing, pag-streamline ng mga proseso, at pagtanggal ng red tape sa iba't-ibang ahensya. Ngunit ang hinahanap natin ay mas explicit na pahayag ang Presidente na lalabanan nya ang pagnanakaw at pang-aabuso sa kaban ng bayan," Hontiveros said.

(I find what the President said about combating corruption lacking. I heard about rightsizing, streamlining processes, getting rid of red tape in various agencies. But what I was looking for is an explicit message from the President that he'll address corruption.)

With the administration's plan to boost the infrastructure program of the government, Hontiveros reiterated that this might be an opportunity for corrupt personalities to funnel government funds into their pockets.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles declined to comment when GMA News Online asked her about the minority senators' criticisms.

'Window shopping'

Hontiveros said the country needs a "clear economic roadmap," tagging the Marcos' statements on his economic plans as mere "window shopping."

Although she noted that there are economic targets that were mentioned, Hontiveros said there were no specific details on how the government can attain these.

"Napakarami ng ng priorities pero kapag ganyan ka-ambisyoso ang plano, ambisyoso rin dapat ang revenue generation," she said.

(So many priorities but if the plans are that ambitious, revenue generation should also be equally ambitious.)

"Kaya para sa akin, yung speech kahapon, mistulang window shopping lang. Tingin-tingin muna kung ano ang uubra sa panlasa ng mamamayan," she added.

(That's why for me, yesterday's speech was like window shopping. Testing first what would work for the citizens.)

Hontiveros said the government should not only browse big-ticket items amid the ongoing crisis as the country cannot afford to waste time.

"Kaya ang ipinagdarasal ko, huwag naman sana itong isa na namang case ng overpromise, underdeliver," she said.

(I hope this is not another case of overpromise, underdeliver.)

Although she said there were many good choices in Marcos' appointees in his economic team, she also said there are also "problematic and questionable" officials.

Nation in sound state?

Hontiveros also questioned Marcos' claim that the Philippines is in a "sound" state.

"Saan nanggagaling ang kumpiyansa na may sound state of the nation ngayon kung mataas ang bilang ng gutom, mahirap, at walang trabaho?" she asked.

"Sound para sa iilan pero hindi sa lahat? Masyado namang pinangunahan ang panahon."

(Where is that statement coming from when so many people are hungry, poor and jobless? Sound for some but not for all? It's premature.)

Pimentel agrees

After Hontiveros' opening statement, Pimentel expressed his agreement with the observation of his colleague in the minority.

With Marcos serving as the acting secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Pimentel said the 19 legislative priorities that the President laid out are not laser-focused on food production and addressing the problems within the agency.

"If you look at the 19 legislative measures parang shotgun. Hindi siya laser. Sana at least majority doon naka-focus like a laser on food production even the reorganization of the [Department of Agriculture]. Kung kailangan (if needed), it should have been a priority legislative measure," he said.

As a lawyer, Pimentel also said he was expecting Marcos to discuss the state of the justice system in the country, particularly the crime problems, disposition of cases, human rights violations, and on top of it, corruption.

He also noted the lack of discussion on the salary hike for teachers, the Security of Tenure bill, and federalism, which he said is the main advocacy of Marcos' party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

With Marcos noting the potential of the Filipino creatives sector and the effect of the pandemic to the said industry, Pimentel urged the President to sign the proposed Creatives Industries Act that was approved during the 18th Congress.

"I urge the President to sign that bill into law today so we will have this institutionalized government body or agency taking care of our creative industry," Pimentel said in mixed English and Filipino.

Members welcome

On the other hand, Pimentel said the Senate minority bloc will welcome any senators who wish to join him and Hontiveros up to the end of the 19th Congress.

Both Pimentel and Hontiveros abstained from voting for Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday, making them automatic members of the minority bloc.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano did not participate in the election of Zubiri. They manifested on the Senate floor that they will form an independent bloc.

Progressive groups

Groups under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Tuesday also lamented that some issues were left out during Marcos' SONA.

In a press conference, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes expressed disappointment over lack of discussion about human rights, corruption, peace process, and taxation.

“Hindi para sa ordinaryong tao itong SONA ito, para ito doon sa same people, sa mga ruling elite na nagpapatakbo at nakikinabang sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.

(This SONA is not for ordinary people but for the same ruling elite who are running and benefiting from our economy.)

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Rafael Mariano said the President did not mention his plans about Rice Tariffication Law and agricultural smuggling.

He said the condonation of agrarian reform loan and distribution of lands ordered by Marcos should have no conditions, unlike Senate Bill 849 proposed by Senator Imee Marcos in 18th Congress, .

Kilusang Mayo Uno national chairperson Elmer Labog also called out Marcos for not tackling the status of wage, security of tenure for workers, and attacks against trade unions.

Kadamay’s Eufemia Doringo hoped that Marcos would mention the housing backlog in the country.

While appreciating his remarks on improving railways, she expressed disappointment that these projects are meant for tourism and not for communities.

Gabriela secretary general Joms Salvador said she was surprised that Marcos included the issues on violence against women and children in his SONA. However, she added that his perspective on these issues were limited.

Courage national president Santi Dasmariñas opposed the rightsizing plan of the government, which he called “mass layoff of government employees.” He called on Marcos to fulfill his campaign promise of regularization.

Health Alliance for Democracy welcomed Marcos’ plan to build specialty hospitals but noted that these facilities should have quality service and available funding.

Migrante International chairperson Joanna Concepcion said Marcos did not discuss giving justice to distressed migrant workers. She added that OFWs are asking for better opportunities in the country and not for digital Overseas Employment Certifications.

Kalikasan deputy national coordinator Jon Bonifacio said Marcos did not mention the attacks against environment defenders and a just transition to renewable energy. He also pointed out that scientists and environmentalists are opposing the use of natural gas due to carbon emissions.

Katribu Youth secretary general Kim Falyao called out Marcos for not discussing the supposed bombings in the areas of indigenous and moro people.

ACT Philippines chairperson Vladimer Quetua lamented that Marcos did not mention anything about the proposed increase in the salary of teachers and the education crisis. He added that considering English as a medium of instruction showed that the administration wants to focus on global competitiveness and not on improving the curriculum.

Student Christian Movement (SCM) spokesperson Kej Andres opposed the mandatory ROTC as it will only teach blind disobedience and open opportunities for harassment.

Piston president Mody Floranda said they were disappointed over Marcos’ speech for not discussing the “fake” modernization of transportation and the proposed cutting of tax on fuel.

GMA News Online also asked Cruz-Angeles about the concerns of the progressive groups but she also declined to comment.—KBK/AOL, GMA News