Aquino: Detractors ‘enemies of transformation’

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino delivers his 5th State of the Nation address before Congress.
Just a few months ago, the President’s got the lowest approval ratings since he took office.
He also got 3 impeachment complaints.
He starts out the way he did in previous speeches– enumerating his accomplishments and presenting video clips of success stories of everyday people.
But this year is different — he does not mention his predecessor, instead he lashes out at his detractors.
Paterno Esmaquel tells us more.

PATERNO ESMAQUEL, REPORTING: A walkout by leftist lawmakers sets the tone for President Benigno Aquino’s State of the Address.

As Aquino begins his speech, leftist lawmakers walk out of Congress.
They say they’d rather attend the State of the Nation Address or SONA of the Masses.

NERI COLMENARES, BAYAN MUNA REP: Kami ay lumabas para makiisa sa sambayanang Pilipino na kinukundina at tinutuligsa ang patuloy na korupsyon, patuloy na abuso ni Presidente Benigno S Aquino. (We walked out to join the Filipino nation in condemning and criticizing the continued corruption, continued abuses, by President Benigno S Aquino.)

Their protest revolves around the President’s controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP, the subject of impeachment complaints against him.
In his SONA, Aquino defends the DAP by presenting its beneficiaries.
He says the DAP helped more than 223,000 scholars, after 1.6 billion pesos went to an education program.
Aquino slams critics who do nothing but oppose his reforms.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Ang totoo po, hindi naman ako ang kinokontra ng mga ito, kundi ang taumbayang nakikinabang sa tuwid na daan. (The truth is, these detractors are not against me, but the people who benefit from the straight and narrow path.) Kontra sila sa napakaraming estudyanteng hindi na kailangang magsiksikan sa mga classroom. Kontra sila sa nagkatrabaho dahil nasanay ng TESDA; kontra sa mga maagang naililikas sa panahon ng bagyo dahil sa pinahusay na PAGASA; kontra sa mga informal settler na nailayo sa panganib dahil sa programang pabahay; kontra sa mga maralitang libre nang nakakapagpagamot sa pampublikong ospital; kontra sa mga sundalong may modernong kagamitan kaya mas may kumpiyansa nang ipagtanggol ang bayan; kontra sa mga Moro at katutubong abot-tanaw na ang kapayapaan. Mga Boss, kontra po sila sa inyo. (They are against all the hundreds of students trying to fit in classrooms. They are against those who got jobs after training with TESDA; against the early evacuees during the typhoon because of a better PAGASA; against informal settlers taken from harm’s way because of housing programs; against the underprivileged who received free medical treatment in public hospitals; against soldiers with upgraded equipment who are now more confident to defend the country; against Moro who see peace is within reach. They are against you.)

As in previous speeches, he also revives the memory of his parents – martyred senator Benigno Aquino Jr and democracy icon Corazon Aquino.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Mga Boss: Binigyan ninyo ako ng pagkakataong pamunuan ang transpormasyon. Kung hinindian ko ang hamon na iniharap niyo sa akin, para ko na ring sinabi na tutulong akong pahabain ang inyong pagdurusa, at hindi maaatim ng konsensiya ko iyon. Kung tinalikuran ko ang pagkakataon, parang tinalikuran ko na rin ang aking ama’t ina, at ang lahat ng inialay nila para sa atin; hindi mangyayari iyon. (You gave me the chance to lead the transformation. Had I turned my back from the challenge, it would have been like me helping prolong your agony, and my conscience cannot handle that. Had I turned my back on the opportunity, it would have been like turning my back from my father and mother, and all they sacrificed for us; That won’t happen.)

Aquino stresses it’s his second to the last SONA. He says he’s not afraid of the attacks, verbal or physical. 
It’s an emotional speech toward the end, less direct, full of innuendos. This time around, he didn’t blame the past administration, but his detractors — who in his words want to “sink his boat”. 
Paterno Esmaquel, Rappler, Manila.

– Rappler.com

Follow Rappler’s live coverage of the 5th State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III through our #SONA2014 microsite. Tell the President how you feel about his 5th SONA by voting on Rappler’s SONA 2014 Mood Meter.

This is the guide to how the SONA Mood Meter works.

Use the hashtag #SONA2014 to join the conversation on Twitter!