MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered his own “true” State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, August 3, 2015 in Cavite.
Reportedly, in Binay’s speech he had accused the government of failing to alleviate poverty, increased unemployment and corruption. He also mentioned the Special Action Force massacre (SAF44), Luneta hostage crisis, and typhoon Yolanda, among others.
Here are excerpts from Binay’s speech:
Referring to the Special Action Force massacre in Mamasapano, Binay quipped:
“Kahit TY wala. Mabuti pa ang hairstylist at fashion designer kasama sa mahabang listahan na pinasalamatan,” (Not even a thank you. But his hairstylist and fashion designer are included in the long list people he was grateful to).
He referred to the UN’s reminder about the Yolanda victims:
“At mismong ang United Nations, kamakailan lamang, ang nagbigay ng kanilang kongklusyon: kulang na kulang ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan para makapag-bagong buhay ang mga nasalanta ng Yolanda. Matapos maging biktima ng bagyo, ninakawan pa sila ng kanilang dignidad. Ang sagot ng pamahalaan: buhay pa naman kayo, hindi ba? “
(The United Nations has recently given their conclusion: The government has not done enough to provide sufficient opportunities for the Yolanda victims to start life anew. After being victims of the typhoon, their dignity was also “stolen” (trampled on). The government’s response: “You’re still alive, aren’t you?”
Binay went on to criticize the government that he was a member of for five years.
At the end of his speech, Binay stated:
“Ito ang tunay na kalagayan ng ating bansa: dumami ang mahirap, walang trabaho, nagugutom. Kulang-kulang ang serbisyo,” (This is the true State of the Nation: poverty increased, unemployment is prevalent, hunger persists, and public services are insufficient.)
Some Netizens asked why Binay was only stating his criticism of the government after 5 long years. Previously, Binay was televised stating that there were no evidences of the accusations leveled against the Aquino administration.
His speech however, is more factual that PNoy’s SONA; poverty has increased with the middle class slowly disappearing; unemployment is prevalent, hunger is everywhere, and public services such as, the MRT, LRT, flood control, free hospital services are lacking. Added to that, the Philippines now is a dumping place of garbage from Canada.
