'SONA among least exciting presidential speeches'

MANILA, Philippines - The President's State of the Nation Address (SONA) may be a highly-anticipated political event every year, but a political analyst said it is one of the "least exciting" speeches of the country's top leader.

Aside from its length, Dr. Clarita Carlos said the SONA is among the least exciting presidential speeches since it is also just a template: a report of the President to the public on his accomplishments so far and on his next plans.

"SONA is one of the least exciting speeches of the [President]... But you have to go through that kasi ritual siya eh," said Carlos, who is a political science professor at the University of the Philippines (UP).

For Pres. Benigno Aquino III's fourth SONA next week, Carlos said she wants to hear the plans of the Chief Executive for the country in his last three years in power. She also expects Aquino to "galvanize" public support for his remaining plans and programs.

"What the nation is expecting [from the President] is to report that this is where we are; this is we're where going in the next 1000 days," she said in an interview.

Still, Carlos stressed the need of reports of the government to the public, such as the SONA. She believes that Filipinos are not fully aware of Aquino’s plans, programs and priorities due to the lack of more information for the people.

The UP professor cited the case of the Conditional Cash Transfer program, which is one of the government’s anti-poverty initiatives. Carlos said people continue to question whether this project is in fact reducing poverty.

“I think we need more report from them (government) that ‘Hey, we have done this for how many months already and this is what we are seeing,” she said. "I hope we can see that on the coming SONA."

“Kulang yung report to the public na ito yung ginagawa natin and these are the challenges we are confronting,” she added.

In his speech during the 67th anniversary celebration of UP Beta Sigma fraternity last Monday, Aquino said preparations for his SONA next week still have a long way to go.

"Kausap ko po ng mga tatlong oras ang aking mga speechwriters, at sinabi ko sa kanila, tulad ng dati, 'Malayo pa bago natin matapos ang paghahanda sa SONA,'" the President said.