SONA vs PERsonaL

The SONA was delivered like a PERSONAL achievement list.

Given her record of saying things that she does not mean (remember the “I will not run for President” and the “I am sorry” statements?), wise were those who just let what she said pass one ear and just as quickly, the other.

The wiser ones chose not to listen at all.

Wisdom does remind us that one can speak and gloat about accomplishments and feats but deeds are always more truthful measures of genuine performance than speech.

If truly this administration has done what GMA claimed in her latest or last SONA, then, there would definitely be less poor, less hungry, less jobless, less homeless in our midst by this time. There would be less working children, less children out in the streets, brighter students, exemplary scholars, practicing young scientists that the country can be very proud of.

If truly this administration works as tirelessly as she said she does, then governance in this country would be noticeably responsive and effective, with subordinates following the lead of the head of state. There would be no hint at all of corruption or dishonest deals. Transparency and clear budget accounting at all levels would now shine so brightly!

If it were as effective as claimed in the latest or last SONA, then people will certainly be openly grateful for their improved lives and thankful to a very public-service oriented, to a just, protective government! The gratitude however is nowhere palpable nor evident.

Hence, it could be best to just allow the latest or last SONA as a personal wish list or a dream list of paid speechwriters and advisers.

Genuine State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) have ceased to be, not only because of unanswered questions about the legitimacy and trustworthiness of those who dare present SONAs but because SONAs have become personal, an occasion to answer critics, especially those who use bad words. (There were those who asked why was there no combative stance instead versus those who do bad deeds?)

Because there are no genuine SONAs, is that the reason why there are those who continue to use the opening of Congress as their public stage for making their own personal and vain statements, via fashion?

Who says the Philippines is a poor country? Look at the so-called honorable politicians, their spouses and children who flaunted their expensive attire and jewelries before a country where at least 3 or 4 million Filipinos are hungry! Their insensitive, shameless clan fashion statements reflect the real state of why most Filipinos are poor!

Look at who were allowed inside Congress and those who were prevented from entering the halls of power. That glaring difference, the great wealth and power divide and gap, is a very truthful mirror of the real state of our nation and our people.

So much for so-called State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) that reflect PERsonaL interpretations incompatible with the genuine state of our country and our people.

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