NOY SONA: WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR / BEHIND THE SCENES FOR TODAY'S SONA
MANILA, JULY 25, 2011 (MALAYA) BY GERARD NAVAL AN endorsement for the reproductive health bill, more action against extra-judicial killings, an action plan to fight poverty, and pronouncements against gambling and smoking.
These are among issues that several sectors what to hear from President Aquino when he delivers his second state of the nation address today.
The Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development said an endorsement from Aquino of the reproductive health bill would hasten its passage in Congress which resumes session also today.
The House started plenary debates on the bill in March. The Senate is expected to begin debates late this month.
"A SONA endorsement will assure passage of the RH bill even within this year," said Ramon San Pascual, PLCPD executive director.
Aquino is supporting the reproductive health bill which the Catholic Church is strongly opposing.
The human rights group the Amnesty International-Philippines wants to hear Aquino announce an action plan for human rights protection in his SONA.
Aurora Parong, AI-Philippines director, said the previous administration could not be altogether blamed for the torture, political killings and forced disappearances which she said continue under Aquino's watch.
"If you buy a house with a leaking roof, and it's still leaking a year later, you can't keep blaming the previous owner. President Aquino needs to start taking responsibility in tackling serious human abuses instead of constantly blaming the Arroyo administration," she said.
The latest Human Rights Watch report showed 10 cases of extra-judicial killings and forced disappearances under the Aquino administration.
Parong said the justice department alone could not solve the problem.
"Breaking the chains of impunity for these violations cannot be accomplished by the DOJ alone. It is imperative for the President to devote more resources and ensure concerted effort from government agencies," she said.
Parong said one of the possible solutions is empowering the Commission on Human Rights to protect witnesses and families of victims by allocating resources for its protection program.
Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz challenged Aquino to use the SONA to denounce all forms of gambling.
Cruz, former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and chair of the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal, said gambling operations are of the major forms of corruption.
"They come under deceptive titles and legal niceties. But they are all forms of downright gambling reeking in blatant corruption and human decadence. It would take a big circus to say otherwise, that gambling is in accord with the rules of ethics and/or the norms of morals," he said Cruz.
"In substance and in simplicity, this humble and humbling supplication can be thus expressed in few words: Mr. President, President, please banish gambling from the land," he added.
Among the gambling forms being criticized by Cruz are jueteng as well as those being run by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Recently, seven bishops were implicated in allegations of misuse of PCSO funds, particularly through funds they received during the Arroyo administration, which they used to buy vehicles for use in their constituencies.
The Philippine Medical Association wants Aquino to prove that his smoking habit does not impede his desire to promote public health.
"What concerns us at the moment are the insistent rumblings pointing to the possibility that as long as President Aquino still smokes, the tobacco control program of the government will be left out to rot in the abyss," said PMA president Dr. Oscar Tinio.
What Aquino can do, Tinio said, is push for "stronger government tobacco control measures" and meeting commitments to the World Health Organization-Framework Convention on Tobacco Control treaty.
The Department of Health has issued an administrative order mandating tobacco manufacturers to put graphic health warnings on cigarette packs.
Tinio also expressed hope Aquino would quit smoking sooner than later.
"The health of our President is of utmost importance since his position is extremely sensitive and crucial to the state of our nation. We believe at this time, that the President is already aware of the killing effects of smoking since he, himself, promised to quit this life-threatening habit at the appropriate time," said Tinio.
Sen. Edgardo Angara said health care remains one of the major areas that government needs to address to improve the quality of life.
Angara authored the National Health Insurance (PhilHealth) Act which makes free health care accessible to Filipinos.
"The President's ideals have helped restore the eroding trust in government. But these ideals must be made concrete," he said.
"There is gross mal-distribution of medical personnel in the country," lamented Angara. "It shows a lack of organization in making medical attention available nationwide, especially in the rural areas where it is most scarce," he said.
Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano asked Aquino to use the SONA "as a moment to effectively reach out to the Filipino people – a moment where he will give all Filipinos a 'mission' on how to help his administration." – With JP Lopez
Behind the scenes for today's SONA
Despite no specific threat to President Aquino's state of the nation address today, some 700 soldiers will be deployed around the Batasan complex, and tanks and other soldiers would be on standby in Camp Aguinaldo.
The military deployment is merely in support of the PNP which is deploying some 7,000 policemen in Metro Manila under five task forces. The Metro Manila policemen will be augmented by some 1,800 more personnel from the police regional offices/
For Aquino's first SONA last year, almost 10,000 policemen were deployed around Metro Manila, with half of them deployed in Quezon City.
Rally organizers are expecting some 15,000 participants to a march to the Batasan complex.
Classes in private and public schools in the Batasan area are suspended.
Traffic will be rerouted in areas near the Batasan.
The PNP has been on full alert since Saturday morning.
Director Alan Purisima, head of the National Capital Region Police Office, said the policemen to be deployed during the SONA would not carry firearms. On the President's instructions, the PNP would not set up container vans and barbed wires leading to Batasan Complex as these are "offensive," he said.
Pro-government groups are allowed to gather in front of the Commission on Audit and the antis at the Quezon Memorial Circle. – Victor Reyes, Raymond Africa and Ashzel Hachero
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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