In her 2002 State of the Nation
Address PGMA said that she will work for a strong Republic that stands for
the interests of the people rather than of a powerful minority; executes good
policy and delivers essential services.
She said that her efforts to build such a republic have
been difficult, with both domestic and global conditions extremely harsh,
"But as I report on the state of the nation today, I can say this: the
immediate crises have been resolved.”
She went on to detail a long
list of measurable targets which includes P25 billion for agricultural
modernization, 54 million books for 16 million students; and 15,000 new
teachers. She also reported that she has lowered by 50% the price of medicine
commonly bought by the poor. She said that this is available in 72 government
hospitals and unilab outlets. She also mentioned that “the wider distribution
network of commercial drugstores – under pressure from multinational drug
companies – will not sell cheaper medicines. We are studying punitive measures to
correct this unfair, unjust, and heartless situation.”
“Nang ako ay naging Pangulo,
ang presyo ng galunggong ay otsenta pesos ang kilo. Noong isang linggo ,
nakabili ako sa palengke ng sesenta pesos lamang. Ang presyo rin ng bigas na
binibili ng mahihirap ay nananatiling P16 ang kilo sa palengke, gaya pa rin nang isang
taon.” My translation: "When I became president, galunggong (a
common specie of fish) costs PhP80/kilo. Last week, I bought one for sixty
pesos only. The price of rice bought by the poor remained at PhP16/kilo, same
as last year."
“Noong isang taon nga sa
aking State of the Nation Address, sinabi ko na, na aalisin natin ang mga
hadlang sa ating productivity, kagaya ng mahal na koryente at katiwalian.” My
translation: "Last year in my SONA I said that I shall remove the barriers
to our productivity, like the high power rates and corruption."
“Dahil ako ay naluklok sa
pagkapangulo dala ng malawakang galit sa anomaliya, alam kong kailangan wakasan
ang katiwalian. Naniniwala rin ako na pinahihina ng katiwalian ang daloy ng
puhunan sa ating bansa.” My translation: "Because I was swept to
the Presidency by a widespread rage against corruption, I know that I must put
an end to corruption. I believe that corruption diminishes the flow of capital
to our country… Even now I can tell
you that our new e-procurement program is saving billions and minimizing
anomalies.”
“Legions of ordinary Filipinos,
many of them students, came, stood and clamored at EDSA, for a
better government. It is to them I look for validation. I know that it is to
me that those many Filipinos are looking for the vindication of their decision
to go to EDSA. I shall not disappoint them.”
Expect more of the same in her upcoming 2008 SONA.