Tough, accurate SONA, say allies

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Prospero Nograles, a known ally of President Arroyo, said the SONA of the chief executive was “tough but accurate and full of substance.”

“It is the best evidence that despite vile criticisms and low ratings, her administration has performed exceedingly well in delivering her commitments.

“The President’s SONA is tough in refuting her critics but it is also solidly based on real and factual achievements.

“Her SONA is an undeniable proof that of all the Presidents that have come and gone, her administration is probably the most accomplished in the actual delivery of all her commitments in each of her SONA in the past nine years,” he said.

Mrs. Arroyo’s eldest son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, chairman of the House committee on energy, told reporters his mother is “not a lame-duck President” as branded by detractors.

“She’s not a lame-duck… she’s a working president. For the first time, she stood up and defended herself. This country is much better than it was in 2001,” the presidential son said.

“As proven by statistics, she’s doing a good job. That means the executive must be doing something right. Because it is her last SONA, so she took the chance (of fighting back),” the young Arroyo added.

Chief Justice Reynato Puno said: “GMA accomplished a lot. There was an increase in the appropriation for the judiciary. I will not make a political judgment,” he told reporters in a chance interview.

First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, whose name has always been associated with corruption in the President’s administration, said “she did very well.”

“That’s why I’m very proud of her. Of course, it’s very clear that she’s stepping down after her term,” he said.

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, whom Mrs. Arroyo appointed as consultant in the Department of Justice, said he is “proud of her achievements.”

As for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, a presidential aspirant who will be undergoing selection process in the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, nobody could blame the Chief Executive for the way she defended herself from harsh criticisms.

Meantime, US embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson said the President’s SONA was “significant.”

Thompson also said that US Ambassador Kristie Kenney was glad that Mrs. Arroyo began with a moment to pray for former President Corazon Aquino who is battling stage 4 colon cancer.

Kenney said “to me it sounded like a final SONA.”

Disappointed opposition

House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora was “disappointed because I was expecting GMA would declare categorically she would be stepping down in 2010.”

“It was a fighting SONA with GMA taking shots at Mar and Erap,” he said.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos II was “wondering where all these wonderful numbers are coming from.”

“They don’t reflect the other statistics we’ve seen and life at ground level,” he said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, one of those who boycotted the SONA, watched the event after all, observing – sarcastically – that the May 2010 elections have already started, and that the SONA was part of the campaign period.

Opposition Sen. Francis Escudero said the allegations of corruption against the President “may very well be the darkest legacy of the Arroyo administration’s nine years in power. –-Delon Porcalla with Pia Lee-Brago, Charlie Lagasca, Philippine Star