The State of the Nation Address (SoNA) of President Benigno S. Aquino III
got mixed reactions from the Dabawenyos but these reactions were generally
favorable to the President.
“I like the
SONA. Its straight forward and at least this time the President discussed the
accomplishments of the administration,” Al
Qalam Institute of Ateneo de Davao University director Mussolini Sinsuat
Lidasan said.
Lidasan
said the whole speech talks about social transformation. “How we must mature as
a nation,” he added.
Glan
municipal councilor Atty. Cyril John Gido Yap said Aquino’s SoNA was just like
all the other SoNAs. “Fair lang its always been rhetorics sa SoNA,” he said.
On the other hand, Davao city councilor Danilo Dayanghirang,
who is chair of the council committee on Finance, Ways and Means and
Appropriation, said the President’s speech was so far okay.
“So
far the President’s has specific example on his campaign against corruption such
as the syjuco and pagcor case,” he said.
The
President slammed former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) Secretary Augusto "Boboy" Syjuco Jr. for the disbursement
irregularities during his stint at TESDA. Aquino specifically mentioned several
overpriced items as cited by the Commission on Audit including a P14-incubator
jar which was priced at P15,375 and a P120-dough cutter which was priced at
P48,507.
