Tuesday, July 29, 2008 Editorial: Sona and Responsible Citizenry
In his opinion piece yesterday, Sun.Star columnist Manuel Valdehuesa cogently compares governance to corporation where the executive is bound to report to stakeholders the condition of the company. And so the president of a giant corporation, otherwise called the Republic, rendered her annual report to the nation-the stockholders-yesterday.
The report was overarching, dealing with diverse corporate subjects that the ordinary stockholder Juan dela Cruz would think he is in a lecture room of economics Professor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But then, stockholders-learned or unlettered-must hear this annual corporate rigmarole, whose substance, or lack of it, will define their existence in the company's structure. Figures and facts detailing-or claiming-accomplishments and the ones that promise bright outlook are either praised or ridiculed. Dissatisfied Juans may opt to cash out and head for the nearest foreign embassies.
SONAs, Mr. Valdehuesa pointed out, are required of Philippine Presidents by the Constitution no less. He says that "Through it, the nation gets a kaleidoscopic view of current conditions and how she plans to confront issues or challenges in the next 12 months. It is an eagerly awaited national ritual."
True enough, we have been treated with many such a SONA that every edition of it requires no great effort to puke. SONAs mostly gloss over the real condition of the country. Often, these would contain factoids so as to create the illusion of confirming economic figures as realities.
But for responsible citizenS, a SONA is a way to measure up the country's leadership-and one that must be heard if only to make a critical analysis on the truthfulness of the conditions and alternatives presented by the President. It is also an important venue of knowing the policy direction of various hot-button issues of our country today-such as the controversial reproductive health bill.
Viewed objectively, a SONA can guide citizens to make informed decision on the wide-ranging issues in government. One can assess if the nation is on the right on track, or if it is only being taken for a ride by an increasingly unpopular president. If a SONA, therefore, is a blend of truths and half-truths, of theatrics and genuine convictions, then the citizens of this Republic are in better position if they well-informed.
Mrs. Arroyo yesterday dabbed a broad brush stroke of accomplishments and policy statements on issues that affect all of us. Let those who listened, watched, or read her SONA decide whether she truthful, partially truthful, or lying from her teeth all throughout. And may they contribute to the vibrancy of the current discourse on our national life.
