Tuesday, July 29, 2008 (Philippines)

Report to Congess lasted 57 minutes. She was in her best element even as protesters burned effigies and made a lot of noise outside the Batasan.(Ap photo) President Arroyo, in her eighth State of the Nation Address (Sona), defended her economic policies yesterday amid surging food and energy costs while asking the people to be patient because the global crisis spared no one. She said it is too late to scrap the value-added tax (VAT) on oil and electricity because it would only compromise present and future progress. She said tax proceeds go to pay the country’s debt, improve infrastructure to boost investment and generate funds for pro-poor programs. [full story]