PRESIDENT Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III hit the past administration over depleted P1.541 trillion 2010 budget in his first State of the Nation Address (Sona) Monday at the House of Representatives.
Aquino disclosed that his administration has only around one percent of the total 2010 budget for every month up to the end of the year.
In the first six months of this year, he said government expenditure exceeded revenues.
“Our deficit further increased to P196.7 billion. Our collection targets, which lack P23.8 billion, were not fully met, while we went beyond our spending by P45.1 billion.”
Out of the P2 billion worth of the calamity fund, Aquino said P1.4 billion or about 70 percent was already spent despite the fact that the country is still to enter the rainy season.
The northern part of the country last year was devastated by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
The past administration, according to Aquino, allotted P108 million of the calamity funds for the entire Pampanga province. But of this figure, P105 million went to only one district.
The province of Pangasinan, which was severely affected by Typhoon Pepeng, meanwhile received a mere P5 million. This amount, said Aquino, was even used to fix damages inflicted not even by Pepeng, but by a previous typhoon, Cosme.
Pampanga is the hometown of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Also, she now serves as congresswoman of the province second district.
Arroyo however was not able to attend Aquino's first Sona as she took a flight to Hong Kong Sunday night to accompany her husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, for a medical check-up.
Former presidential sons Ang Galing Pinoy Party-list Representative Mikey Arroyo and Camarines Sure Representative Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo attended the Sona of Aquino.
Aquino further noted that the funds were released on election month.
In the opening of his state address, Aquino said: “For a long time, our country lost its way in the crooked path. As days go by since I became President, the massive scope of the problems we have inherited becomes much clearer. I could almost feel the weight of my responsibilities.”
Over importation of rice
Another anomaly revealed by Aquino is on the funds of the National Food Authority (NFA).
He said that in 2004, the Arroyo government imported some 900,000 metric tons even if the shortage then in the rice supply was only at 117,000 metric tons.
“Even if you multiply for more than seven times the amount of shortage, they still bought more than what was needed.”
This incident was not the last since in 2007, the past administration bough 1.827 million metric tons while the rice shortage was just 589,000 metric tons.
“What hurts is, because they keep purchasing more than what they need year after year, the excess rice that had to be stored in warehouses ended up rotting, just like what happened in 2008,” added Aquino. “Is this not a crime, letting rice rot, despite the fact that there are four million Filipinos who do not eat three times a day?”
In reaction, former Agriculture Secretary and incumbent Representative Arthur Yap (third district, Bohol) denied that there were over importation of rice during the administration of then President Arroyo.
Yap was the chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) during the administration of Arroyo.
“Wala pong report sakin na may nabubulok na bigas at iba naman po yung issue na yan, tanungin natin dapat diyan ang National Food Authority. Let us revisit the figures bago tayo magsabi na over po ang importation,” said Yap.
Yap intends to call the attention of the DA, the National Food Authority and other concerned agencies with the alleged anomaly exposed by President Aquino.
The former Agriculture chief hopes that the Aquino government will be fair in its investigation of the anomalies committed by former President Arroyo.
“If he believes that he has good reason to, then he will do it, he's the President of the Philippines but i just hope they will be fair," Yap added while stating that as a former Cabinet member of the Arroyo administration, he will be ready to provide clarification if needed.
MWSS board of trustees
Aquino during his speech also criticized the greed of Manila Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) board of trustees, who paid themselves ahead of those who have yet to receive their pension.
“Even the La Mesa watershed wasn’t spared. In order to ensure an adequate supply of water, we need to protect our watersheds. In watersheds, trees are needed. Where there should be trees, they built homes for the top officials of the MWSS.”
But Aquino admitted that these people can’t be removed from their positions immediately, saying they are among the midnight appointees of former President Arroyo. “We are investigating all of these things. But if they have any shame left, they should voluntarily relinquish their positions.”
The fund for infrastructure suffered the same fate, Aquino stated in his address.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) identified 246 priority safety projects, but the past administration only allotted money for 28 of these projects.
With this, the President vowed to put a stop on the wastage of people's money, reiterating that the people's money will be spent for the people only.
Aquino said next month they will be submitting a budget that “accurately identifies the problem and gives much attention on the right solution.”
Truth Commission
Among the details expected to be tackled by Aquino was his Truth Commission, which he tasked at investigating the controversies of the Arroyo administration such as the Fertilizer Fund Scam and the NBN-ZTE deal.
He said he is set to sign an executive order this week creating the commission. He named former Chief Justice Hilario Davide to head this body.
Still aimed at combating corruption, Aquino also said cases will be filed against those who do not pay taxes.
He likewise promised to address extrajudicial killings.
"We have also already identified the suspects of the cases of Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio and Miguel Belen, three of the six incidents of extralegal killings since we assumed the Presidency,” he said, adding that about 50 percent of exjudicial killings are now on their way to being resolved.
“We will not stop the pursuit of the remaining half of these killings until justice has been achieved. We will hold murderers accountable. We will also hold those who are corrupt that work in government accountable for their actions,” Aquino pointed out.
Aside from this, the President is pushing for a Whistleblower’s Bill.
“I appeal to our legislators to pass the Whistleblower’s Bill to eradicate the prevalent culture of fear and silence that has hounded our system. We will strengthen the Witness Protection Program. We must remember that from 2009 to 2010 alone, cases which involved the participation of witnesses under the program resulted in a 95 percent conviction.”
Public-private partnerships
Other solution outlined by the President in addressing problems on education, infrastructure, health, military, police, among others, is the public-private partnerships.
"Our solution: Public-private partnerships. Although no contract has been signed yet, I can say that ongoing talks with interested investors will yield fruitful outcomes,” he said.
He hinted there are some who have already shown interest and want to build an expressway from Manila that will pass through Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, until the end of Cagayan Valley, without the government having to spend a single peso.
On national defense, there is a proposition that the US will rent the Navy headquarters on Roxas Boulevard and the Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio.
They will take care of the funding necessary to transfer the Navy Headquarters to Camp Aguinaldo.
Should this happen, Aquino said the country will have instant US100 million.
He also assured that he will make the registration of business easier for those who would want to invest in the country.
“The never-ending horror story of registering business names, which used to take a minimum of four to eight hours depending on the day, will be cut down drastically to fifteen minutes,” he said. “What used to be a check list of thirty-six documents will be shortened to a list of six, and the old eight-page application form will be whittled down to one page.”
Among those present at the Sona of Aquino were Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Estrada, former President Fidel Ramos, and Chief Justice Reynato Corona.
Aquino's siblings Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Viel Aquino-Day were also in attendance to support the President.
TV host-actress Kris Aquino however was not present. She has not returned to the Philippines from her family vacation in the United States. Aquino's girlfriend, Shalani Soledad, also did not attend the event.
House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile officiated the first state address of the President.
Earlier, the House of the Representatives and Senate separately voted for their new leaders.
Belmonte got 227 votes over rival Albay Representative Edcel Lagman's 29 votes.
Enrile, on the other hand, tallied 17 votes from his colleagues as against the three votes of rival Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to retain his post as Senate President.
The President got 35 rounds of applause during his entire speech, which lasted about 30 minutes. (JFA/Jill Beltran/Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)