Tuesday, July 26, 2022

SONA: Full of sound and some fury but signifying nothing


The SONA was a belated miting de avance speech in which Bongbong’s platform of government was finally revealed. In the speech were lists of promises that he should have discussed during his campaign but he never did. There is nothing in the speech that portrays the real state of the nation.

 

Worst, no decisive plan to address inflation that is affecting the lives of the poor and ordinary workers. Neither aid nor wage increase can be expected in the near future to tide workers and their families during these difficult times.

 

Likewise, rampant contractualization of labor and violation of labor rights including red-tagging of union leaders and organizers were not addressed in the speech.

 

The speech was primarily intended for legislators, investors and foreign diplomats, not at all for the vast majority of the working people.

 

The State of the Nation, Marcos declared, is sound. But it was deafeningly quiet on wages, endo, and full employment.

 

It targeted a 9% poverty incidence and upper middle-income status of the country by the end of his term. But there was no mention if living wage and full employment are going to be addressed to make it happen.

 

It was strong on food security, but no mention of reversing import liberalization policy, including rice tariffication.

 

There will be a rightsizing program in government. But there was no diet plan for fat bosses in the government who enjoy pork and perks. In short, very silent on corruption.

 

There was also no explanation on whether funds are available to support his program. No mention of a wealth tax.

 

SONA was silent on the bloody war on drugs. But there was also no mention of improving the country's human rights situation.

 

Tough talk on climate and renewable energy. Unfortunately, the plans include nuclear power.

 

Plans for pandemic response were not so clear, even contradictory with his 'no more lockdown' policy yet maintaining the present alert level system.

 

Labor export policy remains, only that it will have an active repatriation program.

 

Except for a continuation of Duterte railway projects, no mention of the life of transport workers and the riding community.

 

In conclusion, there is no immediate relief against high prices and unemployment/underemployment problems. No major policy reforms.

 

BBM's SONA, in short, was simply a wish list of platforms that we should have heard during the election campaign. 

Ka Rene Magtubo

spokesperson of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition and Chairman of Partido Manggagawa

26 July 2022

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