Press Release
July 23, 2012

Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano TRANSCRIPT
of Interview Re: SONA expectations

ASC: Well, we've been reading in the newspapers that it will be a thorough SONA and that it will be very inspiring. I am actually happy and glad at how it was described. The country is really moving forward. People need motivation. People need inspiration.

So dalawa lang ang inaasahan kong makasama din: (1) Maging factual o truthful tayo sa State of the Nation. Kasi ang pinagmumulan parati ng tunay na solusyon ay alam natin yung tunay na problema. You've seen in the past for example, President Arroyo said that there was no classroom shortage. So, kung ganoon kaagad ang premise niya, walang pondo para magawa yung mga classroom. Kaya hindi nakapagtataka that a year later, nabuko na andami pa palang kailangan na gawing classroom.

Halimbawa, sa issue ng drugs, o sa housing, o sa trabaho, 'yung mga bagay na 'yan, dapat ang sinasabi ay ang tunay na nangyayari sa ground. Kasi minsan, 'yung mga statistics na binibigay natin, natatawa na lang ang ating mga kababayan kasi hindi naman nagre-reflect ng reality. So even if the statistics are indeed official, it was made in a way that it does not reflect reality.

Halimbawa, sasabihin mo na 8 to 15 percent lag ang walang tarabaho. Pero kahit saang barangay ka pumunta, halos kalahati ng mga naroon ay walang steady na trabaho.

I'd rather na sa umpisa o premise mo pa lang, ang tunay na state na ang sasabihin.

So, although we want this SONA to be positive, although we want the SONA to be inspiring, it should also be factual. So, this SONA won't be negative or discouraging just because we tell the people the true state of the nation. People are living the state of the nation everyday. So, pwede tayong maging truthful doon.

(2) Yung sinasabi parati ng Malacañang na inclusive. Magiging inclusive lang ito kung may paraan na makapag-participate ang ating mga kababayan. Through the media, through social media, through organized efforts at ground, it should be inclusive by assuming people like the SONA, like the programs, and want to help. How can they help?

I think that is one of the challenges for this administration. Especially, that since an Aquino has became a president in 1986, people participation has always been their centerpiece. I think with the technology now that can be done and should be done. Because they're keeping the contents tight, like you, I am just happily anticipating what the content of the SONA will be. Obviously, we all agreed na hindi naman pwedeng as in lahat ng problema ng bansa nakalagay doon but ma-highlight man lang and then maging malinaw manlang sa atin kung paano ia-address yung problema.

Reporter: Would you expect that the issue on Panatag Shoal would be discussed?

ASC: It really depends on his strategy. At this point in time, the issue is very clear. Very clear sa pangulo kung ano ang position niya at ng ating mga kababayan. So it's just a matter of what his strategy will be in dealing with China on this issue. If it is included in the SONA, it will be because of strategic importance of putting it there. But if not, I don't doubt that he is on top of the situation.

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