Scrap the SONA!

Really.

What do we need it for? To discern the state of the nation all you need are your five senses.

The best way to comprehend the state of the nation is to see the nunger on the streets, to smell the stench of corruption in government, to feel the misery and desolation of those whose loved ones were taken away by a repressive regime, to hear the rage of decent Filipinos over the cheating and deception that catapulted and maintained this administration to power, and taste the bitter pill that this regime wants the poor to swallow while claiming that “ramdam na ang kaunlaran.”

So why do we need to see a fashion show among legislators, rush a P90 million renovation of the venue of the SONA, and listen to the lies of that “lying bitch” (was that what Gov. Salceda used to described his boss? Sorry I couldn’t remember the exact term he used)?

In fact, not only should we scrap the SONA because it has no purpose, we should shelve it because it is a health hazard! I’d like to know how many among the taxi drivers suffered hypertensive attacks upon hearing that their income increased under this administration.

And how many from our Muslim brothers and sisters choked on their food when the President, the same administration that reneged on its earlier commitments to the MILF and continues to renege on its commitments contained in the 1996 Peace Agreement with the MNLF, proclaimed she wanted peace in Mindanao during her term. I wonder how many among us wanted to hang ourselves when we heard this: “As your President, I care too much about this nation…I will let no one, and no one’s political plans, get in the way of the well-being of the people. I will let no one hinder our people’s progress and prosperity. I will let no one threaten our nation’s survival. This is my commitment.”

Wasn’t it her political plans (when she said she wasn’t running in 2001 but reneged) that started the political crisis we have been experiencing?

And who threatens our nation’s survival but her? I really almost fell off my chair when I heard: “As your President, I care too much about this nation…” and that she worries about the housewife, the student, the teacher, and the farmer.

She said, “Leadership is not about doing the first easy thing that comes to mind; it is about doing what is necessary, however hard.” That is true. But why does the poor always have to bear the brunt of this bitter pill. Leadership is about showing your people a clear vision of the future no matter how difficult AND leading the way to that perilous road. She worries about the common tao? Why don’t she and her family switch places with that poor family she cares a lot for?

She blames the imposition of VAT as the cause of her unpopularity. Not true. She was unpopular even before VAT! She doesn’t get it. She is unpopular not because she has the courage to make decisions that may be difficult to swallow. She is unpopular because people do not consider her as their president! This is the reason why whatever her administration does—good or bad—people are always suspicious. Tough, but that is the consequence of cheating your way to the presidency.

Despite the evils of her administration, she will probably survive until 2010. She and her allies, however, should not rejoice. It will be (as it is now) a very lonely and insecure presidency. Just look at the number of policemen mobilized just because the President has to deliver a speech. Her administration will quiver every time a holiday comes along, for fear that destabilization attempts might be launched.

But the saddest of all is this. History, I believe, will be harsh on her. If Claro Recto and Jovito Salonga are often referred to as the best presidents we never had; Gloria will be known as the worst president we should have never had.

Really.

(Erratum: I just remembered, Gov Salceda called GMA a “lucky bitch” not a “lying bitch.” Sorry for that. Really.)