In her final Sona, Arroyo called on everyone in government to work together for the country’s future. She also thanked Filipinos for allowing her to serve as President. Her final words generated lengthy applause from the audience.
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President Arroyo said she never expressed desire to extend her term when her accusers “try to cling to their posts”. She also defended herself, saying she has been falsely accused without proof of using her position for personal profit, when her accusers were “walking proof.” “Those who live in glass houses should never cast stone, those who live in jail should never threaten it.”
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President Arroyo said critics of constitutional reform were opposing it after seeing that they “cannot benefit from it”, eliciting jeers from the audience. She remarked: “At the end of this speech, I shall step down from this stage but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. The nation comes first, there is much to do.”
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Arroyo pointed to Manny Pacquiao as a prime example of the Filipino’s resiliency, earning him accolades as the greatest Filipino fighter. “But sadly, our problems cannot be beaten by one punch,” she said.
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President Arroyo used visual aids in her ongoing Sona, including a slideshow enumerating steps to a better economy and an accompanying video showing natural disaster mitigation measures and a rebel returnee who benefited from livelihood programs.
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President Arroyo said she was set to meet US president Barack Obama this week, the first ASEAN leader to meet him at the White House. Part of the agenda includes resolving terrorism issues climate change and global recession, she said.
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President Arroyo expects last year’s 16 billion remittance from OFWs to be surpassed this year. But she said ongoing programs would make working abroad a career option, not a product of “no-choice.” She cited an investors’ protection task force that would help OFWs take care of their money. She noted various state visits abroad that aimed to create better conditions for OFWs, including the commutation of death sentences in Middle East countries.
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President Arroyo called on the Filipino people to help the Customs and Internal Revenue bureaus by reporting tax cheats. She also called on “taxes from alcohol and tobacco, not on books.” She cited her administration’s heavy investment on education, including P1.5 bilion on teacher training, part of which is to improve English fluency.
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Arroyo cited increased availability of electricity in remote areas and cited a reduction in fossil fuels that could be brought about by the passage of the renewable energy and biofuels laws. She also cited improved banking system, and that that BSP would be even more effective if Congress would amend its Charter.
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