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Full text of SONA 2007MANILA, Philippines -- Read the full text of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s seventh State of the Nation Address 2007 SONA, joint session, come to an endVillar and De Venecia bang their gavels and declare the joint session closed. The 2007 State of the Nation Address comes to an end. Arroyo was applauded 106 times and received two standing ovations, according to the count of NBN. Strong closing“From where I sit, a president is only as strong as she wants to be. (At this point Arroyo gets a standing ovation). Pagpalain tayo ng Diyos at ang dakilang gawain natin. The State of the Nation is strong. Inyong lingkod, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas.” ‘Better right than popular’In conclusion what I have outlined today is just a sampler of our P1.3 trillion medium-term public service program. With increased assistance from our allies and with continued support, we were able to improve our economy. Some of her decisions, she says, caused her approval rating to drop, but added: “I would rather be right than popular.” Arroyo says that all that would remain for her successor would be to gather the harvest. He or she will have an easier time, she says. Election reformWe look forward to the modernization of voting and canvassing. We can disagree on political goals but never on the conduct of democratic elections. I ask Congress to fund poll watchdogs and to enact a stronger law against election-related violence. Cheaper medicine, senior citizen careI asked Congress to pass the Cheaper Medicines Bill. It was almost enacted in June. Almost is not good enough. I also asked Congress to pass legislation that gives long-term care for our senior citizens. Terrorism and human rightsOn terrorism and human rights, we must fight terrorism. It threatens our way of life, therefore we must uphold these values. It is never right and always wrong to fight terror with terror and so I ask Congress, I urge you to enact laws to fight political violence. We must wipe this stain from our democratic record. Arroyo cites student achieversSix Filipinos bagged awards at the International Science Competition in New Mexico. Last week, Filipino students dominated the Math World Contest in Hong Kong. Earlier this month, a Filipino from the Presidential Management Staff won the Youth Competition in Global Governance in Shanghai (Arroyo calls out the names of the winners, they stand up and are acknowledged). Cyber-corridor and IT in tax collectionArroyo cites the cyber-corridor and the Philippines’ good position in offshoring. “While our strength in contact centers is established, we must focus on higher value services such as accounting.” Arroyo lauds PLDT and Globe for investing P47 billion in international broadband links through regional hubs for redundant Internet connection. “Information technology will also help BIR bring in more collections.” One-third of our public high schools now have Internet access with the private sector at work. Instead of building more high schools, we give more high school scholarships. Cheaper electricityLast year, I said we must reduce the cost of electricity. Some houses have reported paying less for their bills but it is still high. I asked Congress to open the energy reform act for more competition. |
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