Contra-SONA: Restoring public confidence an unfinished task

MANILA, Philippines — The administration should walk the talk following President Marcos’ multiple promises in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), because as it stands, “restoring public confidence (in government) remains an unfinished task.”

This was House minority leader Marcelino Libanan’s key message during his Contra-SONA delivered on Monday, a week after Marcos’ address.

Among Marcos’ promises were lowering energy costs, increasing workers’ take-home pay and curbing corruption.

“The Minority welcomes this commitment. Corruption has no place in public service,” Libanan said. “But our work is far from finished. The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked the Philippines 114th out of 180 countries.”

“They (Filipinos) deserve a government that protects their integrity by holding accountable the few who tarnish the reputation of public service. For when government is transparent, people invest with confidence,” the 4Ps party-list lawmaker stressed.

While “gains” made by the Marcos administration may be laudable and “deserves acknowledgment,” Libanan insisted that the “true state of the nation cannot be measured by macroeconomic indicators alone.”

“Beyond the encouraging numbers are the daily realities faced by millions of Filipino families. The true measure of our nation’s progress is found not only in economic reports, but in the everyday lives of our people,” he said.

“Can parents now provide three decent meals a day for their children? Can workers earn enough to support their families with dignity? Can our farmers and fisherfolk finally receive a fair return for their hard work?” Libanan asked.

The minority leader noted that while Filipinos do not expect the government to be perfect, they anticipate their lives to become a little easier every year.

“The true wealth of any nation is not measured by its buildings, its roads, or even the size of its economy. It is measured by the well-being of its people. Economic growth has value only when it enables every Filipino to live with dignity, security and hope,” Libanan said.

“Education remains the greatest equalizer. It is the one investment that no crisis can take away from a child,” he stressed. “No economy can become truly inclusive if those who feed the nation remain poor.”

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