Political rivals, as well as showbiz personalities, gathered under one roof to witness the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III at the opening of the 15th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City, on July 26.
Uploaded: July 28, 2010
The Batasang Pambansa started to fill up at 1:00 p.m.
At first, the atmosphere was like a reunion of sorts for the first-timers and veterans in Congress.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos appeared to be in a happy mood despite reports that Erap Estrada had snubbed him earlier.
After the SONA, Ramos gamely posed for photographs with reporters waiting outside the session hall. He even showed that his spectacles were useless by putting his fingers through its holes. "Walang lens," he said. "I'm promoting my laser eye surgery."
Former First Lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos waltzed into the session hall wearing a purple terno that spectators tagged as "imeldific."
Boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao appeared nervous during his first day in the 15th Congress, but he pulled it off with the help of his new colleagues, who looked happy to assist him.
He was accompanied by his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao (not in picture), who was wearing a pink beaded gown by Pepsi Herrera and was looking lovelier than ever.
Former Akbayan Party-List Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel donned a "stylized tapis" by Joel Acebuche. Risa was part of Aquino's senatorial line-up, but she lost her bid, landing in 13th place.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad rubbed elbows with representatives before listening to the SONA, which he and Pres. Aquino had been rigorously preparing for in the past month.
Pres. Aquino arrived at the Batasang Pambansa around 4 p.m. He was aboard the presidential car, with plate Number 1. He entered the Batasan through the Rear Entrance Lobby.
Pres. Aquino was first received in the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, where he was welcomed by Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile (left) and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte (right).
As protocol dictated, Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile (left) and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte were already waiting for Aquino to take his place at the rostrum.
After being introduced to the audience, the President proceeded to the Lower Center Podium. He began his speech by laying out several exposés against the past administration.
Aquino's first salvo: "Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad."
The exposés focused on the budget deficit facing his administration, the result of several budget misappropriations Aquino said had been committed under the regime of former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Fraud was disguised under the release of funds for calamity assistance, unfair "rewards" to officials in several government agencies, "unplanned" infrastructure projects, and others.
Listening on the floor of the session hall were Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado (lower left, wearing pink), Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco (center), and San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito (upper right).
"Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin?
"Ang mandato nating nakuha sa huling eleksyon ay patunay na umaasa pa rin ang Pilipino sa pagbabago. Iba na talaga ang sitwasyon. Puwede na muling mangarap. Tayo nang tumungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pinangarap."
Former Agriculture Secretary and current Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap was similarly hounded by the media, who asked him to clarify Pres. Aquino's charge that the National Food Authority, which was formerly under him, procured far more rice from abroad than the country needed, leaving them to rot in warehouses.
Popular with the guests at the SONA were power couple Jinkee Pacquiao and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who obliged fans wanting to have their pictures taken with the couple.
U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. said he admired Pres. Aquino for delivering his SONA in Filipino. He told the press he believed the speech was "outstanding" even though he did not understand most of it.
Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson attended the SONA as a close friend of Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao. He accompanied Pacquiao's family as they left the session hall.
