Peggy Noonan, a much-admired presidential speechwriter, wrote in her book, “On Speaking Well,” this simple directive: “Every speech has a job to do.” And so it does, especially when delivered by the highest political officer of the land, before members of Congress.
On July 28, President Benigno Simeon Aquino will deliver his fourth State-of-the-Nation Address in one of the most difficult times of his presidency. Though popular and much trusted by the people, Aquino has to convince more than 90 million Filipinos that yes, they are still his bosses, and that everyone under his administration remains on the straight path to good governance. The high ethical standards that no less than the president has come to represent demand a political sophistication and wisdom that very few leaders have. How does a highly popular president deal with the fall-out arising from a Supreme Court decision that struck down as unconstitutional the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) that his own administration created? Billions of pesos were expended through the DAP program, before the Supreme Court handed its decision. A small percentage of DAP funds went to additional pork barrel funds of a handful of senators.
His presidential communications team had quickly shut the door on any kind of apology, or message of regret — something that could quickly appease the people. So where do we go from here? Such information is something that ordinary folks long to hear from the nation’s chief executive. Aquino is likable because he speaks his mind, and does it so well when using our national language. His national address on July 28 must appeal more to the emotions, and be as candid as possible — like how a “Kuya” (older brother) would talk to younger siblings. There are concrete benefits that can be pointed to as DAP gains, done in good faith, and rolled out for the people’s benefit. Perhaps, they ought to start with that.
Aquino’s speech must also be inclusive in recognizing the pathetic conditions of disaster victims in the Eastern Visayas region and the thousands of evacuees still camped out in Zamboanga City. It must also paint a clear picture of what President Aquino’s legacy roadmap looks like from now until the end of his term in 2016 and how to keep the momentum for growth and good governance going beyond it.
Then there is his own personal message about the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Government chief peace negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer announced that both panels are set to meet in Kuala Lumpur for a workshop to reconcile all drafts of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. It will be a tough workshop but the stakes are too high for failure to become the first and ultimate outcome. Perhaps, it is too much to ask for a speech to resolve questions in the public mind. However, communications is part and parcel of good governance, and the people deserve to know what the president thinks, how he feels, and what his plans are to move everyone — rich, poor, and the never-haves — up and forward.
Indeed, very speech has a job to do. We wish Aquino and his team the best of luck in deciding what that job is.
