SONA HIGHLIGHTS

This area shows highlights of President Aquino's 4th State of the Nation Address. Let us know how

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TUWID NA DAANAquino wrapped up his speech by addressing those who still doubt Tuwid na Daan. 'My Bosses, let us remember: where did we begin? If you have doubts now, compare them to the doubts we all carried in 2010.' He also thanked the public for their role in making change possible through different ways. 'This is your SONA," he says.

Don't Care

REMEMBER JESSE ROBREDOMillions of Filipinos grieved when Jesse Robredo passed. For almost two decades, he served and led Naga with skill, compassion, and humility. One of the hardest things I ever had to do as President was to deliver the news to Leni, after the tragedy. Apart from grieving, I could not avoid blaming myself for what happened to Jesse. Maybe if I had not asked him to join my Cabinet, he would still be alive today. Maybe if he had remained in Naga, he would still be with us. Maybe there would still be a Jesse Robredo in public service today.

PROBLEMS AT IMMIGRATION, NIA, CUSTOMSPNoy cites his problems in the Bureau of Immigration, the National Irrigation Administration, (NIA) and Bureau of Customs. That's why he fired the chiefs of immigration and NIA. I'd run out of patience, he says. 'If you are a good, conscientious employee of the BI, NIA, Customs, or any other government agency, I hope that you do even more. It is not enough to lie low and hide inside your cubicle; to prevent wrongdoing is part of your duty. You are in the right, so there is no need to hide; please make it easy for me to find people like you; I will raise you up as praiseworthy examples, that we may fully transform the flawed culture of your agencies.

ECONOMIC GAINSAquino trumpets economic gains for the past year. He cites the Philippines' 7.8% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2013, the fastest in East and Southeast Asia. He also cites the Philippines' first-ever investment grade rating. The Philippines won an investment grade from two international credit rating agencies which acknowledged the country's efforts in trimming the budget deficit and shoring up revenue collections.