Corruption law meets legal challenge

No matter how massive the deficit is that may keep us from paying for this list of needs,” President Aquino added.

His only consolation, he noted, is that many individuals and sectors have extended their hands in helping his government to allow recovery for the Philippines.

“I am heartened because many have already expressed renewed interest and confidence in the Philippines.

Our solution: public-private partnerships. Although no contract has been signed yet, I can say that ongoing talks with interested investors will yield fruitful outcomes.

There are some who have already shown interest and want to build an expressway from Manila that will pass through Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, until the end of Cagayan Valley, without the government having to spend a single peso,” the Chief Executive announced.

Money, he added, can also come from leasing some government properties, such as the Navy headquarters on Roxas Boulevard, to foreign firms which would help modernize the Philippine navy. The navy currently has just 32 boats to patrol 36,000 nautical miles. Some of the boats were built during World War II, Aquino said.

Such public-private partnerships will benefit all Filipinos, the president said. Foreign partners will take care of the funding necessary to transfer the Navy Headquarters to Camp Aguinaldo, along with an initial payment of 100 million dollars and a portion of their profits from the businesses that would occupy the land.

These proposals and more were great applause lines during the President’s first State of the Nation Address. There were 33 breaks in the speech for applause in all.

Filipinos only wish the President will be able to pull off drastic changes in governance, especially purging it of corrupt officials and employees.

“My firm belief is that our fate is in the hands of God and our people. While we focus on uplifting the lives of our fellow men, I have an unshakeable faith that Almighty God will give us His blessings and support. If we remain firm in our belief that God is on our side, is there anything impossible for us to achieve?", Aquino concluded.