Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Malacañan explained on Tuesday (July 28) that it wasn’t President Benigno Aquino III’s intention not to mention the sacrifice of the slain police commandos during the Mamasapano incident in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said it didn’t mean the president did not value the heroism of the fallen heroes.
Coloma recalled Aquino’s statements on February 6 that he would carry the death of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers “until the end of his days.”
He also explained that the March 26 speech of the president at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduation would be the last time he’ld talk about the bloody clash.
This families of the SAF44 were reportedly hurt that the president failed to mention them in his speech.
Meanwhile, Coloma also added that, even if the president failed to include the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) in his speech, the chief executive remained supportive of the “principles” of the proposed measure.
Coloma said the government was one with the public in pushing for an “open, transparent and accountable government.”
And while the FOI bill remained in Congress, Coloma pointed out the government was already implementing principles of the bill, such as the transparency seal, the citizen’s charter, information on budget disbursements and e-procurement.
Many were disappointed that there was no mention of the controversial bill in Aquino’s last SONA, especially when he talked about priority legislation for Congress’ remaining session.
Instead, Coloma appealed for understanding and for the public to respect the process of lawmaking in both houses of Congress.
