Press Release
July 26, 2016

Bam: President Duterte's SONA very refreshing, sincere

Very refreshing and sincere.

This was how Sen. Bam Aquino described President Duterte's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he welcomed the Chief Executive's pronouncements on his advocacies, such as improved Internet access, ease of doing business, tax reform, entrepreneurship and reforms in the educational system.

"I think his speech will be remembered more for those moments that are very personal sa kanya. Nakikita mo sa mukha niya yung sincerity. I think overall people were very refreshed sa kaniyang talumpati," said Sen. Bam in a radio interview.

"Marami doon mga adbokasiya rin namin, including iyong pagkaroon ng Internet access ng mga tao, iyong improvement sa educational system, pagiging mas madali ng buhay ng aming manggagawa at businesses," he added.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for fast and affordable Internet in the country in his tenure as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress.

Sen. Bam also authored several laws supporting micro, small and medium enterprises and promoting ease of doing business, such as the Philippine Competition Act, Go Negosyo Act, and the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam is expected to take the helm of the Committee on Education. He has already filed 100 bills and resolutions tackling different issues such as faster Internet, education, entrepreneurship and even tax reform through the Personal Tax Reform and the Corporate Tax Reform bills, among others.

In a separate interview, Sen. Bam said he's raring to work despite the leadership change in the Senate.

"Sabi ko nga noon, kahit magkakaiba ng partido, iyong love namin for public service at pagtutok sa mga problema ng taumbayan, iyon ang magbubuklod-buklod sa amin. Kailangang magtulungan," said Sen. Bam.

"Right now, ang hinihingi ng taumbayan ay magtrabaho tayo para sa bayan," he stressed.

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