Euneilyn R.

Stella
Grade – 11 Diamond (GAS)

READING AND WRITING

Second Semester (Final) – Module 3
Formulating Evaluative Statements

C.

This unprecedented gathering of faculty and students from all universities, as well as teachers
and students from public and private schools in Manila, to honor me on the occasion of my
birthday fills me with unbounded joy, because I see in this fine and generous tribute not only
your kindly feelings for me, but also your approval of the policies and achievements of my
administration over the last three years. This expression of friendship and support will inspire
me to continue with renewed faith in the policies I've pursued and a redoubled determination
to see them through to completion.
While reviewing my administration's objectives and purposes, as well as accomplishments, may
be tedious, I believe it is my duty at this time to provide a brief account of my stewardship of
public affairs during the first half of my term.
Since the Commonwealth's inception, it has been my responsibility to build the governmental
structure on the broad and unshakeable foundations of the Constitution. I have set precedents
that I hope will serve as guideposts in the administration of public business. My eager goal has
been to give democratic processes new life and power, and to adapt them to the ever-
increasing demands of today's complex social and political problems. We believe we have
demonstrated that representative government in the Philippines can be as competent in action
as it is fundamentally sound in principle; that it can act quickly and effectively in any emergency
without sacrificing either its form or substance; and that a régime of popular deliberation and
expression can promote social welfare and people's happiness.
In accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, as I understand it, I have served as the nation's
leader rather than the spokesman for a political party. I have pursued narrow partisanship from
government councils. I have always upheld religious freedom and the separation of church and
state. I have protected free thought, free expression, and the inalienable right of the people to
work, own, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Every precaution possible has been taken to
ensure swift and impartial justice, preserving, in fact, the equality of all men before the law. I
have not tolerated corruption, inefficiency, or injustice in public office, and I pledge to continue
my efforts to clean every nook and cranny of the Government of any negative influence that
might impair the vitality of the body politic. I have kept the public finances in good shape and
have made significant progress in implementing approved business practices in the
management of the people's money.
After establishing the government, my administration's next priority was to protect it from both
within and without. It was necessary to build strong defenses against subversive movements,
the potential tyranny of aggressive minorities, and the threat of mob rule. That task has been
completed. The Philippines is unquestionably safe from lawlessness and disorder, and I will not
give any quarter to any man or group of men who seek to achieve social or political goals
through force or resistance to legitimate authority, rather than the expeditious procedure
guaranteed by the Constitution to anyone seeking redress of grievances. The nation's armed
forces will be kept free of politics, as clean and free of pernicious influence as the courts of
justice.
Our national defense is being organized in the absence of any external aggressor. I can no
longer see any. We are surrounded by friendly nations that, I believe, have no ill will toward us.
It will be to our long-term benefit to maintain these friendly relations, avoiding any action that
might disturb them or entangle us in the squabbles of others. I believe that once we have
attained full independence, our foreign policy will be fair and just to all nations, granting no
special privileges and seeking none for ourselves. As I reflect on the events of the past few days,
I am increasingly convinced that if we continue on this path, we will not jeopardize our national
integrity.
In the field of public welfare, I have worked tirelessly to promote social justice and improve the
social conditions of the majority of our people. The achievement of these goals is dependent
not only on economic and moral factors, but also on the people themselves, because social
standards can only be improved through productive work. Within the realm of government
action, I believe I have progressed as far as the laws of the land or the circumstances have
permitted. We've built schools, hospitals, and roads, and we've expanded access to a variety of
other social services, particularly for our poorer citizens. We have worked hard to keep the
industrial peace by raising wages and improving working conditions. I have imprinted practically
all of the Government's important activities with a social purpose, because I firmly believe that
it is the duty of the State not only to maintain order, administer justice, and protect individual
rights and property, but also to promote the welfare of the people, ensuring to everyone an
equal economic opportunity, wholesome living conditions, a chance to work for a decent living,
and a fair share of the country's material progress, as well as the enjoyment of a standard of
living that meets the basic needs of self-respecting intelligent men. My ambition is to provide
every Filipino with the opportunity to acquire his necessities in food, clothing, and shelter, as
well as reasonable comforts and leisure that will allow cultural self-improvement and
participation in the benefits of an enlightened civilization, through hard work. I would like to
provide social security for all of our countrymen, both young and old, for themselves and their
families.
The task of preparing the economy for independence has not been overlooked. The
government has done everything possible to boost industry, assist businesses, and advance
material progress. I attempted to reopen the issue of our trade relations with the United States
in order to obtain a modification of the Independence Law's economic provisions. The President
of the United States listened to my request and, after consulting with me, established the Joint
Preparatory Committee on Philippine Affairs, which has already studied the issue of our future
trade relations with America and made recommendations. With the income from excise tax
collections in the United States, as well as the anticipated changes in our trade relations with
America, I believe we will be in a relatively good position to face the problems of economic
readjustment and reconstruction, the resolution of which we cannot put off for long. In the
remaining years of my presidency, I intend to give economic development a boost in
accordance with a carefully planned strategy.
I've summarized my policies and accomplishments during the first half of my administration,
which is now coming to an end. These accomplishments and policies, in my opinion, only affect
the superstructure, or framework, of our national edifice. But, just as a magnificent
architectural structure adorned with golden colonnades and arches would topple and crumble
to pieces if built on shaky foundations, our national structure, if it is to endure and be capable
of resisting political disorders and grave social upheavals, must rest upon the rock-bottom of
character, toil, and physical prowess.