Dennis Cuesta used to anchor the hard hitting primetime radio program “Straight to the Point” over DXMD – General Santos. Apart from tackling corruption on air, he also heard out complaints from residents. Among the latest issues he tackled were complaints of maltreatment against a car company, where he was asked to testify for the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Cuesta fought for his life at the intensive care unit of the St. Elizabeth Hospital in General Santos City for almost five days after he was shot at around 4:30 p.m. near the Gaisano mall of General Santos city on Monday.
The eighth state of the nation address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo elicited different reactions. Progressive groups staged their own version of the SONA, which they believe reflect the “real” condition of the Filipino people. People from the government, church, business and men on the streets also share their views. Some still believe in what the President said but others were so impressed by her speech.
Davao Today asks people on the streets about what they expect from the President’s state of the nation address on Monday, and in return, got a wish list of what people think government should do to alleviate their plight.
Presidential Peace Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr, said the government still insists on a ceasefire before the holding of the peace talks so that the rebels can prove that they are not terrorists, after all.
Sonny Africa, research head of Ibon Philippines, said that six decades of ODAs in the Philippines failed to address poverty and social inequality because they are carried out based on the agenda of donor countries, not on the genuine needs of the poor.