President Aquino will call for national unity to achieve his ambitious goals on poverty reduction and good governance in his frank and no-frills State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday afternoon, July 26, 2010, according to Palace officials.

Herminio Coloma, a member of the Presidential Communications Group, likewise dispelled speculations that the President would focus on "Gloria-bashing" in his first SONA, saying there is no attempt to put anyone in a bad light.

While the Chief Executive presents the difficult circumstances facing the nation, Coloma said the President would seek the support and cooperation of the legislature, judiciary, and the rest of the public “so we have better hopes to attain our common goals.”

"The President will be making a pitch for national unity later on because evidently he needs the support of all the sectors of society. He will ask the support of Congress. He would like the judiciary to be supportive of the government programs. He will call on the government officials, public servants, soldiers, the police, the youth, the business sector," he said over television.

"Unity is one of the important things here because as we starts this administration, it would be good to have people aligned with the President, behind with the new national leadership in pursuing national goals," he added.

Coloma also emphasized that the focus of the President's SONA is simply "tell the truth" and depict the “real” state of the nation.

He said the President is not interested in “sound bytes” and “dramatic statements.” All important aspects of government operations, he said, are based on factual information duly checked by concerned cabinet officials.

"There is no intent to malign anybody or put anybody in a bad light but to let the people know the truth because it is the truth that will set us on the right path,” he said, when asked if the President will attack the past administration for the ills of the nation in his SONA.

“It is the truth that will make our people aware of the magnitude of problems that we face. It is the truth that will make aware of the resources available, that we can marshal for implementing the various reform programs of this new administration," he said.

The SONA, which will be mostly in Filipino, will take 30 to 45 minutes, according to Manolo Quezon III, another member of the communications group. While he got some help from speech writers, the President has been hands-on in crafting the SONA, he added.

From presenting the nation’s problems, Coloma said the President will outline his plans on poverty reduction, good governance, job creation, education, health care and judicial reform.

Quezon, one of the co-writers of the speech, said the President's SONA will be "inclusive," citing his forthcoming call to the people to take part in nation building. “He is going to be more inclusive and not so technocratic in approach,” he said.

Coloma said the President will also “paint a scenario where people will see their role,” adding he will like to engage the people in his honest and effective governance.

Among the urgent problems facing the Aquino leadership are the poverty, swollen budget deficit, power and water shortages, and peace and order problem in Mindanao.