Despite criticisms hurled by some sectors following his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, President Benigno Aquino III found an ally in Vice President Jejomar Binay, who said that it is time to buckle down to work now that the President has identified the problems the country is facing.

Some political analysts have scored President Aquino's SONA last Monday, saying that it exposed the previous administrations alleged anomalies but "lacked substance" in some priority areas like agriculture and housing, among others.

"We cannot really expect a detailed program or plans because that's where the departments will come in. May kasabihan [There is a saying that goes], now we have to do the job.The President gave the direction and what he wants. The direction is basically simple: 'wag na ulit mangyari kung ano man yung masamang nangyari nung nakaraan [There should not be a repeat of the bad experiences that happened in the past]," Vice Presidential chief of staff Benjamin Martinez, Jr. told the Manila Bulletin in an interview on Tuesday.

"Di naman niya sasabihin yun kung sa tingin niya hindi rin magagawan ng paraan [The President will not expose those facts if he thinks there are no solutions to those problems]," he added.

Martinez said the Vice President has been supportive of President Aquino's first SONA, as he said that the President gave a "snapshot" of the real state of the nation.

You have to lay the predicate first so I think there was really a need to explain the situation and from that situation, whatever the problem is, we then come up with solutions," he said.

It will be recalled that Binay had lauded the “simple” but “truthful” first SONA of President Aquino,saying that the President needs the support of the people in addressing the challenges the country is facing.

“The President gave the true state of the nation in a manner that is simple, direct and truthful. There are difficulties and challenges ahead. President Aquino needs our whole hearted support for him to succeed in facing these difficulties and challenges,” Binay said.

The Vice President has been vocal in supporting President Aquino’s policies and programs for the country, adding that he will not be a “spare tire” in the current administration.

“I have always maintained that I am ready to be of assistance to our President, Benigno Aquino III, in attaining his vision for our country and our people,” Binay said.