Apart from economy, President Arroyo will tackle political issues, including proposed reforms in the Constitution, when she delivers her final State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Monday, Malacañang said Friday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President has the prerogative to express her own political beliefs in her ninth SoNA before the joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City.

“I think that’s one subject matter that really cannot be avoided. She could be very well mention something about it,” Ermita told reporters, when asked if the President’s valedictory address will include discussions about politics and Charter change.

Ermita acknowledged that politics was “a major item” that could not be dissociated from the President’s speech, where her accomplishments and plans are traditionally laid out.

“Remember, there are many people with divergent political beliefs from the administration. The President is within her right to prove her critics wrong. That is she doing everything, all the right things for the people, and to that extent, that cannot be avoided, she has to address the issue of politics,” he said.

Based on an initial draft of her SoNA, the President is expected to repeat her endorsement of crucial reforms to fix the country’s broken political system while giving an assurance the first automated elections will push through next year.

The President will also promise to keep the nation safe, stable and secure during the election year.

While she has steered the economy back on track, the President bewails the presence of two Philippines, one where the economy is working again and moving ahead; the other, where the political system is badly broken.

When asked, Ermita said he has no idea on whether the President would categorically declare her plans to step down next year.

The draft SoNA, which listed her accomplishments since 2001 and plans for the remainder of her term, also indicated the challenges confronting the country's next leaders.

The President is likely to promise to leave a legacy of a country with a strong economy and stable peace and security.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar earlier said the President's discussions about her legacy programs in her SoNA were proof she would relinquish her post next year. Olivar said the President would discuss the unfinished business she would pass on to her successor.

In another interview, Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said the public can expect a “very good” SoNA on Monday when the President highlights her achievements since 2001 and her plans for the twilight of her presidency.

Claudio said the President will not be distracted by the planned protest rallies during her SoNA next week, saying she respects these actions as part of a vibrant democracy.

Ermita said the President has practiced the delivery of her SoNA five times before some members of the Cabinet. The President’s SoNA, which will be punctuated by a roll call of personalities and video presentations, will run for 45 minutes.

Lagdameo urges people to listen to Arroyo’s SoNA

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Friday urged citizens to watch or listen to broadcasts of President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Monday and to discern for themselves whether her report is true or not.

“We are encouraging everyone to listen to what the President is going to say regarding her programs and the state of the nation,” said Lagdameo said over Radio Veritas 846 Friday.

“It is also by listening that we will be able to know whether the President is telling the truth or not,” said Lagdameo.

Meanwhile, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad called on the President to be truthful in her address even if it means admitting her failures.

“She should tell the truth if she still wants the trust of people in her to return,” he said.

“The President should also admit her shortcomings as well as her failures in fulfilling the promises she made,” said Jumoad.