HIGHLIGHTS OF DUTERTE’S SONA 2016: THE FUTURE OF PH
- Shannon Crespo
- Dec 4, 2016
- 5 min read
Photo courtesy of Google
Manila, Philippines – Last July 25, 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) for the first time at Batasang Pambansa with which people’s response to his plans and remarks were highlighted with applause and laughters, both retorts as indication of what’s to come in his presidency.
“We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull us back. Finger pointing is not the way. That is why I will not waste precious time dwelling on the sins of the past or blaming those who are perceived to be responsible for the mess that we are in and suffering from.”
That was how President Duterte began his first ever 100-minute-long speech after acknowledging the presence of his fellow workers in the government and his fellow countrymen.
Considering the fact that every single thing that our newly elected president says is headline worthy, it was needless to say that there were quite a lot of statements in his speech that have caught the attention of many people in various levels, whether because of his promises and plans that people would hold on to dearly, or his usual side comments and banters that are outright amusing, Duterte being the usual humorous person that he is regardless of the strong persona he set forth.
Duterte, then, goes and states, “Lest I be misunderstood, let me say clearly, that those who betrayed the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have their day in Court.” which earned an applause from everyone earnestly listening at the Batasang Pambansa.
Having it known from the very start of his campaign as a candidate and now as the head of state that he is on the warpath when it comes to drugs, it was expected that more than half of the focal point in his speech was directed to such. “I was determined then as I am now determined and better positioned, to wage war against those who make a mockery of our laws including those who make life for us all miserable.” he said.
Duterte also affirmed this quest saying, “I will put at stake my honor, my life, and the presidency itself.” which earned another round of applause from the crowd. As he assured everyone that vindictiveness is not in his system, and continued by saying, “Just like you and I, all, equal treatment and equal protection are what I ask for our people.”
He, again, received approbation from everyone when he said, “We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered or put behind bars or below the ground, if they so wish.”
Being the highest authority, Duterte used his privilege to warn everyone, “Let me repeat my warning to all: Do not do drugs” which again obtained approval from the listeners.
Duterte brought up the latest controversy ever since his war against drugs on human rights as well and he said, “Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country — your country and my country.”
He also talked about his plans on strengthening “our counter-terrorism programs by amending various laws on human terrorism, terrorism financing and cybercrime.”
Support from the crowd were evident as well when Duterte started talking about global warming which “shall all will be our top priority, but upon a fair and equitable equation.”
He continued and directed his message to the Muslim brothers, the Moro country, and the members of the CPP/NPA/NDF, with which he said that “no amount of cash assistance or the number of medals can compensate the loss of a human life.”
“We will strive to have a permanent and lasting peace before my term ends. That is my goal, that is my dream.” he said as everyone gave a big hand.
Duterte assured that by the end of his term, which he truly hopes and pray for “to hand over an economy that is much stronger, characterized by solid growth, low and stable inflation, dollar reserves, and robust fiscal position.”
Along with that, he talked about directing “the DILG to undertake nationwide information and campaign on federalism in partnerships with various alliances and with LGU, civil society, grassroots and faith-based organizations.”
He also addressed the complaints of every Filipino with regards to the processing time in issuing permits and licenses, which “shall be reduced to the barest minimum”. An approval was crystal clear, then, when he said, “I do not want to see people lining up under the heat of the sun. I do not want people lining up under the rain.”
As Duterte focused on the area of the environment for military to “support role against illegal logging, illegal mining” wherein he eventually added an instruction to everyone and said, “Gina Lopez and I are just telling you: Follow government standards. Do not destroy the environment. Follow it to a tee.” He surprisingly said, “Makinig kayo, sigig tawa diyan…nandyan pa naman si Gina Lopez”, which earned a burst of laughter from everyone.
Shifting the long-faced speech he is delivering, he said, “Iyong prompter natutulog na siguro ‘to, papindot-pindot diyan.” a remark that suddenly lightened up the mood of the crowd while still attentively listening to our dear president. It was evident that Duterte have undoubtedly gained an appellation on how to grasp the attention of everyone while delivering his speech.
Another applause were gathered when he said, “As long as I sit here as President, there will be there no demolitions without relocations. Hindi talaga ako papayag.”- a plan intended for the poor people who resides more than half of the population in our country. Duterte added that “we have to adjust to the needs of our people”, clearly stating that he intend to do something during his term.
“We have a bond to act together. We have to help each other. For then and only then can we truly prevail.” Duterte affirmed as he ended his first speech as the president of the Philippines.
The highlights from Duterte’s SONA have gained applause and cheers from people present in Batasang Pambansa yet we are to focus on what these game plans will make out are country in the next years during his term. What will push through and what will not? What would take effect and what would not?
More than the importance of what President Duterte have delivered in his speech, knowing what the Filipino people make out of it is just as important as his plans are. After all, these are for the common good of the countrymen.
RELATED:
Comments