Amid protests launched by militant groups and aligned organizations, President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
This year’s address was again marred by delays as Duterte failed to show up at the session hall before 4 pm when he was scheduled to deliver his address. Instead, he arrived at the complex grounds only a few minutes before 5 pm via helicopter. Duterte threatened to skip his own SONA a day before if members of Congress fail to elect a House Speaker and delay his address like last year.
The 2019 SONA was graced by the appearance of former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, and Fidel V. Ramos. Vice President Leni Robredo was also in attendance. Notably, former President Noynoy Aquino was absent for this year’s address, just as he had been for Duterte’s past SONAs.
Public trust, eradicating corruption
In his opening remarks, Duterte boasted the high trust ratings his administration has enjoyed in recent months, claiming that disapproval ratings were down to a mere three percent. A PulseAsia survey conducted in June showed that 85 percent of Filipino adults are satisfied with Duterte’s performance as president.
Nevertheless, Duterte blasted the corruption and incompetence of government agencies. He specifically cited the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Social Security System (SSS), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Land Regulatory Agency (LRA), and Pag-Ibig as the top five agencies that need immediate improvement in their services.
Duterte admitted that even after three years, “the illegal drug problem persists.” However, he explained that the War on Drugs could not be won if focus was not given first to the “War on Corruption”. He vowed to sack corrupt officials “without regard to relationship, friendship, and alliance,” declaring, “There is no sacred vow—as the saying goes—in my administration.”
Duterte also threatened to close Land Bank of the Philippines after alleging that it was mismanaged. He balked at the bank’s involvement in “so many commercial transactions” and pressed it to shift its focus back to investing in the agricultural sector. “Bumalik kayo [to what] you were created for, [which] is to help the farmers,” he said.
Regarding his choice of cabinet appointees, Duterte explained that he favored former military personnel because they are trained to follow orders. Corruption in the ranks, he asserted, can be stamped out by obedient “military men”. Nevertheless, Duterte assured the audience that he will never issue illegal orders.
Government service, reforms
Duterte mentioned that government corporations and Local Government Units (LGU) should give client-friendly services in accordance with the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.
Duterte urged the passage of bills that would create new executive departments: the Department of Disaster Resilience, which is meant to address threats posed by natural disasters; the Department of Water, which is supposed to overhaul the country’s water system; and the Department of Overseas Filipinos, which aims to ensure the welfare and protection of Overseas Filipino Workers.
Furthermore, he proposed the implementation of certain ordinances for LGUs, such as an improved emergency hotline system, curfews for business establishments, and stricter public smoking laws, citing his experience as mayor of Davao as a basis for the effectiveness of these policies.
Mentioning the daily economic losses of up to P3.5-billion, Duterte reiterated the urgency of resolving traffic congestion in Metro Manila, threatening to sanction local officials who attempt to stall these initiatives.
Poverty reduction, land reform
On land reform, Duterte highlighted the Boracay Island rehabilitation plan, commending the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force for restoring the cleanliness of the island. The President also mentioned that Boracay is categorized as a forestal and agricultural island by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), parts of which are due to be returned to the Ati natives.
On economic matters, Duterte urged Congress to pass the second package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. Hopefully, by lowering corporate income tax, the government hopes to promote the creation of new jobs.
Meanwhile, Duterte also called for the approval of the Salary Standardization Law in Congress. The law would increase the salaries of national government workers, including teachers and nurses. “Kasali na po dito ‘yung hinihingi ninyo. Hindi naman masyadong malaki, pero it will tide you over during this hard time,” Duterte said.
(This is part of what you have asked for. It is not that big, but it will tide you over during this hard time.)
Expressing his “commitment to uplift the lives of coconut farmers,” Duterte called for “urgent utilization” of the coconut levy fund, which he acknowledged was embezzled by the Marcos family. Earlier in February, Duterte vetoed the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Bill which aimed to finally make use of the infamous fund.
On national defense, sovereignty
Lamenting the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, Duterte blamed the Aquino administration for the deteriorating situation in the region. “Tayo ang umatras. Noong umatras tayo, pumasok sila. Marami sila. That day, we lost Spratlys and Panganiban Islands,” he argued.
(We were the ones who retreated. When we retreated, they went in. There were many of them. That day we lost Spratlys and Panganiban Islands.)
Duterte added that Chinese President Xi Jinping was willing to negotiate for resources over the prospect of conflict in the region. “More and better results can be reached in the privacy of a conference room than in a squabble in public,” Duterte maintained.
Once again, the President backed the imposition of the controversial mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, emphasizing that everyone stands to benefit from military training.
“Itong mga bata ngayon, they are bereft of patriotism and the love of country. Balik sila dito. I think the military training will be good for everybody,” he elaborated.
(Children nowadays are bereft of patriotism and the love of country. They should return to this (program). I think military training will be good for everybody.)
In his closing remarks, Duterte affirms his promise to uplift the lives of his constituents, “Our goal for the next three years is clear: a comfortable life for everybody, for Filipinos.”
