By Bryle Suralta and Jose Paolo dela Cruz
New agencies, the West Philippine Sea, the war on drugs, administrative reforms, a few ad-libs here and there – all these were covered during President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2019 State of the Nation Address. It’s four SONAs down for the man from Mindanao.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES–Despite arriving an hour late to the Batasang Pambansa Complex (The presidential helicopter had just landed at 4:53 p.m.), President Duterte delivered a substantial State of the Nation Address that summed up his administration’s achievements, touched on critical hotbeds, and, of course, delivered it all in the colorful – albeit slightly subdued – language that the Chief Executive is known for.
With Senate President Vicente Sotto III and newly minted Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano by his side, the President took to the podium at 5:15 p.m., where he shared a riveting account of what his administration has done in the past three years.
During the speech, the president underscored the administration’s drug war and its mission to eradicate corruption, which, he says, continues to “emasculate the courage we need to sustain our moral recovery initiatives.” He also lauded citizens for doing their part in the war on drugs, and advocated for the imposition of the death penalty for crimes related to illegal drugs.
Included in the key talking points in his speech were the proposed creation of new agencies. The President urged Congress to establish new government institutions, which should include the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, Department of Water Resources, Water Regulatory Commission, Department of Disaster Resilience and National Academy for Sports.
Meanwhile, Duterte also answered the criticism that his administration has received regarding the country’s allegedly docile stance on China’s expansive claims in the disputed West Philippine Sea waters. “The West Philippines is ours. There are no ifs and buts,” he adds.
While firm on such a stand, Duterte also repeated that the country is “not ready to go to war” any time soon.
The President also discussed traditional fishing grounds in the arbitral case against China, which the Philippines had won in 2016. Included in the discussion was the current deal the country has with China, which allowed Chinese fishermen to fish in Reed Bank with the understanding that they must stop blocking the Philippines’ access to Scarborough Shoal
Of course, what is a Duterte SONA without his – for better or worse – quotable quotes? Here are a few of them.
“There is no need to advertise my work. I am being paid for what I am doing.”
After lauding the team behind the Boracay rehabilitation, the President revealed that he hasn’t been on the island even after the closure order was lifted. However, he did instruct the removal of tarpaulins thanking him, when he was scheduled to visit. He also reminded the public that he can smell too much adulation and flattery “from a mile away.”
“Wala akong kaibigang mayaman. Ayaw ko sa kaibigang mayaman”
Still on Boracay, the President insisted that he did not order the land reform to benefit his rich allies. “Dahil kapag mayaman ka, tatabi lang sa akin, pati ako, nabahiran na kung anu-ano ang hingin mo sa gobyerno,” he said.
“Make a scene. Sampalin mo yang…na ‘yan“
The President also gave sage advice to Filipinos who are getting frustrated with corruption in government offices, urging them to shout and make a scene loud enough to shame the source of corruption.
“Benefits for solo parents, the assignment of health workers in all barangays, and the expansion of all Malasakit centers, are what we hope to achieve.”
If there’s one clear winner in the SONA, it’s newly elected Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who the president acknowledged for such ideas. Now, he calls on his righthand man to fulfill these campaign promises. Other government officials that the president lauded were PAGCOR Chief Andrea Domingo, and the “Build, Build, Build” Team led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.
On a similar note, the president also acknowledged the “landslide victory of the administration candidates” and the latest survey results, which reported that his disapproval rating was at a meager three percent.
“I will not stop until I reach the finish line. Only then will I call it finished.”
The President minced no words in reminding his critics that he will continue his work in government until 2022. He also mentioned that he imagines to retire “smiling,” when he steps down from office at the end of his term.
On The Big One: “Kumpleto na tayo, may madamay pa tayo doon sa harap.”
Near the end of his speech, President Duterte joked about a psychic revelation that foretold how the “Big One” was bound to happen soon. “The Philippines is so corrupt, it’s so lousy that if you kill all congressmen, senators and the president, we will have a new day,” he said. In the end, the President concluded that there’s no better time for the killer quake to strike than during the SONA. Guess who laughed?
Clocking in at almost an hour and thirty four minutes, Duterte’s 2019 SONA sends a clear message. Love him or hate him, he’s definitely in charge.
(Photos screen-grabbed from the Philippine News Agency’s Facebook page)
