The second State of the Nation Address (SONA) was a showcase of simplicity, the
President spoke in front of 3,000 guests and government officials, like, ambassadors of
different states, businessmen, diplomats, senate and many else at the Plenary Hall of
the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. The Cabinet members also attended
the SONA to show their support to the President. In line with, the Administration's
avowed austerity mindset, most of the guests complied with the dress code. Piña-made
Filipiniana dresses and simple barong took center stage as everyone stuck to keeping
the event simple. A few political personalities donned statement attires.
President Duterte came in a traditional Barong Tagalog sans elaborate embroideries..
The traditional ceremony started at 3:30 p.m. (arrival) with President Duterte's second
SONA speech delivery at 4:20 p.m., the SONA started with the invocation that lead by
the Catholic priest and Muslim imam. The speech was drafted in English and due to
some off-the-cuff remarks, the president finished delivery at 6:26 in the evening, with
the theme "A Comfortable Life for All", the speech resonates better with more Filipinos.
This theme is supported by the Administration’s three key agenda; prosperity for all, law
and order, and peace, which categorize the positive changes felt by the people.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, "spoke from the heart" as he delivered his SONA,
describing the country's present situation and laying down his future plans and
prospects, including his legislative priorities. He caught his audience attention at first
when he tell jokes like remembering his life setting those chairs when he was a member
of the congress which he was always absent during his time. As he delivered his
speech he was frank and outspoken, and went off-script from time to time to emphasize
a point or share a light banter with his audience. He also teases some of personalities
who are belongs to the opposing party.
As the Chief Executive he discussed about his Administration's continued fight against
illegal drugs and all forms of criminality, ending the Marawi rebellion and battling
terrorism, the extension of martial law, stopping destructive mining operations, paying
the right taxes, the Build-Build-Build Infrastructure Plan, and among others. One of his
speech is that, he still believe that the progress and development will sputter if
criminals, illegal drugs, illegal users of drugs are allowed to roam the streets freely,
victimizing seeming with impunity, the innocent and the helpless. The Worse is that,
there are times that the past protectors of the people were themselves the perpetrators
of the very crimes they were tasked to prevent or suppress. It is ironic as it is madness,
he added. He also not intends to loosen the leash in the campaign or lose the fight
against illegal drugs. Neither do he intend to preside over the destruction of the Filipino
youth by being timid and tentative in his decisions and actions.
He also speaks to his critics who fight against his campaign to double their efforts in
better spent their influence, moral authority and ascendancy of their organizations on
their respective sectors to educate the people on the evils of illegal drugs instead of
condemning the authorities and unjustly blaming for every killing that bloodies this
country. He also encourage the individuals in the government who are equipped with
legal authority with the moral ascendancy over their sector they represent, that they can
do so much to eradicate the social scourge that plagues nation no end.
His speech, which took more than two hours to finish, was largely in English, with some
off-the-cuff remarks spoken in Tagalog and a bit of Visayan dialects to resonate well
with the Filipino people. Towards the end of his speech, he submitted before Congress
his Administration's P3.767-trillion budget proposal for next year.
After the SONA, President Duterte, in another rare move, he proceeded outside the
Batasan complex to talk to left-wing protesters. Then, he went back inside the legislative
building to hold a press conference, where he answered queries and clarified some
issues, ranging from terrorism and Martial Law extension to economic growth concerns,
from members of the media.
In conclusion, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is men of honor were he stands in every
words he speak. Our country is in need of gifted leader who will value human welfare
and can able to fight for the upright despites of controversies and opposing parties
behind his administration. His SONA gives hope to people to see the brighter future of
the Philippines. He promises to settle or defeat issues and problem which exist in the
government and around the society in order to meet his people expectation. If he will
fulfill his promises, I can say that he beats all existed leaders in the Philippine history.
His desire to provide comfortable life for all is a symbol of a genuine leader with the
heart. Every Filipino is now on the way to a progressive economy. It is so amazed that
the President can hear the issues of the society despites of his condition as an old man.
In his 1 year of existence as a President he has much accomplishment to flaunt. He
shows that he is able and capable to lead the country in good faith. His winning as a
President is not mistaken, he is ordained by God, because God sees our country’s
needs.
As an individual, we can contribute to the campaign of change in different ways, of
course let us start in our self, to become responsible in all our action without taking
advantages the weakness of our fellowmen. Learn to help others and show them the
upright we made as a good example of a law abiding citizen of this society.
2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte,
Submitted by:
Rey Anthony Peroy
Submitted to
Mr. Mickle Dan Saladino
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
JULY 31, 2017
