Disciplined, informed, involved Filipino: #DU30UnangSona

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) called for disciplined, informed, and involved Filipinos for our country to truly rise from the ashes. He said that for our country to achieve success, “We have to help each other for then and only then can we truly prevail.” This comes after a one-hour, 32-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA).

 

PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE delivers his first SONA, which lasted for an hour and 32 minutes. Photo courtesy of PTV

 

His SONA was unlike any first SONA delivered by other presidents, i.e. he did not blame previous administrations for their mistakes.

 

NO MORE FINGERPOINTING. Image courtesy of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Facebook page

 

“We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull us back. Finger-pointing is not the way of honorable men. That is why I will not waste precious time dwelling in the sins of the past,” said Duterte during his SONA.

Highlights from his first SONA include the war on crime and drugs, peace process in Mindanao and CPP-NPA-NDF, and his vision for the Philippine federal government.

 

War against crime and drugs

The President stressed once more that he is dead serious about the war on crime and drugs. “There will be no letdown in this campaign. We will not stop until the last drug lord, financier, and pusher is put behind bars or below ground if they so wish.”

He also had this to say to the men and women of our police force: “Do your job and you will have the support of the Office of the President. Abuse your authority and there will be hell.”

 

HE REPEATS HIMSELF. Image courtesy of PCOO Facebook page

 

He reiterated his promise during his campaign: “In this quest, I will put at stake my honor, my life, and the presidency itself.”

 

Lasting peace in the Philippines

The country has dealt with civil strife for several decades, most especially against the Moros of Mindanao and the Communist Party of the Philippines – New Peoples’ Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). For both parties, he had this to say:

“All of us want peace. Not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the living. We express our willingness and readiness to negotiate and yet we load our guns, fix our sights, and pull the trigger. It is ironic, tragic, and endless.”

He reached out to the CPP-NPA-NDF in particular to “end the centuries of mistrust and warfare,” saying that he has seen the pain not of the fallen soldiers but of the families they have left behind.

 

UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE IN EFFECT. Image courtesy of PCOO Facebook page

 

With this came the biggest announcement during the SONA: a unilateral ceasefire between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF effective immediately. He also asked them to respond accordingly so they may begin peace talks as soon as possible.

 

Federalism still in the works

PRRD’s vision for a federal Philippines ties in to his plans for lasting peace. He said that even though it may not come immediately, the House of Representatives and the Senate should work hand in hand to seek a way to change our country’s form of government.

He spoke about how federalism will be the only way we can achieve peace in Mindanao, saying that legislation can remove the unconstitutional provisions in the Bangsamoro Basic Law “and pass it into law. Once we are federal, we put them back in and give it to (Nur) Misuari.” Nur Misuari is the leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), one of the biggest political groups representing the Moros of Mindanao.

He also told legislators that we should pattern our federal government with that of France, i.e. “have a president but give him/her mostly ceremonial powers” while also saying that if a federal system is put in place within his term, he will immediately step down and make way for a presidential election.

It is, without a doubt, one of the most unique SONAs ever delivered in our country’s history. It’s also one of the longest for a first SONA, lasting an hour and 32 minutes. Another first for the SONA: not once did he put the blame on previous administrations, though he did cite problems that have long since existed.

 

A STONG ENDING TO AN EMPOWERING SPEECH. Image courtesy of PCOO Facebook page

 

Will he deliver on the promises he made during his campaign? The first month seems promising, but only time will tell. His closing statement really captures the heart of his SONA: “We have to help each other for then and only then can we truly prevail.”