Things Duterte said in his 2nd SONA from A-Z
July 26, 2017 | 2:28am
President Rodrigo Duterte delivered a two-hour speech for his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24, 2017. AJ Bolando
MANILA, Philippines (First Published July 25, 3:35 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte is known for his stream of consciousness speeches and his second State of the Nation was no exception from his trademark ramblings.
We broke down his two-hour speech to bite-sized topics from A-Z.
Accountability
To those who oppose and think that all these efforts are out of order, I hold myself – me and me alone should be responsible.
Kayo iyong employer namin. We get the money from your pocket to our pockets. Since when have you heard me talk about government and officials? I always address everybody “workers of government.”
Bangsamoro
We took steps to promote inclusiveness in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission by expanding its membership through Executive Order No. 8, which I signed in November last year.
By giving representation to indigenous peoples, women, children, and sultanates, and key stakeholders in the drafting of the Bangsa[moro] Basic Law, we ensure a Bangsamoro government that truly reflects the aspirations of our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as our indigenous brethren.
Battle of Marawi
There is rebellion in Mindanao. The extremists have declared it their purpose to establish a caliphate within Philippine territory along the teachings and beliefs of [the] Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or otherwise known as ISIS.
The battle of Marawi has dealt a terrible blow to our quest for peace, especially now that an alien ideology and a radical shift in purpose have been injected into the local setting.
At the same time, the government would be adequately equipped with the constitutional tool not only to prevent the escape of rebels who can easily mingle and pretend to be civilian evacuees only to re-group in another place to fight another day but also to prevent them from spreading their gospel of hate and violence in the rest of Mindanao.
The people of Marawi need help. Caught in the crossfire between government troops and Muslim extremists, they have been through hell and we need to help them rise and move forward.
My fellow citizens: What I have said so far about the events in Marawi and its neighboring environs is only a part of a looming problem, which will cut across all classes and all sectors of society and eventually affect the entire country from north to south, from east to west, given the fact that Mindanao supplies a great part of our country’s food requirements.
Critics
To the critics against this fight, your efforts will be better spent if you use the influence, moral authority and ascendancy of your organizations over your 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.
Neither will I be immobilized into inaction by the fear that I will commit an act that will expose me to public condemnation or legal prosecution… That is why I ask you to join me in this fight against illegal drugs and all forms of criminality.
Look beyond your biases, your prejudices, your ambition, your political agenda. The search for change will begin and end only when we look into ourselves and find it within.
Okay ako niyan. When you go into an anger, when you burst with rage, okay ‘yan. But with so many killings as brutal and as cruel as what happened, if you add human rights and due process, you stink and your mouth smells. If you want to criticize, criticize, condemn the act, stop there. But do not give the excuse or do not make it trivial by saying human rights at least we’ll be protected… Iyan ang pinakabuwang na magawa ng isang tao. When you criticize, stick on one topic.
Eh kayo man ang front sa pa-ganun-ganun, eh ’pag may namatay diyan na maraming massacre, ni-rape mga babae, bata, hindi kayo umiimik. Maya-maya pagdating ng mga… pagdating nitong mga western expert kuno, you give them so much premium and importance. Saan ba ang utak ninyo? Bakit kayo bilib diyan sa puti?
Sabi ko nga: Everybody is entitled to come here and question me. But I have to question you also. At para magaling, let us make it official. We go to court and we tell the judge that we are hearing by an international body. Can we have it judicially recorded? And I will place them under oath.
Sabi nila doon “bully” daw ako. Tang ina pala kayo, talagang bully ako. Putang ina. Talagang bully ako, especially to the enemies of the state, talagang bully ako.
Death penalty
I therefore ask Congress to act on all pending legislations to reimpose the death penalty on heinous crimes – especially on the trafficking of illegal drugs.
Capital punishment is not only about deterrence. It is also about retribution. Make no mistake about that.
[O]ur criminal system uses the Revised Penal Code. That is a law that was given to us by the Spaniards, the original Revised Penal Code. Though it was translated into English and in this two books, three books, there are the definition of crimes and the penalties and everything. And the thrust of that Revised Penal Code, ladies and gentlemen, is the essence of retribution. That is why you have penalties.
Drugs
[P]rogress and development will sputter if criminals, illegal drugs, illegal users of drugs are allowed to roam the streets freely, victimizing, seemingly with impunity, the innocent and the helpless.
That is why, I have resolved that no matter how long it takes, the fight against illegal drugs will continue because that is the root cause of so much evil and so much suffering.
The fight will be unremitting as it will be unrelenting. Despite international and local pressures, the fight will not stop until those who deal in it understand that they have to cease, they have to stop because the alternatives are either jail or hell.
Environment
Ours is a rich country. Wealth that this country is endowed with [is] a gift from God to be utilized for the [people’s] welfare and the common good. I do not believe that this gift was given to us to be merely viewed or appreciated, but to be extracted from the earth and utilized to make life worth living.
Alam mo, you have the mining. I have to grant you a mining because you have complied with all the requirements of the law. And I cannot… I’d be subject to a mandamus if everything is perfect and you have every right to mine. But in doing so, you destroy the rivers, you destroy the streams, from which the poor people fish – halwan or mudfish – and that is protein for the day for them.
Ngayon makita mo naman, not only Gina Lopez gave you a clear picture of what was happening horrendously. Nakita mo kay Ted Failon – ’yung kay Ted Failon, talagang nanood ako, dalawang beses. And I realized that I have to do something about it as a Filipino
How about the billions and billions and billions of Filipinos who will come after us? Kawawa naman. They’ll have to scratch Mother Earth to eat. By this time kung walang upheaval, no regeneration will occur. We are almost like talagang ginaganun natin ang – maliit na lang ang makuha nila. But maawa naman kayo. Makikita mo ’yung apo mo kung ganun mo na lang… Kung ganun mo na lang ’yung – embrace mo ‘yung apo mo sa pangalawang asawa. ’Yung isa ganun rin. Di ba? Di ba, sir?
Food security
I refer to climate change, which could bring drought and long dry spells affecting food production in Mindanao, given the fact that Mindanao is unusually warming. I ask all agencies involved in food production to look into this and act accordingly.
Also, I am appealing to all our legislators to immediately pass the National Land Use Act, or NALUA, to ensure the rational and sustainable use of our land and our physical resources, given the competing needs of food security, housing, businesses, and environmental conservation.
Golden age of infrastructure
We are targeting to increase government spending on infrastructure from five percent of the GDP in 2017 to seven percent of the GDP by 2022, amounting to a total of 8 to 9 trillion pesos or 160 to 180 billion dollars.
Infrastructure projects. We will make the next few years the Golden Age of Infrastructure in the Philippines to enhance our mobility and connectivity, and thereby spur development growth equitable in the country. In other words, we are going to build, build and build.
To improve our sea connectivity, we launched 15 brand new Ro-Ro vessels to ply major nautical routes all over the country. We also opened an Asean Ro-Ro Shipping Route connecting the ports of Davao and General Santos, Philippines to Bitung, Indonesia.
To address the congestion of our sea ports, we modernized the Ports of Iloilo, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. We shall complete strategic road and bridge projects and some of the road sections shall be widened and improved to address the worsening traffic.
[W]hen I became President, Edsa was already horrendous, as it was a horror of the other administrations. Now, I brought in [Transportation Secretary Arthur] Tugade, because Tugade is to me, a bright boy. He is a billionaire. He was my classmate.
Well, anyway, all of these strategic road and transport projects shall go to naught if we cannot free our streets, which continue to be obstructed by illegally parked vehicles. Iyong Edsa na iyan, traffic obstructions and undisciplined drivers who stop in the middle of the road, and unsanctioned barriers in some areas.
I am directing the MMDA and the LGUs of Metro Manila, as well as the LGUs of Metro Cebu and all our regional centers to ensure the free flow of traffic, and immediately clear our roads and thoroughfares of all unnecessary obstruction, including vehicles parked on the streets/barriers.
Good governance
A year ago, I also warned government officials and employees that I will never tolerate corruption in my administration, not even a whiff of it. Let the dismissal of several high-ranking officials – whom I myself appointed – serve as a warning to all that I will never back down on my commitment to cleanse this government and corporation.
As I have fired anybody else… a Cabinet member for buying an 18 million truck in Austria. That was not our contract, it was contract of the previous administration, 14 of those 18 million were already delivered. This Cabinet member was… I was informed about it and I said, the legal, his legal office, to stop it.
You know what? He went just right ahead, travel there, signed something for the… another tranche of delivery. So right there, right in the Cabinet meeting I said: “Were you able to read the opinion of your law, your own law office?” He said no. But [Finance Secretary] Sonny Dominguez was already passing to me the 0150 iyong sa Iphone. So I was reading it, while I was talking to him. Sabi ko: “Putang ina mo. You are fired. You are lying.” And so I fired him. “Go out of this office. I don’t want to see your face again.”
Ganoon ako ka istrikto. So iyong… the Cabinet members – they are here – they are only given noon, one year, two years, one month. The directors, makinig kayo sa gobyerno, bantay kayo. Directors, you are only given 15 days and I do not want directors out of their office. You eat your lunch there – lahat kayong taga-gobyerno – so that you can resume to work immediately.
I am reiterating my directive to all government agencies from frontline services to our people from womb to tomb – to further streamline their respective services to make these truly efficient and people-friendly.
We want to ensure that our people receive the quality services that they deserve, minus the delays caused by bureaucratic red tape. I expect speedy reforms along this line.
We will right size the national government. Let us trim the excess fat and add more muscle through the expeditious passage of “The Act Rightsizing the National Government to Improve Public Service Delivery and for other Purposes.” I therefore urge Congress to pass this at the soonest.
For the government owned and controlled corporations, isa pa kayo. The implementation of the existing Salary Standardization Law pending the review in the Compensation and Position Classification System, it’s excessive, extravagant, and unconscionable. Salaries and allowances, incentives, benefits, and bonuses across the government owned and controlled corporations – at this time increases will have to pass by my office. And I am not inclined to increase your allowances, bonuses, and salaries at this time.
Pero me, I have not authorized my Cabinet member to utilize the low plate. It’s not for us to… you just use an ordinary plate. Para walang masabi iyong tao. And I do not want you parking there, when there’s no parking.
Human rights
Tapos sabi ng UN… Is he here? Are you there? Iyong UN representative? Na sinabi mo na shabu will not affect the brain? Are you here? Raise your right hand, if you’re here. Do not worry. I will just… Do not – the word “delude” as into you… Iyong mga ano ninyo na – but we know every day that one family raped, dalawa and all are dead. Then you trivialize it with human rights and due process.
Independent foreign policy
We have embarked on various initiatives to advance our national interest in the global community. We pursue good relations with all nations anchored on an independent – on an independent foreign policy – and the basic tenets of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference.
As an independent nation, we will uphold and promote our national interests in the international community. We will strengthen and seek partnership with those who share our values. We will engage nations with full respect for the rule of law, sovereign equality, and again, non-interference. These are the principles that we are upholding as we advance to this year for the meeting as the chair of the ASEAN.
Investments
Therefore, I call on our industrialists, investors [and] commercial barons to put up factories and manufacturing establishments right here in the Philippines to process our raw materials into finished products.
Jose Maria Sison
Kaya gusto niyo kong mag-usap tayo, no, sumobra kayo. Ikaw, [Jose Maria] Sison, tang … Mag-inom ka ng Tang. Yung orange.
Matanda ka na. Kayong Pilipinas, makinig, buong Pilipinas. Kayong mga bata, kayong mga Lumad natives, itong matatanda na ito: Sison is sick. May colon cancer. Ang gastos ng Norway, sumurender na siya. Kasi naging isyu sa pulitika eh. This government who sponsored those 0– who provided the good offices. Matatalo sa eleksyon dahil sa issue diyan. Kasi pabalik-balik ang mga buang, kala mo mga turista. Wala namang pinag-uusapan.
Kaya sabi ko ano… sabi ko talaga, “Buang ka.” And sinabi ko talaga. Pardon pa si…. Pinutang ina ko talaga siya the other day sa Davao. Sinong tinatakot ninyo? Katanda-tanda na ninyo eh. At lahat tayo mamatay. Kayong mga naiwan diyan sa kalsada, mabuti pa umuwi kayo. Wala kayong makuha diyan sa komunista.
Journalists and media
Alam mo, okay na ’yung mining. Subsidiary ka lang ng isang another giant corporation or you’re a sister company of a telecommunication. Hindi kayo magugutom. But look at the picture shown to you. For once, they behaved correctly ang ABS-CBN. Tingnan mo ‘yung pelikula ni Ted Failon. I salute him for coming with it.
You know, ’pag newspaper ka you are supposed to be 100-percent Filipino. And yet when you start to pierce their identity, it is pala fully-owned by Americans. Ganun ang nangyari eh. It’s just a matter of piercing the…
So wala masyado ako… ABS[-CBN], Rappler kayo ba ‘yan? Have you tried to pierce your identity? And it will lead you to America. Do you know that? And yet the Constitution requires you to be 100 percent – media – Filipino. Rappler, try to pierce the identity and you will end up [finding] American ownership.
Ito pa. Sabi ko sa mga sundalo… ’yung mga human rights na ano, you are flying everywhere, anywhere ’yung mga utak ninyo… I said: “Take no prisoners.” Which is [GARBLED]… “Kill them.” Which is correct? But you don’t listen to my speech. This media – lalo na itong ABS[-CBN] – kunin lang ‘yang “kill them.”
‘Yan ang problema ninyo, kaya minura ko kayo. Walang Presidente na putang ina kayo because you are not behaving. Now you’re asking me for talks… [APPLAUSE, CHEERS] When you publish in the newspaper or quote us in media, itong mga reporters would only quote: “Kill them.”
Killings
Mahuli ko man talaga ’yan sila. May pinatay ako, tama ‘yan. When I was mayor, a little over… For 23 years ako mayor ng Davao eh. Makita mo ang Davao ngayon. You have been LGUs before. What city is now hitting nine growth percent? Eh nandoon pa kami sa Mindanao, binobomba pa kami sa Davao. Davao is nine, growth.
I said: “Kill them in a fight. If you have to shoot them, shoot them at the heart or the head.” Sabi ko: “Why? Because they will be detained here in Marawi, wala tayong presuhan.”
Leila de Lima
I challenge you, you want a debate in public? Okay, we’ll have it. I will challenge you how also you trivialize the thing by – ’yung binibigyan niyo ng importansiya si [Sen. Leila] De Lima. You all know. You were all here. You conducted the investigation. You heard the witnesses. You saw the videos. Is she a credible woman? Can she be a moral person? Puro kayo drama diyan sa…
Magna Carta of Women
I would like to reiterate my personal and this administration’s commitment to fully implement the Magna Carta of Women to the barangay level tapos na ito. To this effect, an executive order will be issued to local government units institutionalizing gender and development programs and services.
Martial law
I declared martial law in Mindanao because I believed that that was the fastest way to quell the rebellion at the least cost of lives and properties.
Martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus enable the military to arrest, detain, and question suspected members and sympathizers of the rebellion similar to what happened to the parents of the Maute brothers.
Alam mo, ’yung martial law, I am not so much endeavored diyan. Sabihin ninyo na hindi ninyo ibigay? Okay lang. Wala akong problema diyan. Maski sabihin ninyo na tama na, okay lang. Then I will still fight. The way I will fight the war – if it is not acceptable to the normal of civilian conduct, then I am sorry because I am not fighting a civilian war, I am stopping violence and rebellion.
Mining
That is why I say that it is not enough that we mine this wealth. What is more important is that we convert the raw materials thereof into finished products for international and local purposes. That way, it will not only be the few who are the rich but also the poor who are many who will benefit therefrom.
At this point in my administration, if possible, we shall put a stop to the extraction and exportation of our mineral resources to foreign nations for processing abroad and importing them back to the Philippines in the form of consumer goods at prices twice or thrice the value of the original raw materials foreign corporations pay for them.
However, in the extraction and utilization of these resources, extreme care must be exercised that we do not recklessly and needlessly harm the environment.
I sternly warn, I am warning all mining operations and contractors to refrain from the unbridled and irresponsible destruction of our watersheds, forests, and aquatic resources. You have gained much from mining, we only get about 70 billion [pesos] a year, but you have considerably neglected your responsibility to protect and preserve – and even the tax, it’s about five percent – environment for posterity.
I am holding all mining companies and its officials responsible for the full and quick clean-up, restoration [and] rehabilitation of all areas damaged by mining activities, and the extension of all necessary support to the communities that have suffered mining’s disastrous effects on their health, livelihood, and environment, among others.
Mayaman na kayo, mga mining companies. Ito ang deal ko sa inyo: Either I will raise the taxes, ang kumikita niyan i-reserve ko to compensate for those who are suffering and in agony… You have to come up with a substitute, either spend to restore the virginity of their source or I will tax you to death.
Alam mo ang isa pang galit sa mining? Si Speaker. He comes from a mining town, but he hates mining. Ako naman kasi, mga kaibigan ko ’yung iba, ’yung mga classmate ko mga vice president ng mining, magpunta sila dito… But it reduces into something – the damage that you have caused. It’s not about our friendship. It’s not about years of being in the same room. It’s not about being fraternity brothers. But it is something that… [RAISES HIS RIGHT HAND] Ganun ‘yan eh.
Finally, let me make this appeal to those directly engaged in mining. Declare your correct income. Pay your correct taxes. Believe me, your failure to do so will be your undoing and eventual ruin.
To our employees and officials of the LGUs tasked with monitoring these mining operations within their territorial jurisdictions, do your job without fear or favor. I [hold] you absolutely responsible for any misdeed or failure [by] the mining entities to comply – do not comply or comply with the guidelines, rules and regulations governing mining operations and activities within your area of responsibility. I mean it. Do not try to test my resolve.
No Balance Billing Policy
To ensure that Filipinos are given equitable access to quality and affordable health services, we expanded health insurance coverage and benefits. The destitute and the indigents, or those who just could not afford hospitalization, can now be provided with free services of government-operated and public hospitals as well. We have strengthened the implementation of the No Balance Billing Policy.
Kayong mga Pilipino nakikinig sa akin ngayon: Magpa-hospital kayo. Ako ang magbayad. Tutal hindi man nila ako mademanda. Pasok lang kayo doon. Occupy the hospital, sabihin mo lang… totoo. Pasok kayo ng hospital, sabihin ninyo na sabi ni Mayor Duterte, pagamot daw kami, siya daw ang bahala magbayad.
#OccupyBulacan
On another thing, I’ll talk it about in the [news] conference. Sumobra itong left eh. Maggawa ka ng bahay, nakawin. Ang sabi ko sa sundalo: “Do not force the issue. I will just build yours. Ibigay mo na lang.” May project ngayon, gusto na naman nilang kuhanin. Do not commit that mistake. Here and now, I will tell you, including the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines: You do anarchy, I will order the soldiers and the police to shoot. Even if I have to bury thousands of Filipinos. Huwag ninyo akong ganunin.
Obama
Tingnan mo ang puti, panahon ni [US President Barack] Obama, una ‘yung spokesman ng State Department. Akala mo kung sino. Akala nila mas bright pa sila sa akin. Then the staff of the President, then Obama: “I would like to remind Mr. Duterte that the policy of…” Eh ‘di yari ako. Pagdating ni [US President Donald] Trump: “Oh yes, Mr. President, I’ve been expecting your call. You are doing it all right… And this g*******…”
Overseas Filipinos
We now talk about our overseas Filipinos. They are our heroes. They and their families have sacrificed much to the… for the country. We all know how a large part of our economic – economy comes from their remittances. That is why to ensure that their rights are protected, I ordered the increase of our assistance to the OFW from 400 million pesos to more than 1 billion.
Peace
Sad to say, despite all efforts, peace, especially in the Island of Mindanao, continues to elude us. But of course, it is not the peace of the dead but the peace of the living that we seek. Peace flits away like a butterfly when you try to snatch it by the wings. And our pursuit of peace continues.
And I will persist in our goal of attaining peace to the last day of this administration and maybe even beyond although in a different capacity.
The red insurgency has been with us for decades; the Muslim issue, for centuries. So much time has lapsed, so many lives have been lost, and so much destruction has been wrought. But peace eludes us still. Sometimes I am almost tempted to conclude that peace might not be able to come during our lifetime. But believe me, it will not be for want of trying.
To decisively address insurgency and terrorism, we are working doubly hard towards [achieving] a stronger and more credible national defense system for the country. We continue to strengthen the defense capability of the AFP as a deterrence against terrorists, lawless elements, and other threats.
Police and Armed Forces
As president, I am reiterating my unwavering support and commitment to the soldiers of our Armed Forces and the members of our police force, those who are on the ground and in the battlefields, and those who are risking their lives for our country and our democracy. I have your backs.
At the vanguard of our struggle for peace and order are our armed forces and police. They are the silent heroes who risk their lives every day for our country’s security.
In recognition of their valor, we have crafted a program to provide them with comprehensive social assistance, including financial, should they meet harm in the performance of their duty.
For the family left behind by those who fell or are rendered totally disabled in the line of duty, we shall provide shelter, health care assistance, education, and employment. That is my way of telling our troops: Never fear, do your duty. I stand behind you. So does this government and all its agencies.
Procurement law
I urge Congress to thoroughly review the existing procurement laws, and come up with legislation that will ensure prompt delivery of goods and services to the people – especially medicines and hospital equipments. Kasi itong military, ay sabi ko do not mind COA, I will answer for that.COA, I will answer for that.
Since COA is here, I limited to three places where military can buy the equipments because I am sure that they will work and they can kill the enemies and make even our forces stronger or in parity with what they have in on the other side. Itong armas, sabi ko, ’wag mong sundin iyang ano. I will explain to COA why. ’Wag mo akong papabilhin diyan sa mga lugar nang… gawa ng South America at lahat diyan sa mid-European.
Public safety
In order to bring government services closer to the people, we established hotlines, government centers that receive public concerns, one of which is the Hotline 911, which allowed us to receive and immediately respond to emergencies.
We also launched Hot… launched Hotline 8888, the Citizen’s Complaint Hotline. This is a public hotline facility that receives feedbacks or concerns on government services. Since we launched this hotline, we have received numerous complaints from the public on government – slow government processing, unclear or changing procedures and requirements, centralized issuances of clearances and permits in Metro Manila, and discourteous government employees, among others.
Now ito ang deal ko sa public. There is the 8888, I cannot stop corruption and wrongdoings if you do not cooperate. You text me. Libre iyan: 8888. You name the public official. Name his sins in that bulletin and I will take it from there. Do not be afraid about libel. I will take care of that.
Quick disaster response
While we can control the acts of man, no one can control [or] stop the fury and rampage of weather gone wild. When nature fights back, it does so with a vengeance. We have seen the terrible toll that Super Typhoon Yolanda and the succeeding typhoons exacted in terms of human life and property. And we still have to recover from the beating that we got both during and in the aftermath of those mega typhoons.
Aside from droughts, tempests, and other problems taking shape which, according to DOST-Phivolcs, it is no longer just a distant possibility but a probability – earthquakes.
The series of damaging quakes in Leyte, Surigao, and nearby provinces and islands attest to this. We were told that it is no longer a question of “if” but a matter of “when.”
I hope it will not come. Kasi kung magdating ’yung sabi nila ’yung “Big One.” I hope it will be just in the mountains and in the rural areas. Because if it’s right – sabihin nila tinatakot nila ang… media kasi… Nandito eh, in the speech, I reviewed it last night. I am calling [on] both houses of Congress to expeditiously craft a law establishing a new authority or department that is responsive to the prevailing 21st century conditions and empowered to best deliver enhanced disaster resiliency and quick disaster response.
While the law is [being] crafted with extreme urgency, we need to undertake immediate action to ensure disaster resiliency and effective response in the greater [Metro] Manila area, which is our country’s seat of governance, center of business, commerce, and the academe. Disaster resiliency of Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces is a matter of urgent concern.
Iyon nandito ’yan, tinatakot nila dito because of the high-rise buildings and… Ilang tao ang nakatira diyan? Kung… Kaya kaya ito sa isang sinkhole? I mean if it cracks and it goes down, can we still manage to go up? God, huwag ngayon ha, kay nandito ako. Hintayin mo lang ’yan. Sila na lang. Sila dito nag-aaway.
I am directing the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management to immediately work hand in hand with the concerned LGUs, the private sector and the affected communities themselves, in undertaking disaster measures, antidotes. We all need to act fast.
Reproductive health
[T]he Supreme Court TRO that prevents the Department of Health from distributing subdermal implants, which will cause the wastage of 350 million pesos worth of taxpayers’ money. I also note that since its issuance two years ago, this TRO has impaired the government’s ability to fully implement responsibly family planning and methods and the RH Law.
But itong Congress na ito passed the Reproduction Law. It was already a law na dapat i-implement, because we are really going into a family planning. I am not for abortion. I am not for birth control. But certainly, I am for the giving of the freedom to a Filipino family the size ng pamilya niya. How many children would they be able to support and send to school?
In the meantime iyong… ang gobyerno nagbili ng medisina itong subdermal pati itong mga pills worth 360. It was not really a reckless purchase. It was in preparation for the implementation of the law because hindi naman akalain na mag-TRO-and it has been two years, the medicines will expire next month. I told [Paulyn] Ubial, the health secretary, to find out if there is a nation, a law which would allow it and i-donate na lang rather than go to waste.
Smoking ban
I have signed Executive Order No. 26 imposing a ban on smoking in public places to mitigate its consequences. We want to minimize access to tobacco products, and provide a more supportive environment for those who are attempting to quit tobacco use.
Alam mo bakit, tinamaan ako ng… hindi ba ito. I’ve been very frank. I have a Barrett and I have a Buergers disease caused by smoking. So, ang problema niyan in a survey in the Philippines, all over the world. Why is it that the women force… workforce in an office and the men have acquired an equal, almost in parity in numbers, sick of cancer. It was found out, because if the poor girl has also to inhale your smoke, kaya iyan inumpisahan ko sa Davao.
In Davao, you cannot see a person there walking with a cigarette. Foreigners, they are very… they can argue with you. They say: “My money, not your money.” Well, then okay: “Eat your money or I will shoot your balls.”
Supreme Court
I also appeal to the Supreme Court to seriously consider the national interest and our development goals before issuing TROs and injunctions on critical government projects and cases involving government assets.
Sustainable development
Responsible, regulated and sustainable development is what we advocate and require. The protection of the environment must be made a priority ahead of mining and all other activities that adversely affect one way or another. And this policy is non-negotiable.
Tax
So I will increase the taxes. Then I will think of something that will compensate or make up for the damage or at least the income restored. Otherwise, I’ll have to stop mining. I will ask you to stop it. It’s not good. We are a small group of islands. Hindi naman marami.
Revenues are the life blood of government which enables us to provide for the people’s needs. Last May 31, 2017, we achieved the first step towards more equitable taxes to fund better services for the people.
I commend the House of Representatives for heeding my urgent certification of the tax reform by passing the first of five packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program with an overwhelming 246 votes, representing almost 9 percent of the Filipino people.
The fate of the tax reform is now in the hands of the Senate. Ano ba ang gusto ninyong gawin, magluhod ako diyan? Well really, I leave it up to you. We are all Filipinos. If you think that’s a waste, fine! If you think, it’s not good, it’s okay with me. I can survive. I call on the Senate so support my tax reform in full and to pass it without haste.
The passage of the Tax Reform Law is needed to fund the proposed 2018 budget which I am submitting here and today. The poor and vulnerable are at the heart of my tax reform. Your support would ensure that the benefits of the tax reform can be felt immediately by them.
In the meantime, the DOF [Department of Finance] and BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] are strengthening and running after tax evaders. I have directed the DOF and the BIR to accept Mighty Corporation’s offer of P25 billion to settle its tax liabilities. After the settlement, Mighty will no longer engage in the tobacco business. This will be the biggest tax settlement on record. It will produce a windfall for government, which is significant since we have face the unexpected costs of rebuilding Marawi and Ormoc.
The acceptance of the tax settlement offer does not preclude other criminal charges against the company that the BIR may decide to file. A settlement will allow government to avoid a long court battle that, as we saw in previous cases, could take years to resolve.
Let this be a lesson to others. This administration will spare no one found cheating the government of its due.
Technology
[My] Cabinet approved the National Broadband Plan of 2017 to begin the work of bringing affordable internet access to every community and improving broadband connectivity in the country.
We have also installed free WiFi internet in almost 400 public places around the country. We hope that the public will use them to access important information and services.
The National Government Portal, which we launched recently, will allow faster and easier delivery of public services and reduce the number of visits of the public to agencies for government transactions.
The Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Migration Plan has also been launched. The switch to digital from analog transmission will not only give a better TV viewing experience but also provide effective and reliable information to Filipinos in times of calamities.
The government-owned Salaam Digital TV, the first Muslim TV in the Philippines, is now already on test broadcasting.
United States
Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang Pilipino. It takes for an American to say that I’m a son of a bitch. And it takes for an American to say: “Oh you’re great. You’re a hero in your country.” O saan ako pupunta dito ngayon?
And many at times, there were sex offenders in America released only to rape and kidnap again and kill in just a few months after release. In the Philippines, it is really an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. You took a life then you must pay for life.
At this point, allow me to take a step back in time, in 1901. In 1901, there was known as Balangiga, and that is Eastern Samar. It was the time for Philippine-American War. A combined group of Filipino villagers and guerrillas, in an effort to defend Samar Island from the alien invaders, attacked and overwhelmed a US – a United States infantry garrison. Forty-eight American officers and men were slain in the attack. On the Filipino side, the casualty count was twenty-eight killed and twenty-two wounded.Samar Island from the alien invaders, attacked and overwhelmed a US – a United States infantry garrison. Forty-eight American officers and men were slain in the attack. On the Filipino side, the casualty count was twenty-eight killed and twenty-two wounded.Samar Island from the alien invaders, attacked and overwhelmed a US – a United States infantry garrison. Forty-eight American officers and men were slain in the attack. On the Filipino side, the casualty count was twenty-eight killed and twenty-two wounded.
In retaliation, US gunboats and patrols were sent to Balangiga, Samar with the order to “make a desert of Balangiga” and to reduce Samar Island into an island of “howling wilderness,” where every male citizen from the age of ten and above, and capable of bearing arms, would be put to death. The Church bells of Balangiga were seized by the Americans as spoils of war.
Those bells are reminders of the gallantry and heroism of our forebears who resisted the American colonizers and sacrificed their lives in the process. Krag against bolo – Krag was the standard rifle issued to the American troops. And that is how the historians describe.
Venting against the Left
Takutin ninyo ako na occupy the streets? Anak ng jueteng. You stay there. You ask for two days, I will give you six months. Huwag kayong umalis diyan. Kainin ninyo pati ’yung dumi ninyo diyan. Takut-takutin mo ang gobyerno. I’m sorry, I’ve exceeded my time, but… Eh kailangan kong sabihin eh. Para maintindihan din nila. Tutal nandito na lang rin ako sa media. Nakikinig pati lahat.
Kayong mga left, I will not talk to you. Why should I? Huwag mo na akong pilitin na magpatayo kayo mga pro-poor, shut up. Wait for two years, because I have… You know, this is my proposal. I may be totally wrong and I will accept it, but this is mine. From now on, I will save money for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We have lost so much soldiers.
West Philippine Sea
West Philippine Sea issue and federalism are matters that we have to tackle sooner or later.
We have cultivated warmer relations with China through bilateral dialogues and other mechanisms, leading to easing of tensions between the two countries and improved negotiating environment on the West Philippine Sea.
Xi Jinping and China
[A]nyway, since I could not get any funding, I traveled to China and made friends with them. And the ambassador, Ambassador Zhao… thank you for the help. And as a matter of fact, they are willing. They said if your Congress has no money, we will give you the money. And China has committed to build two bridges to span Pasig River free of charge. So that you will be comfortable in crossing Pasig.
We might get some money also from China and we’ll have new airports in the coming days and we are now accelerating the implementation of the communications, navigations, surveillance and air traffic managements system projects which will result in the on-time arrivals, departures better managed air traffic, reduced flight operational cost and safer and more convenient travel experience.
Youth education
In our bid to accelerate human capital development, we should ensure lifelong opportunities by enhancing quality of and access to education, training programs.
We have sustained investments in higher education and committed to the full implementation of the K-to-12 Basic Foundation Program. We have widened the reach of skills training and increased the number of out-of-school children and youth who have availed of the Alternative Learning System.
Zapping corruption
Let change trickle down from [top to] bottom. It has to be a change that is not confined merely to the replacement of people by people, but a change in the people’s attitude, disposition and work ethic. Sadly, although we knew years ago that what was needed or [what we] ought to do, we did not do [it] because our idea of government was parochial and we could not rise above family, ethnic, and clan loyalties as well as loyalty to friends and co-workers.
Totoo. Kayo nakikinig kayo. Wala akong pinirmahan ni isa, putang ina ’yan na para pagkain. Pagkain. Pagkain sa opisina, eh bayaran ninyo ‘yan. Maglabas ako. I do not collect anything. I do not remember. I do not sign anything there until now. Wala akong allowance wala akong tinatanggap lahat except my salary. Tapos dalawang pamilya pa ang maghati.
— Mikas Matsuzawa
BrandSpace Articles
<
>
Philstar
- Latest
- Trending
Trending
Latest
Trending
By Cristina Chi | 8 hours ago
By Michael Punongbayan | 1 day ago
By Jean Mangaluz | 7 hours ago
By Cristina Chi | 10 hours ago
Latest
By Emmanuel Tupas | 33 minutes ago
By Janvic Mateo | 33 minutes ago
By Bella Cariaso | 33 minutes ago
By Sheila Crisostomo | 33 minutes ago
Recommended
1 day ago
1 day ago
November 22, 2024 - 12:00am
2 days ago
