News Commentary

Things Duterte said in his first SONA (From A-Z)

Philstar.com

July 26, 2016 | 12:57am

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation (SONA) on Monday.

What was expected to be a 38-minute speech extended to about an hour and a half due to ad-libs.

Here are the issues tackled and promises made by Duterte in his SONA.

Abu Sayyaf

Since our country continues to be confronted with internal security threats aggravated by the existence and activities of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, the full force of the AFP will be applied to crush these criminals who operate under the guise of religious fervor.

AFP modernization

The AFP shall enhance its capability to search and engage this rogue and lawless elements (Abu Sayyaf).

Agriculture and fisheries

Road development projects shall complement with our thrust to provide modern agriculture, infrastructural by expanding and improving the construction and rehabilitation of roads and the irrigation and establishing modern harvest and post-harvest facilities to minimize losses.
We shall also conduct a nationwide soil analysis to determine areas most suitable for rice farming to optimize production with the use of effective soil rehabilitation and fertilization.
We shall strictly enforce fisheries laws, particularly on illegal fishing and promote aquaculture along river banks and in backyards.

Blame game

I will not waste precious time dwelling on the sins of the past or blaming those who are perceived to be responsible for the mess that we are in and suffering from except maybe extract a lesson or two from its errors. We will not tarry because it is the present that we are concerned with and the future that we are concerned for.
Let me say clearly that those who betray the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have their day in court.
When I decided to seek the presidency of this republic, I knew what the ills of our country were. I knew their causes and I was briefed on those who cause the causes.
Vindictiveness is not in my system.

Climate change

Addressing global warming shall be our top priority but upon a fair and equitable equation. It must not stymie our industrialization.
So, if you put so much restrictions doon sa [Paris] treaty na yan, the treaty which we are trying to — it's still here in the Senate. Let us be very clear on this: We need to industrialize. We need the power and, therefore, the emissions would also be considered.

Disaster response

We will continue to expand operation on human assistance, disaster response, maritime security and counterterrorism.

Driver’s licenses

While the issuance and distribution of motor vehicle plates at point of sale, or through motor vehicle dealers shall be considered. Huwag na sa LTO kasi hanggang ngayon, panahon pa ni Hesukristo yung first plate nila, hanggang ngayon wala pa. Bayad na yon. Until now, sa awa ng Diyos.
For the driver’s licenses, its effectiveness will be extended from the current 3-year period to 5 years.

Erring officials

To our police officers and other officials: Do your job and you will have the unwavering support of the Office of the President… Abuse your authority and there will be a hell to pay for you would have become worse than criminality itself.
I order the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to hasten the conduct of investigation and adjudication of administrative cases against police officers involved in criminal activity and illegal activities.
Prescribe policies for lifestyle checks for PNP members.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is also directed to strictly monitor how local government units perform their supervision functions over the police. Those found [not] performing will be sanctioned including the loss of deputation from the Napolcom.

Faster internet and connectivity

I have also ordered the newly created DICT (Information and Communication Technology) to develop a national broadband plan and to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve Internet speed.
Wifi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public places, including parks, buses, public libraries, schools, government hospitals, train stations, airports and seaports.

Federalism

At this stage, I’ve also directed the DILG to undertake nationwide information and campaign on federalism and partnership with various alliances and with NGOs, civil society grassroots and faith-based organizations.

Freedom of Information

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) shall coordinate with the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Presidential Legal Counsel in implementing the recently approved EO on the Freedom of Information.

Justice system

I heard the people on the streets complain that justice had become illusory, that equity and fairness and speedy disposition of cases have deteriorated into hollow concepts fit only for masteral dissertations. It was and still is very sad indeed.
I was determined then as I am no determined and better positioned to wage war against those who make a mockery of our laws including those who make our lives miserable.
Just like you and I, equal treatment and equal protection are what I ask for our people.
The number of lawyers and support staff in the PAO — that is the Public Assistance Office — regional and districts shall be increased to provide indigents with more access to counsels.

Human rights

My administration shall be sensitive to the State’s obligation to promote and protect, fulfill the human rights of our citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable.
Social justice will be pursued even as the rule of law shall at all times prevail.
Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as an excuse to destroy your country and my country.
The PCO, in coordination with the Office of the Executive Secretary, is drafting the Administrative Order on the Task Force on media killings.

Infrastructure

We will accelerate infrastructure spending by improving national roads and bridges and implementing the Mindanao Logistics Infrastructure Network and other road network master plans.
We shall pursue inter-island linkage projects.
We shall be implementing structural mitigation measures to address of the perennial flooding in Metro Manila and neighboring areas. We shall put up new pumping stations in strategic places.

International relations

We shall strengthen our coordination with Indonesia and Malaysia to suppress the kidnapping in the waters of our neighboring countries.
We also endeavor to develop corporate partnership with nations sharing common interests and concerns with the Philippines, maintain and sustain bilateral and multilateral consultations and dialogues.
We shall deepen security dialogues with all the nations to build greater understanding and cooperation.

Jobs

At the household level, there must be sufficient income for all Filipinos to meet the basic food and non-food needs for their families.
We shall continue attract investments that will generate thousands of jobs each year – jobs that are suitable for the poor and less skilled members of the workforce.
Reforms to ensure competitiveness and promote ease of doing business will be mandatory.
Reacting to these needs, the restrictions on the economy will be needed to make more investments to come and to develop labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism shall be pursued.
When employment is not an option, for instance in extremely rural neighborhoods, entrepreneurship will be advocated.
Government Financing Institutions (GFIs) shall come up with out-of-the-box financing packages to capacitate our small and medium entrepreneurs.

Legislation

We will strengthen our counterterrorism program by amending various laws on terrorism, terrorism financing and cybercrime.
To eradicate the prevalent cultures of fear and silence that have hounded our justice system, I asked Congress — you — to enact the Whistleblower Protection Law while the present Witness Protection Program shall be strengthened.

RELATED: Duterte eyes whistleblower act

Lumads

To our [Lumad] brothers, I have this to say: The government has issued you the Ancestral Certificates Domain Title covering vast tracts of land especially in the island of Mindanao. You have the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to protect you and to assist you.
Government has given you the tool, the legal tool to improve yourself financially, economically and socially. Make use of your ancestral domain. Do not let it remain idle.

Macroeconomic policy

[M]y administration will continue and maintain current macroeconomic policies, and even do better.
We will achieve this through prudent fiscal and monetary policies that can help translate high growth into more and better job creation and poverty reduction. By the end of my term, I hope — I hope and pray — to hand over an economy that is much stronger, characterized by solid growth, low and stable inflation, dollar reserves, and robust fiscal position.

Mining and illegal logging

In the area of environment, the military is directed to intensify its support role against illegal logging, illegal mining... and other destructive practices that aggravate the devastation of our natural resources.
The interest of the country must come first. But hindi ko naman sinasabi, there’s a law allowing mining. [Environment Secretary] Gina Lopez and I are just telling you: Follow government standards. Do not destroy the environment. Follow it to a tee.

OFW welfare

Draw bills consolidating and merging of agencies and offices having to do with overseas Filipinos to have a department to focus and quickly respond to their problems.
[A] one-stop shop will be established within the civil aviation complex for the benefit of the overseas Filipinos.
We shall intensify our war against human traffickers and illegal recruiters that prey on our migrants to help ensure that the hard earned money of the Filipinos overseas are put into productive use in mandatory financial.

Peace process

We will vigorously address the grievances that have been time and again expressed not only by the Bangsamoro indigenous peoples and other groups for security, development, their access to decision-making and acceptance of identities.
To our Muslim brothers, the Moro country and members of the CPP-NPA-NDF, let me say this: All of us want peace. Not the peace of the dead but the peace of the living.
Mindanao was already Islam by 100 years. It’s imperialism thing, there’s a historical injustice against the Moro people and we have to correct it.
We cannot return to you all, ‘yung mga nakuha ng Amerikano at Español pati yung mga Pilipinong kapitalista, those who exploited Mindanao. We cannot solve it the way you want it to be. We have to understand each other then live with each other.
Yung Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) ay ibigay na natin minus the things that you do not want, yung constitutional issues. Tanggalin muna natin, ibigay natin yung area. I ask you, pass it minus the constitutional issues that are contentious.
To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP-NPA-NDF effective immediately.

Philippine passports

On the clamor of our citizens for timely issuance of Philippine passports, the government shall work towards amendment of the 1996 passport law to lengthen the validity of the passports from the current 5 years to 10 years.
I have also ordered the DFA to streamline the documentary requirements and passport applications and open additional consular offices in strategic places to decongest Metro Manila sites and avoid the cause of suffering of passport applicants.

Public broadcasting service

To better manage public information, a law should be passed — I’m addressing Congress — to create the People’s Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), replacing PTV-4, the government-run TV station, which now aims to replicate international government broadcasting networks.
The government’s Bureau of Broadcast Services, better known as the Radyo ng Bayan, shall undergo upgrading to make it financially viable and dependable for accurate and independent, and enlightening news and commentary. Radyo ng Bayan will be integrated with the PBC.
As we are presently setting up a Presidential Communications Satellite Office in Davao City, PBC will also put up broadcast hubs in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Davao City will also be the first site of the first Muslim channel, to be called Salaam Television, and the first Lumad channel.

Red tape

I’m addressing to all Cabinet members, make use of the computer. I do not want to see people lining up under the heat of the sun. I don’t want people lining up under the rain.
What I want is a journal, when the applicant presents the document, give him a shopping list, do not add or get anything away from it. Yun na yun, final.
Processing time in issuing permits and licenses shall be reduced to the barest minimum, in my city, it is always three days for local governments. That will bind the Office of the President down to the last barangay elect.We shall also enhance local business environment by addressing bottlenecks in business registration and processing, streamlining investment application process and integration the services of various government offices.

Rehabilitation

We will create an interagency committee on illegal drugs that will integrate efforts and strengthen the partnerships of all stakeholders. Their service will be mobilized for information campaign against drug use and dissemination of information regarding drug rehabilitation program to be offered by the government.
We will also prioritize the rehabilitation of abusers.
We will increase the number of residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all regions of the country.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines will facilitate the preparation for the use of military camps and facilities for drug rehabilitation.

Reproductive health

The implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law must be put into full force and effect so that couples, especially the poor, will have freedom of informed choice on the number and spacing of children they can adequately care and provide for, eventually making them more productive members of the labor force.

ROTC

Let us also strengthen our ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) program to instill love of country and good citizenship.

Separation of Church and State

To our religious bishops, leaders, priests, pastors, preachers, imam, let me assure you that while I’m a stickler for the principle of separation between Church and State, I believe quite strongly that there should never be a separation between God and State.

Social welfare

My administration shall implement a human approach to development and governance as we improve our people’s welfare in the areas of health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental preservation and respect for culture.
The beneficiaries of 4Ps shall be made to become independent and self-reliant after they have graduated from the program. But the aim is to present it with other forms of 4Ps shall be made to become independent and self-reliant after they have graduated from the program. But the aim is to present it with other forms of assistance, so that they can stand on their own two feet.
But now, I have decided to direct the DSWD to provide the rice subsidies to the poorest of the families, at least, para makakain lang every month.
We are planning to increase spending on basic education and incorporate mandatory education about the evils of drugs.
We will also intensify and expand Alternative Learning System programs.
The government will also provide universal health insurance for all Filipinos. Benefits sali na lang natin sa PhilHealth.
The professional competence and operational capabilities of government hospitals and health facilities will be strengthened.

Taxation

[My] administration will pursue tax reforms towards a simpler, and more equitable, and more efficient tax system that can foster investment and job creation.
We will lower personal and corporate income tax rates and relax the bank secrecy laws.

Transportation

The revival of the operation of the Pasig River Ferry Service System is a viable option for the severe traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
Our anti-colorum campaign and out-of-line apprehension including the removal of terminals will be intensified and, my God, it will be done. Immediately, immediately.
To address lack of road infrastructure in Metro Manila, usage of existing roads will be maximized. Thus, there is a need to cooperate and coordinate with LGUs to map out secondary routes and to consult various stakeholders, including the public transport operators.
Many in government opine realistically, and I would have to agree, that the worsening traffic situation could be logically addressed, if Congress would also accord emergency powers to the agencies concerned.
To reduce queuing time at ticketing stations, tickets sa mga train will be made readily available and easily accessible to the riding public kung bilhin mo ‘yan sa malls, stalls and stores.
Passenger capacity congestion shall be addressed by increasing the number of running trains from the current 16 trains with a total of 48 cars per hour, to 20 trains with a total of 60 cars per hour.
You increase the train speed from 40 [kph] to 60 [kph].
Specifically for the LRT, the operating hours shall be extended from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., so marami pang mga bata ang uuwi niyan.
So, we shall also pursue rail projects in Metro Manila and the major key points in the country including the Mindanao Rail Project.... But six years, lalabas talaga ito. I assure you because it’s going to materialize: Rail projects, the Davao Transit System, the Cebu Transit System, the North and South Luzon Railways and the Panay Railways project.
Different approaches are also being considered to decongest NAIA including the possible transfer of general aviation.... I’m offering Sangley Point…. But if not them, it’s going to be Clark but on a condition that we will have a fast train.In the field of tourism, we shall construct more access roads and tourism gateways to service centers and tourist sites.

War on drugs and criminality

During my inauguration last [June] 30, 2016, I said that the fight against criminality and illegal drugs and corruption will be relentless and sustained. I reiterate that commitment today.
I call on the Philippine National Police (PNP), the barangay chairman, the mayors, and governors, all those occupying seats of power and authority not to lower their guard… Double your efforts, triple them if need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financer and the last pusher have surrendered or put behind bars or below the ground if they so wish.
Since July 1, we have already made 3,600 related drug arrests. 120,000 drug dependents have already surrendered and 70,000 of them are pushers…. It could take the entire resources of this government to fight this war.
Kayo namang hindi pa bungog diyan, hindi pa pumasok yang mga droga, eh kung ayaw ninyong mamatay, ayaw ninyong masaktan, huwag kayong umasa diyan sa mga pari pati human rights, hindi nakakapigil yan ng kamatayan. So huwag ninyong gawin. Eh tapos nandiyan ka nakabulagta and you are portrayed in a broadsheet na parang Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ. Eh yan yang mga yan magda-dramahan tayo dito.
It’s a free for all enterprise for the criminals at this time. Kung ako, if I had just the plan...Sabi ko, sabi ko sa military kapag nakita ninyo, pasabugin mo na. Maski nag-surrender yan, may white, white flag. Pang-giyera lang yan, hindi yan pang-kriminal, pasabugin mo. Show no mercy to them because they're not doing any mercy to us anyway.

War on corruption

For those who have valid reasons to complain about graft and corruption, the gates of Malacañang will be open, dun ka, magsumbong ka.
I will be establishing 8888, only for, dedicated to corruption.

West Philippine Sea

We strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution in the ongoing efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution and management of our disputes.

Women's rights

Consistent with our international obligations, in keeping with national mandates, this administration vows to protect women’s rights and human rights abuses against our women, because this unacceptable to... Kung mag-bugbog ka ng babae.
I order all agencies and oversight bodies and local government units down to the barangay level to fully implement the Magna Carta for Women. By doing so, we'll ensure that man and woman will be partners in the pursuit of country’s economic, social, and cultural and political developments.

Zero demolitions unless...

To help squatter-like conditions and relocation site, we urge utilities like Meralco and cooperatives to exercise social corporate responsibility. We have to adjust to the needs of people, there will be no demolitions without relocation. ‘Di talaga ako papayag.

— Camille Diola, Kristine Daguno-Bersamina and Levi A. So; Video by RP Ocampo