Senators to Duterte: Discuss issues other than crime in SONA

Camille Elemia

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Senators to Duterte: Discuss issues other than crime in SONA
For senators, it's time for President Rodrigo Duterte to detail his plans on foreign policy, federalism, health, education, and poverty

MANILA, Philippines – If there’s anything senators of the 17th Congress agree on, it’s that President Rodrigo Duterte would surely highlight his campaign against crime and illegal drugs in his 1st State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.

Some senators, however, expect that key issues other than criminality be tapped by Duterte in his speech.

Duterte, who ran on a platform of change, had vowed to end – then months later, pledged to suppress – crime in the country in just 3 to 6 months.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Duterte’s partymate and who’s eyed to be the next Senate President, said he expects the speech to be like a report.

“I’m sure he will also mention his ongoing all out war against crimes, drugs, and corruption. Parang reportorial siguro yun (Like a reportorial maybe) unless he has an idea of a new law or policy that needs congressional cooperation,” Pimentel said.

Another Duterte ally, neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao, shared the same sentiment, adding his support for the President’s fight against criminality,

“Our country was one heck of a mess because of drugs, corruption, crimes, government neglect and all! With what the Duterte administration is doing, we could see a fragment of light at the end of the tunnel,” Pacquiao said in a statement sent to Rappler.

Pacquiao, who recently took his oath as PDP-Laban member, also lauded Duterte’s practical style of leadership. Davao City, he said, is a clear proof it works.

“He is smart but he doesn’t complicate matters. That’s how he governed Davao City and he was, no doubt, successful,” the world boxing champion said.

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, a former chairperson of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee, was delighted that the problem of illegal drugs in the country would “finally” get national attention through the President’s speech.

“I expect it to be short but precise. Finally, we will hear about the dangerous drugs problem. It was never mentioned in the last 6 SONAs,” Sotto told Rappler.

‘Barbaric’ anti-drug purge

While the drive against drugs sat well with some senators, the same thing could not be said about Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of Duterte’s staunchest critics.

It was Trillanes who exposed the alleged multi-billion pesos in secret bank accounts of Duterte and his children at the tail end of the May 2016 campaign.

Trillanes, who is set to join the minority, said it is now time for the President to detail his plans for the country and prove that he is more than “a one-trick pony.”

“I want President Duterte to spell out his vision for the country and the corresponding roadmap of programs to actualize that vision. This would prove that he’s more than a one-trick pony whose only expertise is a barbaric anti-illegal drug purge,” Trillanes said.

The senator added Duterte should halt his “Stop this or that” statements, saying these “do not really say much.”

Trillanes is referring to Duterte’s apparent habit of saying he would stop crimes, corruption and proliferation of drugs – the very things that catapulted him to the presidency.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, for his part, said he wants Duterte to explain how and where he would source the P50,000 monthly salary that he promised the policemen, the people in the front lines battling criminals.

“The policemen are looking forward to this increase given their role of fulfilling President Duterte’s anti-criminality campaign. We would like to hear how the President intends to fund this minimum salary,” Drilon said.

Tell us other plans

Duterte’s strong stance against illegal drugs may be widely excepted but for senators, it is now time to detail plans outside his campaign promise of a crime-free Philippines.

While he agrees with Duterte, neophyte Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the root cause of the various problems in the country – drugs included – is still poverty.

“[He] has been very consistent with crime fighting and suppressing illegal drugs. But the core problem of the country remains. I would like to hear the new administration’s anti-poverty strategy and timeline. This issue has not been very clear to the Filipino people,”

Liberal Party Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV shared the same sentiment, as he expressed hope the President would explain how he would address other pressing issues such as education, poverty reduction, and employment, including “endo” or contractual labor.

“We need to ensure that prices are stable and more importantly, that Filipino families have the wherewithal to address their most basic needs,” Aquino said.

Another LP Senator Risa Hontiveros said she wants to “hear more” about Duterte’s plans of action on ending contractual labor, on relocation for illegal settlers, and on the utilization of the coco levy for coconut farmers.

“We’ve heard the commitment; I am now eager to hear the hows – the nuts and bolts,” Hontiveros told Rappler.

For Pacquiao, he is “optimistic” that issues of food security, healthcare, education, traffic, and poverty would also be discussed, alongside anti-drug efforts.

All 3 senators – Aquino, Hontiveros, and Pacquiao – said they expect Duterte to discuss his plans on federalism in his first SONA. (READ: Will federalism address PH woes? Pros and cons of making the shift)

Drilon, meanwhile, expects Duterte to tell Congress how he wants the Senate and the House of Representatives to help his socio-economic agenda, including the improvement of the Conditional Cash Transfer program. (READ: Transition team bares Duterte’s 8-point economic agenda)

“In his socio-economic agenda are measures to improve the social protection programs. We would like to hear how he intends to improve this particular social protection program,” Drilon said.

The outgoing Senate President, who filed a bill seeking to grant emergency powers to the President to resolve traffic woes in cities, also urged Duterte to tell Congress what specific powers he wishes the executive branch to have to achieve the goal.

Aside from this, Drilon said he expects Duterte to touch on Constitutional Convention, the Political Party Systems Act, and the Anti-Political Dynasty Law in his speech.

Whether or not Duterte mentions any one of these is anyone’s guess. After all, the President is widely known for his unpredictability and unconventional ways. – Rappler.com

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Camille Elemia

Camille Elemia is a former multimedia reporter for Rappler. She covered media and disinformation, the Senate, the Office of the President, and politics.