SUMMARY
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Dear Rappler readers,
It’s the day after President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). It’s a lot to think about, with the speech running on for 1:33 minutes. The most resounding message? Do not do drugs. Repeat. No to drugs. Repeat. Other stunners include the unilateral declaration of a ceasefire with Communist rebels and the “full force” implementation of the Reproductive Health Law.
But that’s not half of it. Like free WiFi and lower income tax? Here are the other stories you shouldn’t miss.
By now you know it by heart it’s bordering on mind conditioning: You cannot do drugs. It’s a testament to the tenacity and effective messaging of Rodridgo Duterte that by the time SONA rolls in, this message is so ingrained, we can lipsync him. This part of the speech btw, was another left-of-fielder, with Duterte calling out a broadsheet for its “drama” ala Michelangelo’s Pieta.
A president saying he’ll forge peace with the rebels is par for the course in any SONA. A president saying he’s declaring a unilateral ceasefire with the Communists IS NOT. We just wish we were watching the SONA with some military die-hards and witnessing them fall from their chairs. Joma, Digong’s old professor welcomes the ceasefire. Surely this line from his speech resonates: “All of us want peace. Not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the living.” What about peace in Mindanao? He did say something about that, though in a less flamboyant fashion. He called on the 17th Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) minus the highly contentious parts. How will that work out, and what will be left of the BBL? Your guess is as good as ours.
According to Rappler analyst Cristina Montiel, a political psychologist, a shift to federalism is much more important than the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. But there was an amusing sidelight as Duterte pitched the controversial topic of federalism. After telling the congressmen and senators before him he doesn’t mind stepping down if the country goes down that path, “I’m okay don’t worry about me, I don’t aim to that much ambition. I already won.” He suddenly takes a dig at the very House where he used to be a member. “Who among you supported me here before. None, not a single congressman.” Awkward laughs followed.
Talk about endearing himself. “My administration will pursue tax reforms towards a simpler, more equitable and more efficient tax system that can foster investment and job creation. We will lower personal and corporate tax rates,” President Duterte said during his address. It’s a statement guarranteed capture the heart of any toiling worker or employee tired of huge salary deductions with little social payback. The Philippines currently has the second highest tax income rate in Southeast Asia. And the highest corporate tax rate among 6 biggest economies in the region.
😀 Only an emoji can do justice to this announcement. With the clamor for better internet service, President Duterte promised faster and free connectivity in most public areas. Duterte added “that wifi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public places including parks, plazas, public libraries, schools, government hospitals, train stations, airports and seaports.” Yay. Students from Cebu had this reaction to his speech. They say it’s authentic, and that it shows he really cares.
Ateneo School of Government’s former dean Tony La Viña said, “[It’s] a lost opportunity because speeches like these are a moment to unify the country, make clear the vision of governance.” He identified 3 highlights in Duterte’s speech: his reiteration of his war against drugs, the push for federalism, and promise of peace. But Duterte’s winding speech, La Viña added, made it difficult to follow his main points. Earlier in Rappler’s coverage, La Viña made a salient point: Extrajudicial killings won’t win the war vs drugs, adding the war on drugs is also a war on poverty.
Rappler’s Pia Ranada captures the mood of Duterte’s post-SONA dinner with journalists. “There was no cold treatment or stinging criticism of media that night. Instead, Duterte faced the journalists with the candor and easy-going humor last observed in those famous late-night press conferences during the transition period after his election.” She adds, “Perhaps his candor also had something to do with the absence of video cameras…” He talked about seeing double in the teleprompter, regreting he ever ran due to the enormity of the task before him and joking about being impotent.
The elected President of the Philippines has been delivering the State of the Nation Address since 1986. What makes this SONA diferent? From policy goals to the little touches, so much has changed. The organizers tried to project change with every step, from the red-carpet gowns to the way the cameras shot him. Camille Elemia says he may be off-script, but he’s on point. But as all SONAs go, there are bound to be memes. Here are the funniest moments as told from Social Media’s point of view.
Watch President Duterte’s first SONA here. A transcript is also available.
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