MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo is pleased that President Rodrigo Duterte’s promises coincide with the direction of her plans as housing chief, based on his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Masaya tayo na nagkakaisa ‘yung ating mga paniniwala, very emphatically sinabi ng ating pangulo na walang demolisyon, na walang relocation na hindi maayos ang facilities, ‘yun talaga ang nilalakad natin ngayon,” Robredo said after Duterte’s SONA on Monday, July 25.

(We are happy that we have one belief, very emphatically, our president said that there will be no demolition if there is no relocation with decent facilities – that’s really what we are aiming for right now.)

In his speech, Duterte said that he will urge businessmen to provide decent and conducive resettlement areas for informal settlers occupying their lands.

“Ngayon na naisali niya iyon sa SONA, malaking bagay ‘yun kasi talagang ‘yung lahat na agencies na involved, ‘yun ‘yung target na patutunguhan,” the Vice President added.

(Now that he has declared it in his SONA, it’s a big thing because that will be the target of all the agencies involved.)

Robredo also lauded Duterte’s pronouncements on poverty assistance such as providing rice to poor families, ensuring more jobs for the poor, and granting universal healthcare. 

‘Rule of law prevails’

Despite Duterte’s reiteration of his war against drugs, Robredo expressed confidence that the rule of law will still prevail. The Vice President earlier denounced the spate of extrajudicial killings that have hit the country since Duterte took his oath on June 30.

“Sa atin lang, nabuhayan din tayo ng loob. Na-reiterate ng ating pangulo na sa pagtulak ng drive na ito, ‘yung rule of law pa rin ang mananaig,” she said.

(I found hope that the President reiterated that the rule of law must prevail despite the all-out war against drugs.)

Duterte had also warned the police on Monday: “Abuse your authority and there will be hell to pay.” (READ: SONA 2016: Duterte eyes ‘inter-agency committee’ vs illegal drugs) 

Since the President assumed office, there have been about 300 drug suspects killed, either during police operations or by suspected vigilantes. – Rappler.com