2019 State of the Nation Address by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

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The SONA 2019 was delivered at the Session Hall of the House of the Representatives, Batasang
Pambansa, Sports Complex in Quezon City on July 22, 2019. The speech lasted for ninety-three minutes.
At the beginning, the President highlighted that only 3% of Filipinos disagree with him. His first topic
discusses about the persistent problem of drug cases, he also asked the congress to bring back death
penalty for heinous crimes. The speech addresses numerous important matters such as; ordering the Land
Transportation Office, Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Registration Authority,
and PAG-IBIG to improve their services and limit the processing of permits to last only three days; the
Liquor ban; the newly establish third telecommunications in the country which is the Dito Company and
assured us that there was no corruption involved upon the company’s entry into the sector; he also tells
the Bangsamoro government to fast-track the development of the region and improve the quality of life
of Muslims and indigenous peoples; he also congratulated Secretary Leonor Briones and the Department
of Education for having over 27 million enrolled students from kinder to senior high; special mentioning
his aide, Bong Go; the president have asked the congress to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang
Kabataan elections 2020 to 2022; the president also opened the topic him signing the Bilateral Labour
Agreement with Kuwait to protect the Filipino OFWs from abusive employers and he even seeks to
establish Department of Overseas Filipino Workers; , rehabilitation of Boracay Island and Manila Bay; he
claimed that he cannot defend the Philippines rights over the West Philippine Sea because he’s afraid that
it may cause a war against China; salary increase; he also reported a decrease in poverty; he also seeks to
establish Department of Disaster Resilience in order to prepare for future calamities; he orders the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Metro Manila local government officials to reclaim
public roads being used for private purposes. Lastly, the President ended his speech by saying the second
half of his term is a "period of consequences.” And said “I’ll end my term fighting”.

As I was reading the Full Text of the President’s 2019 SONA, I was impressed at how he addressed
issues that are needed to be heard by our fellow Filipinos. I was also impressed by his bravery for frankly
admitting that he cannot risk the Filipinos safety over the Filipinos rights on our waters as it may spark a
war against China which we cannot afford the damage that it may cause. Upon hearing the news, I was
honestly disappointed by his decision with the West Philippine Sea. However, my disappointment faded
when I heard his speech and realized that he made such decision with thorough thinking. I was also
fascinated by his order of temporary closing Boracay Island to preserve its natural beauty and heal on its
own.

The topic on bringing back death penalty for heinous crimes especially those cases that are related to
drugs have brought a massive debate on our countrymen. But personally, I think we should start
considering about this topic. Criminals have caused so much fear, pain, and trauma to our fellow Filipinos
especially those cases that involves rape. Honestly, in my own view, I think death penalty should be
reconsidered without connecting it to the church because what about the trauma of the victims?
Especially rape victims. But then again, it should be contemplated well with the majority of the decision
of the Filipinos.

I also admire how the President did not have any biased feelings and fear on firing government officials
who are corrupt and even admitted that he needs help in solving the long term issue. I also realized by his
words that our country will never improve if all we do is ask the government to demand a change yet we
ourselves, does not. It’s true that we should start that change that we want within ourselves first. We
must discipline ourselves. I think it is also great that he’ll raise the salaries to all national government
workers, like nurses and teachers, who deserve a lot more. Moreover, I deeply appreciate his efforts on
protecting OFWs against abusive employers. I think it is very important that the President only did not
focus on the Filipinos that are currently in the country but also the Filipinos who are working hard abroad
to sustain their families’ necessities. As equally important, calling on Land Transportation Office, Social
Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Registration Authority, and PAG-IBIG to improve their
services since they were mostly the centre of the complaints from the complainants, as a result, I think it
became an advantage to the Filipinos.

I have noticed that during the President’s 2019 SONA, it contained some expletives and even sexist
remarks. In his topic about the temporary closure of Boracay island, he has said things that, I, personally,
think was objectifying women. And I feel that it’s very unpleasant to hear as a woman. However, I do not
have any problems on him saying expletives considering that I do too. I can admit that I cannot avoid
saying expletives especially when I’m pretty much caught up and tired of persistent problems. I do
understand that the president might also be caught up too. He’s old and he has a lot on his plates, after
all, he’s the president.

Overall, I am impressed by his 2019 SONA. I am very much impressed about the bravery, the honesty,
and the genuine care that he has shown to us. In addition, I also appreciate how he put on effort on
everything that he does. And how he has remained his honesty towards the problems that Filipinos need
to hear, that Filipinos need answers. I just think that objectifying women is not funny and definitely not
entertaining. But again, overall, I am impressed.