Duterte’s SONA focuses on peace, war against crime & illegal drugs, moving forward

President Rodrigo Duterte  | by Rita Salonga

Manila, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte means business when it comes to protecting the country and its people.

During his first State of the Nation Address, Duterte said that his administration will strengthen the country’s law against terrorism.

As its Commander-in-Chief, President Duterte said that he will exhaust the military force in fighting off rogue elements, particularly the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Duterte will also reinforce the country’s relations with Indonesia and Malaysia so that they can put a stop on the rampant kidnappings in the waters connecting the three countries.

On the issue of the West Philippine Sea, President Duterte insisted that all parties involved should respect the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and this should serve as its basis in the peaceful resolve on the maritime dispute.


“All of us want peace, not the peace of the dead…but of the living.”

Extending passport validation:

When it comes to issue on national interests, one of Duterte’s main concern is the issue of extending the validity of passports in the country.

President Duterte sees this as one of the solution in solving the long queues in passport processing.
From its usual five years, the President would want Philippine passports to be valid for 10 years.
People have to endure long lines in applying and renewing their passports in all branches of the Department of Foreign Affairs, especially in areas where they only have one branch.

Duterte’s take on the Bangsamoro Basic Law:

President Duterte thinks that there is no other way to solve the problem in Mindanao but to give them what they want, which is the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

During his speech, President Duterte said that it is about time we should give the BBL to Mindanao, provided that constitutional issues inserted in the said law will be given much thought before being implemented.

Duterte explained that when time comes that the country has shifted to Federalism system, that will be the moment when right time to include in the package of the BBL all the provisions being questioned.

Traffic, traffic, traffic:

Duterte said that if the public wants to immediately put an end to the worsening traffic in the Metro and key cities like Cebu, they should allow Congress to give him “emergency powers.”
However, it will not be an issue to him if there will be no emergency powers, the President said that he is ready to face all the ire of the commuting public.

The President understands that the public is wary that his “emergency powers” may be use for corruption.  If there is one thing that Duterte said that he can assure the Filipino people is that “this government is clean.”

“Human Rights must work to uplift human dignity”

Human Rights should not be used to ruin a country.  “Human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country…your country and my country.”

The Duterte administration is being criticized for the summary killings of alleged drug pushers and users.  The President said during his SONA that to avoid all these, one should follow the law, “Do not do drugs.”

Human Rights advocates, especially the Commission on Human Rights have been vocal in stating their concern over the continuous killings of people suspected of being involved in illegal drugs activities in spite of not undergoing due process.

The government will not stop until all drug lords, financiers, suppliers of illegal drugs have surrendered to the government.

If his administration will have to double, triple their efforts, they will do so as long as they will be able to put a stop to this problem.

In line with this, Duterte promised that his government will make it its priority to put up rehabilitation centers.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will facilitate in preparing the military camps and other facilities that will be used as rehab centers.

The reservists and reserve force will be used in proliferation of information campaign against the use of illegal drugs. “There can never be real development without making our people feel secure.”

No more “blame game”

President Duterte opened his speech by saying that he won’t be mentioning any names or blame anyone for the current state the country is in, stating that it will just be a waste of time for everyone if he will bring back issues from the past.

Duterte insisted that instead of blaming others, he hopes that the mistakes of the previous administrations will serve as a lesson for him and his administration and do what is necessary to correct these mistakes.

The President added that the country will not move forward if we continue to look at the past.
Here is President Rodrigo Duterte’s complete State of the Nation