Reaction paper of sona

As the country faces a global pandemic, Duterte went on to address the Filipino public in his last

SONA. The President stressed his administration's achievements and legacy, as well as the

challenges they had to endure through the years. Duterte talked about China and the disputed

waters, corruption in the government, COVID-19 response, criminality and drugs, among others.

He also paid homage to COVID-19 frontliners and international and local sectors who supported

him in his projects.

The President began his speech by recalling his decision to run for the country's highest political

seat back in 2016. He said he has high hopes and vision for the Filipino people and was

committed to providing good public service. Duterte continued that he was able to make true of

his promises and changes, "which I thought that was really at that time doable."

"To offer free education – it’s there already – the Universal Health Care, nandiyan na po; the

fight against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption; and the development of infrastructure,

including free irrigation and other big ticket projects, which I thought I did now have the funds to

do it, but per chance, among others, they were done in my term," Duterte said.

As he nears the end of his term, Duterte went on to admit it was not easy to make big changes

and reforms only within six years. Much was expected from him but given the Constitution's

time frame, he said he made the most out of what he could. He explained how he had to face

oligarchs and criticisms to fight for the poor.

"That is why I cajoled, I shoved, I pushed, and I tangled with men of wealth and influence who
were oblivious to the anguish and pleas of the weak and impoverished. And for that, I was

pilloried to no end. But I did not succumb to the attacks. And neither did I allow criticisms,

however intense, to dampen my determination and initiatives, because my purpose was pure and

unpolluted," Duterte remarked.

According to Duterte, the Philippine economy was already poised to "leapfrog into the company

of the world’s fastest growing economies until the COVID-19 pandemic stalled everything."

The President went on to recognize the efforts, contributions and sacrifices of the frontliners,

public and private sectors during the difficult time of pandemic.

Duterte thanked the health workers and other frontliners who "selflessly gave their all in the fight

against COVID-19." He also assured the private sector that the government is committed "to

regain the commercial vibrance of the country prior to the pandemic." Lastly, he lauded the local

chief executives and international development partners who supported the government's

COVID-19 response

"But then, let me ask, perhaps you and to myself: What exactly is the state of the nation today in

the light of the pandemic which has paralyzed business activities and crippled even the strongest

of the world’s economies? So where do we go from here?" Duterte asked.

The President looked back at his past five years in office and described it as "challenging and

humbling."

He first mentioned his achievements in enhancing the capabilities and morale of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, and other armed services through

the modernization program and raising of their salaries. He hopes that the Congress will support
him in making reforms for the uniformed men.

"I am asking Congress to pass a Unified System for Separation, Retirement and Pension of

Military and Uniformed Personnel to maintain government fiscal flexibility and provide

adequate benefits and remuneration to our men and women in uniform. This shall apply only to

the new entrants of the Military and [Uniformed] Services," Duterte said.

Communism

The President also talked about how the NTF-ELCAC made progress in their campaign against

communism despite criticisms. He also credited the police and military for destroying so many

communist fronts. "I think they have destroyed more than 15 apparatus of the fronts of the

Communist Party of the Philippines," he recalled.

Duterte went off-script to talk about the Communist Party and how it's leaders are corrupt and

even use their own members' money for their own gain, such as sending their own children to

school abroad.

Drug War

At one point, Duterte admitted that he was wrong in thinking he could fight drugs within six

months because of his experiences in Davao. He said the city was able to attain a sense of

normalcy in the city because you can either coerce, intimidate or bribe drug lords.
He said, "We are fighting a drug war that is being participated by nine generals of the PNP. I did

not know I was fighting my own government."

Duterte stressed that he is a Filipino and he loves his country. "I do not want my country in

disarray because of drugs. I do not want families to break up and become dysfunctional. Yun ang

masakit sa akin."

Duterte also commented on Senate President Sotto's VP bid as he described him as "a capable

man, a good man, and a Filipino."

Mindanao

The President also highlighted the fulfillment of his promise in Mindanao with the passage of the

organic law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He also

urged the fast tracking of the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

Infrastructure

The President also talked about the tax reforms and how he pursued infrastructure projects that

made a huge difference in the economy.

"Five years ago, the first thing I made sure is to increase our infrastructure spending to an
average 5% of the country's GDP. This is significantly higher than each and past four

administrations," he said.

According to the President, it was through his passage of the Comprehensive Tax Reform

Program that enabled the government to fund critical infrastructure projects. He mentioned the

improvement of MRT-3, the LRT-2 East Extension project, Stage 3 of the Metro Manila

Skyway, Poro Point Freeport Zone in La Union, Sorsogon City Coastal Road, among others.

Foreign relations

As Duterte thanked the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the rest of the

world for showing their support to the Philippines, he also asserted our country's sovereign

rights.

"But gone are the days when the Philippines decides on the shadows of the great powers. We

will assert what is rightfully ours," he said.

The President recalled how the government sent back container vans of garbage back to Canada,

and called out the Middle East to dismantle their Kafala system because "Filipinos are not

slaves."

Duterte again stressed that he cannot afford to go to war against China. He also mentioned

China's help in helping the Philippines in our Covid-19 vaccination program.

Duterte urged local governments to hasten their rollout and strengthen their inoculation program.

He also allayed the fears of the public on the Delta variant but warned that he will be strict to

keep everything in order. He asks everyone to pray for salvation.