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Opinion

DU30's SONA

PERSPECTIVE - Cherry Piquero Ballescas - The Freeman
DU30's SONA

The 2018 budget prioritizes education and infrastructure development program. It will be the first time that the proposed budget will be submitted on the day the President delivers the SONA. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File

Already, among the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte, visuals are circulating, proudly bannering the accomplishments of the present administration.

Hopefully, truthful data and statistics will be the basis of the first State of the Nation Address this Monday.

Do we have less poor people after a year in his administration? Are there more jobs and less unemployment and underemployment? Are there more homes that are sturdier and more durable? Especially those homes for the less privileged? Are there less of our people who are hungry?

Are there more children in school? Have there been major improvements in the quality of education in all levels? Are there enough, well-paid teachers to cater to our students? Are classrooms and resources adequately provided for our students?

Is public transport better for all? Do we have better public buses and trains?

Is there real peace throughout our land? Most especially in the south of the country? Have armed conflicts been resolved?

While the drug war, through extrajudicial killings, has been the focal goal and practice of President Duterte's administration, has the drug problem been eliminated, major drug lords and big-time dealers duly punished? Has justice been duly served to the victims of drugs and crimes? Have crimes, other than drugs, decreased?

Are our courts fair and have more cases been promptly resolved? Have the cases that were brought to court, including the Supreme Court, fairly decided and settled?

Has Congress served our people more, crafting solid laws that protect our people? Have national funds been honestly appropriated and spent?

Is there now less graft and corruption? Has the government become more accountable, transparent, and participatory?

Are we a more united people now, nationalistic and proud to be called Filipinos? Have we been inspired to live in the midst of God's truth and God's justice? Are the nation's present leaders good examples for our children to emulate?

Are our women and Persons With Disabilities more respected, their rights protected?

Do we honestly see a brighter, more hopeful, and better future for ourselves and the younger generations under the present leadership?

These questions may be too much to positively answer after a year. Were these not the issues raised and promised last year?

A scorecard showing the promises and accomplishments will be very helpful to really gauge the genuine and truthful accomplishments during Duterte's SONA.

What would you like presented in next Monday's SONA?

[email protected].

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