SONA to ‘awaken the patriot’ in Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines – It’s a 38-minute address written by the President himself, and he expects the speech to stir the patriotism of every Filipino.

President Duterte will deliver today his much-anticipated first State of the Nation Address (SONA), which Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said was so stirring it moved him to tears.

“The address of the President, personally written by the President, will be a very powerful speech that will awaken the patriot in every Filipino,” Andanar told a press conference yesterday in Davao City.

“I don’t want to exaggerate, but the first time I read the speech, it made me cry. That’s how good, that’s how emotionally stirring the speech of our President is,” Andanar added.

Using a teleprompter, Duterte practiced the delivery of the speech on Saturday night on the 18th floor of the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao.

 Andanar did not elaborate on why the speech, which underwent review last Saturday, moved him to tears.

His subordinate, Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping II, told reporters last week that Duterte’s SONA would focus more on policy rather than drama.

“I think there will be less of the drama and more of the policies for action that he needs from Senate and Congress because he wants them to be his partners for change,” Cualoping said in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex last July 18.

Andanar revealed the draft of the speech underwent more than 10 revisions. He said Duterte found the drafting of the address “enjoyable.”

Andanar added the President is expected to announce the creation of a task force to investigate media killings and the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army in the effort to resume peace talks next month.

Other officials however were tight-lipped on the contents of the speech but based on previous statements by Duterte and his allies, the issues to be discussed include peace and order, the administration’s priority bills, the 10-point economic agenda and the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute.

National security

In a speech he delivered in Isabela City, Basilan last Thursday, Duterte said he would highlight the need to end the Mindanao conflict in his first SONA.

“Every Filipino life is precious. Regardless of what you think of yourself, I view you as my brother. I hope we can talk so we can attain peace,” the President, who won by a landslide during the May 9 polls with 16.6 million votes, said.

“We need to stop this war. I will repeat this in my SONA. Do not hate Moro. If we can’t stop clashes for now, do not add hatred in your heart,” he added.

Andanar confirmed yesterday the President would talk about a key national security pronouncement during his address.

He said Duterte, former president Fidel Ramos, peace adviser Jesus Dureza and national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. met last Saturday to discuss the issue.

“That meeting was so productive and led to a very important addition to the state of the nation address,” Andanar said

When asked if it was about Ramos’ acceptance of Duterte’s offer for him to become special envoy to China, Andanar replied: “More than that.” 

Duterte asked Ramos to fly to China and talk to Chinese officials after the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague had voided Beijing’s territorial claim in the South China Sea. Duterte has said that he would take into account the interests of the Philippines’ allies in any negotiation.

A Malacañang source who spoke on condition of anonymity told The STAR in an earlier interview that Duterte would make an “official statement” on the arbitral tribunal’s landmark ruling.

Priority bills

Duterte, whose allies now constitute a so-called super majority in Congress, is also expected to discuss his administration’s legislative agenda.

Paola Alvarez, spokesperson for the finance department, told journalists last week that the President may unveil a “comprehensive tax package” in line with his 10-point socioeconomic agenda.

Alvarez said Duterte might also emphasize the need to revive the death penalty, which the President views as retribution rather than deterrent to crime.  

The President may also push for amendments to the Constitution that would lead to the establishment of a federal type of government, she added. Duterte had said federalism would promote development outside Metro Manila and solve the problems plaguing Mindanao.

Duterte however, is not expected to blame previous administrations for the country’s problems.

“I think based on his personality, you don’t see him doing that and he is one who takes charge and he is accountable for his actions all throughout,” Alvarez said.

“I think it would be the same tone and there will not be any blaming game.”

Great expectations

Lawmakers said the President should spell out the national agenda and the “nation’s aspirations.”

Sen. Ralph Recto said the SONA “presents a great opportunity for the President to expand his kill list, against the greater enemies that must be defeated like poverty, joblessness, poor public services like our clogged roads and crowded hospitals.”

“It will be the best time to unveil his battle plan on how to slay unemployment, exterminate poverty, and economic want, whose success will be measured in lives improved and not in lives ended,” Recto said.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said he expects the President to push for income tax reform in his SONA.

Preparations toned down

Officials said Duterte’s first SONA would be a complete departure from the procession of glitz and glamour and lavishness that used to mark the event during previous administrations.

Malacañang has reminded lawmakers, their spouses and other guests to refrain from wearing long gowns but to just come in business attire.

Alvarez said the objective was to ensure that the public’s focus would be on the President’s message, not on the outfits of attendees.

“You have the option of wearing Filipiniana as long as, for the ladies, it will not be more than knee length. Yes, it was specifically asked of us to require the ladies not to have long dresses,” Alvarez said.

The number of lawmakers who will escort Duterte to the plenary hall will also be reduced.

“Instead of having a lot of congressmen there, we will be minimizing this to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House and afterward we will have the majority floor leader of both houses to escort the President,” Alvarez said.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, Bataan believes the simplicity of Duterte’s SONA would bring back the public focus on the administration’s plans and programs from the showdown of gowns and attires of lawmakers and their spouses. 

“It’s very praiseworthy for our President that he reminds our elected officials that SONA is plans and programs of services for people, and not their fashion statements,” Santos said.

Award-winning independent film director Brillante Mendoza, who agreed to direct the SONA for free, said the event would be simple and would show Filipinos “the real Duterte.”

Security

Security forces have geared up preparations for today’s SONA as thousands of policemen are to be deployed along areas leading to the Batasan complex in Quezon City.

Quezon City Police District director Sen. Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said they are not expecting any immediate security threats but are ready for any situation that may arise from the more than 10,000 people expected to attend the event.

“We’re hoping for a peaceful SONA but we are prepared for all situations. We can’t take anything for granted. We are all prepared,” Eleazar said.

No rally permit was given by the Quezon City government but groups would still be allowed to stage demonstrations inside prescribed areas, which have been extended 600 meters in the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue.

Rallyists are allowed some 800 meters away from the Batasang Pambansa complex.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) went on full alert since yesterday as part of security measures for the SONA.

Col. Vic Tomas, acting commander of the AFP Joint Task Force-National Capital Region Command, said the security measures would still be the same as in past SONAs.

“The only difference is the early initiative to talk with rally leaders that there is designated area which I think they agreed,” Tomas said.

On the eve of the SONA, Duterte went to his favorite hangout After Dark Piano Bar in Davao City, where he met with some 50 Mindanao congressmen.

While in Davao, Duterte treated the Mindanao congressmen with a rendition of George Canseco’s “Ikaw” and other songs from his repertoire.

He left the piano bar early in the morning yesterday and flew back to Manila last night to prepare for his SONA.

The food preparations for the SONA, however, would not be that lavish as well.

Officials said the menu will include native chips and salted duck eggs with dressing; mongo soup paired with smoked fish with alugbati on grissini bread; fresh lumpia ubod in pouch; and chicken and spicy tuna empanaditas.

Other dishes to be served to guests are sotong goreng or deep fried calamares tossed in chili and bell pepper; crispy triangles of flaked chicken adobo and mushrooms; fried lumpia ubod; pandesal with kesong puti and beef steak served on the spot; penne with taba ng talangka sauce; balut pâté in profiteroles, and chicken skin crackling.

The menu will serve about 800 people, including the 293 House members and 24 senators.

Militants back SONA

Thousands of militant workers will troop to Congress today not to stage a protest but to show support to the first SONA of Duterte.

The militant Kilusang Mayo Uno announced yesterday that their members will join the march to Congress to await Duter te's announcement against contractualization.

KMU said workers want to hear Duterte's plans to stop the illegal contractual employment scheme. – Alexis Romero, Edith Regalado, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero, Non Alquitran, Edu Punay, Romina Cabrera, Mayen Jaymalin