State of the Nation Address 2018

Duterte concludes his third State of the Nation Address which lasted for less than an hour, his shortest so far.

His first SONA speech lasted for one hour and 40 minutes and the second one for around two hours.

The president, who is known for giving long-winded and freewheeling addresses, chose to mostly stick to his prepared speech.

The Palace earlier said that his prepared speech would last for 35 minutes.

Duterte tells the mining industry: "Do not destroy the environment or compromise our resources. Prepare for what you have mismanaged, because this time you will have restrictive policies."

Duterte recognizes his aide, Christopher "Bong" Go, for his efforts in putting up his "Malasakit Centers." Go is rumored to be planning a Senate run and has been accused of informally campaigning. His posters and tarpaulins can be seen all over the country. 

Duterte says about his administration's move to end contractualization that he understands this "does not satisfy all our sectors. I share their sentiment. But that power is not vested in me by the Constitution." 

Duterte says, "I am a worker of government, and it is my vow to make sure that our well-being remains our foremost policy concern."

The president's statement comes months after a diplomatic spat with Kuwait after Filipino foreign affairs officials were shown on a video posted on social network conducting "rescue operations" of distressed Filipino workers in the Gulf state. 

Duterte says "[g]ive me 48 hours to sign it" on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Duterte: "In the end of my term, I have to see the promise of Mindanao fulfilled or at least approaching fulfillment."

Duterte on friends and allies fired due to corruption: "I value friendship, but it has limits. I appeal to you to help me in my cause, so our friendship will endure."

Despite their dismissal, cases are yet to be filed against many of these officials.

Duterte says: "We need to sustain our momentum and I hereby direct all gov't units to faithfully implement this law and simplify the process."

Duterte says corruption, which he tagged as a leech that drains government funds, must stop.

The president has fired several officials for allegations of graft, but some of these have found their way back to the government by being appointed to other posts.

President Duterte says that "[a]bout two years ago, I solemnly took my oath as a worker of the national government. I was inspired to institute changes for the good of the Filipino."

President Duterte shows his trust on Rep. Alvarez by acknowledging him as House speaker in the opening of his speech and Arroyo as "Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

Here's a photo of Rep. Arroyo's oath-taking as House speaker. 

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has called on other members of PDP-Laban, the party of President Duterte, to rally behind Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez amid the power struggle, a report says. 

Pimentel is the president of PDP-Laban while Alvarez is the secretary general.

Protesters with the "DuterTRAIN" effigy which depicts issues hounding the Philippines such as killings under President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, charter change, contractualization, landlessness and intervention by the US and China.

This effigy will be burned later, a symbolic action which shows the people's unity to end the injustices.

Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo is now the House speaker, unseating Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao Del Norte). 

Here are scenes at the protest against President Duterte:

In front of police personnel, protesters slam the alleged extrajudicial killings linked with President Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign. #SONALive @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/MKLnDxErvC

— Gaea Cabico (@gaeacabico) July 23, 2018

Members of the House of Representatives’ Makabayan bloc address the protesters here at UP Diliman.

Reports said the bloc will nominate ACT-Teacher party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio should the House oust Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. @PhilstarNews #SONALive pic.twitter.com/Zsd1Za4550

— Gaea Cabico (@gaeacabico) July 23, 2018

These placards will be raised later to manifest the sentiments of protesters against the government’s policies such as the TRAIN Law, Oplans Tambay and Tokhang and martial law in Mindanao. #SONALive @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/aPV19kpMyL

— Gaea Cabico (@gaeacabico) July 23, 2018

More groups arrive at UP. Program expected to start shortly. #SONALive @interaksyon pic.twitter.com/oNfJ1JWajd

— Adn Manglinong (@AdnManglinong) July 23, 2018

Groups now on the way to Commonwealth as SONA draws near. #SONALive @interaksyon pic.twitter.com/SwBcxM10vq

— Adn Manglinong (@AdnManglinong) July 23, 2018

Activists in Baguio city air their grievances as they protest the @RRD_Davao administration, claiming that the president failed to fulfill his promises. They are calling for his ouster. #SONALive | via Andy Zapata, Jr. https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/Z2rlaYVEjD

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018

Protesters converge along Commonwealth as they prepare to rally against @RRD_Davao's 3rd #SONALive | via Efigenio Toledo III https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/EohhoSPODK

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018

Here are scenes from the SONA red carpet:

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat says she is wearing an “old dress by Inno Sotto” that she had redesigned to turn it to a Filipiniana. @PhilstarNews #SONALive pic.twitter.com/d4QZWXjRJJ

— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) July 23, 2018

Presidential Legal Counsel Sal Panelo has also arrived. Asked who made his suit, he said: “‘Yung sastre ko!” @PhilstarNews #SONALive pic.twitter.com/7lAgkK1c1k

— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) July 23, 2018

ACT Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio on his stance vs TRAIN law #SONALive | via @ricci_catalina https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/GxtZCotYoV

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has arrived with his wife. #SONALive | via @kristinepatag https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/CNZQCbMpKH

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018

Education Secretary Liling Briones has also arrived. @PhilstarNews #SONALive pic.twitter.com/KhpDA6vV52

— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) July 23, 2018

Sen. Nancy Binay has also arrived. She says she is wearing a creation by Randy Ortiz. Earlier, she poked fun of the color of her gown and said she matches the carpet at the Senate. @PhilstarNews #SONALive pic.twitter.com/IwJ17N7B7m

— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) July 23, 2018

Makabayan bloc lawmakers wearing attires bearing the plight of marginalized sectors. As tradition, lawmakers from this bloc wear statements that reflect the demands of the marginalized sectors they represent.

Smart also announces a temporary loss of mobile telecom services in Quezon City and neighboring areas from 3-7 p.m. in compliance with the order from the National Telecommunications Commission due to the 2018 State of the Nation Address.

Globe issues an advisory that its customers will temporarily be unable to text, call or use mobile data from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Batasan Complex, Commonwealth Ave. and Culiat in Quezon City.

The Sanlakas multisectoral coalition holds a "dance of death" that it says represents "the culture of impunity
under the Duterte administration."

It is protesting the killings linked to the government's war on drugs, rising prices and labor contractualization.

Sanlakas multisectoral coalition holds a separate "Sayaw ng Kamatayan" protest in front of Quezon City Hall.

They will join the United People's SONA on Monday afternoon. #SONALive https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/Ozbvl8gEo1

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018

It is also protesting the government's enforcement of local ordinances, which has been dubbed a campaign against "tambays" or loiterers,
which critics have said is "anti-poor."

Activist groups with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan are gathering at UP Diliman for the United People's SONA, a multisectoral protest as President Rodrigo Duterte is set to give his State of the Nation Address Monday afternoon.

Aside from Bayan, Sanlakas and the Laban ng Masa coalition, the BabaeAko movement, Movement Againt Tyranny and Tindig Pilipinas as well as the Intercessors for the Philippines and Sangguniang Lai are expected to join the protest on Monday afternoon. Groups will hold separate activities until then.

BAYAN and other groups from Southern and Central Luzon set up their protest materials hours before the United People’s SONA. #SONALive | @gaeacabico pic.twitter.com/h5YkCTriey

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018

Among the issues the groups will protest are rising prices and moves to replace the 1987 Constitution despite low awareness and support for the move in surveys.

Duterte supporters will hold their own rally along Commonwealth Avenue, where activists held their rally at last year's SONA and where President Duterte went to meet them after his speech in 2017.

The chambers of Congress will hold their opening sessions separately on Monday morning and will convene for a joint session in the afternoon.

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