Duterte to ‘speak from heart’ in SONA 3 — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte may again deviate from his prepared speech during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he is expected to speak “from the heart” instead of focusing on the gains of his administration, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque noted that Cabinet members have been holding pre-SONA briefings to highlight the accomplishments of the government. 

“Well, I think, there is still a speechwriter but I think they want it to be a message straight from the heart of the President, not hindered by the need to report on the different achievements,” Roque said at a press briefing. 

“So the different achievements will be reported by the different clusters in the different pre-SONA briefings that will be conducted,” he added. 

Roque admitted not being aware of what Duterte would say during his SONA on July 23. 

“I know who’s writing the speech but I haven’t actually sat down with them. So I said, I need to sit down with you people and find out what exactly you will put in the speech because obviously a major change is that there is now a pre-SONA briefing by the different clusters,” the presidential spokesman said. 

He said everyone is intrigued by what the President is planning to say.

Duterte did not stick to his script during his first two SONAs and opted to assail his critics and deliver extemporaneous remarks on topics like illegal drugs and crime.

Last year, the President surprised observers when he faced militant groups after delivering his SONA. Duterte, who is known for delivering lengthy, freewheeling and profanity-laced speeches, held a press conference after talking to the activists. 

In preparation for Duterte’s third SONA, Cabinet members will hold a series of briefings on the gains of the administration. 

The first forum, entitled Tatak ng Pag-unlad (mark of progress), will be held today and feature the economic and infrastructure clusters of the cabinet. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar will discuss the accomplishments of their respective clusters. 

The second forum, dubbed Tatak ng Malasakit at Pagkakaisa (mark of concern and unity), will be held on July 11 and focus on participatory governance. It will be led by Interior Department officer-in-charge Eduardo Año and acting Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo, head of the human development and poverty reduction cluster.

Tatak ng Katatagan (mark of resilience), the third forum, will be held on July 18 and highlight the administration’s climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts as well security measures.

The national disaster risk resiliency cluster led by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and security, justice and peace cluster led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will serve as resource persons during the forum. 

Bernal to direct SONA

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar confirmed that film director Joyce Bernal will direct this year’s SONA. 

Bernal’s recent movies include “Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad,” “Last Night,” “The Super Parental Guardians,” “Da Possessed,” “Everything About Her,” “10,000 Hours” and “Kimmy Dora.” 

Independent film director Brillante Mendoza directed the first two SONAs.