Roque wants ‘better’ speechwriters for Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s mouth often lands him in trouble so presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. hopes the Chief Executive will just stick to the prepared speech, especially since he is to deliver his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasan complex on Monday.

Roque believes this will happen if Duterte, known for his lengthy and freewheeling adlibs, has “better” speechwriters.

Asked by singer and television host Martin Nievera yesterday what his advice was to Duterte when he speaks, Roque replied, “When he speaks, stick with the prepared script.”

“Although I have promised him that I will help look for better speechwriters who will write speeches that he will actually read,” he added.

Nievera was at Malacañang yesterday for his lifestyle program on ABS-CBN News Channel.

Duterte usually discards his prepared speeches during public engagements, saying they do not reflect his sentiments and his concerns. He only reads speeches during formal occasions like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit and meetings with fellow heads of state. He also sticks to his script when he is running late for a night flight.

Most of the time, his lengthy, extemporaneous remarks are not related to the event he was invited to and often focus on illegal drugs, terrorism, corruption and his 2016 electoral victory.

The President often starts his speech by saying that he did not write his prepared address, which only lasts for about two to three minutes. He would then read portions of the speech and would joke that his speechwriters might get mad if he does not appreciate their efforts.

Some of Duterte’s off-the-cuff remarks have stirred controversy, the latest of which was his claim that God must have been “stupid” for allowing temptation to corrupt his work. His other remarks that sparked outrage include his claim that women cannot handle some form of intimidation and his statement comparing his war on narcotics to the Holocaust.

Roque grilled

Nievera was given the opportunity to ask Roque questions during yesterday’s Palace briefing.

He started by asking Roque what he ate for breakfast, to which Roque replied he had chicken longganisa (sausage) and egg.

The concert performer then asked the presidential spokesman how important the Malacañang Press Corps is to him.

“Very important … it’s important that they deliver the message…of the President…to the people,” Roque said.

He also claimed to be transparent, noting that people are entitled to be informed about matters involving their government.

When pressed which television channel asks the best questions, the spokesman replied, “All of them ask best questions in fairness.”

While he was in Malacañang to interview Roque for his show, Nievera himself had to answer a query from the media.

Asked by a radio reporter if he has words for Duterte, the singer said, “He is the best singing President of all the presidents, thank you.”

Harping

Duterte may still be harping on his administration’s key accomplishments in the campaign against illegal drugs, war against poverty and criminality, along with his key legislative agenda, when he delivers his third annual report.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President wanted his speech to last from three to 35 minutes but it cannot be helped that he might also veer away from a prepared speech to emphasize his thoughts on various issues close to his heart.

“Well, I am guessing that (he will talk about) the plans for the administration for the coming year and the other matters that (he) wants done, along with his staple (topics)…war against illegal drugs, war against criminality and  war against poverty, and also the peace talks,”  Andanar said.

Andanar, part of the team preparing for the SONA to be directed for free by filmmaker Joyce Bernal, added that Duterte would have the final say on the contents of his speech, and, probably, his demeanor.

“But then again, everything will depend on our President whether he will adlib or not,” Andanar said, adding nobody can second-guess the thoughts of the Chief Executive.

In the run-up to the SONA, Andanar said the Presidential Communications Office held three forums focused on the administration’s accomplishments, anchored on the President’s battlecry for change and development.

Meanwhile, Roque said Duterte has left to Bernal the preparation for the production side of the SONA.

“I think… she wants to portray the President as the father of the nation,” Roque said.

Duterte is expected to return to Manila from Davao by Sunday for a run-through of his SONA.

Apart from signing the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Roque said the President is expected to outline his legislative agenda for next year. This includes the passage of the Charter amendments from a presidential to a federal form of government and rice tarrification.

“Well, definitely federalism will be there; there is rice tariffication which is also an administration bill which has not seen the light of day,” Roque said, referring to the Charter change moves in Congress, and efforts to amend Republic Act 8178 or the Agriculture Tarrification Act.

“The Duterte administration is committed to gain a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace for all.”

This was National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.’s assurance during the pre-SONA forum conducted on Wednesday.

In his remarks, Esperon highlighted the peace process with Moro fronts through the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The approved BBL is to be presented to Duterte for his signature on Monday.

It was crafted to address the historical injustices committed against the Moros and to grant political and fiscal autonomy to the region.

Esperon also underlined the interventions conducted for the Marawi rehabilitation through social cohesion, healing and reconciliation.

The role of women and the youth in the peace process was also recognized through the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the Youth Peace Table – programs that are under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. – With Christina Mendez, Jose Rodel Clapano