3rd SONA
Today, July 19, our nationwide period for prayer, penance, and fasting will end. Let us all try, though, to continue to take time to pray for the healing of our land, for peace, and for a better God-centered life for all.
As DU30 prepares for his 3rd SONA next July 23, what do you expect him to tell the nation then? What do you think the Filipino people would like to hear during the SONA?
Lumad evacuees, about 1,607 from 11 communities of Surigao del Sur, hope for peace in their ancestral lands, especially those threatened by the entry of plantations and mining projects and the presence of combat operations of the AFP. Lumad students hope DU30 will speak “nothing but the truth” and end martial law in Mindanao as it has caused havoc to their communities.
About 2.36 million jobless Filipinos would like to hear about guaranteed job openings with just wages and work terms. Underemployed Filipinos, about 6.9 million, those who are already working but are looking for more work or longer working hours look forward to jobs that match their qualifications and needs.
Those experiencing increasing prices of commodities, food items, gasoline and others, affected by the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, are looking forward to genuine anti-poverty programs to be announced during the 3rd SONA of DU30.
For sure, around two million families who experienced moderate hunger only once or a few times in the last three months, or about 306,000 families who experienced severe hunger often or always in the last three months are awaiting news about how they can access steady supply of food.
Those recently affected by the floods in Metro Manila and elsewhere in Luzon are looking for immediate relief and long-term solution to flooding. They hope we join them pray for protection against further floods and rains.
The families of the victims of the almost-daily round of killings all throughout the country are waiting for justice and an end to killings, especially the EJKs. Millions of Filipinos expect safety and security among the priorities to be mentioned in the next SONA.
Will DU30 refrain from using bad language during his 3rd SONA? Or will he again use the SONA as his platform to curse, to accuse, to frighten his critics?
Many expect the issue of federalism and the China factor to be thoroughly discussed. Will DU30 still push through with Federalism even if majority of surveyed Filipinos (6 out of 10) oppose the shift from the present government to a federal form? Will DU30 announce that no one among the present elected officials and their families can or will be allowed to run for position should federalism push through?
Will DU30 also explain the continuing presence of Chinese military aircraft in Davao? More importantly, will he announce a more aggressive, peaceful strategy to protect our territory vs Chinese intrusion?
There will be Filipinos who will not watch the SONA at all because they are fed up with promises made but are unfulfilled. There will be those in the streets protesting issues or even demanding that DU30 step down. Will the number of protesters increase this year? Let us pray for peaceful protests.
There are those who posted on FB that DU30 will declare martial law for the whole nation during his SONA. Do you think DU30 will declare ML?
In this administration, it’s anything goes. One never knows what to expect. Our trust is in the Lord, however. Our God is “simply waiting for the perfect moment when He could intercede most effectively.”
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