The SONA 2018: : The Philippine Government in 48 minutes

By. Jove Moya

The SONA 2018: The Philippine Government In 48 Minutes On the 23rd of July
2018 written by Jove Moya , published July 24, 2018 at Primer.com, summarized President
Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address. The president delivered his third State Of
the Nation Address (SONA) in front of 3,000 government officials, and guests at
the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Days prior to the address, people have been
pondering on the issues that the President will tackle during his speech—Since 2016, the war
against drugs, Bangsamoro Basic Law (now called the Bangsamoro Organic Law), and
the shift towards a Federal government have been surrounding various news media platforms
in the country. Moments before the SONA, Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo took an oath as the new leader of the House, formally replacing Pantaleon Alvarez,
who in his term, opened the possibility of the Death Penalty Bill’s approval. According
to Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia, the removal of Alvarez had been briefly discussed. In 2012,
Arroyo was put in hospital detention after a plunder case was filed against her. The case
highlights the exploitation of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s funds in her term.
The war on drugs, even after reaching the international news, is still “far from over.” In his
speech, Duterte addressed his high regards for human lives. In 2017, reported cases of drug-
related fatalities grew in number after an estimated number of 4,000 drug-related operations
were led by the police. “If you think that I can be dissuaded from continuing this fight
because of [your] demonstrations, your protests, which I find, by the way, misdirected, then
you got it all wrong,” says Duterte. To improve the services of the government, Duterte
stressed that corruption must end. “Corruption is like a leech that it bleeds the government
of funds programmed for its infrastructure and other social development projects. It saps the
morale or the morale of dedicated and honest government workers”. As of this writing, the
President has already fired 21 officials and signed seven resignation letters of people who
allegedly misused the government’s funds. For the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Duterte
makes his “solemn commitment of giving Muslims basic legal tools to chart their
destiny within the Constitutional framework of our country”. In his speech, the President
said that the proposed law will be signed and ratified within 48 hours. In October 2012, a
preliminary agreement between the Philippine government, and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front was signed in the Palace. In 2017, Duterte was firm in his desire to have a third
telecommunications firm. The President ordered the National Telecommunications
Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to have
the third telco up and running by 2018. During a Palace briefing in the same year, Presidential
Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the President is very serious about his demand and will
automatically approve the issue within seven days. “My administration remains firm in its
resolve to ensure that the country’s telecommunications services are reliable, inexpensive
and secure. A draft Terms of Reference for the entry of a new, major industry player is at
hand. The terms will be fair, reasonable and comprehensive. It will be inclusive so it will be
open to all interested private parties, both foreign and local. The only condition is that the
chosen entity must provide the best possible services at reasonably accessible prices,” he
said. In April 2018, Duterte approved the total closure of Boracay starting April 26. The
closure aims to preserve the island by cleaning up its sewers after Duterte called it a
“cesspool”. The island’s total shut down is a crucial move on the country’s economy since
Boracay’s revenue makes up at least 20 percent of the Philippines’ tourism industry. After
months of waiting, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu stated that
the island will officially reopen on October 26. In a hearing held on July 11, 2018, Cimatu
said that the island is no longer a “cesspool” and can sustain a good number of tourists if the
rehabilitation is successful. The President praised the Congress for being able to pass the
TRAIN law immediately. “I applaud Congress for the timely passage of the TRAIN law.
You have made funds available to build better roads and bridges, and improve health and
education, and strengthen our safety and security. Some have incorrectly blamed our efforts
toward a fairer tax system for all the price increases in the past months, and some
irresponsibly suggesting to stop TRAIN’s implementation,” he said.

With regards to the work that the author made is actually related to the present
problems that this world are facing especially to our country. What stated in this articles
says about the SONA of President Duterte is that become reality to and became part of every
nations problem. Our country becomes more powerful because of our very own President
Duterte that makes it possible to work for. These kind of problems is a major equivalent in
every county in which they also working for it to minimize it but due to circumstances and
nature it cannot be unsolved easily. According to what comes to the SONA 2018, it was
stated that what we faced now and out administration work is actually a major problem in
every nation and we are just so fortunate because our country has a powerful administration.

What I read about this material is that it is connected to my life the fact that some
issues that has a big concern is also affects my daily life which is the inflation as well as the
everyday situation in the society. What I really like most about this is article is about the
President says, about what he rendered in broad strokes reviewing just part of his past
achievements, stating the present situation and announcing future prospects. In this article
about the SONA 2018 of our dear President, I really do understand the situation about our
country in what we are facing now that our administration working for it. It really changed
my perspective about the issues we face now and I believe that these problems can be fix if
the people will do something helpful.
 Historically, the third Monday of July is set up for the President of the Philippines to
deliver a speech of his accomplishments and his plans for the next few months of his tenure.
It has also become a carnival of sorts in the last few years for fashion mavens in the Senate
and the House of Representatives to showcase their gowns and barongs to the full view of
the masses. The hitherto political spectacle has sometimes become a circus of sorts.

That is not to mention yet, the annual mass demonstrations of anti-government

organization bent on shouting their mantras and showing off their artistic skills as they
brandish their effigies reflecting the different issues affecting the Philippines. The past few
years, it has become a demonstration of people who have several points of contention against
the Duterte administration – from women’s groups, to urban poor groups, to youth
organizations – everyone seems to have a point against the regime. What started out as a
promising tenure, with invitations to pro-poor leaders and anti-government personalities has
since become an interesting tableau of ideas and perspectives that still has four more years
in play.

As a final word, let us go back to the beginning – the third SONA of President Duterte
is surprising in many levels. It does provide a lip service that many people were looking and
waiting for. In fact, many people were surprised by the genteel version of the President – it
is said, as if he bared his soul for the public to see. He appeared vulnerable at times – tired,
human, in need of rest – asking for help to stem the tide of problems the country is faced. He
appeared to be begging for understanding, not for the way he does things but for what he
must do to ensure that the promises he has made in the past would be made solid and concrete
by different legislations.

On the other side of the spectrum, opposition parties simply shrugged off the SONA
as a mere play on words – reiterating that human rights are complementary to human lives
and that they cannot be separated. They criticized the play on words as a mere ploy to appease
the ProDuterte supporters who were expected to clap and cheer for their President no matter
what he does. They did state, in so many terms, that the President needs to come out of his
office to feel and see what the common people are experiencing to get a feel of what needs
to be done.

All I can say about this work is that it has the complete information about the
article/issue and definitely recommendable to read for everyone who are looking this kind of
topic. I believe that this is very useful for searching such kind of article since the author
elaborate will the happenings during event precisely.
 The price of peace, rice, and taxes: Highlights of SONA 2018

By Regine Cabato

The price of peace, rice, and taxes: Highlights of SONA 2018 of Tuesday, July 24, 2018
written by Regine Cabato published on July 24, 2018 at CNNPhilippines.com summarized
President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address. A sudden change in House
leadership, a renewed defense of the drug war, and a number of economic legislation were
among the highlights of President Rodrigo Duterte's third State of the Nation Address
(SONA) on Monday. Duterte, who is known for straying from prepared speeches, kept
mostly to his script. He delivered a 48-minute address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon
City after a one-hour and 15-minute delay. Earlier that afternoon, majority of the House of
Representatives signed a manifesto of support for Pampanga Representative Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as House Speaker, effectively ousting Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon
Alvarez from the post. Alvarez still welcomed the President along with Senate President Tito
Sotto, and opened the session on the part of the House to hear the SONA. During his speech,
Duterte did not remark on the sudden change in House leadership. Malacañang said Alvarez
was still House Speaker as far as it was concerned. Confusion happened as Arroyo took her
oath as new House Speaker while the House was not in session. Alvarez, who was welcoming
the President, was not present when he was. According to supporters of Macapagal-Arroyo
effectively unseated. A handful of opposition lawmakers abstained from the vote.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the President would not take sides in the
supposed leadership row. Three representatives first tipped CNN Philippines about the ouster
move, which they said was led by Davao Mayor and Presidential daughter Sara Duterte.
Former Senator Orly Mercado questioned the "unceremonious" timing of the ouster, saying
it "grabbed headlines" from the SONA. Duterte kicked off his speech with his primary
platform: the war on drugs.

"Let me begin by putting it bluntly: the war against illegal drugs is far from over," Duterte
said. He added his campaign "will not be sidelined" and it will be "as relentless and chilling...
as on the day it began."
He also said criticism against his administration for the bloody policy is "misdirected."

"Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives," Duterte said to a round of applause.
"You worry about the present; I am concerned [about] both the present and the future... If
not stopped, crimes can make human cesspools of succeeding generations. I will not allow it
to happen. Not during my term." A Pulse Asia survey shows Filipinos still believe the anti-
illegal drug campaign is Duterte's biggest achievement, although the bloody drug war has
been condemned across the world. According to government data, over 4,000 persons have
died in police operations. However, human rights watchdogs have pegged about 13,000
deaths — including those from vigilante-style killings. The President thanked China for
shared intelligence when busting a shabu laboratory with Chinese nationals. However, he
said this renewed friendship would not keep the country from backing down on its claim in
contested territory, where China maintains a military presence. "Our improved relationship
with China does not mean we will waver in our commitment to defend our interest in the
West Philippine Sea," said Duterte. He did not delve further on the subject, but emphasized
the importance of bilateral and multilateral talks. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines
Zhao Jianhua was present at the address. He later described the remarks as "fairly objective."
Critics such as former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, who represented the Philippines at
the arbitral tribunal, believe the Philippines should ditch bilateral negotiations and enter the
table with other countries so China would not size it up.

Duterte has developed warm ties with China, refusing to bring up the Philippines' win at the
international arbitral tribunal. However, most Filipinos believe the government should take
a firmer stance against the eastern giant. The administration has booked billions in
investments and loans from China, which critics worry will lead to a debt trap and the
eventual forfeiture of rights in disputed waters.
 SONA 2018 broke the tradition of highlighting the administration's previous year
accomplishments. Duterte focused on desire for genuine and meaningful change for the
people. He presented the administration's present activities and the future plans.

As they brandish their effigies reflecting the different issues affecting the Philippines.
The past few years, it has become a demonstration of people who have several points of
contention against the Duterte administration – from women’s groups, to urban poor groups,
to youth organizations – everyone seems to have a point against the regime. What started out
as a promising tenure, with invitations to pro-poor leaders and anti-government personalities
has since become an interesting tableau of ideas and perspectives that still has four more
years in play.
 GRADUATE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
AY 2018-2019

Education 109- Current Issues in Education

SONA 2018
A REFLECTION PAPER

Submitted by:
VICTOR C. ARCUINO
Masterand

Submitted to:
DR. MARIA VICTORIA A. GONZAGA
Learning Facilitator