President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 24, 2017. (KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24, earned mixed reactions from his bailiwick here, where he was mayor for two decades.
Residents watched at a monitor for the SONA live telecast set up by the city government here at the Rizal Park Monday afternoon.
Lydia Rufino, 54, from Agdao district was among the preople in the crowd, as she sat closely in front of the big screen to watch the former city mayor talk about the accomplishments of his first year in the administration and speak about future plans in the remaining years.
Rufino said she was very happy and inspired of Duterte’s speech which lasted for two hours.
“Okay kaayo. Lipay kaayo. Uyon kaayo ko saiya (It was very good. We are very happy. And I agree with him),” Rufino said.
“Inspired kaayo ko saiya kay confident man mi saiyang mga gihimo gud. Dalaygon ang Ginoo para saiyaha (I’m very inspired because we’re confident on what he is doing. Praise God for him),” she added.
Rufino said if she was to rate the President she would proudly give him 100 percent. Rufino added that her only hope is for the President to continue to govern the country well.
City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang who also sat with the crowd, said Duterte’s speech was “very natural” and “came from the heart” , especially when he spoke about critical issues in the country.
“Very natural, real. It is a speech that he usually delivers in Davao. It’s coming from the heart when he talk about particularly very critical points,” Dayanghirang said in an interview.
Dayanghirang cited Duterte’s ”serious address” on the issues on population, rebellion and environmental concerns.
“I think his assessment or his remark about rebellion is very clear, he gave them a lot of opportunities but it’s unfortunate that the other side was not responding to it well. But on the other hand, in the name of democracy, he allows anybody to occupy, to have the right of redress so he never stopped or kill the freedom of expression,” Dayanghirang said.
“It’s a balance between what is the right of the government and your right because this is really democracy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adrian Tamayo of University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) said President Duterte’s SONA is “embroiled with emotions and more likely frustrations.”
Tamayo said style of speaking the language of an ordinary person makes it easier for the public to relate to him.
“No sugar coats, much of an expression of despair with state of affairs. He speaks for the masses and the masses speak through him,” Tamayo said.
Tamayo also said while the federalism mandate was given a big stroke, the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which will create a new political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was not much highlighted.
He said the President showed he wants to do more after a year in office.
“It is evident that he wants to do more but current systems bar him from doing it. Although there was lack of details on his marching orders for legislature, there still are tax reform, the change in government bidding, health and education as guideposts,” Tamayo told Davao Today in a text message.
However, protesters also gathered in the city to hold the People’s SONA protest.
Protesters led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Duterte’s implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao caused human rights violations in many parts of the country outside Marawi City.
Jay Apiag, spokesperson of human rights group Karapatan said a day after Martial Law was declared, they recorded 700 victims of forcible evacuation due to indiscriminate aerial bombing in North Cotabato and Bukidnon.
Apiag said from May 24 to June 30, there were four victims of extrajudicial killings, 12 victims of frustrated killing, 23 victims of illegal arrest and 11 houses were destroyed.
Sheena Duazo, secretary general of Bayan said they did not see anything significant from Duterte’s second SONA.
She said Duterte delivered “macro-economic” policies that are already being implemented by the government.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jean Lindo, co-chairperson of Panalipdan Mindanao, said Duterte’s warning against the mining industries that are destroying the environment ”was
paradoxical.”
“On one hand he demonstrated tough talk against the mining industry. But if the action is just a dialogue between those opposed and the mining businesses, do you think you will achieve something. That’s handling them with kid’s glove,” Lindo told Davao Today.
She said Duterte’s statement against Lumad schools tagged as communists schools was also dangerous.
“On the other hand the Lumad communities who struggle for self development he labels as communists. You know how it works, you paint your enemy black and anything goes,” she said.
“Let us say his accusation is true. Why couldn’t any non-dominant religion, or non-dominant political persuasion or non-dominant ethnicity exist in a democracy?” Lindo added. (davaotoday.com)
