MANILA, Philippines – Insults, death threats, sexist rants, and fake achievements.
Progressive lawmakers from the House Makabayan opposition bloc said they expect nothing but these remarks from President Rodrigo Duterte on his upcoming third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23.
In a media briefing on Thursday, ACT-Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio gave his fearless forecast on the President’s national address: “Una, insulto, pagbabanta na may papatayin, pambabastos sa babae, samantalang tinutulak ‘yung agenda (Expect a tirade of insults, threat that he will kill someone, disrespect on women while pushing for the administration’s agenda).”
Tinio also doubted if the Duterte would fulfill his promise to stick with his prepared speech which will not exceed 35 minutes.
“Alam naman nating ‘di magpapapigil si Duterte. Basta may mic ‘yan, tuloy-tuloy ‘yan (We know no one can stop the President once he holds the mic, he speaks non-stop),” he said of Duterte who has a penchant for deviating from his prepared speech and going on with his impromptu rants.
Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus meanwhile threw shade at Duterte’s claim that his SONA speech would be “direct from the heart.”
“’Yung sinasabi mong direct from the heart, nakakatakot ‘yun. Kung maitim ang kanyang puso at maitim ang kanyang budhi, baka kung anu-ano na naman ang sabihin niya laban sa mga mamamayan (When he said he will speak directly from his heart, that’s frightening. If his heart and conscience is dark, for sure he would speak against the people),” De Jesus said.
For her part, ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro said she expects Duterte to “boast about his fake achievements,” and make up statistics.
“Ipagmamalaki niya ang mga pekeng achievements niya na gagawin ng kanyang economic managers na babaliktarin niya yung tunay na istatistika. Pangalawa, yung baka iendorse niyang pabilisin na ang pagpasa ng Charter change,” Castro said.
(He would boast about his fake achievements done by his economic mangers who would spin statistics. Also, he will endorse to expedite the Charter change.)
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate meanwhile suspects that the recent passage of several laws served as a cover-up of the lack of accomplishment of the President also a reason why Duterte’s net satisfaction rating plummeted.
Duterte’s net satisfaction (satisfied vs dissatisfied), which is used by the Social Weather Stations as a rating of the President’s performance, was down 11 points from last December’s +58 to 2018’s first quarter at +45. The survey was conducted in the last week of June among 1,200 Filipinos.
“Kung mapapansin niyo, naghahabol ng mga dagdag na batas. Achievement sa dalawang taon na para pampatong sa kalagayan ng bansa. ‘Di lang ang ratings ni Pangulong Duterte ang bumulusok, pati na rin ang kahirapan,” Zarate said.
(As you can see, they’re catching up in passing more law to add to his achievements in two years. Aside from the ratings of President Duterte, poverty also worsen.)
Tinio backed Zarate’s statement, saying Duterte’s style of government is no longer working with the public, adding that his programs are “anti-poor” and only for the interests of big corporations.
“Nagsasawa na rin ang taong bayan sa istilo ni Pangulong Duterte…Marami nang namumulat. Yung mga accomplishments ng Duterte administration ay talagang pahirap sa maralita, anti-poor talaga. Samantalang pinapaburan ang mga big business interests,” said Tinio.
(The people is already sick of Duterte’s style of leadership… many are now critical. Duterte administration’s accomplishments are oppressive and anti-poor while favoring the interest of big businesses.
Tinio said their group, along with the broad united force of the masses, would be holding a protest to lambast Duterte’s anti-people and anti-poor policies during his two-year reign. (davaotoday.com)
