MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte used his 4th State of the Nation

Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, to tell Congress what laws he wants passed and
what Filipinos can expect in the last half of his term.

It lasted an hour and 33 minutes, making it his 3rd longest SONA so far. It also
contained 7 expletives, much less than his second SONA (25 expletives) but more than
his first and third SONAs which had no curse words.

Can't watch or read the entire speech? We summarize key points here:

Drug crackdown - The persistent problem of illegal drugs is Duterte's first topic. He
claims the 2017 Marawi siege began with a government raid on shabu being kept by
extremists there.

- Death penalty - He asks Congress to bring back the death penalty for heinous
crimes related to drugs and plunder.
- Corruption - Duterte condemns the PhilHealth ghost kidney treatment scam,
commends the National Bureau of Investigation for the arrest of high-profile
criminals, and recalls how he has fired "more than a hundred" government
officials. He cites revenue collections by government corporations as signs that
anti-corruption reforms are working.
- Anti-red tape - He tells the Land Transportation Office, Social Security System,
Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Registration Authority, and Pag-IBIG to
improve their services as data from the complaint center under his office show
they were the subject of many complaints. He wants processing of permits to last
only 3 days.

Rehabilitation of tourist attractions - Duterte brings up the temporary closure of

Boracay and the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. He threatens to "burn
down" establishments that commit violations.

- Telecommunications - Duterte speaks about Dito Telecommunity, the newly

established third telecommunications provider in the Philippines. He challenges
them to render services to as many Filipinos as possible. He also promises no
corruption was involved in Dito Telecommunity's entry into the sector.
- Bangsamoro Organic Law - The President tells the Bangsamoro government
to fast-track the development of the region and improve the quality of life of
Muslims and indigenous peoples.

Ending communist violence - Duterte talks of his leadership of the National Task
Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and his assigning Cabinet members to
various regions to oversee efforts to end communist insurgency there.
 - Education - Duterte commends Secretary Leonor Briones and the Department
of Education for having over 27 million enrolled students from kinder to senior
high school. Improvements in the national education system are also seen in the
Alternative Learning System for out-of-school youth and adult learners. He also
supports the creation of a National Academy for Sports.

Bong Go - The President makes special mention of his trusted aide, neophyte senator
Bong Go, and Go's pet bills, a treatment he gives to no other lawmaker in the room.

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Barangay polls - Duterte asks Congress to postpone the May 2020 barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan elections to October 2022.

- Protection of overseas Filipino workers - He signed the Bilateral Labor

Agreement with Kuwait, in an effort to protect OFWs from abusive employers. He
also seeks to establish a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers.

? West Philippine Sea - Duterte repeated his claim that he can't assert Philippine
rightsover the West Philippine Sea for fear of sparking a war against China. He defends
his decision to let Chinese fishermen fish in Philippine waters, saying that international
sea laws allow such an arrangement. However, such deals have to be written whereas
his deal with China is only a verbal one.

Poverty - Duterte reports a decrease in the poverty incidence rate from 27.6% during
the 1st half of 2015 to 21% in the 1st half of 2018. He also implores that citizens join
him in alleviating poverty.

Tax reform - The President calls for the passage of Package 2 of the Comprehensive
Tax Reform Program, otherwise known as the Trabaho bill.

- Liquor ban - Duterte says he wants a law ordering all drinking establishments
to close at midnight.
- Salary increase - He asks Congress to pass the Salary Standardization
Law which will raise salaries for all national government workers, including
teachers and nurses.
- Disaster risk reduction and management - The President pushes for the
establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience in preparation for future
natural calamities.
- Fire protection - He calls on Congress to pass a law creating a Fire Protection
Modernization Program.
Water department - Due to the recent water shortage in Metro Manila and nearby
provinces, Duterte calls for the creation of a Department of Water Resources and a
Water Regulatory Commission.

- Land use planning - He asks Congress to pass the National Land Use Act,
which will develop lands in the countryside. This will encourage sustainable
economic growth in the provinces.

Sexist remarks - In various parts of his speech, Duterte makes some sexist
remarkslike how sunbathing women await foreigners in Boracay and how he has a
"smelly" girlfriend because of the Metro Manila water crisis.

- Metro Manila traffic - Duterte orders the Metropolitan Manila Development

Authority and Metro Manila local government officials to reclaim public
roads being used for private purposes. He orders Interior Secretary Eduardo Año
to suspend mayors who don't comply.
- ? Rice and coconut farmers - Duterte vows that his administration will
implement the rice tariffication law. He calls for the careful utilization of the coco
levy fund. He also blasts the Land Bank of the Philippines for allegedly prioritizing
commercial transactions over funding of agricultural activities.
- Strengthening national security - He pushes for the passage of the National
Defense Act and the Unified Military and Uniformed Personnel Separation,
Retirement, and Pension Bill. He also wants to promote patriotism among the
youth by making the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program mandatory for
senior high school students.

Tired - The President says he's tired and unhappy in office and would welcome a coup
d'etat by the military.

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Period of consequences - Duterte ends his speech by saying the second half of his
term is a "period of consequences." He hopes for sustained momentum in the remaining
years of his term, which ends in 2022.

• That corruption in government is pervasive, is everywhere. He is grossly

disappointed with corruption and asked, “When will corruption end?” Special
mention was made of PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation),
the Customs bureau, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System,
Land Transportation Office, PAG-IBIG, Land Registration Authority.
• That he wants to create three new departments: Departments of Disaster
Resilience, Water Resources, and Overseas Filipinos.

• That he wants more Malasakit Centers, higher salaries for teachers and
nurses, a new National Academy of Sports for High School students. Which
means he wants to expand welfare spending on top of existing agencies.

• That local governments should hasten the issuance of business permits to a

maximum of three days, reclaim public roads, and enforce the Bangsamoro
Organic Law (BOL).

• That the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is ours but we should not provoke
China, otherwise there will be a confrontation and our Marines will die.
Meanwhile, most or many Cabinet members are ex-military men.

• He pointed out that the Build, Build, Build programs are gaining ground, and
the entry of the third telco player that will provide fast and reliable telecom
service.

WHAT’S NOT SAID.

There are things that should not be said or issued and indeed were not said
by the President — good. Like new drug price controls, or further demonizing
tax coal and fossil fuels “to save the planet,” or creating five or more new
Departments and not just three, etc.

There was a good tweet by Senator Panfilo Lacson hours after the speech:

“SONA 2019: I like most the part when the president said, ‘I have come face
to face with the enemy. The enemy is us. We are our own tormentors… for
every transaction, commission; for every action, extortion.’ Then the camera
panned out on the audience right in front of him.”

Overall, SONA 2019 has issued more alarm bells to businesses and
taxpayers. Corruption remains high, as admitted by the President, and yet
they will further expand the size and burden of government, taxpayers will pay
for the extra financial baggage, waste, and evaporated money. The saving
grace is that businesses can expect easier business permits from LGUs, and
things could have been worse if some ugly and unsaid things were instead
announced.

DAVAO CITY--Individuals from various sectors have expressed positive views on the fourth State of
the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, even as they voiced optimism
that the administration's visions for the next three years would be fulfilled.

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig said
"the President's instruction to certain agencies and Department Secretaries are laudable".

"Hopefully improvements will really be introduced" before the President's term ends in 2022, Antig
said.

However, Antig voiced reservations on the creation of new agencies such as the Department of
Overseas Filipino Workers, pointing out that the country already has agencies for OFWs such as the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

"Creating a new office might just be a duplication," he said.

Dr. Adrian Tamayo, public relations head of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA),
described the President's plans and programs as "viable, practical, and implementable within the
remainder of his term."

"In most of his words and statements, his care for his people is evident," Tamayo said.

He added that the President made sure that the public "understands his decisions relating to his
policy on the West Philippine Sea."

Tamayo said the fourth SONA is marked by Duterte's "brand of leadership" in that it reiterated the
urgency of addressing corruption, public accountability, the threat of drugs to the society, and the
need to create a better environment for investment.

He also noted the President's directives to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
of making sure that permits and transactions are completed within prescribed periods.

The MinDa official said the agency also expects the remaining three years of the administration will
see the passage of the National Land Use Act.

"The Land Use Act is necessary to update and identify land that can be used by investors and or
development planning as well as disaster preparation at various levels making the work of
government integrated," he said.

On the part of MinDA, Tamayo said the agency through the leadership of Atty. Nathaniel Dalumpines
will continue advocating for a bigger budget to fund essential peace and development programs on
the island.

In particular, he said MinDa will push for more investments in strategic infrastructure that would
connect all regions in the island to other parts of the country and the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-
Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area).

Meanwhile, Philippine Cultural and Civic Center of Wisconsin Executive Director Gerry Ramos said
he was elated with the President's commitment against graft and corruption.

"The President is doing great things for the country but the system needs to be corrected and hard
work has to be done on graft and corruption, which is all over the place," Ramos said.

"What I also like that is happening in the Philippines is the campaign about drugs because drugs not
only affect the users but the family as well," he added.

Soling Luna, a domestic helper from this city, said he was happy that the President pointed out the
inefficiency at the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Luna said her son acquired a small property out of his earnings as an overseas worker in Bahrain,
but the BIR and LRA failed to process the transfer of title of the property for several years now.

"I need to go back several times to comply with additional requirements," she said.

Duterte has instructed LRA, BIR, and other government agencies to simplify the requirements to
serve the transacting public better and faster. (PNA)

How to avoid the death of wallets and other financial headaches

Lengthy rants, vague stance on the West Philippine Sea territorial row,
objectification of women and reimposition of the death penalty are the
most talked-about parts of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation
Address on social media platforms.

Duterte arrived nearly an hour late for his fourth SONA on Monday, July 22.
This will be the third time he delivered a delayed address since 2017.

Buzz around Duterte’s chosen topics

Duterte’s SONA this year lasted for about an hour and 34 minutes.
Defending his policy over the West Philippine Sea

Duterte gave conflicting statements about the country’s relationship with

China and efforts to reinforce maritime rights.

He initially purported that China is now in possession of the Spratlys and the
Panganiban Islands because of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del
Rosario.

He also said that President Xi Jinping once told him that taking action in the
waterway could “mean trouble.”

“Sila ‘yung in possession and claiming all the resources there as an owner,”
Duterte said.

He later said that the country has ownership over the disputed areas but
“not in control.”

He then assured the public that there are no conditions in the country’s
entitlements over the West Philippine Sea—the part of the South China Sea
legally in the Philippines’ jurisdiction.

“The West Philippine Sea is ours. There are no ifs and buts. It is ours. But
we have been acting, [applause] along that legal truth and line. But we have
to temper it with the times and the realities that we face today,” Duterte
said.

Some Filipinos aired their confusion on these statements online.

"West Philippine Sea is ours, no ifs and buts." – Duterte

Me recalling his statement saying "we own the property but we are not in
control of the property…”#SONA2019
pic.twitter.com/HluHyDS9EW

— 𝔪𝔦𝔤𝔰 || LakamBoba (@miigglez) July 22, 2019

Concerning the controversial ramming on Reed Bank, Duterte erroneously

said that he invoked “traditional fishing rights” to allow China to operate in
the area.
Reed Bank is part of the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic
zone where the communist country is not entitled to fish in the first place,
basing on the Constitution.

Remark on women

The president did not spare the all-important yearly address from off-color
remarks about women.

When talking about the rehabilitation of Boracay, the president quipped

that Filipino girls are waiting for foreigners there.

“Boracay Island is just the beginning. And the girls there, the foreigners are
waiting for you gentlemen to visit the place. They are all on the beach
sunbathing. You are invited to—I have not been there,” he said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the primary author of the new Safe Spaces Act against
street-level harassment, criticized this message despite it being downplayed
as a joke.

“A dangerous pronouncement coming from the [chief executive] who has the
power to embolden others to see women in a similar undignified manner.
Shame,” Hontiveros tweeted.

Duterte also told off-script stories about his “girlfriend” not being able to
take a bath due to a water shortage in Davao City.

Death penalty

Duterte urged members of Congress to pass a measure to restore capital

punishment for crimes related to illegal drugs and plunder.

“I respectfully request Congress to reinstate the death penalty for heinous

crimes [applause] related to drugs, as well as plunder,” he said.

Duterte similarly remained adamant that his bloody war on drugs, which has
taken the lives of thousands of poor, male Filipinos, will continue despite
international and local condemnation over human rights violations.

“I am aware that we still have a long way to go in our fight against this
social menace. Let the reason why I advocate the imposition of the death
penalty for crimes related to illegal drugs,” he said.
However, he also said that corruption caused this problem and should be
eliminated first.

“The illegal drug problem persists. Corruption continues and emasculates

the courage we need to sustain our moral recovery initiatives,” he said.

Some people on Twitter found his comments on corruption ironic, made

before the presence of politicians formerly accused of or convicted of graft
and plunder.

Duterte: I respectfully request Congress to reinstate death penalty for

heinous crimes committed in relation to drugs and plunder.

Bong Revilla, Gloria Arroyo, JP Enrile, The Estradas and Marcoses says
"Hi" #SONA2019

— 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲 (@krizzy_kalerqui) July 22, 2019

Pres D30: “I am Grossingly Disappointed with corruption.”

Corrupt Politicians Listening…..#SONA2019 pic.twitter.com/Ok2T2GeAr5

— MoRNiNGSTaR (@Mlpczxccc) July 22, 2019

Meanwhile, others questioned the exclusion of proposed measures against

atrocious crimes on human rights.

New Cabinet-level agencies

Duterte also suggested the creation of new Cabinet departments for water
resources, disaster management and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

However, there are already existing agencies mandated to handle these

sectors.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the National Water
Resources Board regulate the provision of water resources across the
country.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas

Employment Administration, meanwhile, have long been in charge of
monitoring OFWs abroad.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council is a state-run
organization on disaster resilience of local governments.

New Cabinet-level agencies

Duterte also suggested the creation of new Cabinet departments for water
resources, disaster management and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

However, there are already existing agencies mandated to handle these

sectors.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the National Water
Resources Board regulate the provision of water resources across the
country.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas

Employment Administration, meanwhile, have long been in charge of
monitoring OFWs abroad.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council is a state-run

organization on disaster resilience of local governments.

He also said that President Xi Jinping once told him that taking action in the
waterway could “mean trouble.”

“Sila ‘yung in possession and claiming all the resources there as an owner,”
Duterte said.

He later said that the country has ownership over the disputed areas but
“not in control.”

He then assured the public that there are no conditions in the country’s
entitlements over the West Philippine Sea—the part of the South China Sea
legally in the Philippines’ jurisdiction.

“The West Philippine Sea is ours. There are no ifs and buts. It is ours. But
we have been acting, [applause] along that legal truth and line. But we have
to temper it with the times and the realities that we face today,” Duterte
said.

Some Filipinos aired their confusion on these statements online.

"West Philippine Sea is ours, no ifs and buts." – Duterte

Me recalling his statement saying "we own the property but we are not in
control of the property…”#SONA2019
pic.twitter.com/HluHyDS9EW

— 𝔪𝔦𝔤𝔰 || LakamBoba (@miigglez) July 22, 2019

Concerning the controversial ramming on Reed Bank, Duterte erroneously

said that he invoked “traditional fishing rights” to allow China to operate in
the area.

Reed Bank is part of the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic

zone where the communist country is not entitled to fish in the first place,
basing on the Constitution.

Remark on women

The president did not spare the all-important yearly address from off-color
remarks about women.

When talking about the rehabilitation of Boracay, the president quipped

that Filipino girls are waiting for foreigners there.

“Boracay Island is just the beginning. And the girls there, the foreigners are
waiting for you gentlemen to visit the place. They are all on the beach
sunbathing. You are invited to—I have not been there,” he said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the primary author of the new Safe Spaces Act against
street-level harassment, criticized this message despite it being downplayed
as a joke.

“A dangerous pronouncement coming from the [chief executive] who has the
power to embolden others to see women in a similar undignified manner.
Shame,” Hontiveros tweeted.

Duterte also told off-script stories about his “girlfriend” not being able to
take a bath due to a water shortage in Davao City.
Death penalty

Duterte urged members of Congress to pass a measure to restore capital

punishment for crimes related to illegal drugs and plunder.

“I respectfully request Congress to reinstate the death penalty for heinous

crimes [applause] related to drugs, as well as plunder,” he said.

Duterte similarly remained adamant that his bloody war on drugs, which has
taken the lives of thousands of poor, male Filipinos, will continue despite
international and local condemnation over human rights violations.

“I am aware that we still have a long way to go in our fight against this
social menace. Let the reason why I advocate the imposition of the death
penalty for crimes related to illegal drugs,” he said.

However, he also said that corruption caused this problem and should be
eliminated first.

“The illegal drug problem persists. Corruption continues and emasculates

the courage we need to sustain our moral recovery initiatives,” he said.

Some people on Twitter found his comments on corruption ironic, made

before the presence of politicians formerly accused of or convicted of graft
and plunder.

Duterte: I respectfully request Congress to reinstate death penalty for

heinous crimes committed in relation to drugs and plunder.

Bong Revilla, Gloria Arroyo, JP Enrile, The Estradas and Marcoses says
"Hi" #SONA2019

- Death penalty - He asks Congress to bring back the death penalty for heinous
crimes related to drugs and plunder.
- Corruption - Duterte condemns the PhilHealth ghost kidney treatment scam,
commends the National Bureau of Investigation for the arrest of high-profile
criminals, and recalls how he has fired "more than a hundred" government
officials. He cites revenue collections by government corporations as signs that
anti-corruption reforms are working.
 - Anti-red tape - He tells the Land Transportation Office, Social Security System,
Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Registration Authority, and Pag-IBIG to
improve their services as data from the complaint center under his office show
they were the subject of many complaints. He wants processing of permits to last
only 3 days.
- Telecommunications - Duterte speaks about Dito Telecommunity, the newly
established third telecommunications provider in the Philippines. He challenges
them to render services to as many Filipinos as possible. He also promises no
corruption was involved in Dito Telecommunity's entry into the sector.
- Bangsamoro Organic Law - The President tells the Bangsamoro government
to fast-track the development of the region and improve the quality of life of
Muslims and indigenous peoples.
- Education - Duterte commends Secretary Leonor Briones and the Department
of Education for having over 27 million enrolled students from kinder to senior
high school. Improvements in the national education system are also seen in the
Alternative Learning System for out-of-school youth and adult learners. He also
supports the creation of a National Academy for Sports.
- Protection of overseas Filipino workers - He signed the Bilateral Labor
Agreement with Kuwait, in an effort to protect OFWs from abusive employers. He
also seeks to establish a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers.

? West Philippine Sea - Duterte repeated his claim that he can't assert Philippine
rightsover the West Philippine Sea for fear of sparking a war against China. He defends
his decision to let Chinese fishermen fish in Philippine waters, saying that international
sea laws allow such an arrangement. However, such deals have to be written whereas
his deal with China is only a verbal one.

- Liquor ban - Duterte says he wants a law ordering all drinking establishments
to close at midnight.
- Salary increase - He asks Congress to pass the Salary Standardization
Law which will raise salaries for all national government workers, including
teachers and nurses.
- Disaster risk reduction and management - The President pushes for the
establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience in preparation for future
natural calamities.
- Fire protection - He calls on Congress to pass a law creating a Fire Protection
Modernization Program.

Water department - Due to the recent water shortage in Metro Manila and nearby
provinces, Duterte calls for the creation of a Department of Water Resources and a
Water Regulatory Commission.
- Land use planning - He asks Congress to pass the National Land Use Act,
which will develop lands in the countryside. This will encourage sustainable
economic growth in the provinces.
- Metro Manila traffic - Duterte orders the Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority and Metro Manila local government officials to reclaim public
roads being used for private purposes. He orders Interior Secretary Eduardo Año
to suspend mayors who don't comply.
- ? Rice and coconut farmers - Duterte vows that his administration will
implement the rice tariffication law. He calls for the careful utilization of the coco
levy fund. He also blasts the Land Bank of the Philippines for allegedly prioritizing
commercial transactions over funding of agricultural activities.
- Strengthening national security - He pushes for the passage of the National
Defense Act and the Unified Military and Uniformed Personnel Separation,
Retirement, and Pension Bill. He also wants to promote patriotism among the
youth by making the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program mandatory for
senior high school students.