People always have to say something, especially when it concerns the country.
Watch citizens say something about Duterte’s first SONA.
What can you say about his SONA?
-Nicole Naval
Author: nnaval
Nicole Naval is a 21 year old Comm graduate who takes a huge interest in writing. In fact, she now enjoys working as a Creative Writer for events. Poems and stories are still on her writing list. She also started doing photography and image and video editing.
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–Angela Balinang
Duterte’s Pinoy Buffet for “merienda” at his First SONA
A very Filipino merienda was offered to 800 VIPs after the very first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to the records sent by the Office of the Executive Director Edith Cardenas, who chairs the committee in reception and protocol, more than 800 guests were invited in the buffet in the House of the Representatives.
President Rodrigo Duterte Vowed a simple lifestyle for government officials in his term.
On the menu:
- Native chips with salted duck egg dressing
- Monggo soup, smoked fish with alugbati(grissini bread)
- Fresh lumpiang ubod in a pouch
- Empanaditas in two flavours; chicken and spicy tuna
- Flaked chicken adobo and mushrooms
- Pandesal with kesong puti and beef steak
- Penne with taba ng talangka sauce
- Balut in profiteroles
- Chicken skin cracklings
-Christine Panganiban
Newly Elected President Rodrigo Duterte holds a private dinner after his SONA
The President was joined by his friends and a few journalists in his private dinner after his first State of the Nation Address (SONA)
The President delivered some of his favorite songs but he did not allowed some journalists to interview him during the event.
Her wife, Honeylet Avanceña mentioned that she liked the President’s message about peace. She also added that she has a big hope that the President Duterte will keep his word and will fulfill the promises the was made.
Mr. President’s daughter, Kitty called the attention of her father to inform that his SONA will be discussed on her class.
At the end of the private dinner, the President gave the media pratitioners a tour of his lovely home, it reflects how simple his life is in Bahay Pagbabago.
-Angela Balinang
President Duterte Delivers his First SONA
Manila, Philippines-The new President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte delivers his first State of the Nation Address on June2016. In his speech, he “knew what the ills of our country were,” and he addressed these in his SONA.
Rodrigo Duterte was former Mayor of Davao City before running for presidential elections. He has been making his name in the news especially for his declaration of war on drugs in which he also given time in his address.
“During my inauguration last 30 [June] 2016, I said that the fight against criminality and illegal drugs and corruption will be relentless and sustained. I reiterate that commitment today. And that is why I call on the Philippine National Police, the barangay chairmen, the Mayors, and Governors and all those occupying seats of power and authority, not to lower their guard. There will be no let-up in this campaign.”
The President even told them to double their efforts and to “triple them, if needed be.” He implies that there is no stopping his administration in this war on drugs, that they won’t stop until the last drug lord is put behind bars.
As this war is being held, there are protests against this campaign, using Human Rights as their weapon. Duterte was prepared for this topic as he included it in his SONA.
“Eh kung ayaw ninyong mamatay, ayaw ninyong masaktan, huwag kayong umasa diyan sa mga pari pati Human Rights, hindi nakakapigil yan ng kamatayan. So huwag ninyong gawin. Eh tapos nandiyan ka nakabulagta and you are portrayed in a broadsheet na parang Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ. [If you don’t want to die and be hurt, don’t have false hopes with priests and Human Rights, it will not stop death. So don’t do it. And then you’re being shown, portrayed in a broadsheet like Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ.]”
Aside from telling everyone not to use Human Rights as a protest against dug killings, his administration will be sensitive to Human Rights, especially to the poor and marginalized. He also said it must “uplift human dignity” and not to be used as a “shield or excuse to destroy the country.”
President Duterte SONA did not only address his war on drugs. He also expressed his interest to implement federalism in the country. He even gave advice to “maintain a federal system, a parliament, but be sure to have a president” and copy the French parliament. However, he declared himself as “disqualified” for that position and that he will no longer would be here when the time comes.
He also addressed to traffic and other government concerns. Such as implementing an anti-colorum campaign and submitting government requirements like NBI. He told everyone to “make use of the computers” for faster and more effective processing of documents.
The new president indeed has already something up to work even though he was just appointed in to the position which are all implied in hi SONA. As his followers say, “change is coming.” He ended his speech stating how resilient Filipinos are, and promoting unity in his country.
-Nicole Naval
Related Article: Duterte Holds Private Dinner after SONA
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