People are drawn to President Rodrigo Duterte when he speaks which many attribute to his ad libs which are unlike the flowery statements spiced with sound bites of past State of the Nation Address (SoNA) speeches that evoke insincerity and indifference.

His third SoNA will be distinct from the past two since he will be given free rein in his extemporaneous discourse by limiting his prepared speech to 35 minutes.

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Mr. Duterte will have more leeway on ad libs to emphasize his thoughts on various issues.

Despite the ad libs, Go said today’s SoNA will outline his plans for the coming year.

“I’m sure the content is about his plans for the next 365 days and his political will to do what he has promised to the people,” Go said.

He added Mr. Duterte went over the prepared SoNA speech last night and did some practice on delivery.

According to Go, all the children of the President will be present during the event.

The third SoNA will be “all about the essentials,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

The address this year will also be distinct from the two previous ones with a three-part series pre-SoNA forum held that spelled out the administration’s achievements.

“We expect the President’s SoNA to be a continuation of his two previous addresses. As the Father of the Nation, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) will once again articulate the people’s desire for genuine and meaningful change,” Roque said.

“Traditionally, the speech will highlight achievements of the previous year but this year’s version is all about the essentials on what PRRD intends to do in the next twelve months,” he added.

Malacañang also released to media a copy of a 68-page report entitled “The Duterte Administration: Year II” which listed the administration’s key accomplishments from July 2016 to July 2018.

In its introduction, the report reiterated the Duterte Administration’s commitment to putting an end to illegal drugs, criminality and corruption in government.

Moreover, it also vowed to continue addressing poverty and inequality across the nation and instituting reforms that helped build a stronger economy.

The report has divided the Duterte Administration’s achievements into Economic and Infrastructure Development, Human Development and Social Welfare, Good Governance, Justice, Peace and Security, Communications and Technology and Philippine Outlook.

Mr. Duterte himself approved Joyce Bernal to replace Brillante Mendoza as director of this year’s SoNA.

“Many are asking why Brillante Mendoza was replaced, there being no issue or reason why he was replaced. It’s really (about) giving a chance to other directors, this time it’s Director Joyce,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said.

Andanar explained it was actor and Duterte supporter Robin Padilla who recommended Bernal, to which the Chief Executive agreed.

“It should be exciting, should I say, not only because we’re expecting the speech of President Duterte, of course, we are also looking forward as to how Director Joyce will take it on,” he said.

“It is the prerogative of our President to do ad libs,” Andanar said in a television interview.

“We all knew that during his past SoNA, our President has said something not included in his speech. So it remains to be seen on 23rd of July whether or not 35 minutes will be followed,” he said.

Duterte delivered his first SoNA in 90 minutes in 2016 while his second SoNA lasted 120 minutes.

Meanwhile, SAP Go welcomed the plan of both supporters of the President as well as protesters to hold rallies on the day of the SoNA.

However, he said unlike last year, the President would not likely go out and talk to the anti-administration protesters this time.

“The President reached out to them that time. But they instead went on to find fault with our President. As I said, if you are with the anti-[administration], go with them. But if you believe in our President, in his sincerity, please show your support too,” Go said.

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