Tatak ng Pagbabago: The true State of the Nation

President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SoNA) yesterday. The President’s 2018 SoNA is a continuation of his two previous SoNA as he once again articulated the Filipino people’s desire for genuine and meaningful change.

The SoNA is a much-awaited public event in the country. It is a venue where the President reports on the status of the nation as mandated by Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution stating that “the President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session.” The President, before delivering the SoNA, may also present to Congress some proposals on particular legislations deemed important.

President Duterte arrived at the Batasang Pambansa around 3 p.m. onwards. Upon reaching the Batasang Pambansa, the President was given arrival honors led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff, as well as by the sergeants-at-arms of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines.

A Welcoming Committee, led by the Senate President, the Senate Majority Leader, the House Speaker, the House Majority Leader and the secretaries-general of both chambers, greeted the President and escorted him to the Legislator’s Lounge. From the Legislator’s Lounge, the President finally proceeded to the Batasan Plenary Hall and delivered his speech.

Traditionally, the SoNA is a highlight of achievements of the previous year but in his address to the nation this year, the President focused on the essentials he intended to do in his third year in office. As director Joyce Bernal said she wanted the people to feel the message of the President, for them to understand the message of genuine and meaningful change — that they are part of that change.

Indeed, aside from the change in directors, what set yesterday’s SoNA apart from the all the previous SoNA is the holding of a three-part series pre-SoNA Forum, “Tatak ng Pagbabago,” in which the Duterte administration’s accomplishments were enumerated. The pre-SoNA Forum highlighted the cornerstones of this administration, including law and order, lasting peace and prosperity for all, with the end goal of making every Filipino’s life better. And we have more than a few good news that were reported during the forum.

Much has been done in the last two years. His administration has spearheaded initiatives such as protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, ending “contractualization,” reforming the country’s tax system, establishing Malasakit Centers throughout the country and many more landmark measures seeking to safeguard the present and the future generations of Filipinos.

Much more, however, needs to be done to make these changes sustained. In this year’s SoNA, the Chief Executive reiterated his strong commitment to eradicate corruption, which he likened to a leech that bleeds the government of funds and brings “horrible consequences” to innocent Filipinos. The President has warned anew: “Justice will catch up with those who steal government funds.” We in government live by this order.

The President has also made clear that the cries for change of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao have been heard as his administration is now in the process of significantly increasing the region’s budget. The President hopes to see this promise fulfilled by the end of this term.

On the Bangsamoro Organic Law, we find it unfortunate that the BOL was not ratified before the adjournment of yesterday’s session of the House of Representatives. We consider this as a temporary setback in the administration’s goal of laying the foundation for a more genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao. We, however, remain confident in the President’s own words that he would sign the BOL at the soonest possible time.

On the West Philippine Sea, the President underscored that he will not waver in our commitment to defend our interests in the West Philippine Sea even as he mentioned our improved relationship with China, which led to positive developments that include renewed access by Filipino fishermen in the areas in the WPS.

Overall, President Duterte’s commitment to making Filipinos’ lives safer and more comfortable remains resolute, as evident in his third SoNA. His words reflected his strong political will and served as an inspiration to his fellow government workers, encouraging them to do their jobs as servants of the people. For one, the President has pushed the passage of several measures aimed at protecting the public’s well-being. These include measures establishing the Coconut Farmers’ Trust Fund, the Department of Disaster Management, the National Land Use Act as well as the Universal Health Care Bill that was authored by yours truly when I was a member of Congress.

In the two years since the President took office, his dedication to rid the country of its ills — including the proliferation of illegal drugs, criminality, corruption in government and poverty — remains the same. With the Filipino people’s support, genuine and meaningful change is within reach.

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