ILOILO CITY — Several high-ranking officials here have shared their expectations on President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), two days before the Chief Executive delivers his speech before a joint session of Congress on Monday, July 23.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said Duterte is expected to talk about the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which was approved during Wednesday’s bicameral conference committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“The President will sign that (into law) on Monday morning,” he said in a press conference Friday, adding that his son, Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr., is a member of the bicameral conference body.
The governor added that the President might also address the government’s plan in shifting from unitary to a federal form of government.
The governor, who was invited to attend the SONA, already confirmed his attendance in the gathering.
Fifth district Rep. Raul Tupas, for his part, said he expects the President to present the results of his priority programs and advocacies, particularly in his campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality.
“I am expecting that the President will focus on that,” he said.
Rep. Jerry Treñas of the lone district of Iloilo City, said the President is expected to present the “outline” of all his accomplishments in the last two years.
“He will tackle the programs under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ and (the) Train Law,” he said.
On the other hand, Board member Emmanuel Gallar expects that aside from the President’s accomplishments, he will also discuss his future plans.
“His campaign against illegal drugs is very effective because many already stopped from using illegal drugs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, whose roots are from Lapaz, Iloilo City and Sipalay, Negros Occidental, said that he wanted the President to become a true leader and the father of all the Filipino people.
“His role should unite and inspire Filipino people,” he told the media during his visit in this city Saturday, adding that the President should also become a role model for the youth. (/PNA)
