MANILA — Although expected to be a continuation of his two previous State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs), President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s third SONA will be “all about the essentials”, Malacañang said on Saturday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said what set the third SONA apart from the two previous ones is the holding of a three-part series pre-SONA forum which have already spelled out the administration’s achievements the past weeks leading up to the SONA.
“We expect the President’s State of the Nation Address to be a continuation of his two previous SONAs. As the Father of the Nation, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will once again articulate the people’s desire for genuine and meaningful change,” Roque said in a press statement.
“Traditionally, the SONA is a highlight of achievements of the previous year but this year’s SONA is all about the essentials on what PRRD intends to do in the next twelve months of his Administration,” 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 in the following categories: Economic and Infrastructure Development, Human Development and Social Welfare, Good Governance, Justice, Peace, and Security , Communications and Technology, and Philippine Outlook Under the Duterte Administration.
Roque earlier said Duterte’s SONA speech will be delivered “straight from the heart,” and is expected to last for only around 35 minutes.
This year, Duterte himself approved Joyce Bernal to replace Brillante Mendoza as the director for his third SONA to give other directors a chance.
“Many are asking why Brillante Mendoza was replaced, there 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 that it was actor and Duterte supporter Robin Padilla who recommended Bernal, to which the Chief Executive approved.
“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.
Duterte will deliver his third SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on July 23. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
Download a copy of The Duterte Administration: Year II Key accomplishments (July 2016 – July 2018) report here.
