Further response to the COVID-19 pandemic, priority bills, and directing concerned sectors were some of the focal points of President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
The bills he asked Congress to prioritize, include the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act, and other measures to aid the country in its recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
“We must facilitate the country’s economic recovery. I call on Congress to fast track the passage of the proposed measures such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives Enterprises or CREATE Act. This immediately catches the corporate income levy from the current 30-25% and gives government flexibility, a combination of fiscal incentives, among others,” he stated.
The Chief Executive pointed out the needs of sectors in health, education, business, OFWs, and the public and urged government agencies to improve their service.
“The national government shall lead the way in our transition to online systems, I reiterate my call to all government instrumentalities to make physical queueing a thing of the past. Panahon na para mawala na ang pila! Para mapagsilbihan ng gobyerno na walang kahirapan para sa mga tao. (It’s time to get rid of queues to make government services easier for people),” he challenged.
Regarding the search for COVID-19 cure, President Duterte disclosed he “made a plea to Pres. Xi. Jinping” four days ago “that if they have a vaccine, can they allow us to be one of the first, or if needed. If we have to buy it, that we will be granted credit, so that we can normalize as much as possible.”
He reiterated the importance of efficient public utility services in times of crisis, and warned telecommunications companies, “If you are not ready to improve, I might just as well, close all of you, and we revert back to the line, telephone at kukunin ko yan, i-expropriate ko sa gobyerno (I will take it and expropriate it to the government).”
“Alam mo itong Smart pati itong Globe, ilang taon na ito, at sagot palagi sa akin, the party cannot be reached. Eh saan pala pumunta ang yawa na ‘yun? Eh kung ganoon na lang naman ibigay niyo na lang sa amin (For many years, Smart and Globe always answer ‘the party cannot be reached.’ So where does it go? If that is the case, just give it to us). You might not want what I am intending to do to you, kindly improve the services before December. I want to call Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Better have that line cleared,” he added.
Issues like the West Philippine Sea dispute, illegal drugs war, terrorism, and death penalty were also raised. “I reiterate the swift passage of a law, reviving the death penalty, by lethal injection for crimes specified under Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.”
Compared to the previous SONAs of the President, many changes were observed earlier such as the limited number of attendees, observance of social distancing and wearing of face masks and shields. – Report from Mela Lesmoras