Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Delivers First SONA; Expectations, Promises and Links for Streaming
'The Punisher' to deliver his first State of the Nation Address
The hard hitting President of the Republic of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is set to deliver his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the nation who gave him a resounding victory in the last May 2016 polls. Duterte's first SONA is labeled as a "no-frills" event – with no Oscars-like fashion show and no theatrics.
In an unprecedented 91 percent approval rating, with 0.2 percent saying that they do not approve of the President and 8 percent saying that they neither trust nor distrust him, President Duterte's rating is higher than his predecessor former President Benigno Aquino III. Duterte is expected to deliver a 30-minute speech with the issue of Peace in the forefront.
Where to watch
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All the local TV networks will be broadcasting live President Duterte's first SONA but there will be sites that will be streaming as well.
RTVMalacanang – streaming; Presidential Broadcast Staff Radio Television Malacañang
Presidential Communications Facebook – streaming; official Facebook account streaming; Presidential Communications
People's Television - streaming; Facebook Account of the Government run TV Station
Rapper – streaming; web based media
Viber – SONA chat
Highlights
Filipinos are anticipating history to unfold as they watch the SONA especially as the Duterte Administration's Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has said that the speech that Duterte prepared himself will "awaken the patriot in every Filipino." He added that the powerful speech even made him cry.
Unlike the other SONAs of the former administrations, Duterte's version is expected to be positive with no pointing fingers and highlight plans to move the country forward.
SONA expectations:
- 3-6 months war against crime and illegal drugs
- Police and Military wage hike
- Peace talks between the Government and Rebels
- Federalism
- Agricultural and Rural enterprise
- Transportation woes
- Tax reform
- Infrastructure with Public-Private Partnerships
- Improvement of Health and Education systems
- Social protection programs – Conditional Cash Transfer
- Reproductive Law and Responsible Parenthood.
Change is coming; Change has come
Another pronounced difference in the SONA of Duterte is that this is the first time that there will be no barricades, no water tanks, no container vans that will barricade the leftist demonstrators.
In all the SONAs of the past, leftist groups always burned effigies of the current President and violence was always expected. But now no more. For the first time, the demonstrators will be marching towards Batasang Pambansa (SONA venue) in support of the administration and there will be no burned effigies.
Business attires and no long gowns. Those attending the SONA were asked to veer away from the usual long gowns for women that rivaled the Oscar Red Carpet events.
Veering away from haute cuisine, the food that will be served will be unpretentious - an assortment of simple and daily Filipino fare.
Amidst the worry of the spate of drug-related killings, the nation is hopeful that Duterte will indeed clean the country of corruption, improve the economy and fulfill his campaign promises for the Filipino people.
