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Laititia Aycardo " Ab Polsci 3-1 " September 2, 2016Submitted to: Mr. Julmane Plaza Laititia Aycardo " Ab Polsci 3-1 " September 2, 2016Submitted to: Mr. Julmane Plaza IntroductionStand and ArgumentsReferencesIntroductionStand and ArgumentsReferencesPresident Duterte's SONA2016(Reaction paper)President Duterte's SONA2016(Reaction paper)
Laititia Aycardo " Ab Polsci 3-1 " September 2, 2016
Submitted to: Mr. Julmane Plaza
Laititia Aycardo " Ab Polsci 3-1 " September 2, 2016
Submitted to: Mr. Julmane Plaza
Introduction
Stand and Arguments
References
Introduction
Stand and Arguments
References
President Duterte's SONA2016
(Reaction paper)
President Duterte's SONA2016
(Reaction paper)
Introduction
President Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation Address on Monday July 29, 2016. Upon watching and reading his speech, the author of this paper by then identified the important points to be tackled in this paper through research and personal judgment. Therefore the following statements will be the basis of the author's stand and point of argument:
Opening of the 17th Congress
Finger pointing is not the way
No separation between God and state
Vows to continue fight against drugs
Human rights can't be used as an excuse
We strongly affirm Hague ruling
All of us wants peace
Ceasefire with communist rebels
Promises to lower taxes
Environmental concerns
Federalism
Fast process of documents
Protection on Woman's Rights
Lumad Brothers
Let us not hate each other too much
Overall impact of the SONA
The next pages of this paper shall express the author's view on these points.
Author's note: The following personal opinions would somehow be bias because the author of this paper is a huge fan and follower of the current president.
Stand and Arguments
One of the most important speech that a president in the Philippines has to deliver prudently was his or her first State of the Nation Address or SONA. It will set the pace on how the president will administer the country within his or her term. It will also demarcate the road map of the state for the next six years in the essential aspects to be considered. It will be the affirmation of the platforms set during his or her campaign.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered on Monday, July 25, 2016 his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in front of lawmakers and guests at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City. It was perhaps one of the most much awaited event in the history and for most of the Filipinos especially those 15 million voters who rendered their trust to President Duterte.
Laughing and clapping; this is all I am during president Duterte's speech. I am very much impressed of how his first SONA speech goes. There were never a dull nor boring moment, all throughout his speech I felt excitement. Excitement on the next agenda he will tackle, on the next words he would spit up and even at the jokes and the quotations he would convey. From the first up to the last word he uttered, his message was clearly sent – "Real Change is Coming"
President Duterte's speech wasn't something that I expected. I am fund of listening to past president's speeches and I always end up at the state of being irritated or sleepy. His speech was words that will sharply strike every ears and hearts that listens. Maybe because unlike the others, he personally made himself the speech and it was heart fully written and delivered. He have shown a very strong personality and I can see that he really is the president that knows what he was talking about and was ready take actions in congruent with his statements and attack the matters of the state head on! He is the emblem of this country's hope and resiliency. For me he is " The messiah of genuine change."
I personally believe that his administration would be an unforgettable legacy. There are so many first times in his time, such as he was the first president from Mindanao, he gained the highest number of votes in the entire Philippine history, he was the man behind the transformation of one of the most hideous cities in the world to become a world class city. He was the phenomenal Mayor of Davao and now the president of the country. In line with this, I would like to make my first point of analysis – the opening of the 17th Congress.
" …. You would realize that the three guys in the elevated portion of Congress are from Mindanao. So, wala talaga kaming masabi .. "
As others would see it, president Duterte just simply acknowledge the presence of his co-minadaoan and just simply happy because finally people from Mindanao has their own pride in the congress. But as how I see it, it was his way of saying that, "this is us and this our time" and he wants the nation to see it. We all know the president's deep love to the Mindanao people and it was one of his very reason why he aimed the presidency – he wants them to attain equality and peace.
" Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, members of the Senate, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the members of the House of Representatives, Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, President Fidel V. Ramos, President Joseph Estrada, President Arroyo, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and justices of Supreme Court, His Excellency Papal Nuncio and members of the diplomatic corps."
In this greetings of his, I was like "Wait what? Why is Arroyo there? What is her significance there? Why does she smile widely and she seems very well? What was the president's intention when he allows her to show up there? Is it to piss former president Benigno Aquino III?" and my thoughts were clarified by his next statement.
"We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull us back. Finger-pointing is not the way. That is why I will not waste precious time dwelling on the sins of the past or blaming those who are perceived to be responsible for the mess that we are in and suffering from."
Yes indeed, the former presidents present on that occasion were indeed people from the past. People that has been pointed out and convicted due to the efforts of president after them. The presence of the former presidents, including Arroyo was a strong message for the past administration for me it was a message saying that, " these people had already paid their debt to the country, you're not here, maybe your guilty and it's time for you to experience what they had gone through. Why? Because you are guilty" and I know for sure you know to whom am I pertaining to. Do I make sense?
I also admire it when he said that he would just extract lessons from the mistakes of the past administrations which the presidents before him somehow failed to do. Most of the former president's first action upon inauguration of their presidency was to blame the past administration for the lapses and thee problems that they would be encountering. President Duterte, is different. He knows what the problems was beforehand and already studied how to deal with it. First things first. He didn't say that he would just let the past administration's mistakes just be bygones, it would not be his priority but still if they are answerable to their actions, the law will speak for itself – they would have their day of reckoning. In line with this was his statement for his ruling's morality.
"…. I believe quite strongly that there should never be a separation between God and State."
Rest assured that President Duterte, directly conveys this message to the religious leaders of our country, this is also a message for all the people out there who sees his actions as immoral. He seeks equality in everyone under his leadership. It is worth noting that he wants to assure everyone else that vindictiveness will not be the basis of his leadership. As he said, "I wish to assure everyone though that vindictiveness is not in my system. Just like you and I, all, equal treatment and equal protection are what I ask for our people."
President Duterte for me is a modern persona of Niccolo Machiavelli. "The ends justifies the means" is a statement conveying that one should do everything it takes to get what one wants. If Nicollo was after attaining, preserving and expanding power, Duterte is after the total eradication of criminality for the betterment of the country. His eagerness was expressed through words that sometimes are too harsh which made him and his administration a subject for anomalies and criticisms. But that's what I love about him, his personality. He is willing to risk everything just to accomplish the things that he has promised during the campaign period. His words were sometimes awful but at least it was not as deceiving as the other politicians flowering words. Though maybe harsh, his words are in his actions.
Yes indeed, his words, his actions. By empowering the military and the police the fight against criminality was also strengthened. As of these days, is still relentless and sustained as he promised. However, as a former persecutor I believe that he knows the law and therefore would not go beyond its limits. Proving this was his statement, "To our police officers and other officials, do your job and you will have the unwavering support of the Office of the President. I will be with you all the way. Abuse your authority, and there will be a hell to pay, for you will have become worse than criminality itself." His message was clear and I believe is pertaining to the subject of summary execution, extra judicial killings and others related to wit. On which the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) accused the current administration on committing such.
"Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country --- your country and my country."
I strongly agree with this. As I look at it, the CHR is protecting the rights of the alleged criminals. Yes, there must be due process because we are a country of law and not of man but why put the blame of the rampant killings of the alleged criminals to the administration? Human rights is for humane purposes. Is it humane to hinder the actions of the government towards a peaceful and drug free society? Now, whose moral values is in the right track?
Moreover, the president also our Muslim brothers to end the centuries of distrust. "To the CPP-NPA-NDF, let us end these decades of skirmishes. We are going nowhere... getting bloodier by the day." He announced a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP-NPA-NDF immediately. On my knowledge, this action has never been done by an elected president on his or her first state of the nation address. I believe that the tension between both parties will decrease due to the fact that the president is from Mindanao himself. With this I am looking forward to a peaceful and progressing Mindanao. In line with this the president also gave his thought regarding the matter on the West Philippines Sea.
"With regard to the West Philippine Sea otherwise known as [South] China Sea, we strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to pursue the peaceful resolution and management of our disputes."
Perhaps the government of China and United States are all ears on what would the president say regarding this matter. I am one to believe that diplomacy is the only way to deal with this matter. We don't have the capacity to be aggressive against China and I believe that the president made a very wise and brief statement about this. The president cannot put the country's security at stake. We all know how aggressive China is regarding this matter and how they reacted upon the decision of the International Tribunal. I believe that the president is on the right track with this.
There are critics who would say that, the president's ability to protect our country is only up to Davao City. "He made Davao one of the most safest city in the world." And this I believe is true. He made it possible that the laws shall be implemented righteously and the citizens were educated about it. And this is what he will do in within the whole country. He cannot protect our country alone because he is not God, rather he will made us protect our country by liberating us on how to deal with the matters of the society and liberating us on how harsh is our law. He loves our country and our fellowmen to risk his life when he expose the people who betrayed our country and our fellowmen. He is a "Real President'. Brave and courageous. He cares for his people and in line with this is his promise to lower tax;
"On taxation, my administration will pursue tax reforms towards a simpler, and more equitable, and more efficient tax system that can foster investment and job creation. We will lower personal and corporate income tax rates and relax the bank secrecy laws. Eh na-Presidente ako eh. Ayaw ko sana makialam dito sa mga 'to. Alam mo na. Well, anyway. May I continue."
If he fulfil this promise this would be another legacy under his administration. Though we've heard this promise to several candidates during the campaign period, I believe he's the only one who can make this happen. He has no intention of feeding his personal interests using his position. He's different from other politicians because he has no interest when it comes to money and lowering our tax would be of great help. It would be a very much less of burden to all Filipino except for those crocodiles in our country.
As the past presidents also advocates, President Duterte also promised things that could answer certain problems within the country. He touches part regarding the improvement of technology, infrastructures, agricultural sectors, free wi-fi and etc. Environmental concern was also raised on his speech;
"..Gina Lopez and I are just telling you: Follow government standards. Do not destroy the environment"
Natural resources is one of our most important means to survive and the fact that he chose someone who has his same viewpoint on this made me feel hope. Our world is dying, our country too. I believe that Duterte's administration will not just raise awareness on environmental issues but will also be able to make the Filipinos love Mother Nature. And to make this happen I believea very good public information shall have to prevail;
To better manage public information, a law should be passed – I'm addressing Congress-- to create the People's Broadcasting Corporation, replacing PTV-4, [applause] the government-run TV station, which now aims to replicate international government broadcasting networks.
I believe that this must happen. Why? Because we all know that medias are used to convey messages that are politically manipulated. Such as ruining the image of the president by invoking to the people that the president is evading human rights of the criminals by creating the terms "KILL LIST" and giving emphasize on the words extra judicial killings and summary execution. Moreover, People's Broadcasting Corporation, would be of big help to disseminate information regarding the matters of the state and will help the Filipino and international people to keep pace on the current happenings in the government.
The President also touched points on Federalism in which my stand is still negative. I can clearly understand why the president is advocating such change in the system, of all the things that he said during the SONA, here's the part where I raised my brows;
"…. Mindanao was already Islam by 100 years. So, ano ito, it's an imperialism thing. There's a historical injustice committed against the Moro people. We have to correct it. But it is well possible now."
Let's say for the sake of the argument that the president is right about it when he said that there is this "Imperialism Thing" happening between the government and the Mindanao people but I believe that federalism is not the answer. We all know the terroristic and rebellious tendencies of the Mindanao people and it is proven in our history that is why I still find it risky to give them autonomy over their land. In a Federal form of government in other countries such as Spain and US, states are threatening the Central Government to withdraw their support and turn their localities into an independent entity. There's this huge possibility that the Mindanao people will do the same.
Moreover, with all the crisis and duties that the president is facing, shifting into a federal form of government will be so much to take and could lead in failure. Yes, in failure. Not to mention that the ARMM I a failed experiment of giving autonomy to the Mindanao people. Let us bear in mind that the USA took 100 years before achieving a successful federal government. It will be so much for the people and could lead to rebellion. Yes rebellion, why?
There is so much going on in the country. Filipino by nature is not adoptable on drastic change and could look at the president as another dictator and we all know the impact of a dictator leader in our country and I cannot bear see a more bloody Philippines.
Moving on, the President also calls the attention of government agencies and employees to fasten the process of government documents;
"Make use of the computer. I do not want to see people lining up under the heat of the sun. I do not want people lining up under the rain."
I so much agree with this. Public ethos and efficiency should improve. It is very hard and time consuming to process documents here in the Philippines and I appreciate that the president has personal reasons for this. He himself also experienced that slow process of getting a passport, meaning, he, although has high position in Davao that time, would get his passport as how his common constituents will experience. He is a very personal kind of leader. He didn't use his influence to make his life more comfortable.
.." this administration vows to protect women's rights and human rights abuses against our women, because this unacceptable to... Kung mag-bugbog ka ng babae.Thus, I order all agencies and oversight bodies and local government units down to the barangay level to fully implement the Magna Carta for Women. By doing so, we'll ensure that man and woman will be partners in the pursuit of country's economic, social, and cultural and political developments."
Despite controversies about his statement on a certain rape case and him being a womanizer I appreciate the fact that the president has raised points regarding this matter. I'm an advocate of women's rights and I am glad that the president believes in the potentials of Filipino women.
The President's first SONA, was the most peaceful SONA ever happened in the history of our dear country. He acknowledge the presence of our Lumad brothers and let them enter the Malacanang, fed them and talk to them about their concerns. This is so personal, he is literally listening to the grievance odd our fellowmen. how many of the presidents out there did this? Mostly, rallies were violent but this time is different.
'I know we can't love each other yet, but let's not hate each other too much'
I know that this message from the president is intended for the rebels but for me it's intended for all of the people who are not ready to embrace change yet. We cannot fully love and accept what was before and will come into our eyes when it comes to the current government but at least let us give it a try. We are suffering because we let our country suffer but there is someone out there, someone like our president who is willing to do everything for us.
Overall, what touched me most with his speech is the fact that he is eradicating criminality for the welfare of this country and its people. He is not eradicating in terms of killing them but eradicating them by telling them that there's law and there's the chief executive who is ready to execute the law. He is changing the lives of the Filipino people.
His first State of the Nation Address is the best ever! I love our president and I really hope that he can perform his duties well and fulfill his promises. Because I know that when he did so, I am looking at the next Singapore of the world!
"The father eagle left his nest to watch over the whole forest.
The father eagle took the risk, of being shot by evil hunters.
The father eagle loves the forest so much that he took every risk and face every challenges head on!
The father eagle of our forest is the father eagle of our country. "
Laititia
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