Duterte won't meet with SONA protesters this time

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go said yesterday that President Duterte will not be meeting with the protesters outside the Batasang Pambansa complex before or after he delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) like what he did last year.

Go said the President was not inclined to confront the protesters who will be burning his effigy.

"Ikaw, gusto pa ba'ng humarap doon kung susunugin 'yung mukha mo (Would you want to meet them if they will just burn your image)?" Go said.

Last month, the President said he has nothing against those who will come out during his SONA and air their grievances. He even encouraged them to do so, claiming that it is their right.

"Air your grievance. That is a constitutional guarantee. Do not be afraid. 'Yung anti-Duterte, lahat ng pari, bishop. Ah, lahat kayo, sige (The anti-Duterte, the priests, bishop. All of you, go ahead)," he said.

"Seek redress, shout on the streets. Gusto ko nga magpista kayong lahat (I want you all to feast there). I will declare the next two days as bakasyon (vacation) time so that all the people can go there during the SONA address at magdemonstrate kayo doon (and demonstrate there)," he added.

However, Duterte said that those who are burning his effigies should expect nothing from him. He also said that it would not be his problem anymore if protesters would get hurt while doing so.

"Kung madisgrasya kayo problema na ninyo 'yan. Ngayon… Iniihian ninyo mukha ko tapos sinusunog pa ninyo 'yung… Ngayon, maghingi kayo ng tulong? T*** i** ninyo problema ninyo 'yan (If you happen to get hurt, that's your problem. You piss on and burn my face then you ask for my help? That's your problem)," he said.

Last year, after delivering his two-hour SONA, Duterte braved the light rains and stepped out of the Batasan Pambansa to meet the protesters. The President got on stage, held a microphone and dared protesters to just shoot him there out in the open, or bomb him.