Duterte on his third Sona

HEN President Rodrigo Duterte will deliver his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, he must not throw all caution to the wind. It will be unhealthy to depart from the prepared speech, and behave in his usual rambling ways, and in some extreme cases rant against God.

Maybe his many friends and advisers are too afraid to tell him to take extra care. No cursing please. Again, maybe her daughter Davao City Mayor Sara should be seated a few rows where her father can see her, and the latter biting her lips each time the father is about to unleash the verbal attacks. Hopefully, everything will go right in the third SONA. (Ex-President Noynoy not attending. Many quipped: So what!)

The president has been on the attack mode since day one of his presidency. He made public the names of those allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. It sent shock waves, and media had a field day announcing the names of those involved. It became so annoying to those who were mentioned.

Remember how he apologized to Pangasinan Amado Espino then provincial governor of the province after naming him involved in the illegal drug trade? However the general public, by and large, apparently are in accord of President Duterte's move. They are clapping their hands. Others weren’t lucky enough. Some mayors untimely went to their graves.

Those who may not be clapping or amused on his announcement are relatives, friends and followers of those reportedly involved, not only in the illegal drug trade but also in corruption. They may face the investigations, but to the eyes of the general public they are already “guilty.” Of course, people are more inclined to believe the worse than better.