SONA draws mixed reactions

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte drew both positive and negative reactions from local officials.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s comment was short and simple: “Very polite. Loved it.”

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, meanwhile, was glad that the Malasakit Center in Cebu and other parts of the Visayas were given special mention in the SONA.

“Ok kaayo coz SAP jud ang dakong tabang sa Malasakit Center,” Dino said, referring to Special Assistant to the President, Bong Go.

Aside from the one in Cebu at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, the others are located in Tacloban and Iloilo and more will be opened in Dumaguete, Bacolod, and Bohol.

The Malasakit Center, which gets P50 million every month from President Rodrigo Duterte, is a one-stop shop comprised of different agencies that help families of patients who wish to settle medical expenses such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

First District Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas described the SONA as having touched on issues “that every Filipino will benefit from.”

“I was very happy to hear about ways to improve our healthcare system. Zero billing for health patients is needed because we have seen how this can help our less fortunate brothers and sisters,” Gullas said.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera is glad Duterte gave a special mention of the environment and of the warning he gave mining companies.

"I am very grateful that he discussed on the importance of the protection of our environment, on how our natural resources should be protected and used for the benefit of the Filipinos. There are a lot of things to look forward to, as well as the improvements that can be made in the programs already being implemented by the government," Garganera said.

Mandaue Mayor Luigi Quisumbing described the SONA as “inspiring” and said Mandaue will align its goals and policies to those of the national government.

“True to form, the President clearly itemized his priorities and policies which constitutes marching orders not only to the Congress of the Republic but to local governments as well.

I especially appreciate his continued commitment to stamp out the illegal drug menace for the benefit of our future generations. His vow to go after corrupt officials as well as those who destroy the environment are equally important to the development of our nation,” Quisumbing said.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella also sent the same praise.

"The president has never wavered in his relentless fight against illegal drugs and the deeply rooted culture of corruption in government. He has proven his sincerity on this when he fired his own friends and appointees who misbehaved. His call for local governments to be partners on development and protection of the environment was very impressive,” Labella said.

Governor Hilario Davide III also appreciated the speech.

"I liked it, short and direct to the point, as I had expected. He minced no words when he said that the war on drugs will not be sidelined, will be unrelenting and chilling. I was particularly happy when he urged LGUs to do their part in protecting the environment and, of course, the draft federal charter which he asked the people to support. In general, it was a good speech, less adlib and more meat," he told The FREEMAN.

While the anti-drug war has become controversial, Davide praised the President's commitment to eliminate illegal drugs and corruption.

Duterte has said that the war against drugs will be more relentless, chilling.”

He said the "misdirected" protests will not deter him from the government crackdown.

Cebu City Councilor Sisinio Andales wanted more.

“He made general policy and statements with no specifics like fight against corruptions in his administration yet no cases had been charged in courts. His fight against drugs yet drugs is now rampant in all corners in the Philippines,” he told The FREEMAN.

He said Duterte has not mentioned other important matters that should be look on like education, economy status of the country, among others.

“No mention of our economy whether it is in good or bad situation like the increase of basic commodities, gasoline, dollars…our foreign debts? Education none,” Andales said.

NO BETTER

Cebu City North District Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa was not impressed.

“I am disappointed as his SONA is just a reiteration and a replay of his first two SONA's. I wished President Rodrigo Duterte would be more unequivocal on the policy directions of his administration for our economy. With unfavorable economics statistics and forecasts against a backdrop of livelihood difficulties recently experienced by our people, I wanted to listen to a SONA that would spell out his marching orders to his economic managers and a clear message for legislative action by Congress,” he said.

Jose Tomongha, chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor-Central Visayas, agreed.

“Walay hinungdan sa speech ni Digong… nagbalikbalik og walay klarong pag-address sa problema sa crisis sa ekonomiya, taas ang inflation, nga maoy hinungdan sa pagtaas sa presyo sa tanang basic needs sa family… walay klarong plano pag-protect sa West Philippine Sea, pag -wagtang sa contractualization, paghatag og mga trabaho, og desenteng suholan sa tanang workers, og uban pa,” he said.

Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in Central Visayas, was also dissatisfied.

“Taphaw ang unod sa third SONA ni President Duterte. Way klaro ang pag-pursue sa independent foreign policy, unsaon ang West Philippine Sea nga gikopar sa China… padayon ang pagsulod gawas sa US troops sa ato nasud… way klaro sa kampanya batok corruption…gipasa sa Congress ang paghunong sa ENDO diin naka-approved na sa lower house ang HB 6908 nga nagtugot gihapon sa contractualization, padayon ang pagpas-an sa buhis pinaagi sa TRAIN law ug naa pay laing mga paketi,” he said.

Earlier in Cebu City yesterday, Paglinawan's group went to the streets and described the president as “inutile.”

The group marched from the Capitol down to Metro Gaisano downtown.

Outside the Police Regional Office – 7 along Osmeña Boulevard, the group called on the PNP to stop the recent spate of killings. Downtown, the group put up a huge report card where they gave Duterte a failing mark.

They also burned a huge caricature of the president in the form of an octopus. The eight tentacles represented anti-poor policies, including Oplan TokHang, Martial Law in Mindanao, Charter Change and federalism, and the TRAIN law.