2018 State of the Nation Address (Philippines)

The 2018 State of the Nation Address was the third State of the Nation Address delivered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Third State of the Nation Address
of President Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte (center) delivers his State of the Nation Address
DateJuly 23, 2018 (2018-07-23)
Duration48 minutes
VenueSession Hall, Batasang Pambansa Complex
LocationQuezon City, Philippines
ParticipantsRodrigo Duterte
LanguageEnglish

Preparations

On June 5, 2018, Joyce Bernal who is known for her romance comedy films, was selected to direct the 2018 State of the Nation Address. She was recommended by actor Robin Padilla to President Rodrigo Duterte with the head of state approving the suggestion.[1]

Delay and House of Representatives leadership dispute
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo takes oath as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was installed as Speaker of the House of Representatives with 161 members voting for her appointment. Pantaleon Alvarez disputes the appointment and his allies blocked the declaration of the position as vacant.[2] This caused the delay to the lower house's ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The State of the Nation Address was delayed by around 30 minutes.[3]

Program

The program took 48 minutes.[4]

Address content and delivery

Rodrigo Duterte opened his speech vowing to continue pursuing his controversial campaign against illegal drugs saying that he is "for human lives" criticizing human rights activists opposing the campaign.

He also mentioned the Philippines partnership with Malaysia and Indonesia against piracy in their shared maritime borders as well as the country's cooperation with China against illegal drugs. Duterte added that the cooperation of the country with China doesn't mean the Philippines will stop pursuing its national interest in relation to the South China Sea dispute.

In relation to the issue of endo contractualization, Duterte reiterates he cannot put a stop to the issue himself having issued Executive Order 51 on May 1, 2018, prohibiting the illegal contracting and sub-contracting of workers. He called for the Congress to pass a legislation putting an end to contractualization.[5]

The President also urged the implementation of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 calling for the deduction of red tape in government agencies.[6]

Duterte also warned the mining industry regarding destructive mining practices saying it should be "used for the benefit of the Filipino people, not just a select few" and that complying with tax requirements isn't satisfactory compensation since he "can get it from other sources".[7] He also condemned rice cartels for creating an artificial rice shortage and urged the Congress for the passage of a legislation relating to rice importation.[8]

The Bangsamoro Organic Law, which had its ratification by the House of Representative delayed due to a leadership dispute in the lower house, will be signed within 48 hours as per Duterte's pledge during the speech.[9]

Duterte ended the speech saying he would not bore the audience with a list of projects by the administration.

References
  1. "Malacañang tapped a rom-com director for this year's SONA". Preen. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  2. Domingo, Katrina (23 July 2018). "House leadership row to continue after SONA". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  3. Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (23 July 2018). "Sona already delayed by 30 minutes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  4. "Duterte delivers 48-minute expletive-free Sona speech". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  5. Lopez, Virgil (23 July 2018). "Duterte: Ending contractualization not within my power". GMA News. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  6. Legaspi, Amita (23 July 2018). "Duterte to bureaucracy: Implement anti-red tape law faithfully". GMA News. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  7. "Duterte tells miners: 'Don't destroy the environment'". ABS-CBN News. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  8. Esguerra, Anthony (23 July 2018). "Duterte warns rice cartels: Stop messing with people". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  9. Viray, Patricia Lourdes (23 July 2018). "Duterte pledges enactment of Bangsamoro bill after House deferment". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
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