President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 27 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. The speech which lasted for an hour and 45 minutes, drew a rollercoaster ride of confusion, disappointment, anger, with a side of laughter from the people in the offline and online world. This is the very reason why #SONA2020 immediately became trending on Twitter and Facebook.
The people expected this year’s SONA to tackle the ongoing war against COVID-19, but disappointment surely knows its way back to home.
Duterte started his speech mentioning the impact that the pandemic has brought to the country. He then thanked the frontliners who risk their lives just to respond to the patients’ medical needs. However, the speech shifted sharply to a new direction. Duterte started ranting about ABS-CBN, calling them “oligarchs” and claiming that he was “victimized” by the Lopezes during the 2016 Presidential elections.
In addition, he called out Senator Franklin Drilon for defending the network and saying that political dynasties should be removed to get rid of oligarchs. In the latter part of his speech, Duterte once again called out the opposition senator, accusing him of being a framer in the government and water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water.
During his speech, he also reported the following:
- Praised Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asia Games
- Highlighted the country’s positive credit ratings and strong economic position
- Completion of significant Build infrastructure projects under Build Build Build Program
- War on drugs
- Vowed to uphold human rights
- Creation of Department of Overseas Filipino
- Lapses in handling the pandemic (difficulties in speeding up testing capacity)
- Asked Congress to pass Bayanihan to Recover as One Act
- Asked lawmakers to pass the Create Act that will lower income tax and rationalizes financial incentives for investors
- Asked BSP to allow loan payment extensions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
- Asked Filipinos to travel locally to boost the tourism
- Pleaded President Xi Jinping to prioritize the Philippines when a vaccine is available
Aside from the matters mentioned, Duterte reiterated that face-to-face classes will not be allowed until a vaccine is available. Education Secretary Leonor Briones just mustered a smile upon hearing this statement.
On the other hand, Duterte also warned Globe and PLDT to face shutdown when services are not improved, saying that telco providers should fix the internet connection by December as he will make a Zoom call to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
He also asked the Congress for death penalty by lethal injection to be passed as a law for crimes under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This was mentioned after his previous statement of upholding human rights.
In the issue of the Philippine Sea, Duterte said that he cannot assert the country’s ownership over China, saying that doing so may result in a war.
Pinoy netizens could not help but vent out their emotions and reactions especially in social media upon and after hearing Duterte’s speech. Let us take a look at some of these posts:
User’s like @markgeronimo_ used the well-known meme of a scene in PBB in his tweet to get across the “trust” that Duterte is asking from the Filipinos. The tweet reads:
“Duterte: “ALL I ASK IS PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE GOVERNMENT”
ANG TRUST HINDI YAN INIIMPOSE MARICRIS, INEEARN YAN. AND YOUR AGE, ACT YOUR AGE.
#SONA2020″
Duterte’s SONA is really a mixture of different feelings that even politicians present either physically or virtually have reacted differently during the speech.
@gelicaffeinated together with other netizens managed to observe and capture Spokesman Harry Roque’s little nap time, Secretary Briones’ ear-to-ear smile, and what looks like a bored or tired face of Senator Cynthia Villar.
On a more serious note, @natashya_g shared a piece of her analysis on what seems to be an unclear plan that the government must address COVID-19. Her tweet reads:
“Duterte finishes his speech. There was no clear plan about what the gov’t would do moving forward to address the pandemic, which is the country’s (and world’s) biggest issue at the moment. He did however, use the speech to criticize oligarchs, and an opposition senator. #SONA2020”
Meanwhile, @frncsjhxn tweeted about contrasting points that Duterte mentioned regarding human rights.
“Du29+1: Buhay muna. Also him: bringing back death penalty. Mood swing at its peak. #SONA2020”.
A bingo card that had already most of its words crossed out was posted by @MapOfTheSoul7n. Her tweet reads :
“As of 4:20pm #SONA2020, BINGO NA AMPOOOTEK!!”
Twitter user @imkerwinking shared what he observed are the topics that the SONA only addressed.
“Personal issues, egocentrism, attacks, lies and more lies. That’s just it. #SONA2020”.
On the other hand, @ramboreports posted a GIF of a Korean idol that is holding a light stick while waiting for what seems like something or someone that will not come. The gif was supported with a tweet that said:
“Waiting for the President to mention a plan on how the country will overcome COVID-19. #SONA2020”.
Probably one of the most liked and retweeted posts in the photo of Spokesman Roque falling asleep during the SONA. This post by @immark_cebe mentioned that Roque might be dreaming about being together with dolphins. The caption was based on the photo that circulated online wherein Roque was happily photographed together with dolphins in Subic.