Manila: President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third national address to Filipinos bereft of the usual fanfare and small talk that accompanied his speeches.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), the 73-year-old leader delivered his 40-minutes speech straight policy statements heading off with his administration’s continuing drive against drugs.
“About two years ago, I solemnly took my oath as a worker of the national government … Two years later, my solid commitment to directly and decisively address our nation’s collective challenges remains … Let me begin by putting it bluntly: the war against illegal drugs is far from over,” he said.
This, despite local and international pressure for the President to end his perceived brutal drive against drugs and syndicates behind the proliferation of illegal substance in the country.
The drive versus drugs had been tied by the Philippine leader with the bigger campaign on peace and order, which he said, is necessary to achieve economic growth.
“If you think that I can be dissuaded from continuing this fight because of [your] demonstrations, your protests, which I find, by the way, misdirected, then you got it all wrong,” the President said.
He also reiterated that his campaign against corruption is unrelenting and he will not spare anyone, even his friends.
The President likewise praised overseas Filipino workers for their sacrifice. “You epitomise the innate resilience of the nation. You have shown your willingness to toil and sacrifice day-in and day-out, for the long-term good of your family and loved ones. You have also contributed greatly to the national economy, even as you help in small and big ways to the economies of our international partners.
“This is why we strongly condemn the deaths and abuses experienced by Filipino migrant workers in the hands of their foreign employers. I have said this before and I say it again: I am a worker of government, and it is my vow to make sure that your well-being remains our foremost foreign policy concern,” he said.
Likewise he reiterated his resolve to keep government clean from corruption and would punish even those close to him.
“I value friendship, make no mistake about it. But it has its limits,” he said while saying that laws instrumental in ending corruption, such as the Ease of Doing Business Act, was shepherded during his administration.
He said the government will continue to improve its health care services.
“Much needs to be done to improve our health care system, which remains highly fragmented, resulting in disparity in health outcomes between the rich and the poor in the urban areas and rural. While investments in health have increased over the years, several policy and operational bottlenecks have constrained universal health care for this country,” he said.
He also again pointed out that he has no desire to extend his term in office as President.
“I have no illusions of occupying this office one day longer than what the Constitution under which I was elected permits; or under whatever Constitution there might be,” he said.
He also said that plans for charter change will continue.
