Opposition Lawmakers, Groups Reaction to Duterte’s SONA 2019
DUTERTE SONA 2019 – Groups and opposition lawmakers reacted on the 4th State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte.
On July 22, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address at Batasang Pambansa.
The 74-year-old chief executive delivers his administration’s accomplishments and his future plans for the country.
Based on a report from ABS-CBN News, several groups and lawmakers from the opposition reacted on Duterte’s SONA on Monday.
The Davaoeño president highlighted the issue on the West Philippine Sea and plan to bring back the “death penalty.”
Human rights lawyer and Chairman of Bayan Muna group, Neri Colmenares said the president’s speech was full of stories.
Neri Colmenares said Duterte’s SONA speech was not focusing on the main issues of the country. He said he should be talking about poverty, human rights, and his “submissive policy” to China. Colmenares also said Duterte failed to fulfill his promise in ending “endo” or labor-only contracting.
“The fourth State of the Nation Address of President Duterte is full of stories but failed to address the most important issues of the Filpino people: poverty, human rights, and his continuing subservience to China,” he said.
According to the report, House rep Carlos Isagani Zarate also gave his remark on President Duterte’s speech.
“The 4th SONA is a state of admission of the wanton failure of his own major campaigns: the bloody drug war and the war on corruption,” he said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her dismay on the recent SONA of the President. She said Duterte acted like he’s China’s lawyer. She was also against the President’s appeal to
“Sa halip na ginamit ni Presidente ang kanilang SONA para sabihin sa lahat ng ating mga Pilipino kung paano niya ipagtatanggol ‘yung ating soberaniya, parang nag-abogado pa siya para sa panig ng Tsina,” said Hontiveros.
Based on the report, Senator Grace Poe is also among the lawmakers who are against the return of the “death penalty.” She believed that it could easily pass in the senate.
“Sa Senate, may malaking pag-asa na lulusot do’n. Pero ang posisyon ko sa death penalty, ang mahihirap ang apektado,” said Poe.
For sure, these politicians are not the only ones who reacted on the President’s SONA. Even regular people have their opinions. We can all hope that whatever these leaders plan for the county will be for the best.
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