On his 6th and last State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Rodrigo Roa Duterte focused on his administration’s accomplishments during his first five years in office, as well as his plans for the country in his last term held earlier today, July 26 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
Duterte was accompanied to the rostrum by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, and Lord Allan Velasco, Speaker of the House of Representatives as he delivered his speech to the nation.
Duterte gave emphasis to the government’s response to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), social programs, infrastructure projects, the fight against drugs, peace, security initiatives, foreign policy, education, healthcare system, the welfare of OFWs, corruption, the issue on ABS-CBN, among others.
“My purpose was pure and unpolluted,” he remarked. He added: “Not once did I waver in doing the unpopular.”
“The pandemic has taken so much of us as a nation,” he stated. In this regard, he has extended his personal appreciation for the private sector in aid for COVID-19; as well as the goodwill of the international community, and how the pandemic has pushed the LGUs to deliver. “Together, let us rise as a nation,” he ended.
Just like last year, there were restrictions during the conduct of his last SONA because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. A maximum of 200 participants was allowed to grace the annual event.
The presidential family, members of Congress and their spouses, former presidents, foreign diplomats, government officials, and other dignitaries were invited to grace the annual SONA (some attended via zoom, others were physically present in the venue).
The SONA’s National Anthem was sung by singer Morissette Amon. Duterte made a long speech, but impactful, as he had to ad-lib in some portions.
As a tradition, the Philippine president delivers the SONA every year to report the state of the nation, divulge his administration’s agenda for his last year in office, and take the feasibility to ask Congress to pass his priority measures.
Sources: CNN, PNA, PTV
Photos screenshots from CNN FB live feed
