JULY 26, 2016

NR # 4273C

President Dutertes SONA showed his sincerity to ease the plight of

Filipinos according to solons
More lawmakers lauded the first State of the Nation Address SONA (SONA) of President
Rodrigo Duterte, which according to them showed his sincerity and sense of clarity in leading the
nation and easing the plight of Filipinos.
House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez said the Presidents SONA was very sincere and clearly
stated the path to be taken by the nation in the next six years. It was most sincere and very clearly
stated the direction we are going. It enumerated precisely what we need to do, said the Speaker.
Alvarez said his favorite part of the SONA was when the President assured the people You
can trust me. This government will be clean.
Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento (Lone District, Catanduanes) said some of the points raised in the
SONA were already started by the President prior to his formal inauguration and oath-taking, hence
have already been showing results.
Even before he was formally inaugurated and took his oath, there have been results already
to some of his thrusts. The fight against illegal drugs is a phenomenon because of the big number of
surrenderees. It showed the gravity of the drug problem and highlighted the need for iron hand to
eradicate it, said Sarmiento.
Sarmiento said being a former mayor is a big advantage for the President because it enabled
him to know first-hand the problems of the majority of the people.
Example is the long list of requirements by agencies. He ordered that it be reduced to three to
lessen the queuing. This is appreciated by many, said Sarmiento, chairman of the Committee on
Transportation during the 16th Congress.
Rep. Rodolfo Albano III (1st District, Isabela) said the President was very concise and clear on
his plans for the country in the next six years. He also lauded the President for relaying his message
to the people in a very natural and sincere way.
There was no pretension. He was very candid in stating these are the things he wanted to do
for the people during his entire term, said Albano.
Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (2nd District, Davao City) said the very concise SONA of the
President proved he fully knows the problems in the country. He really knows what the problems
are.
Rep. Prospero Pichay, Jr. (1st District, Surigao del Sur) said the Presidents SONA revealed
the President wanted to ease the burden being faced by the people.
He did not call the people his bosses, but he assured them he will improve their lives by

eliminating the cause of their woes. He wanted things to be always easy and available for the people
like the passports validity extension, free water system, food for the people and education program
for the youth, said Pichay.
One thing the President was passionate about is his anti-drugs campaign as reflected in his
SONA according to Pichay. He is very passionate in his anti-drugs fight because he knows that if we
dont prioritize it, our country will deteriorate and become a narco state. Young people instead of
becoming brilliant in the future will instead be just hooked on drugs.
Pichay said the Presidents anti-criminality and anti-illegal drugs campaign platform is what
contributed largely to his resounding victory because the drug problem has already reached the
barangay level of communities.
Lahat ng mga bayan may problem sa drugs. The figures he gave that there are 70,000 drug
pushers and 120 drug lords may be even conservative. I think it is worse, said Pichay.
Rep. Roger Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte) described the Presidents SONA as an
honest and down-to-earth speech, and allowed him to effectively communicate with the ordinary
Filipino people.
People understood what he is saying. It is about what is happening today especially about
drugs. I hope our people will listen to him because he really means business. We support his
legislative agenda like the traffic emergency powers, decentralization, federalism, support for
overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), among others. The essence of his agenda should be felt by our
regions and this can be done by decongesting Metro Manila and develop the regions by giving them
the needed help and support, said Mercado.
Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st District, Davao City) said it was obvious from the SONA that
the Presidents focus is peace.
Peace in our communities against the drug menace. Peace with the CPP-NDF. Peace in
Mindanao. Also peace in the economic front with better jobs and better infrastructure. Peace for all
commuters. Peace with China. It showed his consistency with his promise when he campaigned and
won the elections. He really wants peace for everyone in their fight against the problems confronting
them in their places, and to have peace of mind knowing that the government is working for them
and improving its services through eliminating red tape. You can really see the sincerity of the
President to make government work for the people, and to ease the peoples burdens and enable them
to trust an honest government, said Nograles.
Rep. Eric Olivarez (1st District, Paraaque City) said the SONA discussed the Presidents
plans for the next six years and mentioned three important factors namely: prevent criminality;
prevent corruption; and prevent illegal drugs.
He also mentioned a lot of prospects regarding education and social services. It was a very
comprehensive SONA. My favorite part was when he stressed we must get rid of drugs, and cut
down on corruption and criminality, said Olivarez. (30) rbb and jsc