President Duterte’s 1st SONA draws praises from ZamboSurians

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25 drew praises from ZamboSurians.

Duterte delivered his SONA as the 16^th President of the Republic of the Philippines at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex,  Quezon City.

Melchor U. Coronel, station manager of RMN DXPR in his public affairs program “Straight to the Point’ said President Duterte’s first SONA was very unique because he did not focus on his script.

“It is my first time to see a president who delivered his SONA with adlibs and ignored the teleprompter several times. His remarks drew cheers from the audience,” said Coronel.

 “Ang speech sa presidente dulot sa kasing-kasing sa mga tawo. Atong lauman nga maangkon sa katawhang Pilipino ang maayong kaugmaon sulod sa iyang unom ka tuig nga pangatungdanan isip pangulo sa atong nasud,” Coronel said positively.

(The speech of the president penetrated the hearts of the people. We hope  that the Filipinos will have a good future during his six year term as leader of our country.)  

Immigration lawyer Atty. Alexander L. Acain Jr. of Molave town observed that President Duterte has a distinct style of speaking, saying that it was entirely different from those of his predecessors. “It was straight to the point. He was speaking directly to the people,” the young lawyer noted.

Acain believes that the President is very sincere in keeping his promise.

“It has been our long dream to have a President like him- a visionary leader,” he added.

  

Meanwhile, Richard Pernia, a Political Science professor of Mindanao State University, General Santos City and a resident of Tukuran town said the President bared his platforms of government which centered on peace and order, taxes, infrastructure, social services and development. 

But Pernia said these will not materialize without God’s guidance and active support of his cabinet officials as well as the Filipino people.

He also appealed to those who did not vote for President Duterte in the May 2016 elections to support his administration. 

“If you cannot be a part of the solution, please do not make yourself a part of the problem,” Pernia concluded.