Charisse Jann K.

Ilogon Grade 11-Keziah

Reflection: SONA 2019

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte used his 4th State of the Nation Address

(SONA) on Monday, July 22, to tell Congress what laws he wants passed and what Filipinos

can expect in the last half of his term.

It lasted an hour and 33 minutes, making it his 3rd longest SONA so far. It also contained 7

expletives, much less than his second SONA (25 expletives) but more than his first and

third SONAs which had no curse words.

After the usual introductions of top officials, among the first things President Duterte does

is highlight his popularity, by saying only 3% of Filipinos disapprove of him. The

determined problem of illegal drugs is Duterte's first topic. He claims the 2017 Marawi

siege began with a government raid on shabu being kept by activist there. President

Rodrigo Duterte asks Congress to bring back the death penalty for disgraceful crimes

related to drugs and plunder. Pres. Duterte criticize the PhilHealth ghost kidney

treatment scam, commends the National Bureau of Investigation for the arrest of high-

profile criminals, and recalls how he has fired "more than a hundred" government officials.

He cites revenue collections by government corporations as signs that anti-corruption

reforms are working.