Reaction Paper

Submitted by:

Roxanne Q. Rosco

BSE-2E

Submitted to:

Mr. Christopher Dacer

Instructor
 A Reaction Paper: State of the Nation address 2018
On 23rd of July, 2018 in Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City at exactly 5:22 in
the afternoon, the President of the Philippines- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered
his 35-minute speech and 3rd State of the Nation Address for the Filipino people who
deserve to have an honest and transparent government. It was done as a formal joint
session; started with the calling to order the meeting; followed by singing of the
Philippine National Anthem and the Opening Prayer. President Duterte greets guests in
the Batasang Pambansa before delivering his speech. The President of the Philippines
delivered his speech in a different manner than the past State of the Nation Addresses
he had delivered. He had broken his tradition of highlighting the previous year’s
accomplishments but focused on the desire for genuine and meaningful change for his
people. Instead of being an iron-fist president, he became the “father of the Filipinos” in
this year’s SONA.

It seems that the President had shown his hidden card just by showing his calm
and formal way of speaking in front of the Filipino people, lawmakers and guests. I see
that he avoided speaking using his vulgar words and face us all with his memorized or
read speech with conviction and genuine tone. I think in such way he communicate to
us on that SONA helped all of us and even him to discuss some important points that
the Filipino people must know and must resolve. Those were the pressing problems and
issues our country is facing that is really needed to be resolved like corruption, drug
wars, Mindanao promise, Marawi Siege, Foreign Policy, Bangsamoro Law, Coconut
Farmers, Telecommunications, internet, Bong Go, Contractualization, Boracay Closure,
Land Use Act, Disaster management, Warning to miners, OFWs, Tax Reform, Health,
and Federalism.

SONA 2018 should be an opportunity to display humility and more honesty in

economic policy making. But it seems that our president did not discuss more about the
issue. What he did was just applauded the congress for passing the TRAIN (Tax
Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) law. He said “You have made funds available to
build better roads, bridges and improved health and education.” I can see that he is
supporting this law although it will mean more taxes, more loans and more inflation. In
my opinion, the lawmakers must first educate us with the benefits and possibilities that
lay ahead of this TRAIN law in order for us to be more prepared and expect what to
expect. It is a huge impact for the workers in the family on how they will simply budget
their ample salary. As a student, I will also be affected to budget my ample allowance.
They must be aware for the situation and status of every Filipino people who cannot
easily adjust in financial matters. Though the law was already implemented, strict
supervision and preparation for unexpected situation must be monitored by the
government.
 I think that our iron-fist president only wish for a peaceful country. But it seems
the other way it is a contradiction to peace, it is chaos. The war from illegal drugs is
really far from over his 6 months promise on the lasts SONA extended up to this year.
He still wanted to end it and continue it even if the human rights were violated. He said,
“Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives.” In my opinion, I have to agree that
what were important are the lives of many than the lives of a few. It might be a painful
process and undignified in such ways but if that what was needed then it should be
done. You must not be afraid if you aren’t guilty of anything; you shouldn’t complain if
you are not affected and you shouldn’t disagree if it will be for the betterment of our
country.

He had also mentioned and admired the Filipino Migrant workers or the
Overseas Filipino workers for their sacrifices, courage and selflessness of living away
from their family and their country. He said, “You have contributed greatly to the
Philippine economy.” I see that he can now appreciate or let me say he can now speak
sincerely about appreciating the efforts of his Filipino people for the country. It is a good
thing I can tell for our OFW’s will be more inspired and will keep on fighting away from
their country with their head held high and their uplifted hearts. I may not help them to
send them back home but I believe they deserve to be recognized.

The president also spoke about federalism. In my opinion, it can cause a big
trouble in terms of fighting for the highest position in a certain federal government. It is a
big change that I think we are not yet ready to handle. It will just create another
bureaucratic layer with the installation of state governors on top provincial governors,
municipal and city mayors. This might be a good way to focus only on a smallest scope
of society but I am afraid that this huge adjustment will just left behind other states that
were not managed well by their state governors. I think trainings, seminars and
education regarding federalism must be first handled. We need to be ready for we are
talking about our lives and the lives of the future generations.

I see that, although all these issues are still on the process our president
Rodrigo Roa Duterte have made innovations and improvements that we are using
today. Especially his war from illegal drugs, the free tuition that I myself is enjoying right
now, the salary increase for the men in uniform- the police and soldiers and fight against
graft and corruption. In the end, I will still like to thank the president for trying to be calm
and more humane for his people. I liked him better this way when he speaks.