By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Sincere, hopeful and inspiring. That was how Filipinos in Qatar described the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by Philippine President Rodrigo R Duterte yesterday, .25 days after he took oath as President.
Many Filipinos even here in Qatar were glued to their TV screens as Duterte, who won by landslide in Qatar, impressed as he spoke with such passion and spontaneity. He stressed his commitment to weed out illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in the government.
“President Duterte’s SONA is so straightforward yet inspiring and full of hope. His message to our kababayans is striking and heartfelt. His determination and eagerness to eradicate crimes and drugs have been emphasised. His way of doing things might be unconventional yet he managed to convey the clear message of peace and unity among the Filipino people,” said Mike Saratan, an active member of the community.
“I really believe that the long wait for a clean government is over. The leader who has been appointed to unlock the key to a better Philippines has finally arrived,” Saratan, added.
“He promised free WiFi access in selected public areas, airports and seaports, the speedy processing of documents and providing a shopping list of requirements for OFWs as well as extend the validity of Passports from five to 10 years, even stretch it to 30 years to lessen the burden of Filipino people. These will could benefit the OFWs and I’m sure that this will come into reality,” said Montenegro.
For Orville Mathew Gayatin, Duterte’s SONA was “one of the best honest to goodness speech of the President” and that it struck the right chord in the hearts of the people watching.
“He speaks to the hearts of Filipino people. He laid down his program of government yet has already started doing what he promised. Among the past presidents he is the only one who has a clear program for the modern day heroes- the OFws,” said Gayatin, a civil engineer by trade who is active in Filipino organisations.
“The President was clear and direct to the point in his pronouncements. It was a SONA that people had been looking forward to,” said Alex Garina, who lauded the absence of violence in the rallies unlike in SONAs of previous presidents.
It can be noted that thousands of members of militant groups took to the streets sans burning effigies but to rally behind the new president and highlight issues and demand they want the administration to address.
In particular cutting income and corporate taxes and the war against drugs were some of those the President mentioned in his program that Garina lauded.
“For just less than a month as president, I am very much satisfied of his performance. He has implemented a lot of changes in so short a time because the people fear him as well has respect him,” he added.
“I profoundly felt the goodness of the heart of President Duterte when he delivered his first SONA today and I place confidence on his words that ‘We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull as back, Finger pointing is not the way’,” said Mega cervantes. Cervantes also expressed appreciation on the president’s thrust on bettering the lives of overseas Filipinos.
The Peninsula
