The legacy of the Duterte administration could be the most anticipated subject of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22.
The fourth report to the country of President Duterte could give us a preview of what to expect in the next three years of his remaining tenure in the Palace. But is that enough for the country to stop where the current leadership also comes to the end of its term? Do we expect to just stop in 2023 and begin another journey?
The Philippines have been in that road in every single time that an administration ends and another begins. That explains the stagnancy by which we progressed or to be exact, regressed.
The change that was promised by the Duterte campaign in 2016 was the fuel that catapulted it to power and by going true to its promise, to be fair with it, the question now is whether that change will continue or do change the ‘change’ again?
As Senator Sonny Angara sees it, there must be continuity in the current juggernaut that country is experiencing. Thus, he hopes to hear more about President Duterte’s plans not only for the next three years but for the next decade. In a report published by the Philippine News Agency, the lawmaker contends that the 2020 national budget should lay down the framework for the 10-year development plan for the country.
By laying down the framework for the country’s policy directions in the next decade, Angara believes that it will result in the next administration building on what President Duterte has achieved and what he started during his term. This opinion makes sense. In past administrations, the successors traditionally go after the predecessors especially if they come from rival political parties. This culture of vindictiveness have pulled the country down. Excessive political vendetta has done much damage to the country–causing stagnation in economy and further political division.
The chain that grinds the Philippines to progress, and this is notwithstanding the continued criticisms and non-cooperation from the anti-Duterte parties and personalities, must not be broken. It can only be done with the President laying down his long-term plans for the country for his successor, regardless of political affiliation, to be ‘guided ‘ on the directions he had set forth this early.
