The war against illegal drugs is far from over; it will continue relentlessly. This, in effect, was the firm statement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte during his 3rd State of Nation Address (SONA) delivered during a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives at the Batasan complex yesterday. Although it has resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs worth billions of pesos, illegal trade is still rampant, the President said. The mere thought of lives and families being destroyed makes this fight (against illegal drugs), not only about human rights, but about human lives.
“Human rights to me means giving Filipinos, especially those at the society’s fringes, a decent and dignified future through the social and physical infrastructures necessary to better their lives. The lives and freedoms and the hard-earned property of every Filipino whose condition we wish to improve shall be protected from criminals, terrorists, corrupt officials and traffickers of contrabands,” he said.
On the issue of corruption, the President stated that the love for money is destructive. Corruption bleeds the government of its funds. Since the beginning, the President has emphasized that corruption must stop. Not only does corruption hinder the growth and development of the government but more so, of the innocents who suffer and bear the atrocious consequences. “While we run after those who steal the people’s money, we are also enhancing the government’s delivery of frontline services”.
The President then thanked Congress for passing the Ease of Doing Business Act, calling a significant fight against corruption and improving service delivery hereby calling on government officials to keep the momentum going and fully implement the law.
On the premise of fulfilling the many promises promised to Mindanao, Mr. Duterte hopes to see Mindanaoans satisfied at the end of his term. Being at a crossroad of history, one road leading to peace while the other on human suffering, he is adamant to rectify the scenario by providing significant increases in the budget for Mindanao, including the eradication of terrorists who have displaced both Christians and Muslims in Mindanao.
Duterte said he is committed to “not deny our Muslim brothers and sisters the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the Constitutional framework of our country” in terms of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
In international relations, Duterte sressed on the need to follow an independent foreign policy. To him, the country’s development and security, above all, shall come first. He said his government will continue reaching out to nations, showing the country’s readiness in terms of shared responsibility and manging differences.
The President applauded the millions of Filipino migrant workers who epitomize the resilience of the nation – sacrificing in order to provide for their families and in the process, contributing to the national economy.
“I have always believed that no matter how well-intentioned a leader is, no matter how well-conceived may be his mission, if he lacks the political will to do what needs to be done, then he can only end up a failure and a hopeless dreamer” President Duterte said.
