MANILA, Philippines - Drugs, crimes, and human rights are among the hottest issues that Filipinos expect President Rodrigo Duterte to tackle in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25.
Netizens who joined Rappler’s recent online conversation about SONA said they want Duterte to give an update on his war against drugs and address the growing concerns on the extrajudicial killings of alleged drug pushers.
About 57% of the netizens who took Rappler’s Twitter poll said that they are eagerly looking forward to hearing Duterte's first SONA.
Duterte, who ran and won in the 2016 elections on a platform against drugs and criminality, enjoys a high trust rating of 91%.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentDuterte?src=hash">#PresidentDuterte</a>'s first-ever State of the Nation Address is this Monday! Are you looking forward to it? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SONA2016?src=hash">#SONA2016</a></p>— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/status/756005903250239488">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Promises
Analysts have attributed Duterte’s victory to the rise of populist politics, saying that Filipino voters rewarded candidates offering simple solutions to complex problems.
"People want some kind of change. They want to break from the past. They are exasperated, aggravated," said Earl Parreno of the Manila-based Institute for Political and Economic Reform in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
According to analysts and supporters, it was because of Duterte's simple solutions to drugs and criminality, coupled with the President's masterful social media campaign, that prompted almost 40% of the voters to elect him as the 16th President of the Philippines.
Duterte made big strides during his first month as president, threatening cops who are allegedly involved in drug trade with death.
Barely a week into office, he also named at least 5 generals who are allegedly connected with drug syndicates. There are more names left to be mentioned, said Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.
Thousands of alleged drug addicts have also surrendered.
Data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) also showed that 702 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted nationwide from July 1 to July 20.
Netizens expect the President to reveal more names and update the public on the status of the campaign.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> di na masyado mahalaga kung ano o gaano karaming pangako bibitawan ni <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentDuterte?src=hash">#PresidentDuterte</a> kita nyo nman sa AKSYON nya SOLVE na</p>— Aladdin Richards Jr. (@riainefaul) <a href="https://twitter.com/riainefaul/status/756034139631923200">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> I expect that it wud be long because of his numerous achievements against drugs and corruption even a short period of time.</p>— francoiscoqz (@FCoquilla143) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCoquilla143/status/756026517788893185">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> Since the audience include the Congress and Senate, he will name senators and congressman involved in illegal drugs. =)</p>— Mark Myword (@crislayug) <a href="https://twitter.com/crislayug/status/756021097737297920">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Uphold human rights
The rise of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug peddlers and users, however, has sparked a growing clamor for Duterte to uphold human rights in his fight against drugs and criminality.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> That thousands of "suspected" drug pushers have been killed. Hopefully, a slight percentage of whom are innocent?! (cringe)</p>— Bato Bituka (@BatoBituka) <a href="https://twitter.com/BatoBituka/status/756049491153686528">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> Alarmed. What about the families of victims of human rights violations? Surely, we can't be a numb society.</p>— JazzyJean Rey (@JazzyJean8) <a href="https://twitter.com/JazzyJean8/status/756019785243033600">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Based on reports, more than 400 people have died in drug- and crime-related killings since May 10, the day after elections. The number continues to rise.
The president of De La Salle Philippines, a network of educators running 16 Catholic schools across the country, earlier slammed the spate of killings, saying that the "absence of a significant public outcry against the blatant contempt for the human life and the rule of law" is even more troubling.
Catholics in the Archdiocese of Manila will gather for Mass on Monday to pray for victims of the killings since Duterte's election. "Huwag kang papatay" (Thou shall not kill) is the theme of the gathering.
Simple SONA?
Netizens also looked forward to seeing legislators and guests in simple outfits.
Davao del Norte First District Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez, the new Speaker of the House, urged his fellow lawmakers to dress simply for the annual event that has, in years, somehow evolved into a fashion show.
Meawhile, others questioned whether the services of critically acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza was necessary
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> I do expect a far better SONA than before, no ostentatious dresses shall be noticed. & of course I anticipate the simple SONA</p>— Patx ღ (@LoverEngot) <a href="https://twitter.com/LoverEngot/status/756059285746962432">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> when the press release is not to have an Oscar feel like Red carpet during SONA, but there's a Director. What differs?</p>— JC (@jeyczi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeyczi/status/756009824190509056">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> What is there 2 direct, the flow of d <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SONA2016?src=hash">#SONA2016</a>?Ah, narcissists like grandiosity w/ a huge audience. Simple food was a bait.</p>— JazzyJean Rey (@JazzyJean8) <a href="https://twitter.com/JazzyJean8/status/756018908377645056">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Other issues
Commenters also expect Duterte to discuss his plans for the other promises that he made during the campaign. This includes his specific plans for public transportation, foreign policy, and labor contractualization.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> I am hoping more for the economic program, foreign policy. But, I have a hunch he'll yap about drugs and crime.</p>— Sarcastic Trapo (@TraPoAko) <a href="https://twitter.com/TraPoAko/status/756018008481419265">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> Hope he speak on traffic problem</p>— JULIAN MENESES (@meneses_yan) <a href="https://twitter.com/meneses_yan/status/756035949679620096">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SONA2016?src=hash">#SONA2016</a> on how he will give a resolution to the problem of the country for unemployment and for the sector of education?</p>— Jhon Ray S. Manayan (@jhonray_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/jhonray_05/status/756028627611856896">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> Full disclosure of his economic agenda for our country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SONA2016?src=hash">#SONA2016</a></p>— JazzyJean Rey (@JazzyJean8) <a href="https://twitter.com/JazzyJean8/status/756015662661636096">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> Better Public Transport for EveryJuan. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChangeStartsWithJuanAnother?src=hash">#ChangeStartsWithJuanAnother</a></p>— pauskhiepau (@Lilyuanskhie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lilyuanskhie/status/756003294531559426">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> I hope he'll provide us with concrete mechanisms regarding the issue of contractualization.</p>— Joanne Constantino (@joannagitera) <a href="https://twitter.com/joannagitera/status/756039995358531584">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom">@rapplerdotcom</a> Hopefully, AFP modernization and true agricultural development.</p>— I.J. Capin (@SiAyVan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SiAyVan/status/756050614916780032">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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What do you want to hear from the President? Tweet your thoughts using #SONA2016 or write them on X! – With a report from Raisa Serafica/Rappler.com