Senators Antonio Trillanes and Win Gatchalian gave different opinions of President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona), with Trillanes criticizing it and Gatchalian calling it the “most balanced” so far.
Trillanes, one of Duterte’s staunch critics, claimed that the Sona only revealed that the administration has accomplished nothing for the last two years.
“It was a defeatist Sona speech for a presidency that is under siege on different fronts. It was an admission of non-achievement by his administration,” he said in a text message on Monday.
According to him, the president has no concrete plan to solve the problems that existed before and during his term.
“Worse, it was an admission that Duterte doesn’t have a clue on how to solve the serious problems being faced by our country most of which he created in the first place,” Trillanes added.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he delivers his state of the nation address at Congress in Manila on July 23, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
However, Gatchalian believes that this edition of the Sona touched on several issues, specifically topics concerning the country’s economy.
“This was President Duterte’s most balanced State of the Nation Address so far. The President outlined a clear platform of governance for the coming year through his discussion of priority policies and legislation,” he said on Monday.
“I also appreciate that the President touched on pressing economic issues facing the country such as poor telecommunications services and expensive rice,” he added.
The senator also said that the president’s pronouncements will help in pushing laws that would help the economy grow.
“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, I will advocate for the passage of economic legislation that will address these issues and stimulate inclusive economic growth that will be felt by all Filipinos — especially our poor countrymen who are struggling to cope with rising inflation,” Gatchalian said.