Duterte’s Sona: Mixed reviews from Lacson, other senators

Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

He might have made people laugh  with his  jokes but President  Rodrigo Duterte  should also have delivered a “clearer” and  “more serious” six-year roadmap during his first state of the nation address (Sona), Senator  Panfio Lacson said on Tuesday.

Lacson acknowledged that Duterte’s Sona  was a clear departure from a “conventional” Sona speech “as it was replete with details, some are even unnecessary.”

But far  from  Communications Secretary  Martin Andanar’s  preview that Duterte’s  speech would be a tearjerker,   the senator noted that it didn’t  draw tears  but laugher from among the audience.

“Having said that, I would have wanted to hear a clearer and more serious six-year roadmap and see several parallel roads converging at the end of his term showing clear accomplishment, or at the very least, near-accomplishment of the established goal of his administration,”  Lacson said in a statement.

For neophyte Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, however, Duterte’s speech was the “most  heartfelt Sona ever  delivered.”

“The President’s speech, especially the parts that were off-script, showed his fierce passion for achieving genuine change for the entire Philippine nation. The President is truly a leader who cares deeply for the future of our people,” Gatchalian said in a statement Monday night.

He said he was impressed by the comprehensive character of the Sona, which he said touched on a wide array of issues from transportation and infrastructure to foreign affairs and public order.

Gatchalian expressed disappointment though that  education was only mentioned  in passing, with higher education being completely omitted from the speech.

“I wish that the President had laid out a clear and decisive plan for education. Education is the most vital public service in the fight against poverty, and the absence of any concrete proposals to improve our struggling education system was disappointing,” he said.

Still, the senator was hopeful the President would support education bills pending in the Senate, especially his proposal to institute a free tuition policy in state universities and colleges.

Senator Bam Aquino  described  Duterte’s Sona as “very refreshing and sincere.”

“I think his speech will be remembered more for those moments that are very personal sa kanya. Nakikita mo sa mukha niya yung sincerity. I think overall people were very refreshed sa kaniyang talumpati,” Aquino said in an interview.

“Marami doon mga adbokasiya rin namin, including yung pagkaroon ng Internet access ng mga tao, iyong improvement sa educational system, pagiging mas madali ng buhay ng aming manggagawa at businesses,” he added./rga

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