Villanueva: Duterte’s Sona interesting, unique but…

NEOPHYTE Senator Joel Villanueva on Tuesday described President Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona) as “interesting, fascinating and unique.”

Villanueva said Duterte’s speech, which lasted for about an hour and a half and marked by off-script quips, resonated well with many people.

“I can also say na it’s inspiring and unique. Wala pa tayong nakita pa o narinig na Sona na kagaya po noon. And tingin ko nagustuhan din ng taumbayan dahil they can somehow relate at all times. Napaka-straightforward at direct to the point niya,” Villanueva said in an INQ&A interview on Tuesday evening.

But the former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) director general said he would appreciate more details on the issues surrounding the President’s pronouncements and proposed measures, particularly his seeking of emergency powers to address the traffic crisis in Metro Manila and the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

“Ang tingin ko lang para sa akin po, it would be interesting to know the nitty gritty part. Like yung sa emergency powers, I wanted to know yung exceptions talaga, kung hanggang doon lang po ba sa measures ng procurement. If they say ‘yung sa federalism, French model, ibig sabihin wala na bang sariling constitution or paano ba hahatiin ‘yung mga states,” he said.

Villanueva quickly added that he was open to supporting the proposed measures in the legislative agenda of the new administration.

“I’m open to suggestions and these measures na gustong isulong ng ating administrasyon and I don’t want to be that person na mag-block sa magandang hangarin at pangarap ng ating Pangulong Digong,” Villanueva said.

“I am open to discussion. I would say na it’s important na maintindihan nating lahat ‘yung nitty gritty part. Nagsalita ang ating pangulo na ang nasa isip niya ay ‘yung French model. Kung gagamitin din natin ‘yung Chacha (charter change) I would suggest also, I’m supporting yung constitutional convention if we’re going to do it,” he added.

Villanueva ran under the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party of the previous administration and emerged as surprise second in the elections.

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