President Rodrigo Duterte gestures during his second State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday July 24, 2017. Duterte said he would not stop his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs and warns that addicts and dealers have two choices: jail or hell. (Photo by AARON FAVILA / AP)
In his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to continue his promise to eradicate illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government.
Duterte, who veered away from his prepared speech, also took his two-hour speech to push for his legislative agenda.
The President also did not minced words and slammed his critics before lawmakers, diplomats and government officials.
Highlights of his speech are:
- the fight against illegal drugs will continue
READ: Sona 2017: ‘Drug war will be unrelenting,’ says Duterte
READ: ‘I value human life the way I value mine’ – Duterte
- tells critics to look beyond their biases and political agenda
READ: ‘Look beyond biases, own agenda,’ Duterte tells critics
- pursuit of peace will continue until last day of his administration
READ: Despite frustrations, Duterte says ‘pursuit of peace continues’
- urges Congress to create an agency for disaster response
READ: Duterte wants law creating department on disaster response
- expresses support for the police and the armed forces
READ: Duterte to PNP, AFP: ‘I have your backs’
- fight against destructive mining will ne non-negotiable
READ: Duterte warns mining firms: Clean up your act
- martial meant to quell rebellion and not to extend him in power
READ: Martial law meant to quell rebellion, not extend me in power—Duterte
- tells United Stated to return the Balangiga bells
READ: Duterte to US: Return Balangiga bells to PH
- slams United Nations for criticizing his drug war
READ: Duterte to UN expert: I want debate, not drama
- calls reimposition of death penalty
READ: Duterte calls for death penalty: ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’
- says he is no longer interested with peace talks with communist rebels
READ: ‘Bully’ Duterte tells Reds: No more talks
- tells Supreme Court to reconsider temporary restraining order on reproductive health implants
READ: Duterte to Sereno: Reconsider TRO on RH implants
- raises overseas Filipino workers budget to P1 billion
READ: Duterte to raise OFW assistance budget to P1B
- warns corrupt government officials
READ: Duterte ends 2-hour Sona with plea to stop corruption in gov’t
- accepts P25 billion offer of Mighty Corp. to settle tax liabilities
READ: ‘Biggest tax settlement on record’: Duterte accepts Mighty’s P25-B offer
- urges Senate to pass the Tax Reform Law
READ: President wants swift passage of PH tax reform program
/atm