Zeroing in on the SONA

By Al S. Mendoza 

 

(HAPPY birthday today to my writer-journalist-professor Sol F. Juvida from Dayong and his kids Mayo, Dada and Migel; Ayapot and Ricky and their kids Mayasoh and Ikap.   It was Mayasoh’s birthday on July 21 and Ayapot July 9.  Cheers!)

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WHAT are we going to hear from President Duterte in his SONA (State of the Nation Address) tomorrow [July 24]?

As everybody knows, the SONA is one of the country’s most awaited events since Marcos was kicked out of Malacanang in 1986 by the bloodless People Power Revolution.

The nation stands still when Pacquiao fights, it’s the same when the SONA is on.

The only difference is, there is much cheering from the crowd in every Pacquiao fight.

There is also cheering when the President’s SONA is on.

In fact, too many rounds of applause usually attend every SONA.

But in another SONA outside of Congress, mostly boos rent the air when fire-spewing speakers do their thing.

Last year in his first SONA, President Duterte was applauded nearly a hundred times.

Seemingly always, the President gets to be flattered once a year through the SONA.

Well, in the first place, booing the President is not allowed.

SONA security will immediately whisk off violators—either they’re driven out of the Congress halls or, worse, thrown behind bars for alarm and scandal, if not disrespect for authority.

Who said freedom of speech is absolute?

Going back to Mr. Duterte’s SONA tomorrow, will he talk about the following, which he had promised to do on his first year in office?

1)       Assert the Philippines’ right to the nearest Chinese-occupied islands.

2)       Stop environment-damaging mining operations by private companies in Mindanao.

3)       Hike infrastructure spending to up to 7 percent of gross domestic product.

4)       Build new railways and bring train service to the whole country.

5)       Improve internet connectivity and access.

To all five, yes, the President acted.

Too bad many of his lieutenants weren’t fast enough on their toes.

But still, our fishermen can now fish freely at the West Philippine Sea, unafraid of Chinese troops nearby.

Several mining companies have been suspended for environmental issues.

A trillion-peso budget has been earmarked for infrastructure—a record.

Trains and highways are on track in the entire archipelago.

Internet progress is on, with EDSA now wi-fi free to begin with.

The plan to end the drug war in six months was a dud, but Mr. Duterte was man enough to admit he had underestimated the extent of the drug cartel.

Will the President, noted for surprise attacks, have a new verbal bomb to detonate tomorrow?

Sit back, relax and enjoy another of Digong’s thriller tomorrow.

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