He delivered it at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, where 37 of the past 77 SONAs were delivered. What did he say? President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his first State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa on July 25, 2016. AFP PHOTO/Ted Aljibe During his speech, the President declared a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). This was the first time in Philippine history that a ceasefire (a temporary suspension of fighting) was announced during the SONA. President Duterte also emphasized his commitment to fight crime, corruption, and the illegal drug trade. "We will not stop until the last drug lords have surrendered or are put, behind bars or below ground," he said. He also warned the police not to abuse their authority as they go after drug users and pushers. Here are some other highlights from the 2016 SONA: 1. Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs Duterte said that he will create a government committee that will focus on the fight against illegal drugs. Its members will come from different agencies. 2. Drug rehab centers in military camps The government will increase the number of drug rehabilitation centers nationwide. Military camps will even be used as facilities for drug rehabilitation.
The Philippine National Police said over
120,000 drug suspects voluntarily surrendered to authorities since the Duterte administration implemented Project Tokhang or Toktok-Hangyo (Knock-Ask), where the police knock on the doors of suspected drug personalities and ask them to stop their illegal activities. The figure includes among over 112,900 drug users and more than 7,100 pushers. 3. Lower taxes Duterte said the government will lower personal and corporate taxes. Taxes come from a person's or a company's income. The government uses the money to fund its activities and public services. The Philippines reportedly has the second highest income tax rate in the ASEAN region. 4. West Philippine Sea Duterte said the Philippines strongly respects the decision of an international tribunal on the maritime case the country filed against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, The Netherlands in 2013. On July 12 this year, the tribunal, in a 501page decision, ruled in favor of the Philippines. Among the important rulings of the tribunal was the statement that China has no historical rights over most of the South China Sea and should not prevent other people, including Filipinos, from fishing in the area. 5. Permits in three days Duterte said the processing time for government permits and licenses will be reduced to three days. 6. Driver's licenses Duterte said the validity of drivers' licenses will be lengthened to five years. These
licenses, at present, are valid for only three
years. With a longer validity, drivers will not need to line up as often for their licenses.
deadliest country for journalists and media
staff, with 146 killed from 1990 to 2015. Only Iraq has a worse record in that period.
7. More trains
11. Nationwide information campaign on
federalism
Duterte said the government will build more
train railways not only in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country, including Mindanao. A railway will also be built to connect Metro Manila to Clark International Airport in Pampanga. This will be done so that more domestic and international flights can be transferred to Clark, to ease the load of the busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 8. Illegal logging, mining Military officers will be assisting the government in its fight against illegal logging, illegal mining, "and other destructive practices that aggravate the devastation of our natural resources," the President said. 9. Muslim TV channel, Lumad TV channel Duterte said government broadcast stations will be improved People's Broadcasting Corporation will replace PTV-4 and Radyo ng Bayan will be upgraded. Duterte also said his hometown of Davao City will be the site of the first Muslim Channel, to be called Salaam Television, and the first Lumad channel. 10. Task force on media killings Duterte said the government will form a task force to investigate media killings. According to the International Federation of Journalists, the Philippines is the second
At present, the Philippines has a central form
of government, but Duterte wants to change this into a federal system. To do this, the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines has to be changed because the present constitution rules that a central form of government will be adopted. Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. explains the federal system: "Under the federal system, the central government would be limited to a few powers like maintenance of law and order, one army, one judiciary with modifications, one educational policy, one flag, and a few other functions. All other duties of government, especially on matters of development, would now be a function of federal states." Duterte said there will be a nationwide campaign to help people understand federalism. Many countries have a federal system of government, including the United States, which has a central government and state governments. 12. Magna Carta of Women Duterte called for the full implementation of the Magna Carta of Women signed in 2009. The law protects women from all forms of violence. It also calls for the equal treatment of women and men.