JOHN KESSLER S.

MISTERIO August 2, 2020

PRACTICUM CLASS (Sundays, 1:00-3:00PM)

President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday,
July 27, 2020. Among the matters discussed during the SONA that are subject of my reaction paper
includes the following: [1] Status and Updates on the Coronavirus pandemic; [2] Lapses in the pandemic
response; [3] Economy; [4] ABS-CBN related affairs; and [5] Matters involving Telecommunication.

I. Status and Updates on the Coronavirus pandemic

As expected, President Duterte began his speech addressing the difficulties our country is
currently facing due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is worth commending that the President lauded
those government agencies who competently responded to the crisis brought by this pandemic. After
all, this is the topic which every citizen are expecting to hear from the President. With a lot of tension
going on, addressing this issue in a more subtle manner would ease up the tension among all citizen in
the country. However, the President failed to address matters pertaining to the concrete plans to
address this issue. Although plans were laid down on its entirety, still, it could have been better if the
President were able to discuss it in a more detailed manner. Still, I believed that the President did a
great job in addressing the issues relating to this pandemic.

II. Lapses in the pandemic response

It is good that the President admitted some of the government lapses especially on ramping up
testing capacity, a key area the country continues to catch up on over 6 months since the crisis started.
He also says that the distribution of emergency aid during lockdown measures “was not perfect.” It is
good to hear from the President that he is serious in getting things right and better for all of us.

III. Economy

Duterte highlights the country’s positive credit ratings and says with a strong economic position,
the Philippines is in a better position to weather the crisis caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
However, this is contrary to what is actually happening right now. With a lot of business closures, and
companies declaring bankruptcies, it is quite obvious that we cannot feel these alleged “positive credit
ratings” that the President mentioned in his speech. Still, I believed that the President will not discuss
matters without any sufficient basis.

IV. ABS-CBN related affairs

Minutes after discussing the matters concerning the pandemic, the President quickly sidelined
his speech on criticizing the ABS-CBN Media Network and the owners, labelling them as oligarchs.
Further, he also included in his speech Senator Franklin Drilon, who, as alleged, is defending the media
giant and is among the framers of the 1997 water concessionaires agreement with the government. In
my opinion, it could have been better if the President chose the right words in addressing this issue. He
could have been more gentle and respectful considering that a lot have lost its job by reason of the non-
renewal of the franchise. I am not saying that it is the President’s fault, but still, this could have been
handled in a gentler manner.

V. Matters involving Telecommunication issues

Because of this pandemic, we heavily rely on the stability and speed of our internet connection.
Education is shifting to online classes, and most of the meetings and conferences are conducted via
online platform such as Zoom, Viber and Loom. The act of the President in giving a warning to the
telecommunication giants to improve their services by or else the government will be forced to make
drastic steps and expropriate their businesses is quite commendable. I just hope that these
telecommunication giants would heed to the warning of the President seriously, and indeed, would
exert their best effort in improving their services.

In sum, the President did great in highlighting topics which are important especially with the
crisis our country is currently experiencing right now. Although it could have been better if he focuses
the entirety of his speech addressing the coronavirus pandemic and the detailed plans on addressing
this issue so as to avoid tension from rising up. Nevertheless, I am satisfied with the fifth SONA that the
President had delivered last Monday.