President Duterte’s First SONA Favorite Quotes and Funny Reactions from Netizens

With President Rodrigo Duterte delivering his first SONA (State of the Nation Address) this Monday, July 25, televiewers and netizens saw for the first time who is obviously awkward in reading long speeches. No wonder, the supposed short speech last for 1 hour and 35 minutes long. Nevertheless, Filipinos saw a leader who really speaks from his heart.

But while President Duterte started reading his SONA speech, he later spoke what he really wanted to say and even cracked some jokes. At times, he finds it hard to pronounce some words and decided to skip some parts, amusingly complaining that his speech is long. The president was so comfortable using his words as if he is only talking to a friend.

On Twitter, some netizens slammed award-winning director Brilliante Mendoza because some camera angles appear to be shooting an indie film. As we all know, his film “Ma’ Rosa” gave Jaclyn Jose the Best Actress award in the recent Cannes Film Festival. On the other hand, some netizens praised the idea, noting that those shots have deeper meaning.

All in all, President Duterte has announcements that many Filipinos will benefit. This includes providing free Wi-Fi access in selected public areas, his request of emergency powers to solve the worsening traffic in Metro Manila, transfer of general aviation to Sangley Point, full implementation of the RH law, and the lowering of personal and corporate tax.

Meanwhile, below are some of our favorite quotes from President Duterte’s first SONA, as well as some funny reactions from netizens.

“We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull us back. Finger pointing is not the way,”

“All of us want peace, not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the living,”

“If we cannot love one another, then in God’s name, let us not hate each other too much.”

“Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or excuse to destroy the country.”

“Kung ayaw niyong mamatay, kung ayaw niyong masaktan, huwag kayong umasa sa mga pari at sa human rights. Hindi nakakapigil yan ng kamatayan.”

All in all, we think we have watched an unconventional, entertaining, full of ad-libs, but interesting SONA. In fact, we think that President Duterte does not anymore need a speech writer for his next SONA. 🙂