Opinion
mstdaydesk@gmail.com
S0NA scenarios
HIS time next week the nation will be abuzzwilh
what would be the biggest news of the previous
tay-the State of the"liation Address of President
Rodrigo Duterte.
Given the President's
tempelament, it is fairly 'difficult
to anticipate the issues he would
address in his speech. In fact,
regardless of what the Palace says,
Mr. Duterte is known to be fond of
veering offtopic when he feels like it
and he may or may not retum to his
prepared speech. That spontaneity
the sincerity it impiies-is
-and
likely part of why he continues
to enjoy record-high satisfaction
6tings halfuay into his term.
Despite this, the people would still
Iike to hear what fte President has tb
say on several specific issues.
We want an assurance that
he remains to be the foremost
shamFion of Philippine interests in
the dispute with China. Mr. Duterte
is orn leader, our fist defender, and
even if he claims to be friends with
fte Chinese leadership, he must be
able to tell the actions oftrue friends
from those just pretending to be so.
We would also like to hear how
he intends to defend the three-year-
old campaign against drugs amid
allegations of human rights abuses
and of inefectiveness. It is almost
certain Mr. Duterte will rant against
the intemational comnunity that has
A4 li rursonv, rurY
16, 2or"e
look forward to being poor no more,
and have opportunities through
which they can help themselves, in
the coming months.
Now that the rainy season is
upon us, we expect more frequent
recently passed a resolution to look and stronger storms. Are local
into the human righis violations in govemments capable of adapting
this campaign. What we wguld like to the devastating effects of
to *now is whether he can defend the climate change? Will our national
campaign calmly and empirically, leadership support the Philippines'
without resorling to attacking those role in the community of nations as
who are merely asking questions. a representative of counffies most
We want some . assurances that vulnerable to disaster? We may be
Mr. Duterte remains a firm believer concemed about current politics
in the independence ofthe branches and the daily challenge to put food
of govemment {espite the fact on the table, but this is a long-term '
that he went out of his way to issue that will determine whether
campaip for three of his- favorite Jhe next generation ofFilipinos can
senatorial candidates, and that he continue to experience life as they
magnanimously broke an impasse now know it.
on the House speakership through Mr. Duterte is famous for talking
a term-sharing scheme. Some tough, but we wish he would be .
quarters are concemed that this is presidential-authoritative and
an attempt to bypass checks and rational -during his address. We
balances built into our democratic want to be able to take his words
system. The President must show at face value, without subsequent
these fears are unfciunded, and that explanations and clarffications from
he, as a conscientious democratic his people. We want to hear what
leader, grasps the irnportance-nay, we should brace ourselves for in
the necessity----of dissent. the rernaining three years. Lastly,
Economics continues to be a perhaps the President can set an
primary concem of many Filipinos, example to his supporters-that
and they will not be bothered to one can win an argument' through
participate in the national discourse logic and sensibility, not because
if their basic needs axe not met. We the arguments are uttered loudly
would like to hem concrete plans and or controversially, or laced with
targets about how poor Filipinos can profanity.
vrr|ruurnL.y ur. Irils Lirrgcts aDoUI nOW poor _F thpmos Can Fotanity.

FAqo
ALt

SF
$t$
$gu