MANILA, Philippines - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD)'s first State of the Nation Address

(SONA) is happening today, July 25, 2016 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Check
out on this page the official full text and transcript of his speech in English
and Tagalog (Filipino language).

Duterte’s first SONA which lasted for 1 hour and 32 minutes touched on his campaign promises
in fighting drugs, crime and corruption and in winning the peace in all fronts in the 25 days he
has been in office.

In addition, the president tackled wage hike for police and military, elimination of red tape,
peace talks in Mindanao, federalism, abolition of contractualization, conditional cash transfer
(CCT) program sustainability, hospital facilities for poor patients, livelihood and agriculture,
improvement on Metro Manila transportation, creation of more jobs, resolution of West
Philippine Sea dispute and establishment of OFW department.

SONA 2016 was mainly delivered on English as the President is more comfortable speaking in
this language.

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) kept a
“moderate” position on the West Philippine Sea, an analyst said.

The president only gave a short pronouncement on the arbitral tribunal’s historic ruling on the disputed
seas in his 98-minute speech delivered on Monday.

“With regard to the West Philippine Sea otherwise known as [South] China Sea, we strongly affirm and
respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution to
the ongoing efforts to pursue the peaceful resolution and management of our disputes,” Duterte pointed
out to a cheering audience that included Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation (SONA) on
Monday.

What was expected to be a 38-minute speech extended to about an hour and a half due to ad-libs.

Here are the issues tackled and promises made by Duterte in his SONA.

Abu Sayyaf
 Since our country continues to be confronted with internal security threats aggravated by the existence
and activities of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, the full force of the AFP will be applied to crush these
criminals who operate under the guise of religious fervor.
 AFP modernization
 The AFP shall enhance its capability to search and engage this rogue and lawless elements (Abu
Sayyaf).

Agriculture and fisheries

 Road development projects shall complement with our thrust to provide modern agriculture, infrastructural
by expanding and improving the construction and rehabilitation of roads and the irrigation and
establishing modern harvest and post-harvest facilities to minimize losses.
 We shall also conduct a nationwide soil analysis to determine areas most suitable for rice farming to
optimize production with the use of effective soil rehabilitation and fertilization.
 We shall strictly enforce fisheries laws, particularly on illegal fishing and promote aquaculture along river
banks and in backyards.

Blame game
 I will not waste precious time dwelling on the sins of the past or blaming those who are perceived to be
responsible for the mess that we are in and suffering from except maybe extract a lesson or two from its
errors. We will not tarry because it is the present that we are concerned with and the future that we are
concerned for.
 Let me say clearly that those who betray the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have
their day in court.
 When I decided to seek the presidency of this republic, I knew what the ills of our country were. I knew
their causes and I was briefed on those who cause the causes.
 Vindictiveness is not in my system.

Climate change
 Addressing global warming shall be our top priority but upon a fair and equitable equation. It must not
stymie our industrialization.
 So, if you put so much restrictions doon sa [Paris] treaty na yan, the treaty which we are trying to — it's
still here in the Senate. Let us be very clear on this: We need to industrialize. We need the power and,
therefore, the emissions would also be considered.

RELATED: Duterte: Climate change efforts should not stunt industrialization

Disaster response
 We will continue to expand operation on human assistance, disaster response, maritime security and
counterterrorism.
 Driver’s licenses
 While the issuance and distribution of motor vehicle plates at point of sale, or through motor vehicle
dealers shall be considered. Huwag na sa LTO kasi hanggang ngayon, panahon pa ni Hesukristo yung
first plate nila, hanggang ngayon wala pa. Bayad na yon. Until now, sa awa ng Diyos.
 For the driver’s licenses, its effectiveness will be extended from the current 3-year period to 5 years.

Erring officials
 To our police officers and other officials: Do your job and you will have the unwavering support of the
Office of the President… Abuse your authority and there will be a hell to pay for you would have become
worse than criminality itself.
 I order the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to hasten the conduct of investigation and
adjudication of administrative cases against police officers involved in criminal activity and illegal
activities.
 Prescribe policies for lifestyle checks for PNP members.
 The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is also directed to strictly monitor how local
government units perform their supervision functions over the police. Those found [not] performing will be
sanctioned including the loss of deputation from the Napolcom.

Faster internet and connectivity

 I have also ordered the newly created DICT (Information and Communication Technology) to develop a
national broadband plan and to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless
technologies to improve Internet speed.
 Wifi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public places, including parks, buses, public
libraries, schools, government hospitals, train stations, airports and seaports.

Federalism
 At this stage, I’ve also directed the DILG to undertake nationwide information and campaign on
federalism and partnership with various alliances and with NGOs, civil society grassroots and faith-based
organizations.

RELATED: Duterte ready to step down once shift to federalism complete

Freedom of Information
 The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) shall coordinate with the Office of the Executive Secretary
and the Presidential Legal Counsel in implementing the recently approved EO on the Freedom of
Information.
 Justice system
 I heard the people on the streets complain that justice had become illusory, that equity and fairness and
speedy disposition of cases have deteriorated into hollow concepts fit only for masteral dissertations. It
was and still is very sad indeed.
 I was determined then as I am no determined and better positioned to wage war against those who make
a mockery of our laws including those who make our lives miserable.
 Just like you and I, equal treatment and equal protection are what I ask for our people.
 The number of lawyers and support staff in the PAO — that is the Public Assistance Office — regional
and districts shall be increased to provide indigents with more access to counsels.

Human rights
 My administration shall be sensitive to the State’s obligation to promote and protect, fulfill the human
rights of our citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable.
 Social justice will be pursued even as the rule of law shall at all times prevail.
 Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as an excuse to
destroy your country and my country.
 The PCO, in coordination with the Office of the Executive Secretary, is drafting the Administrative Order
on the Task Force on media killings.

Infrastructure
 We will accelerate infrastructure spending by improving national roads and bridges and implementing the
Mindanao Logistics Infrastructure Network and other road network master plans.
 We shall pursue inter-island linkage projects.
 We shall be implementing structural mitigation measures to address of the perennial flooding in Metro
Manila and neighboring areas. We shall put up new pumping stations in strategic places.

International relations
 We shall strengthen our coordination with Indonesia and Malaysia to suppress the kidnapping in the
waters of our neighboring countries.
 We also endeavor to develop corporate partnership with nations sharing common interests and concerns
with the Philippines, maintain and sustain bilateral and multilateral consultations and dialogues.
 We shall deepen security dialogues with all the nations to build greater understanding and cooperation.

Jobs
 At the household level, there must be sufficient income for all Filipinos to meet the basic food and non-
food needs for their families.
 We shall continue attract investments that will generate thousands of jobs each year – jobs that are
suitable for the poor and less skilled members of the workforce.
 Reforms to ensure competitiveness and promote ease of doing business will be mandatory.
 Reacting to these needs, the restrictions on the economy will be needed to make more investments to
come and to develop labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism shall be
pursued.
 When employment is not an option, for instance in extremely rural neighborhoods, entrepreneurship will
be advocated.
 Government Financing Institutions (GFIs) shall come up with out-of-the-box financing packages to
capacitate our small and medium entrepreneurs.

Legislation
 We will strengthen our counterterrorism program by amending various laws on terrorism, terrorism
financing and cybercrime.
 To eradicate the prevalent cultures of fear and silence that have hounded our justice system, I asked
Congress — you — to enact the Whistleblower Protection Law while the present Witness Protection
Program shall be strengthened.

RELATED: Duterte eyes whistleblower act

Lumads
 To our [Lumad] brothers, I have this to say: The government has issued you the Ancestral Certificates
Domain Title covering vast tracts of land especially in the island of Mindanao. You have the Indigenous
Peoples’ Rights Act, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to protect you and to assist
you.
 Government has given you the tool, the legal tool to improve yourself financially, economically and
socially. Make use of your ancestral domain. Do not let it remain idle.

Macroeconomic policy
 [M]y administration will continue and maintain current macroeconomic policies, and even do better.
 We will achieve this through prudent fiscal and monetary policies that can help translate high growth into
more and better job creation and poverty reduction. By the end of my term, I hope — I hope and pray —
to hand over an economy that is much stronger, characterized by solid growth, low and stable inflation,
dollar reserves, and robust fiscal position.

Mining and illegal logging

 In the area of environment, the military is directed to intensify its support role against illegal logging, illegal
mining... and other destructive practices that aggravate the devastation of our natural resources.
 The interest of the country must come first. But hindi ko naman sinasabi, there’s a law allowing mining.
[Environment Secretary] Gina Lopez and I are just telling you: Follow government standards. Do not
destroy the environment. Follow it to a tee.

OFW welfare
 Draw bills consolidating and merging of agencies and offices having to do with overseas Filipinos to have
a department to focus and quickly respond to their problems.
 [A] one-stop shop will be established within the civil aviation complex for the benefit of the overseas
Filipinos.
 We shall intensify our war against human traffickers and illegal recruiters that prey on our migrants to help
ensure that the hard earned money of the Filipinos overseas are put into productive use in mandatory

Peace process
 We will vigorously address the grievances that have been time and again expressed not only by the
Bangsamoro indigenous peoples and other groups for security, development, their access to decision-
making and acceptance of identities.
 To our Muslim brothers, the Moro country and members of the CPP-NPA-NDF, let me say this: All of us
want peace. Not the peace of the dead but the peace of the living.
 Mindanao was already Islam by 100 years. It’s imperialism thing, there’s a historical injustice against the
Moro people and we have to correct it.
 We cannot return to you all, ‘yung mga nakuha ng Amerikano at Español pati yung mga Pilipinong
kapitalista, those who exploited Mindanao. We cannot solve it the way you want it to be. We have to
understand each other then live with each other.
 Yung Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) ay ibigay na natin minus the things that you do not want, yung
constitutional issues. Tanggalin muna natin, ibigay natin yung area. I ask you, pass it minus the
constitutional issues that are contentious.
 To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling
environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire
with the CPP-NPA-NDF effective immediately.

RELATED: Duterte: Correct historical injustice, pass Bangsamoro Law | Duterte declares unilateral
ceasefire with communists

Philippine passports
 On the clamor of our citizens for timely issuance of Philippine passports, the government shall work
towards amendment of the 1996 passport law to lengthen the validity of the passports from the current 5
years to 10 years.
 I have also ordered the DFA to streamline the documentary requirements and passport applications and
open additional consular offices in strategic places to decongest Metro Manila sites and avoid the cause
of suffering of passport applicants.
 Public broadcasting service
 To better manage public information, a law should be passed — I’m addressing Congress — to create the
People’s Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), replacing PTV-4, the government-run TV station, which now
aims to replicate international government broadcasting networks.
 The government’s Bureau of Broadcast Services, better known as the Radyo ng Bayan, shall undergo
upgrading to make it financially viable and dependable for accurate and independent, and enlightening
news and commentary. Radyo ng Bayan will be integrated with the PBC.
 As we are presently setting up a Presidential Communications Satellite Office in Davao City, PBC will also
put up broadcast hubs in the Visayas and Mindanao.
 Davao City will also be the first site of the first Muslim channel, to be called Salaam Television, and the
first Lumad channel.

Red tape
 I’m addressing to all Cabinet members, make use of the computer. I do not want to see people lining up
under the heat of the sun. I don’t want people lining up under the rain.
 What I want is a journal, when the applicant presents the document, give him a shopping list, do not add
or get anything away from it. Yun na yun, final.
 Processing time in issuing permits and licenses shall be reduced to the barest minimum, in my city, it is
always three days for local governments. That will bind the Office of the President down to the last
barangay elect.We shall also enhance local business environment by addressing bottlenecks in business
registration and processing, streamlining investment application process and integration the services of
various government offices.

Rehabilitation
 We will create an interagency committee on illegal drugs that will integrate efforts and strengthen the
partnerships of all stakeholders. Their service will be mobilized for information campaign against drug use
and dissemination of information regarding drug rehabilitation program to be offered by the government.
 We will also prioritize the rehabilitation of abusers.
 We will increase the number of residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all regions of the
country.
 The Armed Forces of the Philippines will facilitate the preparation for the use of military camps and
facilities for drug rehabilitation.

Reproductive health
 The implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law must be put into full
force and effect so that couples, especially the poor, will have freedom of informed choice on the number
and spacing of children they can adequately care and provide for, eventually making them more
productive members of the labor force.
 ROTC
 Let us also strengthen our ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) program to instill love of country and
good citizenship.

Separation of Church and State

 To our religious bishops, leaders, priests, pastors, preachers, imam, let me assure you that while I’m a
stickler for the principle of separation between Church and State, I believe quite strongly that there should
never be a separation between God and State.

Social welfare
 My administration shall implement a human approach to development and governance as we improve our
people’s welfare in the areas of health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental
preservation and respect for culture.
 The beneficiaries of 4Ps shall be made to become independent and self-reliant after they have graduated
from the program. But the aim is to present it with other forms of 4Ps shall be made to become
independent and self-reliant after they have graduated from the program. But the aim is to present it with
other forms of assistance, so that they can stand on their own two feet.
 But now, I have decided to direct the DSWD to provide the rice subsidies to the poorest of the families, at
least, para makakain lang every month.
 We are planning to increase spending on basic education and incorporate mandatory education about the
evils of drugs.
 We will also intensify and expand Alternative Learning System programs.
 The government will also provide universal health insurance for all Filipinos. Benefits sali na lang natin sa
PhilHealth.
 The professional competence and operational capabilities of government hospitals and health facilities
will be strengthened.

Taxation
 [My] administration will pursue tax reforms towards a simpler, and more equitable, and more efficient tax
system that can foster investment and job creation.
 We will lower personal and corporate income tax rates and relax the bank secrecy laws.

RELATED: Duterte: Corporate, personal taxes to be lowered

Transportation
 The revival of the operation of the Pasig River Ferry Service System is a viable option for the severe
traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
 Our anti-colorum campaign and out-of-line apprehension including the removal of terminals will be
intensified and, my God, it will be done. Immediately, immediately.
 To address lack of road infrastructure in Metro Manila, usage of existing roads will be maximized. Thus,
there is a need to cooperate and coordinate with LGUs to map out secondary routes and to consult
various stakeholders, including the public transport operators.
 Many in government opine realistically, and I would have to agree, that the worsening traffic situation
could be logically addressed, if Congress would also accord emergency powers to the agencies
concerned.
 To reduce queuing time at ticketing stations, tickets sa mga train will be made readily available and easily
accessible to the riding public kung bilhin mo ‘yan sa malls, stalls and stores.
 Passenger capacity congestion shall be addressed by increasing the number of running trains from the
current 16 trains with a total of 48 cars per hour, to 20 trains with a total of 60 cars per hour.
 You increase the train speed from 40 [kph] to 60 [kph].
 Specifically for the LRT, the operating hours shall be extended from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., so marami pang
mga bata ang uuwi niyan.
 So, we shall also pursue rail projects in Metro Manila and the major key points in the country including the
Mindanao Rail Project.... But six years, lalabas talaga ito. I assure you because it’s going to materialize:
Rail projects, the Davao Transit System, the Cebu Transit System, the North and South Luzon Railways
and the Panay Railways project.
 Different approaches are also being considered to decongest NAIA including the possible transfer of
general aviation.... I’m offering Sangley Point…. But if not them, it’s going to be Clark but on a condition
that we will have a fast train.In the field of tourism, we shall construct more access roads and tourism
gateways to service centers and tourist sites.

RELATED: Duterte on traffic woes: Emergency powers or slow results?

War on drugs and criminality

 During my inauguration last [June] 30, 2016, I said that the fight against criminality and illegal drugs and
corruption will be relentless and sustained. I reiterate that commitment today.
 I call on the Philippine National Police (PNP), the barangay chairman, the mayors, and governors, all
those occupying seats of power and authority not to lower their guard… Double your efforts, triple them if
need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financer and the last pusher have surrendered or
put behind bars or below the ground if they so wish.
 Since July 1, we have already made 3,600 related drug arrests. 120,000 drug dependents have already
surrendered and 70,000 of them are pushers…. It could take the entire resources of this government to
fight this war.
 Kayo namang hindi pa bungog diyan, hindi pa pumasok yang mga droga, eh kung ayaw ninyong
mamatay, ayaw ninyong masaktan, huwag kayong umasa diyan sa mga pari pati human rights, hindi
nakakapigil yan ng kamatayan. So huwag ninyong gawin. Eh tapos nandiyan ka nakabulagta and you are
portrayed in a broadsheet na parang Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ. Eh yan
yang mga yan magda-dramahan tayo dito.
 It’s a free for all enterprise for the criminals at this time. Kung ako, if I had just the plan...Sabi ko, sabi ko
sa military kapag nakita ninyo, pasabugin mo na. Maski nag-surrender yan, may white, white flag. Pang-
giyera lang yan, hindi yan pang-kriminal, pasabugin mo. Show no mercy to them because they're not
doing any mercy to us anyway.

War on corruption
 For those who have valid reasons to complain about graft and corruption, the gates of Malacañang will be
open, dun ka, magsumbong ka.
 I will be establishing 8888, only for, dedicated to corruption.

West Philippine Sea

 We strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an
important contribution in the ongoing efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution and management of our
disputes.

Women's rights
 Consistent with our international obligations, in keeping with national mandates, this administration vows
to protect women’s rights and human rights abuses against our women, because this unacceptable to...
Kung mag-bugbog ka ng babae.
 I order all agencies and oversight bodies and local government units down to the barangay level to fully
implement the Magna Carta for Women. By doing so, we'll ensure that man and woman will be partners in
the pursuit of country’s economic, social, and cultural and political developments.

Zero demolitions unless...

 To help squatter-like conditions and relocation site, we urge utilities like Meralco and cooperatives to
exercise social corporate responsibility. We have to adjust to the needs of people, there will be no
demolitions without relocation. ‘Di talaga ako papayag.