MANILA, Philippines – An expert said he was impressed with the manner in which President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his policies to the people in his fourth state of the nation address (SONA).
Dr. Dennis Coronacion, Chairman of UST’s Department of Political Science believes that the President’s rhetorical style was able to connect him to the Filipino people.
“Kasi kung aalalahanin natin ang sinabi niya sa SONA, napaka-simple ng kanyang mga salita, (If you recall what he was saying in his SONA, his words were very simple),” he observed.
“Even the humor, mabenta sa mga Pilipino except meron mga negative reaction doon sa kanyang mga sexist na mga jokes na hindi na nawawala sa ating pangulo, (Filipinos accept even his humor except that negative reactions come when he speaks of sexist jokes which are inevitable with our President),” he added.
Dr. Coronacion also noted how the President directly addressed the Filipino people in his speech.
“I have met the enemy face-to-face and sadly, the enemy is “us.” We are our own tormentors — addressing the Filipino people — we are our own demons,” the President said in his SONA in July 22.
Dr. Coronacion said it was the first time that he heard the President speaking from a moral point of view or from a moral stand point without excluding himself from the problems.
Prof. Coronacion explained that among the points the Filipinos lauded in the President’s SONA were his proposed reforms that would ease the public’s burden such as streamlining government services particularly the process of license applications as well as his drive against corruption.
These were among the President’s major agenda in his SONA that he directed to the Filipinos.
“Kayo rin kasi sinasabi ko na sa inyo, (I blame you for [corruption] and I am telling you this), be assertive,” the President said.
“Kapag kayo o ikaw hiningian (If someone asked you to pay) more than the required payment by government at humingi pa sa iyo (and asked for more), I’ve been telling you mag-eskandalo kayo sa opisina (start a commotion in the office). Make a scene. Sampalin mo kasi aabot rin sa akin iyan, (Slap him/her if you can because eventually that will be reported to me),” he added.
This statement, Dr. Coronacion said, and the President’s style of repeating his point made his speech more effective.
“Halimbawa, tapos na niyang sabihin noong una parte ng kanyang speech, uulitin na naman niya noong kalagitnaan at bago na naman siya magtapos inulit na naman niya. Sabi niya improvement of government services,” he observed.
(For example, he mentioned something at the beginning of his speech. Then he would repeat it midway through. Before he ends, he would again mention his point like improvement of government services.)
Prof. Coronacion said the President has maintained his rhetorical style that he has been practicing since he was mayor of Davao City, the same style that earned him high performance ratings until today.
However, Prof. Coronacion said he disagrees with President Duterte in terms of his foreign policy especially his stand on the West Philippine Sea issue.
He believes that it would be better to include other claimant nations in resolving conflicts in the disputed territories.
“Like Indonesia, kapag nakikita nilang binu-bully sila they fight back. Pero pag ini-invite silang makipag-diplomatic talks, pinapayagan nila,” he explained.
(Like Indonesia. If they feel being bullied, they fight back. But if they are invited to diplomatic talks, they send representatives.)
Dr. Coronacion said the question now is how President Duterte will be able to accomplish all his plans given only three years before his term ends.
The President is expected to step down from office in 2022 when the Philippines will elect its 17th President.
By that time, Dr. Coronacion said, President Duterte’s allies will also be busy with their respective campaign initiatives. – with reports from Rey Pelayo
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