Filipinos online wish President Duterte would do away with his usual tantrums, curses, and jokes and make his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26 be his swan song.
In response to Manila Bulletin’s Facebook post, asking the public what they expected from the President for his last SONA, a number of those who commented wished that his upcoming speech would be an inspiring one.
“A last better public speech with full of encouragement inspiring words for his countrymen curse,” Facebook user Leonil Bernaldez wrote.
Netizen Henry Birol said Duterte did not even have to brag about his achievements, but wished for the President to thank the public for giving him the opportunity to be their leader.
“I just want to hear from him, ‘Salamat mga kababayan ko at binigyan niyo ako ng pagkakataong pagsilbihan ang ating Inang Bayan (Thank you, my countrymen, for giving me the chance to serve our country)!’ That’s it,” he said.
" naman niya kailangan pang banggitin ang mga napagawa niya nakikita naman ng mga tao at nagpapasalamat naman at siya na naging Pangulo (He does not have to mention his achievements because the people can see them and they are thankful that became the president),” he added.
Meanwhile, some netizens still wanted the President to enumerate the things he was able to achieve over the past five years, and compare them to his campaign promises in 2016.
“Dapat isa-isahin niya ‘yong mga pangako niya sa kanyang kampanya noong 2016 kung ‘yan ba’y natutupad, hindi ‘yong mga pagmumura, kabastusang salita, at patayan (He should list down his campaign promises if he fulfilled them instead of cursing, vulgar words, and killings),” netizen Gerry Ybona said.
“Of course, his achievements, his sentiments, and announcements!” Malu San Jose commented.
Facebook user Joel Jocson said Duterte could say anything he wanted, “as long as it is the truth.”
Meanwhile, some netizens thought that the President’s sixth and final SONA would not be any different from his ordinary speeches, saying it would be filled with expletives and attacks on his critics.
A number of commenters also thought that Duterte was not able to fulfill any of his promises.
“He did nothing. So what achievement can he talk about?” Facebook user Ronald De Gratian said.
“Can he talk about those innocent victims of the EJK (extrajudicial killings)? Can he talk about his lamentable failure to check the systemic corruption in the government? Can he talk about his dismal performance in all aspects of his governance? Walang kwenta (It’s worthless),” he added.
On July 21, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President’s landmark speech was already finalized, and that he had his first SONA rehearsal the same day.
He added that the upcoming SONA would look back at the past five years of the Duterte presidency and the administration's important programs.
“Ang magiging porma ng SONA niya ay titingnan niya ang nakalipas na limang taong siya’y naging Presidente (His SONA will look back on the past five years that he was President),” Roque said.
“Po-focus siya, siyempre, sa pag-unlad ng bayan, sa ating mga (He will focus, of course, on the country's growth, our) social programs, infrastructure, peace and security, foreign policy,” he added.
The President will likewise tell the public where the Philippines is currently situated.
“Sasagutin niya ang tanong na (He will answer the questions) ‘What and where are we now,?’ and ‘Looking forward’ doon sa huling taon ng panunungkulan ng ating Presidente (on his last year as the President),” Roque said.