House Majority Leader Representative Martin Romualdez on Monday said the final State of the Nation Address (SONA) is but a capsule of what he was able to achieve for the country and for the Filipino people in the last five years.
"Clearly, three hours were not enough to spell out all the relevant programs and projects that the Duterte administration has implemented to improve the living conditions of our people," Romualdez said.
But the Leyte 1st District Representative said what clearly stood out is the fact that Duterte was able to accomplish what were deemed as impossible missions in the past.
Under Duterte's watch, Romualdez cited laws providing free college education, healthcare coverage for all Filipinos, free irrigation, an autonomous government for the Bangsamoro came to fruition.
"Before he was elected President in 2016, all these were just dreams that seem elusive and unattainable in our generation," the solon said.
"It is lamentable that these sterling accomplishments were relegated to the background to give way to more urgent issues that President Duterte need to address in his SONA," he noted.
Rather than delve lengthily on his achievements, he said the President made the right decision in choosing to give out additional marching orders to keep the government's COVID-19 response moving.
"We heard the President's message loud and clear. Now is not the time for divisive politics," Romualdez said.
"We have to work as a team--and act fast--to save precious human lives and to bounce back from the economic ravages brought about by the global pandemic," he said.