Here's what VP Duterte think of Marcos' second SONA
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Published Jul 24, 2023 01:42 pm
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte is no stranger to the traditions, pomp, pageantry, and politics of a State of the Nation Address (SONA), having attended her own father’s during his term, so what does she think of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second SONA?
(From left) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte (Malacañang/ OVP)
In a statement sent to the media after the Chief Executive’s 70-minute speech on Monday, Marcos' 2022 running-mate under the UniTeam ticket congratulated and thanked him for the support he has shown the education sector and the Mindanao region.
“Congratulations, Apo BBM! I am truly grateful for President Ferdinand Marcos and his leadership marked with decisiveness, strength, fortitude, and political will — clearly demonstrated over the past year in office,” she said.
“His unremitting support of the reforms introduced by the Department of Education to the education system through the MATATAG Agenda will benefit not only our learners but also the teaching and non-teaching staff of the department,” Duterte, who is also the country’s Education chief, added.
The Vice President described Marcos’ leadership as an inspiration for his official family to deliver what they promised to Filipinos.
“Thank you, Apo BBM, for reminding us of our obligation to our country — an obligation contained in the contract we signed with the Filipino people in the 2022 election,” she said.
But in particular, the official thanked the President for his “unremitting support of the reforms introduced by the Department of Education to the education system through the MATATAG Agenda will benefit not only our learners but also the teaching and non-teaching staff of the department.”
In his speech, Marcos lauded Duterte and her MATATAG agenda for introducing reforms to the education sector and addressing long-standing issues, such as the shortage of classrooms and facilities, the lack of workforce, and the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are augmenting as well our school workforce. 90 percent of the newly created teaching positions have now been filled, while additional administrative personnel have been hired to unburden the teachers of any extra load,” he reported.
“Learners will be made more resilient. Our public schools and facilities are being increased and fortified. The shortage of classrooms and facilities is being addressed. Aside from new constructions, schools and facilities are being retrofitted to become ready for the future—ready for hybrid and high-tech learning, and also climate-ready and disaster-proof,” Marcos said.
Duterte also said she was “pleased” to hear about the Marcos administration’s development agenda for Mindanao, which she calls her home.
“It offers us hope and a deep sense of optimism that the efforts to stamp out terrorism and the peace-building initiatives of the past administrations are strengthened to bring about meaningful development for the region and its people,” she added.
The President expressed his administration’s support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), adding that financial aid is already being extended to the Marawi siege victims and assuring that peace-building efforts will continue there during his term.
“We are proud of the progress that the BARMM has taken. It will be self-governing, it will be progressive, and it will be effective….Through the BARMM, we have strengthened the nation’s prospects for finally achieving sustainable progress anchored on a true and lasting peace in Southern Philippines,” he said.
After his speech, Marcos shook hands with members of both Congress and Cabinet secretaries. Upon reaching Duterte’s side, he took a picture with her and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, together with other congressional members.
(From left) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte (Malacañang/ OVP)
In a statement sent to the media after the Chief Executive’s 70-minute speech on Monday, Marcos' 2022 running-mate under the UniTeam ticket congratulated and thanked him for the support he has shown the education sector and the Mindanao region.
“Congratulations, Apo BBM! I am truly grateful for President Ferdinand Marcos and his leadership marked with decisiveness, strength, fortitude, and political will — clearly demonstrated over the past year in office,” she said.
“His unremitting support of the reforms introduced by the Department of Education to the education system through the MATATAG Agenda will benefit not only our learners but also the teaching and non-teaching staff of the department,” Duterte, who is also the country’s Education chief, added.
The Vice President described Marcos’ leadership as an inspiration for his official family to deliver what they promised to Filipinos.
“Thank you, Apo BBM, for reminding us of our obligation to our country — an obligation contained in the contract we signed with the Filipino people in the 2022 election,” she said.
But in particular, the official thanked the President for his “unremitting support of the reforms introduced by the Department of Education to the education system through the MATATAG Agenda will benefit not only our learners but also the teaching and non-teaching staff of the department.”
In his speech, Marcos lauded Duterte and her MATATAG agenda for introducing reforms to the education sector and addressing long-standing issues, such as the shortage of classrooms and facilities, the lack of workforce, and the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are augmenting as well our school workforce. 90 percent of the newly created teaching positions have now been filled, while additional administrative personnel have been hired to unburden the teachers of any extra load,” he reported.
“Learners will be made more resilient. Our public schools and facilities are being increased and fortified. The shortage of classrooms and facilities is being addressed. Aside from new constructions, schools and facilities are being retrofitted to become ready for the future—ready for hybrid and high-tech learning, and also climate-ready and disaster-proof,” Marcos said.
Duterte also said she was “pleased” to hear about the Marcos administration’s development agenda for Mindanao, which she calls her home.
“It offers us hope and a deep sense of optimism that the efforts to stamp out terrorism and the peace-building initiatives of the past administrations are strengthened to bring about meaningful development for the region and its people,” she added.
The President expressed his administration’s support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), adding that financial aid is already being extended to the Marawi siege victims and assuring that peace-building efforts will continue there during his term.
“We are proud of the progress that the BARMM has taken. It will be self-governing, it will be progressive, and it will be effective….Through the BARMM, we have strengthened the nation’s prospects for finally achieving sustainable progress anchored on a true and lasting peace in Southern Philippines,” he said.
After his speech, Marcos shook hands with members of both Congress and Cabinet secretaries. Upon reaching Duterte’s side, he took a picture with her and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, together with other congressional members.