READ: Snippets of President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address

War on drugs:

The war against illegal drugs is far from over. It will not be sidelined. Instead, it will be as relentless and chilling, if you will, as on the day it began.

Criticisms:

If you think that I can be dissuaded from continuing this fight because of your protests, then you got it all wrong. Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives.

Corruption:

Corruption is like a leech that it bleeds the government of funds programmed for its infrastructure and other social development projects. Stolen wealth does not make the thief respectable. One day, justice will catch up with those who steal government funds. I value friendship, make no mistake about it. But it has its limits. This is a lonely place I am hemmed in. Do not make it lonelier by forcing me to end our friendship because you gave me the reason to end it. It pains me to end — the loss of friendships.

Government service:

I particularly call the attention of the agencies with the most number of red tape-related reports from the public, make your services truly customer-friendly. Our people deserve efficient, effective, and responsive government services. They deserve nothing less.

Bangsamoro Organic Law:

I make this solemn commitment that this administration will never deny our Muslim brothers and sisters the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the Constitutional framework of our country. War is not an option.

Relationship with China:

Our re-energized relations with China has also led to an unprecedented level of cooperation between our nations on the war against transnational crimes. Our improved relationship with China, however, does not mean that we will waver in our commitment to defend our interests in the West Philippine Sea.

Labor:

Our campaign against Endo has resulted in the regularization of more than 300,000 workers as of early this month. Read my lips, I understand that this does not satisfy all sectors. I share their sentiment; I truly do. Much as I would like to do the impossible, that power is not vested upon me by the Constitution. And neither will I make both ends meet even if I violate the laws to achieve that purpose. That is why I add mine to their voices in asking Congress to pass legislation ending the practice of contractualization once and for all.

Telecommunication:

A draft Terms of Reference for the entry of a new, major industry player is at hand. The terms will be fair, reasonable and comprehensive. We shall, therefore, lower interconnection rates between all industry players.

Environment:

Boracay Island, widely regarded as one of our country’s treasures and admired worldwide for its natural beauty, has sadly become the representation of the government’s negligence, including mine. I could not allow this decay to continue. I urge our local government units to proactively enforce our laws and not wait for us to swoop down on your areas just to do your duty and work.

Disaster-preparedness:

We, in the Cabinet, have approved for immediate endorsement to Congress the passage of a law creating the “Department of Disaster Management,” a high-priority measure aimed at genuinely strengthening our country’s capacity for [resilience] to natural disasters.

Mining:

I say this once again and maybe for the last time, do not destroy the environment or compromise our resources; repair what you have mismanaged. It is destroying my country. It is destroying the environment. It will destroy the world of tomorrow for our children.

TRAIN Law:

We need this for sustainable growth that leaves no Filipino left behind. TRAIN is already helping poor families and senior citizens cope up with rising prices. I applaud Congress for the timely passage of the TRAIN law. You have made funds available to build better roads and bridges, and improve health and education, and strengthen our safety and security.

Rice shortage:

To help stabilize rice prices, we also need to address the issue of artificial rice shortage. I now ask all the rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, you know that I know who you are: stop messing with the people. Power sometimes is not a good thing. But I hope I will not have to use it against you.

Healthcare system:

We shall pool all our resources for health services under the [PhilHealth]; institutionalize primary care as a prerequisite to access higher level of healthcare; and supplement human resource gaps of the LGUs through a National Health Workforce Support System.To this end, I urge the speedy passage of the Universal Health Care Bill authored by Former Representative Harry Roque.

Charter Change:

I have no illusions of occupying this office one day longer than what the Constitution under which I was elected permits; or under whatever Constitution there might be. Four administrations before me have all tried to amend the Constitution to be able to introduce amendments and reservations to the charter — revisions rather to the charter. But none of them was successfully done for one reason or another. I therefore consider it a distinct honor and privilege to have received earlier from the Consultative Committee that I created, the draft Federal Constitution that will truly embody the ideals and aspirations of all the Filipino people.

I am confident that the Filipino people will stand behind us as we introduce this new fundamental law that will not only strengthen our democratic institutions, but will also create an environment where every Filipino—regardless of social status, religion, or ideology—will have an equal opportunity to grow and create a future that he or she can proudly bequeath to the succeeding generations.

TAGS: President Rodrigo Duterte, State of the Nation Address, third