He doesn’t want to be called president so from now on I’ll stick to calling him Mayor Duterte. I actually like it better, less formality.
I missed the first part of his SONA this afternoon because I made a quick trip to the grocery. When I got home, his speech was half-way.
A giant Philippine flag was the backdrop.
He promised to have a clean government.
I particularly liked the following promises (not in order of importance):
1. Laguna Lake-
He said the poor fishermen will have entitlements. He ordered a reduction of the area occupied by fishpens. Konti na lang natira sa local fishermen.
He also mentioned the lake’s pollution.
2. Reduction of income and corporate income taxes.
3. Increase in number of trains. Faster and more efficient trains
4. NAIA decongestion
5. Urgent measures to address the heavy traffic in Metro Manila
6. Ten year passport validity
7. Five year driver’s license expiry
8. More efficient government services
9. Continued illegal drug pounding
Except for the radical mining industry crackdown, I agreed on everything he plans to do. I liked that he didn’t blame the previous administration for the problems besetting our country. He is not vindictive.
I also liked the simpler attire of the ladies. Dati para silang mga Hollywood stars sa gagara ng mga suot at palamuti sa katawan. Ngayon, mas simple, dapat ganyan lang.
He is pushing for a federal state government like France.
When then US President George W. Bush visited Manila he spoke before members of Congress, Senate, etc. We were advised to be there before noon. They’re going to close daw all the roads leading to the Batasan. Syempre I didn’t want to miss this chance of seeing President Bush in the flesh. Some of the industry leaders met up at Sulu Hotel para malapit na kami. We had a quick breakfast of wanton soup. Donald Dee, Mike Varela, Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Pepito Alvarez, and a few others. Dali-dali kami, we convoyed to Batasan Pambansa with our big car passes and numbers flashed on the windshields of our vehicles otherwise we wouldn’t be able to pass. The streets have roadblocks and security personnel.
Security was real tight. We were seated by 11 am. Alas dose, ala una, alas dos, alas tres, duling na ako sa gutom, walang tayuan, walang may I go out. By 4 pm, dokleng na ako sa gutom. Hilung-hilo ako. I happened to be seated beside Pepito Alvarez. I forgot who was seated to my right. Naawa din sya sa akin kasi talagang gutum-na -gutom na ako. We couldn’t leave the hall because security was very tight. I might not be able to go back to my seat. Baka biglang dumating si President Bush, mtyempo kung kailan ako nag-me-meryenda.
I thought he would arrive at 11 am or 12 noon because we were advised to be there early morning. Yun pala he was scheduled to speak at 5 in the afternoon. Grabe, lahat kami nagutom. When he arrived, napawi naman lahat ang gutom namin.
Pihado ganito rin kanina, marami siguro ang nagutom. Mas maganda sa tv na lang manood while eating chicharon with suka. Yum.
