Thread by @mikenavallo

PERSONAL THREAD:

President Duterte starts off 5th State of the Nation Address by attacking Sen. Frank Drilon, the Lopezes and ABS-CBN, accusing the family of using the network against political enemies. Says he is among victims.

Pres Duterte proceeds to tout services given by PH govt to address coronavirus pandemic, including those by Malasakit Center, lauding efforts of Sen. Bong Go.

No mention so far of Balik-Probinsya program, blamed by some LGU officials for the spread of coronavirus in provinces.

Pres. Duterte praises Southeast Asian Games hosting, saying "Indeed, we won as one."

FACT-CHECK: SEA Games hosting was also marred by controversies surrounding the country's preparedness to host the Games.

Pres. Duterte says economic and fiscal situation of PH strong. Says PH in better position to weather global crisis brought by coronavirus pandemic. Also mentions Build, Build, Build program. Says will release comprehensive written report of milestones and accomplishments.

Pres. Duterte enumerates executive orders and other issuances he has signed to eliminate discrimination and child labor. Says he will not dodge obligation to fight for human rights.

UN OHCHR in June released comprehensive report showing serious human rights violations in PH.

UN human rights report: A heavy-handed focus on countering national security threats and illegal drugs has resulted in serious human rights violations in the Philippines, including killings and arbitrary detentions, as well as the vilification of dissent.

ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/…

Pres. Duterte thanks those who supplied food, water, etc... in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic; efforts of frontliners and local govt officials. Says he prays LGU officials would set aside partisan politics and do what is good for all.

Pres. Duterte says when pandemic struck, he prioritized lives. Claims early response prevented 1.3 to 3.5M infections.

FACT-CHECK: PH govt was also criticized for slow response in cancelling flights to and from Wuhan, China where the coronavirus started.

Pres. Duterte praises Congress for swift passage of Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which provided needed funds to address coronavirus pandemic.

Some groups are calling for transparency in govt spending of these funds.

Pres. Duterte says TESDA offering skills training to provide jobs and scholarships for children of OFWs.

CONTEXT: An estimated 7M Filipinos expected to lose their jobs because of the pandemic. CHED suffered billions in budget cut.

Pres. Duterte calls for "bayanihan" from lessors. Asks them to be fair and compassionate to tenants and lessees: Huwag po natin silang ipagtabuyan...Commercial establishments expected to give grace periods...Let us help them recover.

Pres. Duterte touts P182.5M loans approved for MSMEs, asks BSP, banks to allow loan extensions: We need your help to prevent collapse of companies...Ito ang panahon para suportahan kababayang nagnegosyo.

Pres Duterte in Jolo touted bringing down oligarchs, referring to ABS-CBN

Pres. Duterte directs DTI to empower Filipinos' consumer rights.

Millions of viewers of ABS-CBN and customers of Sky Direct, TV Plus lost access to some TV channels, radio stations because of the shutdown.

Pres. Duterte says until COVID19 vaccine is available, he will not allow face-to-face learning.

Pres. Duterte says TV frequencies reverted back to govt will be used to provide uninterrupted education to children, shift to e-learning. Directs govt officials to come up with plan.

A Duterte-allied lawmaker has proposed use of ABS-CBN frequencies for distance learning.

Pres. Duterte hits Smart and Globe for services, warns them to improve services before December. Says patience of Filipinos wearing thin.

Pres. Duterte says he signed executive order to institutionalize Balik-Probinsya program, creating an "international" agency program headed by Exec Sec Salvador Medialdea.

Jokes: Kung hindi niyo ako naiintindihan, mas lalo ako.

Pres. Duterte shares plan to increase rural health ctrs. Plans to address security concerns, implement brgy devt program. Says armed forces would play role in one-nation approach, all agencies should participate. Urges soldiers to end skirmishes to be able to implement program.

Pres. Duterte says martial law in Mindanao was implemented without abuses.

Pres. Duterte pushes for law imposing death penalty by lethal injection for some crimes. Proceeds to talk about dangers of illegal drugs to families.

CONTEXT: Some bills have been pending in the House and Senate calling for reinstatement of death penalty

Pres. Duterte renews call for Congress to pass National Housing Devt, Rental Housing bills. Asks Congress to amend RA 10912 (Continuing Professional Devt Act of 2016). In time of great pandemic, reconstruction, requiring professionals to undergo seminars burdensome, not realistic

Pres. Duterte calls for passage of Nursing Education Act, Medical Reserve Corps, National Disease Prevention and Management Authority to better respond to future outbreaks. Says COVID-19 won't be last pandemic.

Pres. Duterte says there is need to adjust pension system applicable to newly-hired uniform personnel (so as not to affect ballooning budget in the future).

Says that doubling the salaries of military, police not politicking but to have decent life, attempt to avoid corruption.

Pres. Duterte says he wants to modernize Fire Protection and Immigration bureaus, urges passage of Dept of Disaster Resilience.

Pres. Duterte reiterates passage of Land Use Act. Says he wants rehabilitation of environment for the rest of his term, citing Boracay Island as example. Says he wants Boracay Devt Authority.

DENR recently allowed some mining companies closed by Gina Lopez to resume operations.

Pres. Duterte says he wants to use coconut levy for welfare of coconut farmers; leaves to Congress to decide what to do with it. Wants creation of coconut farmers' trust fund.

Wants Congress to pass law on rural agri fisheries devt financing system - Plant, Plant, Plant program

*reiterates CALL FOR passage of Land Use Act.

Pres. Duterte to continue to pursue independent foreign policy. Says he has nothing against, America, China.

Says China is in possession of areas in West PH Sea. What can we do? Admits being "inutil."

Former SAJ Antonio Carpio had rebutted this:

news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/22/19/…

Pres. Duterte says that as long as he is Pres, there won't be run-away crimes in cities: I can assure you we will remain relatively peaceful. You know what will happen to you. I'm addressing myself to criminals. Kaaway mo na ako. Hahanapin ko kayo. Don't ever go back to old ways.

Pres. Duterte says USA suffering consequence of opening up early in lifting #COVID19 restrictions. Asks public to continue putting faith in govt in achieving what is best for country and people.

Pres. Duterte: Ito ay panahon para magtulungan, hindi maglamangan (has trouble pronouncing this)...Together, we shall overcome.

Pres. Duterte singles out Sen. Drilon. Asks him if he was part of ACCRA law firm when contract with Ayalas was drafted. Asks why he's the only one who's angry about political dynasty. Calls Drilon a hypocrite: You know you cannot pass an anti-dynasty law.

Pres. Duterte: The oligarchy that exists in this country is the oligarchy that existed during the Spanish time...
This is the oligarchy that controls the Philippines by taking control of the water and the electricity and power. Yan ang oligarchy mo Drilon.

Pres. Duterte says he would insist that water company-oligarchs pay billions collected without building water treatment facility.

Pres. Duterte apologizes for rant: It's not time for it but since it is time for SONA, for people to know and for people to really get facts and right of people to be heard.

Says corruption in Customs small compared to "upstairs" then proceeds to discuss water contracts.

Pres. Duterte ends speech with: "I am through."

Asked to elaborate on Pres Duterte's order to study using frequencies that reverted back to govt for distance learning, Justice Sec Menardo Guevarra says he "was also a bit surprised. i will clarify with the OP."

Guevarra: I got the impression that the govt will utilize available broadcast frequencies, presumably including those previously held by ABS-CBN, for distance learning purposes. So I was probably being asked, together w/ DICT and other officials, to study how this could be done.

CHR fact-checks Pres Duterte: calling for revival of death penalty goes against his statements during #SONA2020 that he puts human lives first above all and will not dodge obligation to fight for human rights. Warns PH will breach intl law if we bring back death penalty.

CHR on revival of death penalty: We believe in the need for a comprehensive approach in addressing drug sale and use, as well as all other crimes, anchored on restorative justice instead of merely imposing punishments without regard for human lives and human rights.

Rights group Karapatan belies President's claim he will not dodge human rights obligations by citing withdrawal from Rome Statute/ICC, treatment of UN reps, hits stand on death penalty. Cites abuses in Mindanao, claims brgy devt program will lead to militarization.

Even before govt agencies could study use of frequencies that reverted back to govt for distance learning, ABS-CBN Corp. offers use of transmission network, educational programs it has produced in the past 20 years to help students.

#InTheServiceOfTheFilipino

Former SC Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio again rebuffs President Duterte: China does not possess PH exclusive economic zone. Urges PH instead to follow neighbors Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia who assert sovereign rights but are not at war with China.

More reactions to #SONA2020: NUPL Pres Atty. Edre Olalia says it was "unstatesmanlike" to publicly castigate at a SONA an opposition senator, a disfavored media outfit and targeted big business. Says one cannot dismantle one disfavored "oligarchy" and create another "oligarchy."

Olalia also hits Pres. Duterte for pushing for death penalty instead of worsening effect of the pandemic.

Olalia: Re territorial claims, he said it best, "inutil ako." In law, that is a declaration against interest and is admissible as evidence.

Ex-sen candidate Samira Gutoc says Pres should "walk the talk" in calling for unity, not ranting about his personal vendetta: Pres failed to dismantle oligarchs, worse, he replaced them of his own.

Gutoc raises 8 suggestions including targeted mass testing and contact tracing.