President Rodrigo Duterte gave his first State

of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

He delivered it at the Batasang Pambansa in
Quezon City, where 37 of the past 77 SONAs
were delivered.
What did he say?
President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his first
State of the Nation Address at the Batasang
Pambansa on July 25, 2016. AFP PHOTO/Ted
Aljibe
During his speech, the President declared a
ceasefire with the Communist Party of the
Philippines-New People's Army-National
Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
This was the first time in Philippine history
that a ceasefire (a temporary suspension of
fighting) was announced during the SONA.
President Duterte also emphasized his
commitment to fight crime, corruption, and
the illegal drug trade.
"We will not stop until the last drug lords
have surrendered or are put, behind bars or
below ground," he said.
He also warned the police not to abuse their
authority as they go after drug users and
pushers.
Here are some other highlights from the
2016 SONA:
1. Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs
Duterte said that he will create a
government committee that will focus on the
fight against illegal drugs.
Its members will come from different
agencies.
2. Drug rehab centers in military camps
The government will increase the number of
drug rehabilitation centers nationwide.
Military camps will even be used as facilities
for drug rehabilitation.

The Philippine National Police said over

120,000 drug suspects voluntarily
surrendered to authorities since the Duterte
administration implemented Project Tokhang
or Toktok-Hangyo (Knock-Ask), where the
police knock on the doors of suspected drug
personalities and ask them to stop their
illegal activities.
The figure includes among over 112,900
drug users and more than 7,100 pushers.
3. Lower taxes
Duterte said the government will lower
personal and corporate taxes.
Taxes come from a person's or a company's
income. The government uses the money to
fund its activities and public services.
The Philippines reportedly has the second
highest income tax rate in the ASEAN region.
4. West Philippine Sea
Duterte said the Philippines strongly respects
the decision of an international tribunal on
the maritime case the country filed against
China before the Permanent Court of
Arbitration in The Hague, The Netherlands in
2013.
On July 12 this year, the tribunal, in a 501page decision, ruled in favor of the
Philippines. Among the important rulings of
the tribunal was the statement that China
has no historical rights over most of the
South China Sea and should not prevent
other people, including Filipinos, from fishing
in the area.
5. Permits in three days
Duterte said the processing time for
government permits and licenses will be
reduced to three days.
6. Driver's licenses
Duterte said the validity of drivers' licenses
will be lengthened to five years. These

licenses, at present, are valid for only three

years. With a longer validity, drivers will not
need to line up as often for their licenses.

deadliest country for journalists and media

staff, with 146 killed from 1990 to 2015. Only
Iraq has a worse record in that period.

7. More trains

11. Nationwide information campaign on

federalism

Duterte said the government will build more

train railways not only in Metro Manila but in
other parts of the country, including
Mindanao.
A railway will also be built to connect Metro
Manila to Clark International Airport in
Pampanga. This will be done so that more
domestic and international flights can be
transferred to Clark, to ease the load of the
busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
8. Illegal logging, mining
Military officers will be assisting the
government in its fight against illegal
logging, illegal mining, "and other
destructive practices that aggravate the
devastation of our natural resources," the
President said.
9. Muslim TV channel, Lumad TV channel
Duterte said government broadcast stations
will be improved People's Broadcasting
Corporation will replace PTV-4 and Radyo ng
Bayan will be upgraded.
Duterte also said his hometown of Davao
City will be the site of the first Muslim
Channel, to be called Salaam Television, and
the first Lumad channel.
10. Task force on media killings
Duterte said the government will form a task
force to investigate media killings.
According to the International Federation of
Journalists, the Philippines is the second

At present, the Philippines has a central form

of government, but Duterte wants to change
this into a federal system.
To do this, the 1987 Constitution of the
Republic of the Philippines has to be changed
because the present constitution rules that a
central form of government will be adopted.
Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. explains
the federal system: "Under the federal
system, the central government would be
limited to a few powers like maintenance of
law and order, one army, one judiciary with
modifications, one educational policy, one
flag, and a few other functions. All other
duties of government, especially on matters
of development, would now be a function of
federal states."
Duterte said there will be a nationwide
campaign to help people understand
federalism.
Many countries have a federal system of
government, including the United States,
which has a central government and state
governments.
12. Magna Carta of Women
Duterte called for the full implementation of
the Magna Carta of Women signed in 2009.
The law protects women from all forms of
violence. It also calls for the equal treatment
of women and men.