Global advocacy group Human Rights Watch thinks President Rodrigo Duterte sent mixed messages in his State of the Nation Address yesterday, Jul 25.
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“I profoundly felt the goodness of the heart of President Duterte when he delivered his first SONA today and I place confidence on his words that “We can not move forward if we allow the past to pull as back, Finger pointing is not the way”, said Mega cervantes.
Luis Jalandoni, chairman of the negotiating panel of the NDF, welcomed Duterte’s order to the AFP and Philippine National Police to implement a unilateral ceasefire with the NPA. Within the hour, the NDFP will issue a positive response.
“Let me say this, all of us want peace”, Duterte said.
To entice investors and create more jobs, Duterte said he will improve the ease of doing business in the country by cutting down requirements and accelerating the approvals of requisite permits from government.
This year’s version will get more worldwide attention than usual, because it will be delivered by the new President of the Philippines-Rodrigo Duterte.
On the other hand, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) is the political arm of the Maoists, that has been representing them in their on-and-off peace talks with the government in Oslo, Norway retained as the third party facilitator.
MANILA, Philippines (AP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral cease-fire with communist guerrillas effective immediately Monday and asked the rebels to do the same to end decades of deadly violence and foster the resumption of peace talks.
“We hope the law of the state would be sensitive to regulating life and to remember that without conscientious education of the so-called poor, the artificial means of contraception will end up being seen as an easy out way out and take away responsibilities that necessarily accompanies the marital act”, Msgr.
“The President was clear and direct to the point in his pronouncements”.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said there could be a release of some 11 communist leaders who will join the Oslo talks.
The ex-city mayor, who built a name for his tough, crime-busting style, also focused on his battle against illegal drugs, threatening drug dealers anew with death.
“The sheer number and problem will drown us”, he said, adding he was considering the use of military bases as drug rehabilitation centres. “We will strive to have a permanent and lasting peace before my term ends”, he went on.
In pushing for a federal, parliamentary form of government, Duterte said he supported the French model that retains a president and a prime minister for checks and balances.
The President also announced that he would extend the validity of new passports from five years to 10 years, and drivers license from three years to five years.
Duterte also vowed to address global warming as a top priority, but said he would refuse to commit the country to restrictions that would hinder economic development.
Benigno Aquino, Duterte’s predecessor, revived negotiations soon after taking office in 2010 but shelved them in 2013, accusing the fighters of being insincere about a political settlement.
“There will be no more finger pointing, vindictiveness is not in my system”, Duterte said.
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“We have to help each other for then and only then can we truly prevail”, he said.
