Duterte allies win leadership of Congress ahead of speech

“Instead of speaking out against the sharp rise in police killings of suspected drug dealers and users and the sinister increase in extrajudicial killings of criminal suspects by unknown perpetrators, Duterte implicitly voiced support for such unlawful brutality by stating that police can rightly put illegal drug suspects “below the ground” if necessary”, Kine said.

President Rodrigo Duterte during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday said that he wants the validity of driver’s licenses extended from three years to five years to reduce queuing at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

“The sheer number and problem will drown us”, he said.

House Secretary-General Marilyn Barua-Yap said preparations for this year’s SONA went smoothly as they just followed the “simple arrangements” required by the Malacañang.

He said 120,000 people had surrendered to police in the past month, and 70,000 were drug pushers.

Nicknamed “the punisher” and “Duterte Harry” for his brutal fight against crime, Duterte hit back at activists incensed by a surge in the killing of suspected drug traffickers, saying human rights should protect dignity, not let criminals destroy the country.

The tradition of the delivering a SONA in the country started in 1935 when then president Manuel Quezon addressed a special session of the National Assembly on November 25, 1935.

But many of Duterte’s supporters believe his government’s stance on crime and drugs is justified.

Duterte also remains a popular leader, with 91% approval rating from a recent Pulse survey.

There are also questions surrounding Duterte’s foreign policy agenda, particularly with regards to China.

“It is alarming that these incidents happened after Duterte was elected president”, said Fr Robert Reyes, known as the “running priest” for his penchant to run for various causes.

The annual speech used to be a red carpet affair, with lawmakers in their finest Filipiniana shirts and long gowns.

This year, Duterte issued strict orders to tone the fashion and pageantry down.

Millions of Filipinos are expected to tune in as the speech will be broadcast live on television and social media.