POLITICAL analyst Ramon Casiple has given President Rodrigo Duterte a grade of more than five for his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) last Monday at the Batasang Pambansa.
Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, said he will give Duterte "more than 5" but his performance in his first year, a point higher than what he gave Duterte's predecessor Benigno Aquino III in his first year in office.
Asked why he gave a passing grade Casiple said: "Yung mga promises niya e tinutupad niya. Kahit wala pa yung iba, yung change andun na. Yung impact nagsisimula na."
Casiple said that the President's profanities during the two-hour Sona might have been a reflection of his frustrations as the country's leader, adding up the pressure from the much criticized martial law in Mindanao.
Casiple said it was already expected that the president will discuss his campaign against illegal drugs, the martial law crisis, and the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
What surprised him, he said, is Duterte's long message addressed to mining companies somewhat expressing his interest in its economic side.
"He allowed it with proviso for responsible mining and development of ore processing before export. He wants higher value for the exported ore," Casiple said, adding that these might have been a part of Duterte's economic strategies.
In his speech, Duterte said he will put a stop to the extraction and exportation of the country's mineral resources to foreign nations to further benefit the poor. He also threatened to tax to death mining companies if they will not restore the virginity of their resources.
Casiple said the president should have discussed further his promises on internet speed, his administration's plan to further address traffic and how will it put an end in contractualization.
On peace talks, Casiple said what the president said when he met the militant groups after his speech was more important than what he said during his Sona.
During the Sona Duterte said he does not want to talk peace anymore, but when he faced the rallyists, he said, the Communist Party of the Philippines National Democratic Front (CPP/NDF) should not ambush him, if they want to peace negotiations to continue.
The political analyst lauded the president for his effort to reach the protesters after his speech to clarify his stand on the resumption of peace talks. (VoxPop Philippines)
