FILE PHOTOS: Filipino well-wishers gather outside the Palace Hotel in Tokyo on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, as they wait for the arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte. Karl Norman Alonzo/PPD

The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Japan eagerly await President Rodrigo Duterte’s report in his third State of the Nation Address.

Despite being busy in their respective jobs in Japan, they are still very much interested in what’s happening in their beloved country, the Philippines.

They also appealed to the government and fellow Filipinos to work together in unity. For this year’s SONA here are there expectations, admonitions and concerns:

Marjorie Casis said, “Bilang isang OFW, dapat sana lahat tayo bilang Pilipino, dapat sana magkaisa tayo hindi yung nagkakahiwa-hiwalay tayo, kasi bilang Pilipino, walang magmamalasakitan kundi tayo.”

(As an OFW, I hope that we as Filipinos can be united because who else will be there for you but your own countrymen.)

“Dapat pagtuunan din ng pansin yung mga manggagawa natin sa Pilipinas, dahil sa endo… tapos yung mga infrastructure natin tsaka lalo na yung sa mga magsasaka natin,” OFW Calvin Macutay added.

(The government must also focus on the welfare of workers in the Philippines against illegal contractualization. They should also work on building infrastructures and taking care of farmers.)

“Kailangan po na yung pagtitiwala sa gobyerno, mag-uumpisa po sa sarili natin. Kasi kung wala tayong pagtitiwala sa gobyerno, ang mangyayari nun, wala tayong pagbabago,” OFW Jaime Miedes said.

(Faith in government should start within ourselves. If we don’t trust our government, we will not achieve progress.) — Ryuji Sasaki / UNTV News & Rescue

Tags: duterte, SONA, State of the Nation Address

FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shows a gesture of respect as he takes center stage during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Big Box in Singapore on April 28, 2018. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The overseas Filipino workers in Singapore are excited to hear President Rodrigo Duterte’s deliver his third State of the Nation Address today, July 23.

It can be recalled that 80% of Filipinos in Singapore voted for President Duterte. His two official visits to the country was well attended not only by the OFWs but also by Singaporeans and other nationalities.

“I’ve never seen such a down-to-earth [president] and really he loves all the Filipino people like his own kids, own children, he’s willing to kill to get all the drugs, all these drug addicts… just for the next generation of Filipino… really touched my heart… I mean, I never really seen such a good president,” a Singaporean named Mr. Leong said in admiration of Duterte.

One of the Duterte admin’s accomplishments that delighted OFWs hearts is the Republic Act 10928 extending the validity of Philippine passports to from 5 years to 10 years which was signed on August 2017.

Also, when the President, on his second visit in Singapore, announced the opening of embassies and consulars for service on Sundays.

“Gusto ko pong marinig sa ating Presidente ay yung mabigyang pansin yung mga bata sa Bongao, Tawi-Tawi nakakaawa po sila doon … kulang talaga sila sa atensyon ng ating gobyerno … tapos yung mga daan nila lubak-lubak tapos yun narinig ko mismo dun sa mga teachers nila na kailangan nila yun…yung atensyon na ipapagawa yung school nila doon dahil wala silang kubeta, wala silang tubig na para sa mga bata…” OFW Rosemarie Manrique Janola wished.

(I wish that Presidente Duterte will take notice of the children in Bongao, Tawi-tawi. They are really pitiful there… they lack government attention… the roads are rough and the school lacks toilets.)

While Singapore Filipino community leader Ms. Zeny Leong said, “Ang gusto ko pong marinig kay Tatay Digong at mai-balita sa buong mundo na sana matuloy na ang federalism parliament kase yun po ang maganda. Kase maghati-hati na yung [mga proposed states], kung saan mang lugar hahati-hatiin [yung resources ng government], hindi yung iisang lugar lang ang pagbibigyan ng lahat… sa buong bansa iisa lang napupuntahan, sa Maynila lang… kaya matagal ang flow ng pag-aasenso natin, buong Pilipino.”

(What I want to hear from President Duterte is the progress on the federalism parliament government change because it’s going to be good for our country because the resources of the government will be distributed equally to all the provinces and regions unlike in the present form of the government where it seems that all resources are concentrated in the National Capital Region only. This is why the flow of economic progress for our country is so slow.)

OFWs in Singapore also said that although they are away from the Philippines, they feel that there have been significant changes in the two years of the Duterte administration and also they pray for the continuation of progress in their native land so that they can retire early being OFWs and be with their family. — Maila Guevara/ UNTV News & Rescue

Tags: duterte, OFW in Singapore, SONA

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with film director Joyce Bernal on July 22, 2018 as they make preparations for the President’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Malacañan Palace. Joining the President is Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The length of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech at today’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) has been among the talks of the town for days now.

According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s initial report, it will only be a 35-minute or a 14-page speech.

But as most Filipinos know by now, President Duterte likes to go off-script in his speaking engagements to let the public hear his real views and thoughts on the problems that the country is currently facing.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, he is sure that the Chief Executive will not talk anymore about the accomplishments of the government in the previous year as these were already reported during the pre-SONA activities: “Tatak ng Pagbabago” organized by the PCOO together with other agencies.

This is why it is expected that Duterte will only talk about his administration’s plan for the incoming year.

It is also possible that the President will touch on the issue of charter change, federalism, Bangsamoro Organic Law and other priority legislative measures like the Rice Tariffication Act.

According to Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, the issue on war on drugs, crime and corruption are also potential talk points in Duterte’s speech.

By 3:30 pm, President Duterte will arrive at the Batasang Pambansa, but SAP Bong Go also said it is unlikely that President Duterte will go outside after the SONA to speak with protesters like what he did last time.

Presidential Spokesperson Sec. Roque disclosed that President Duterte has been in Malacañang this past weekend preparing for his 3rd SONA including a rehearsal with Director Joyce Bernal. — Rosalie Coz / UNTV News & Rescue

Tags: duterte, Joyce Bernal, SAP Bong Go, SONA, State of the Nation Address