Duterte's SONA focuses on oligarchs, death penalty amid pandemic criticism

President Rodrigo Duterte's 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, 2020, focused on targeting oligarchs and pushing for a death penalty bill, which critics argue distracted from more pressing issues like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President's nearly two-hour speech did not include specific plans for the pandemic recovery roadmap for the country, raising questions about the administration's sense of urgency and priorities.

Youth organizations expressed disappointment, stating that the SONA failed to provide a clear roadmap for the COVID-19 response and address the economic impact on millions of jobless Filipinos.

Duterte mentioned his hopes for a vaccine and thanked frontliners who risk their lives to respond to those most affected by the disease.

The 2020 SONA was delivered to a limited audience of 50 key Congress and Cabinet officials due to physical distancing restrictions.

The speech included the mention of 21 priority bills Duterte wanted tackled in the remaining two years of his presidency.