SONA 2016: A guide for kids

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his first State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa on July 25, 2016. AFP PHOTO/Ted Aljibe

President Rodrigo Duterte gave his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

He delivered it at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, where 37 of the past 77 SONAs were delivered.

What did he say?

During his speech, the President declared a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

This was the first time in Philippine history that a ceasefire (a temporary suspension of fighting) was announced during the SONA.

President Duterte also emphasized his commitment to fight crime, corruption, and the illegal drug trade.

"We will not stop until the last drug lords have surrendered or are put, behind bars or below ground," he said.

He also warned the police not to abuse their authority as they go after drug users and pushers.

Here are some other highlights from the 2016 SONA:

1. Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs

Duterte said that he will create a government committee that will focus on the fight against illegal drugs.

Its members will come from different agencies.

2. Drug rehab centers in military camps

The government will increase the number of drug rehabilitation centers nationwide. Military camps will even be used as facilities for drug rehabilitation.

The Philippine National Police said over 120,000 drug suspects voluntarily surrendered to authorities since the Duterte administration implemented Project Tokhang or Toktok-Hangyo (Knock-Ask), where the police knock on the doors of suspected drug personalities and ask them to stop their illegal activities.

The figure includes among over 112,900 drug users and more than 7,100 pushers.

3. Lower taxes

Duterte said the government will lower personal and corporate taxes.

Taxes come from a person's or a company's income. The government uses the money to fund its activities and public services.

The Philippines reportedly has the second highest income tax rate in the ASEAN region.

4. West Philippine Sea

Duterte said the Philippines strongly respects the decision of an international tribunal on the maritime case the country filed against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, The Netherlands in 2013.

On July 12 this year, the tribunal, in a 501-page decision, ruled in favor of the Philippines. Among the important rulings of the tribunal was the statement that China has no historical rights over most of the South China Sea and should not prevent other people, including Filipinos, from fishing in the area.

5. Permits in three days

Duterte said the processing time for government permits and licenses will be reduced to three days.

6. Driver's licenses

Duterte said the validity of drivers' licenses will be lengthened to five years. These licenses, at present, are valid for only three years. With a longer validity, drivers will not need to line up as often for their licenses.

7. More trains

Duterte said the government will build more train railways not only in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country, including Mindanao.

A railway will also be built to connect Metro Manila to Clark International Airport in Pampanga. This will be done so that more domestic and international flights can be transferred to Clark, to ease the load of the busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

8. Illegal logging, mining

Military officers will be assisting the government in its fight against illegal logging, illegal mining, "and other destructive practices that aggravate the devastation of our natural resources," the President said.

9. Muslim TV channel, Lumad TV channel

Duterte said government broadcast stations will be improved — People's Broadcasting Corporation will replace PTV-4 and Radyo ng Bayan will be upgraded.

Duterte also said his hometown of Davao City will be the site of the first Muslim Channel, to be called Salaam Television, and the first Lumad channel.

10. Task force on media killings

Duterte said the government will form a task force to investigate media killings.

According to the International Federation of Journalists, the Philippines is the second deadliest country for journalists and media staff, with 146 killed from 1990 to 2015. Only Iraq has a worse record in that period.

11. Nationwide information campaign on federalism

At present, the Philippines has a central form of government, but Duterte wants to change this into a federal system.

To do this, the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines has to be changed because the present constitution rules that a central form of government will be adopted.

Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. explains the federal system: "Under the federal system, the central government would be limited to a few powers like maintenance of law and order, one army, one judiciary with modifications, one educational policy, one flag, and a few other functions. All other duties of government, especially on matters of development, would now be a function of federal states."

Duterte said there will be a nationwide campaign to help people understand federalism.

Many countries have a federal system of government, including the United States, which has a central government and state governments.

12. Magna Carta of Women

Duterte called for the full implementation of the Magna Carta of Women signed in 2009.

The law protects women from all forms of violence. It also calls for the equal treatment of women and men.

Quick facts about President Duterte

1. He is the first President from Mindanao.

2. He was born on March 28, 1945. This makes him 71 years old—the oldest person in Philippine history to assume the presidency.

3. He was elected to the presidency on May 9 and began his six-year term on June 30.

4. He is the second president to be officially listed as single. The first single President was the one who came before him, former President Benigno Aquino III.

5. He was previously married to Elizabeth Zimmerman. They separated in 1998 and their marriage was annulled in 2000. They have one daughter and two sons together. Duterte's current partner is Honeylet Avanceña. They have one daughter together.

6. He won the May 9 elections with 15,970,018 votes, over six million votes higher than his closest rival, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

7. In winning the presidency, he defeated Roxas, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Another presidential contender was Rep. Roy Señeres, who died on February 8 this year, days after announcing he was quitting the presidential race due to health reasons.

Quick facts about the SONA

1. The President is required by the Constitution to deliver the State of the Nation Address. It is an annual report about the country's situation and the administration's plans for the coming year.

2. The President delivers the SONA before Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives). Both houses of Congress hold a joint session in the Session Hall of the House of Representatives.

3. The First Philippine Republic, under President Manuel Quezon, borrowed the SONA tradition from Europe, where the head of state ceremonially opened the sessions of the National Assembly.

Quezon delivered the first SONA in the Philippines in 1935. — BM, GMA News

Sources: www.gov.ph, RTVM