President Rodrigo Duterte just delivered the longest speech in SONA history that lasted 1 hour and 32 minutes, if I am not mistaken.
The President’s speech was punctuated by several rounds of applause and in the end, merited a standing ovation from the live audience.
But how did the social media personalities, celebrities, and ordinary netizens react to President Duterte’s SONA?
Let us head to Facebook and Twitter to pick out the heartwarming comments of the netizens who did watch the President’s SONA speech.
On Facebook:
Atty. Bruce Rivera shared his thoughts on Facebook that reads:
HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO
Never have I heard a speech so long he had to edit himself because he knows it is too long. Is that bad? By all mean, NO.
PRRD showed us in his first SONA that he knows what to do. He knows the problems even in its details. He placed Congress in its place and told them that despite their political prostitution, he does not owe them anything even taking a swipe at Sen. Drilon which was the biggest burn ever. He knows the direction he is taking us and he is clear in his principles and policies. He gave special attention to women, the lumad rights and to the poorest of the poor. Though he neglected to mention HIV and the LGBT, which I think is forgivable due to the sheer range of issues he had to address, I am mighty proud.
Our President was not rhetorical or rehearsed and was far from the public speaking skills of ordinary politician. But he was real, engaging and most importantly, in command. The message in his SONA is simple: Stop hating the past and ignore the haters of the present because he is in command and he knows how to fix it.
And I take a sigh of relief. I made the right choice.
Cesar Apolinario of GMA News wrote:
It is definitely a different yet sensible and doable SONA from former mayor and now THE MAYOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: The only difference is that we were stuck along IBP road with the rest of the militant groups who are just starting their scheduled program. Goodluck!
Sunshine Cruz can’t hold back her excitement while watching President Duterte’s SONA speech.
Excited and looking forward to a better Philippines. God bless you our dear President. #SONA2016
— Sunshine Cruz (@sunshinecruz718) July 25, 2016
Showtime host Coleen Garcia sums up President Duterte’s speech in three words.
Simple. Straightforward. Sincere. #SONA2016
— Coleen Ortega Garcia (@coleengarcia) July 25, 2016
Netizen named Hideki S. Magtoto is hopeful of the future.
After that speech, i can honestly say that this country is in good hands.
No to corruption!! #SONA2016
— Hideki S. Magtoto (@dudezdeki) July 25, 2016
Assunta de Rossi have nothing but kind words.
Watched #SONA2016 on Youtube. I loved the President's speech. Spoken like a true leader, ready for the world.
— Ma. Assunta Ledesma (@Samledesma) July 25, 2016
Netizen Bro thinks President Duterte’s ability to sound sincere and funny at the same time is a stroke of genius.
I think it's genius how President Duterte can be sincere and funny at the same time. #SONA2016
— Bro (@akonalangbro) July 25, 2016
Netizen Joey shared his “aha moment” while listening to President Duterte’s SONA.
No wonder his trust rating is so high: his manner of speaking is honest, sincere, informal and accessible. #SONA2016
— Joey ∞ (@joeyarevalo) July 25, 2016
Netizen Amro Andula have high hopes for President Duterte’s battle cry “change is coming”!
Very positive, high hopes for Pres.Digong's battle cry “change is coming” #SONA2016
— Amor Andula (@withloveamor) July 25, 2016
Jimmy Walde found Duterte’s SONA speech refreshing:
Duterte is indeed a man of action….his speech is direct to the point., substantive and responsive. what a breath of fresh air!! bravo…..
President Duterte’s straight to the point manner of speaking left netizen Kristine Cerva deeply impressed.
He left me dumbfounded with his deep and unambiguous lines. Change is coming for real! #SONA2016
— Kristine Cerva (@CervaKristine) July 25, 2016
Please feel free to post your reaction to President Duterte’s SONA.
I was speechless. Supposed to be I have to work today .i am OFW in Luxembourg . I wake up too early to watch the SONA before it starts. I am very proud of you Mr. President. God give you to us to govern our country ,with honesty sincerity to help solve the problem without hesitation and even. Give your life to serve our country Phillipines . Hopefully. God will guide you to do everything for the people of our country especially for the poor. We love you and take care mr. President
Wow, needless to say, it was awesome, brilliant, truthful, unpretentious, humorous at times, and so like the leader we know who led #DavaoCity for 22 yrs. What you see is what you get, and that means be on your toes for he walks the talk. He may even surprise you at your office if you’re not doing your job. #PresidentDuterte is truly our true #PartnerForChange
I cry for joy at Duterte’s first SONA. There is hope for the Philippines after all. Mabuhay ka Digong.
I never doubted Duterte’s capability to clean up our country. I didn’t know how dirty our country is and how sweet candy coated it was behind the scene but no wonder the country cannot move on despite all the richness and foreign financial support. Even the idiots will comprehend how bad our situation is after all of the drug issues were busted and exposed. Now that we all know, let’s hand and hand give the support to our president and leaders for a better life in Philippines.
NO rhetorics ..simple yet easily understood..he speaks as if you are just his buddy..funny but it comes from the bottom of his heart..with sincerity
Im crying for joy watching Presidents SONA.I feel the sincerity of his words came out from his heart.Im not a type of person who normally praise someone but this time I really Trust and believe from every word came from his mouth.GOD sent this man to SAVE the PHILIPPINES!!Mabuhay!!!!
We Filipino Canadians stand proud that our country is moving forward in the right direction with Pres. Duterte. God Bless our country … Mabuhay !
For at last and a seigh of relief that we have now a president whose very compassionate and has so much love to his country and the people..God Bless you and take care Mr. President!
Thanks God the best SONA ever for the first time happened in the Phil. Very Promising, its Constructive, Positive and the only President showed his Sincerity to serve the country