Prepping for the SONA: Media Flags Critical Issues

 

THE STATE of the Nation Address (SONA) has given the country’s chief executive an opportunity to report its achievements as well as map out plans for the future. The political ritual is a generous gift to the incumbent, and clever politics milks it for every bit of positive audio and visual impact.

The media regards the event as a milestone for coverage as well, providing the necessary fanfare, scrambling for best angles and shots, with reporters assigned to capture every detail, draw soundbytes from political luminaries, describe fashion statements of politicians and spouses.  The Duterte administration has prescribed simplicity in its dress code, toning down the distraction of the “red carpet,” which in the past tended to overshadow the president’s message.

The frenzy of preparation marks the days leading to the actual SONA; with media following government’s lead, sometimes priming the public for government’s desired mood and effect. The Duterte administration pre-SONA forum series, dubbed “Tatak ng Pagbabago” is precisely designed to call public attention government’s long and careful preparation for the main event.

Government PR or propaganda can easily mislead and media coverage of the series can serve as the front act to make sure people will give time to listen to what the president will actually say.  So media can and should do its own thing, seize the opportunity to thoroughly review the issues and empower the public to independently assess the performance of the current administration.

CMFR monitored primetime newscasts (ABS-CBN 2’s TV Patrol, GMA-7’s 24 Oras, TV5’s Aksyon and CNN Philippines’ News Night) and leading broadsheets (Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star and Manila Bulletin) and its online counterparts as well as Rappler from July 11 to 20.

Notable Series

CMFR takes note of efforts by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and TV Patrol for their respective series which discussed themes and related issues, including the war on drugs, labor contractualization, inflation, China’s militarization in Philippine waters, controversial appointees, traffic and transportation issues and peace talks with the Left. These gave an overview of the different problems, including critical insights from those who have been scrutinizing the conduct of government on various issues.

The Inquirer’s#SONA2018 series took up a thematic issue per day. It recalled what the president had said he would do, assessed government performance, citing the views of experts who questioned policy and implementation.

In a report on war on drugs, Jacqueline de Guia, spokesperson for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), said: “There is a high indication based on news reports that drugs continue to proliferate in the country and this puts into question the effectiveness of the war on drugs, which initially was only supposed to be for six months.” The report also looked at data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) which “acknowledge” 4,354 killings from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. It cited the study of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), De La Salle University (DLSU) and the University of the Philippines (UP), which, based only on media reports, counted 5,021 deaths from May 2017 to September 2017, a higher number despite a shorter period of time (“War on drugs: Filipinos still confronted with many questions”).

TV Patrol’s “SONASerye” had a similar take, with a report on a particular theme per night. The newscast sought opinion from groups involved in order to expand views on certain issues. In a report on labor contractualization, labor groups Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) and the Associated Labor Unions – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) both gave failing marks for Duterte failing to provide any real solution end “Endo” (“Lagay ng ‘Kontraktalisasyon’ sa ilaim ng administrasyong Duterte”).

Another report highlighted controversial appointees made by the president. The report counted 14 who had to be replaced for various reasons. The Commission on Appointments rejected some of the president’s choices and others were hounded by controversies, forcing them to resign. The report further pointed out government’s failure to charge any of those forced to resign, while transferring a number of them to other agencies.

UP Political Science Professor Ranjit Rye said competence and ability to get things done are important. DLSU Political Science Professor Francisco Magno that it is not good practice to recycle damaged goods and better to “reuse people with expertise and proven integrity” (“Duterte, binatikos sa ilang itinalagang opisyal”).

In a report on inflation, Warren de Guzman looked at the rising prices as computed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Using a sample monthly budget of PH10,000, NEDA said expenses will rise by PHP459 based on inflation from January to May 2018. NEDA has yet to provide a computation which includes the 5.2% inflation in June, the highest, so far. De Guzman said that while everyone feels the effects of price increase, the poor are most affected; which makes it important for the public to also monitor the inflation and note what government will do to cushion its impact (“Epekto ng inflation sa gastos ng Pamilyang Pinoy, alamin”).

Still on the economy, CMFR also notes a report by online news site Rappler which assessed the economic performance. It said, “The Philippine economy is far from being sick,” with the country’s Gross Domestic product at 6.8%  in the first quarter. But it pointed out that other Asian neighbors have reached 7% years ago. It also reported the foreign direct investments surged to $8.7 billion, surpassing the $8 billion target.

The report observed other negatives: the decline of the peso to a 12-year low and the country’s lower ranking as to the ease of doing business  (“The Philippine economy’s health under Duterte”).

Of course, media did not miss interesting details in the pre-SONA coverage: the preparation done by Joyce Bernal for her directorial chores this year, Vice President Leni Robredo’s planned attendance and Former President Benigno Aquino III skipping the occasion again.  Reports also issued the obligatory advisory on traffic rerouting schemes and provisions for order and security.

Mid-term grades constitute a significant point of assessment. President Duterte’s third SONA calls the media to review its own mid-term grade and raise its own standards for covering President Duterte and what may be the most challenging political passage since Ferdinand Marcos departed the scene.