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Fact-checking the President: SONA 2017

Gigi Grande, ABS-CBN News

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IRRESPONSIBLE MINING

President Duterte's disdain for irresponsible mining is no secret to anyone who has followed his meteoric rise from Davao City mayor to Chief Executive.

At his second State of the Nation Address, the President fired yet another stern warning against mining operators, saying he would tax them "to death" if they fail to compensate and rehabilitate affected communities.

WAR ON DRUGS

If there's one thing that catapulted President Duterte to international fame, it was his controversial stance on dealing with the Philippines' illegal drugs problem.

The United Nations, the European Union, international human rights groups and the United States government under former President Barack Obama all expressed concern over the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs. Newly elected President Donald Trump, however, congratulated Mr. Duterte on April 29 for his 'unbelievable job on the drug problem' ," according to a New York Times report.

Duterte took advantage of the SONA to hit back at critics.

AFP MODERNIZATION

Days after the Senate and House of Representatives approved President Duterte's request to extend martial law in Mindanao due to the threat of terrorism, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces vowed to better equip Philippine soldiers.

BALANGIGA BELLS

Reports on the economy, peace process, and anti-corruption efforts are a staple at the State of the Nation Address every year.

But President Duterte's call for the United States to return the Balangiga bells came as a surprise for many — and no doubt it was welcomed by former President Ramos and other members of Congress who had previously authored resolutions urging the return of the bells.