“Perpetual State of Disrepair”: A Critical Discourse Analysis of a Speech on the Worst Highways in the Philippines

This study utilizes Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework to examine a legislative speech in the Philippine House of Representatives concerning the severe state of rural road infrastructure. Through textual analysis, this research identifies the strategic use of rhetorical devices—including hyperbole, metaphor, and verdictive speech acts—that influence audience perception and garner support for infrastructure projects. Rhetorical appeals such as ethos, logos, and pathos are highlighted as instrumental in establishing credibility, constructing logical arguments, and evoking emotional responses. The speech style, tone, and delivery reflect formal legislative discourse, while revealing the speaker's power dynamics through non-decision-making and ideological influence. By focusing on sociocultural dimensions, this study uncovers the role of language in shaping socio-political agendas and influencing public discourse on infrastructure. The findings contribute to the global understanding of political language as a tool for mobilizing action on socio-economic issues, illustrating how discourse analysis can unveil power structures and ideological forces at play in policy-making.