Demagoguery and Power: A Discourse Analysis of Duterte’s War on Drugs in His Inaugural and Final Sonas

This study investigated the presence and function of demagogic rhetoric in the inaugural (2016) and final (2021) State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Anchored in Michel Foucault’s theory of discourse and employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) through the framework Miller, the research identifies rhetorical elements that demonstrate demagoguery—specifically polarization, oversimplification, delegitimization, and emotional manipulation. The analysis revealed that Duterte’s speeches consistently used emotionally charged and divisive language to frame national issues, discredit critics, and legitimize controversial policies such as the war on drugs. By presenting complex social problems in simplistic, binary terms and positioning himself as the nation’s sole moral authority, Duterte’s rhetoric undermined democratic discourse and normalized authoritarian tendencies. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on political communication, populism, and democratic erosion. This study not only highlights the power of language in shaping public perception and policy but also underscores the importance of critical media literacy and vigilance in preserving democratic institutions. Recommendations for future researchers include expanding the corpus of analysis to other political figures and exploring the audience’s reception of demagogic discourse across different socio-political contexts.