DAVAO CITY (February 27)— President Rodrigo Duterte enumerated his accomplishments on Saturday, February 23, which are the fulfillment of the campaign pledges he made in 2016.
In a speech during a Laguna campaign rally for PDP-Laban, President Duterte said in the span of three years, halfway into his term, he already fulfilled most of his promises to the people, except easing EDSA’s traffic congestion.
“Alam mo…ang TRAIN…nangako ako sa inyo. Wala akong pangako na hindi ko natupad except ‘yang EDSA. Nangako ako na free tuition, nandiyan na ang batas,” he told local leaders and attendees of the campaign rally.
“Nangako ako na free universal health care. Pirmado ko na ang batas. Ano pa naman [ang] gusto? Iyong pangtawid, sabi ko itutuloy ko. Saan kukunin ‘yan? Nandiyan sa TRAIN lahat ‘yan. Ang gastos ko sa dobladong sweldo ng military pati pulis,” he continued.
The Chief Executive explained that his administration prioritized first the wage increase of soldiers and policemen as they have often make sacrifices that put their lives at risk.
Next on his list for salary adjustment are the teachers’ compensations.
The President also renewed his vow to crack down hard on illegal drugs, warning those who are in the drug trade to stay away from it or suffer the consequences.
“Ako…I’m pleading to you, almost on bended knees. Huwag kayong pumasok at i-control ninyo ‘yang droga kasi papatayin talaga ang bayan natin. Sayang ang Pilipinas. So ako umaasa talaga sa inyo,” he said.
Apart from combatting illegal drugs, criminality and corruption were also addressed. President Duterte said he terminated several officials, even those who were close to him, after they were proven to have committed wrongdoings.
Moreover, regarding the peace efforts in Mindanao, the President said he would further negotiate with the Moro National Liberation Front, the faction of Nur Misuari.
President Duterte also highlighted the government’s efforts on major infrastructure developments through the Build, Build, Build program, which is undeniably gaining momentum.
After enumerating his accomplishments, the President asked the people of Laguna to support the candidates of PDP-Laban and its guest candidates.
Moreover, Duterte narrated all his achievements in running the country halfway through his term. He also reiterated his “harsher” crackdown on illegal drugs in the remaining three years of his leadership, especially in Cebu, where businesspersons and narco-politicians were reportedly involved.
“Itong problema sa droga, kahit itong Cebu kasama. Walang exemption. Grabe pa dito kasi mga big time na negosyante pa ang involved,” he said.
The President even mentioned Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot, whom President Duterte accused of being involved in the illegal drug trade.
“Yang si Loot… military ka, gastos ng gobyerno ‘yung edukasyon mo, tapos you commit a treason against your own people,” the President said.
“Kaya magharap tayo. Kaya ito…may tatlong taon pa akong naiwan. Pag hindi ninyo ako napatay, itong remaining na tatlong taon ko… uubusin ko talaga kayo,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive took the opportunity to thank the Cebuanos for helping him garner more than a million votes in the 2016 presidential election.
He then asked once again the Cebuanos to support the PDP-Laban’s candidates in the midterm elections and choose aspiring leaders who embody integrity with committed passion in public service. –NewsLine.ph
