Of promises and frustrations
Published Jun 29, 2018 02:45 pm
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
As President Duterte's administration completes another 365 days in his six-year term, the tough-talking Chief Executive still strives to fulfill the promises he made to the people two years ago.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 81st anniversary celebration of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) at the Gymnasium of the GSIS Financial Center in Pasay City on June 19, 2018, reiterates that he is relentless in his fight against corruption in government. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
But as he tries to bring the positive change he promised, the 73-year-old President never failed to be open about the things that frustrate him as he fulfills his vow of a comfortable life for all.
Ending illegal drugs
One of the pillars of Duterte's presidential campaign two years ago was to put an end to the illegal drug trade.
Duterte promised to end illegal drugs in three to six months. However, Duterte admitted that he has miscalculated trade as he only found out how deeply-rooted it is when he assumed the presidency.
"Do not destroy my country because I will kill you," President Duterte's constant warning to those involved in the trade.
Based on the government's #RealNumbersPH, a total of 4,279 drug suspects were killed while 143,335 were arrested in 99,485 operations from July 1, 2016 to May 15, 2018.
Recently, Duterte renewed his warning to local chief executives to not involve themselves in illegal drugs as he assured them of the consequences.
Meanwhile, Duterte also expressed his frustrations on members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who take advantage of his bloody drug war.
Last year, Duterte made a surprising move when he stripped the PNP off their authority over the drug war. However in less than than two months, the President brought back the PNP to the drug war in fear that the drug condition in the country might worsen.
Corruption
Duterte also stayed true to his promise of trying to end corruption in government. This year alone, Duterte was in a spree of firing officials he deemed corrupt.
Last month, Duterte lamented letting go of his appointees who were involved in corrupt practices, especially those who urged him to run for president, but said that it had to be done.
"If you’d notice, karamihan kong nawala sa akin (those who are close to me) are really the very first person who . I’m very sad that they are the very first to go," Duterte said.
"There is no way of telling ‘yung maglapit sa’yo na ganun, ganun ka (that those who urge you and are close to you), and you thought you might ever fall into the trap of believing that you are with a crowd for change," he added.
Duterte ordered officials to refrain from making unnecessary foreign trips. He explained that he had nothing against foreign trips especially if it would benefit the country. However, he has a different opinion on lavish travels that has little or no effect to the country at all.
The last officials Duterte fired over supposed excessive trips was Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) chief Celestina Ma. Jude de la Serna, and Customs (BOC) Deputy Commissioner Noel Prudente.
Duterte also had to let go of two of his Cabinet officials. Vitaliano Aguirre II resigned from his post as Justice Secretary following criticisms when his agency decided to dismiss the charges against high-profile drug suspects.
Wanda Teo also resigned as Tourism Secretary due to the anomalous advertisement deal the Department of Tourism (DOT) made with her brothers' show aired over PTV-4.
Peace and order
In a bid to deter crimes, Duterte recently ordered the PNP to accost street idlers. However, his anti-tambay campaign earned criticism especially after the death of an inmate in Quezon City who was arrested for idling.
Duterte said he never ordered the police to arrest loiterers but only instructed them to tell idlers to go home.
Despite the controversies, Duterte then ordered the PNP to also take into custody idling minors for their own safety. He assured that the minors who will be taken will be returned to their parents the following morning.
Economy
One of Duterte's most recent remarks was his frustration about the economic inactivity in the provinces.
Duterte said that he is planning on keeping jueteng for now to keep the economic activity in the provinces going.
However, Budget Secretary Ben Diokno countered Duterte's statement that the Philippine economy is in doldrums and urged the public to look only at the facts and not impressions.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained that Duterte was only frustrated and impatient about the progress of major infrastructure projects in the provinces.
Church
Malacañang said that when President Duterte assumed office, he was hoping to have a better working relationship with the Catholic Church.
However recently, Duterte's rift with the Church came into the spotlight anew after he called God stupid. Following his remark, Duterte formed a four-man committee to hold dialogues with the Church.
On Thursday, Duterte said that he will refrain from talking about the Church for now but said that he will express his sentiment soon after seeing how the nation will react.
South China Sea
President Duterte maintained his stand that he will never wage war against China over the disputed portions of the South China Sea as it would only result into the Philippines' obvious defeat.
He said that the Philippines is benefiting from its renewed relationship with China anyway. He also expressed confidence that something good will come out of his policy on China.
However, Duterte assured that the Philippines has already lodged protests against China for the militarization in the disputed waters.
He also reiterated that he will not give up a single inch of Philippine territory and promised that he will talk with China about the arbitral award granting the Philippines rights to the disputed waters before his term ends.
Boracay
One of President Duterte's greatest frustrations this year was the environmental issues in Boracay. He approved the six-month closure of Boracay to give way to its rehabilitation after claiming that the world-famous beach has turned into a cesspool.
However, an irritated Duterte stated that he will declare land reform over the entire island after critics slammed his reason for closing Boracay down.
Critics claimed that Duterte closed down Boracay to allow the construction of a casino in the island. Duterte repeatedly denied knowledge about the report and said that he will not allow a gambling facility to be built there.
Peace talks
After cancelling the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) last year, Duterte in April said that he will give the peace talks another shot.
Duterte said that CPP founder Jose Maria Sison should return to the Philippines for the talks and assured him is safety.
But recently, Sison said that they will no longer engage in talks with the government and said they would instead help overthrow his government.
In response, Duterte said that the government is prepared to fight the communist rebels for another 50 years.
Kuwait
Duterte also lashed out in Kuwait in February after learning about the death of domestic worker Joanna Demafelis, who was found dead inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment a year after she was reported missing.
Demafelis' death prompted Duterte to order a total deployment ban of new OFWs to Kuwait and said that he will only lift the ban if Kuwait agrees to signing the document that aims to protect OFWs from abusive employers.
Last month, the Philippines and Kuwait signed the Memorandum of Agreement and agreed to all of Duterte's conditions which include overseas Filipino workers getting a fay-off, be able to cook their own meal, get at least seven hours of sleep, have their own cellphones, and their passports not confiscated.
This month, Duterte apologized to Kuwait for lashing out and said that he will take a commercial flight to the gulf state to personally thank them for signing the agreement.
Federalism
Duterte reiterated that the time has come for the Philippines to abandon the unitary type of government that was setup by Spanish conquistadors and remained as the system until the present.
The President has been pushing for federalism as he said this will resolve the long-standing territorial dispute in Mindanao. He also said this will allow provinces to benefit more from their resources.
But last year, Duterte expressed frustration about the public being hesitant about the proposal and even asked the help of the media to help explain federalism to the people.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 81st anniversary celebration of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) at the Gymnasium of the GSIS Financial Center in Pasay City on June 19, 2018, reiterates that he is relentless in his fight against corruption in government. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
But as he tries to bring the positive change he promised, the 73-year-old President never failed to be open about the things that frustrate him as he fulfills his vow of a comfortable life for all.
Ending illegal drugs
One of the pillars of Duterte's presidential campaign two years ago was to put an end to the illegal drug trade.
Duterte promised to end illegal drugs in three to six months. However, Duterte admitted that he has miscalculated trade as he only found out how deeply-rooted it is when he assumed the presidency.
"Do not destroy my country because I will kill you," President Duterte's constant warning to those involved in the trade.
Based on the government's #RealNumbersPH, a total of 4,279 drug suspects were killed while 143,335 were arrested in 99,485 operations from July 1, 2016 to May 15, 2018.
Recently, Duterte renewed his warning to local chief executives to not involve themselves in illegal drugs as he assured them of the consequences.
Meanwhile, Duterte also expressed his frustrations on members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who take advantage of his bloody drug war.
Last year, Duterte made a surprising move when he stripped the PNP off their authority over the drug war. However in less than than two months, the President brought back the PNP to the drug war in fear that the drug condition in the country might worsen.
Corruption
Duterte also stayed true to his promise of trying to end corruption in government. This year alone, Duterte was in a spree of firing officials he deemed corrupt.
Last month, Duterte lamented letting go of his appointees who were involved in corrupt practices, especially those who urged him to run for president, but said that it had to be done.
"If you’d notice, karamihan kong nawala sa akin (those who are close to me) are really the very first person who . I’m very sad that they are the very first to go," Duterte said.
"There is no way of telling ‘yung maglapit sa’yo na ganun, ganun ka (that those who urge you and are close to you), and you thought you might ever fall into the trap of believing that you are with a crowd for change," he added.
Duterte ordered officials to refrain from making unnecessary foreign trips. He explained that he had nothing against foreign trips especially if it would benefit the country. However, he has a different opinion on lavish travels that has little or no effect to the country at all.
The last officials Duterte fired over supposed excessive trips was Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) chief Celestina Ma. Jude de la Serna, and Customs (BOC) Deputy Commissioner Noel Prudente.
Duterte also had to let go of two of his Cabinet officials. Vitaliano Aguirre II resigned from his post as Justice Secretary following criticisms when his agency decided to dismiss the charges against high-profile drug suspects.
Wanda Teo also resigned as Tourism Secretary due to the anomalous advertisement deal the Department of Tourism (DOT) made with her brothers' show aired over PTV-4.
Peace and order
In a bid to deter crimes, Duterte recently ordered the PNP to accost street idlers. However, his anti-tambay campaign earned criticism especially after the death of an inmate in Quezon City who was arrested for idling.
Duterte said he never ordered the police to arrest loiterers but only instructed them to tell idlers to go home.
Despite the controversies, Duterte then ordered the PNP to also take into custody idling minors for their own safety. He assured that the minors who will be taken will be returned to their parents the following morning.
Economy
One of Duterte's most recent remarks was his frustration about the economic inactivity in the provinces.
Duterte said that he is planning on keeping jueteng for now to keep the economic activity in the provinces going.
However, Budget Secretary Ben Diokno countered Duterte's statement that the Philippine economy is in doldrums and urged the public to look only at the facts and not impressions.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained that Duterte was only frustrated and impatient about the progress of major infrastructure projects in the provinces.
Church
Malacañang said that when President Duterte assumed office, he was hoping to have a better working relationship with the Catholic Church.
However recently, Duterte's rift with the Church came into the spotlight anew after he called God stupid. Following his remark, Duterte formed a four-man committee to hold dialogues with the Church.
On Thursday, Duterte said that he will refrain from talking about the Church for now but said that he will express his sentiment soon after seeing how the nation will react.
South China Sea
President Duterte maintained his stand that he will never wage war against China over the disputed portions of the South China Sea as it would only result into the Philippines' obvious defeat.
He said that the Philippines is benefiting from its renewed relationship with China anyway. He also expressed confidence that something good will come out of his policy on China.
However, Duterte assured that the Philippines has already lodged protests against China for the militarization in the disputed waters.
He also reiterated that he will not give up a single inch of Philippine territory and promised that he will talk with China about the arbitral award granting the Philippines rights to the disputed waters before his term ends.
Boracay
One of President Duterte's greatest frustrations this year was the environmental issues in Boracay. He approved the six-month closure of Boracay to give way to its rehabilitation after claiming that the world-famous beach has turned into a cesspool.
However, an irritated Duterte stated that he will declare land reform over the entire island after critics slammed his reason for closing Boracay down.
Critics claimed that Duterte closed down Boracay to allow the construction of a casino in the island. Duterte repeatedly denied knowledge about the report and said that he will not allow a gambling facility to be built there.
Peace talks
After cancelling the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) last year, Duterte in April said that he will give the peace talks another shot.
Duterte said that CPP founder Jose Maria Sison should return to the Philippines for the talks and assured him is safety.
But recently, Sison said that they will no longer engage in talks with the government and said they would instead help overthrow his government.
In response, Duterte said that the government is prepared to fight the communist rebels for another 50 years.
Kuwait
Duterte also lashed out in Kuwait in February after learning about the death of domestic worker Joanna Demafelis, who was found dead inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment a year after she was reported missing.
Demafelis' death prompted Duterte to order a total deployment ban of new OFWs to Kuwait and said that he will only lift the ban if Kuwait agrees to signing the document that aims to protect OFWs from abusive employers.
Last month, the Philippines and Kuwait signed the Memorandum of Agreement and agreed to all of Duterte's conditions which include overseas Filipino workers getting a fay-off, be able to cook their own meal, get at least seven hours of sleep, have their own cellphones, and their passports not confiscated.
This month, Duterte apologized to Kuwait for lashing out and said that he will take a commercial flight to the gulf state to personally thank them for signing the agreement.
Federalism
Duterte reiterated that the time has come for the Philippines to abandon the unitary type of government that was setup by Spanish conquistadors and remained as the system until the present.
The President has been pushing for federalism as he said this will resolve the long-standing territorial dispute in Mindanao. He also said this will allow provinces to benefit more from their resources.
But last year, Duterte expressed frustration about the public being hesitant about the proposal and even asked the help of the media to help explain federalism to the people.