Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque thought that, instead of a legacy of notoriety, the administration's bloody drug war will be a "true legacy" of President Duterte as he fulfilled his promise that the country will win against illegal drugs.
Roque made the statement a week before President Duterte delivers his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, an event where the latter is expected to update the public on his administration's achievements and future plans.
In his press briefing on Monday, July 19, Roque disagreed with some analysts that the drug war will be Duterte's "single most-enduring" program and that his administration will be remembered for human rights violations.
"Rather than a legacy of notoriety, I think it will be a true legacy of the President," he said.
"Tinutoo niya ang pangako niya na mananalo tayo dito sa giyera laban sa pinagbabawal na droga (He fulfilled his promise that we will win in this war against illegal drugs)," he added.
Based on the government's #RealNumbersPH, 6,147 individuals died during anti-drug operations as of May 31, 2021.
Roque continued by citing Pulse Asia Executive Director Ana Tabunda who said that the drug war was a promise fulfilled by the President to the Filipino people.
He said the drug war might actually be one of the reasons why Duterte's trust and satisfaction ratings stayed high.
"Ito po ata ang dahilan kung bakit kahit anong birang pinupukol kay Presidente hindi po bumababa ang trust at satisfaction ratings ng Presidente (This might be the reason why the President's trust and satisfaction ratings never went down despite the criticisms against the President)," Roque said.
"And the Filipino people, according to Pulse Asia, apparently agree," he added.
Last week, Malacañang thanked the public for continuing to trust President Duterte despite criticisms hurled against him. This after Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio topped Pulse Asia’s vice-presidential and presidential bets, respectively, for the 2022 elections.