President Rodrigo Duterte has made "unrealistic" promises to end corruption, illegal drugs, and human trafficking in the Philippines, a research fellow at the Ateneo School of Government said Monday, July 26.
In an interview with ANC, Dr. Edilberto de Jesus noted that corruption, illegal drugs, and human trafficking "have long been standing problems in the Philippines."
"From his own assessment, his legacy agenda that he has placed priority on has not been fulfilled. He made promises that were completely unrealistic. Even for campaign promises," said De Jesus, author of the study "Duterte at 5: The Duterte Administration By The Numbers."
"It's not credible that you would have all of these long-standing problems of the country resolved within six to seven months," he added.
He noted that Duterte was actually in "a good position" to deliver on his promises.
"Because the state of the Philippines in 2016 was much better than any previous president has endured going to his or her term."
De Jesus said it's important to "hold politicians accountable" for what they promise during their campaign period as the national election nears.
In February, Duterte admitted in his pre-recorded speech that eradicating corruption is "impossible."
In 2018, he also said that the illegal drug problem will not end under his watch.
"I cannot fulfill my promise of ending all these problems. Drugs will not end at the end of my term. It might just be worsened," Duterte said during a speech at Malacanang.
Duterte is set to give his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.