President Duterte said he is happy that has was able to deliver his campaign promise that he would end his term with a strong military despite the government’s limited income.
In his "Talk to the People" public address aired late Monday night, Feb. 21, Duterte recalled the promise he made to strengthen the military during the start of his administration.
"I think it was in Jolo, where I said that 'I will leave my office with a strong military.' That’s what I promised and within our limited income, dito sa gobyerno (in the government), setting aside the small but equitable portion of it in the military, naibigay ko naman siguro (I think I had delivered), especially in the upgrade of the armaments," Duterte said.
Duterte made the comment after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reported on the modernization program in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the doubling of the salaries of all military personnel and pensioners.
"As I ponder on the last paperwork that I have to work on, nakikita ko ‘yung mga promotions ng mga sundalo (I've been seeing their promotions)... I am comfortable with the thought that I have done my best, lalo na ‘yung ipinangako ko sa military (especially what I have promised to the military)," the President said.
The Chief Executive also attributed his long stint as mayor of Davao City which made him realize how important it was to build a good rapport with the police and the military.
"It is not just a campaign slogan. It was something that I concocted while I was in the years as a mayor and, you know, you have to have rapport with the police and the military for you to succeed," he added.
"Let it be a policy that you care for people who die for you... So I made that promise to --- I said that 'I would double your salary'... Maligaya ako that in the hindsight, ang laking tulong sa fighting spirit ng mga sundalo pati pulis (I am happy that it helps improve the fighting spirit of the police and the military)," Duterte said.
However, Duterte admitted that having a few bad eggs in the service cannot be avoided as it is also hard to instill discipline in everyone in a big organization.
"Always, as always, there will be scalawags in a big organization, especially like the police and the military. But in the end, you are always rewarded," he said.
"One or two will not really spoil your administration. One or three, four, even five scalawags, there is still a room for improvement for the organization to prosper," he continued.