"One of the most accomplished leaders the Philippines has ever had."
With these remarks, House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez paid tribute to President Duterte on the latter's last full day in office on Wednesday, June 29.
"Thank you for your outstanding and excellent service to the Philippine nation," Romualdez said in a statement, addressing the outgoing Chief Executive.
"You are loved by patriotic and peace-loving Filipinos. You created the blueprint in making our country safe, secure, and connected. For these reasons alone, you are one of the most accomplished leaders the Philippines has ever had," said Romualdez, who many believe will become the House Speaker in the 19th Congress.
The Leyte solon said the Duterte administration "will be remembered by the common folk for its "Build, Build, Build" program, which ushered in a new golden age for infrastructure development; as well as his no-nonsense campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, which made it safe again for Filipinos to roam the streets even when it's already dark".
"These are only a couple of the outgoing Chief Executive's achievements," Romualdez noted.
After that, President Duterte will go back to being a private citizen in his native of Davao City, where his exploits and achievements as a multi-term mayor catapulted him to the national scene in 2016.
"His legacy will continue in his daughter, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, who has proven to be tough but caring and unselfish leader. Together with President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., they will see to it that President Duterte's efforts exerted in the past six years won't go to waste; instead it will be their guiding light on the exit path from the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis," said Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.
"On our part in the House of Representatives, we pledge to be unwavering partners of the new officials of the executive branch as we face the challenges of the future head-on. This is the true essence of unity," Romualdez said.
"Again, thank you, Mr. President, for a job well done," he concluded.