MANILA – Eradicating illegal drugs and ending corruption, two of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promises five years ago, remain unaccomplished as he heads into the final year of his presidency.
During his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) that lasted for about three hours at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday afternoon, the country’s chief executive admitted that drug trafficking and corruption are still present despite the reforms introduced by his administration.
According to Duterte, he miscalculated the illegal drug problem in the country, which he vowed then to complete in just three to six months.
“When I first said I would fight drugs in six months, I thought it was like in Davao – you can either coerce, intimidate or bribe them. We were able to attain a sense of normalcy in the city,” Duterte said.
“We are fighting a drug war that is being participated by nine generals of the PNP (Philippine National Police). I did not know I was fighting my own government,” he added.
While he admitted that the drug problem is far from over, Duterte bragged there have been gains – about 1,000 drug traffckers are arrested every day, he claimed.
“I am a Filipino and I love my country. I do not want my country in disarray because of drugs. I do not want families to break up and become dysfunctional. ‘Yun ang masakit sa akin,” Duterte said.
‘DECLARE MARTIAL LAW’
The chief executive also said that corruption is still rampant in the government, with him advising his successor to “declare martial law” to end government corruption.
“Corruption is endemic in government; you cannot stop corruption. Nobody can stop corruption unless you overturn the government completely,” he said. “The only way to get rid of corruption in government is through the imposition of martial law.”
“If I were the next president, if you think there’s a need for you to change everybody in the system, then you declare martial law and fire everybody,” Duterte added. “Allow the new generation to come in and work with the government.”
Duterte, however, said during his stint so far, he had fired several government officials, including those in the Bureau of Customs who were tagged in the infamous “pastillas scam”.
The President also mentioned he issued a Freedom of Information (FOI) executive order to promote transparency and accountability in government. Curiously, however, Duterte has kept his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Network out of public eye.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Duterte also devoted majority of his SONA enumerating his administration’s accomplishments, which included the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Universal Health Care Law, Rice Tariffication Law, and the Free Irrigation Act.
He also mentioned the passage of the organic law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and tax reform law that help funded the government’s “Build Build Build” program.
“When I ran for the presidency, I just made fundamental processes, and strangely, you can count them by the fingers on your hand,” Duterte said. “I bore no illusions that steering the nation towards a comfortable life for every people will be easy.”
“I stand here before you today bearing no conceit, but if there is one thing I could be proud of is that not once did I waiver in doing the unpopular even if it meant upholding the greatest good for the greatest number,” he added.
Duterte also touted the improvements in the country’s transportation system, the extension of the driver’s license validity to 10 years and the return of coco levy fund to farmers.
The chief executive also bragged the return of garbage shipment to Canada, and the return of Balangiga Bells, which were taken by the American soldier, to Eastern Samar during his term.
SECURITY FORCES
Duterte also mentioned that he prioritized the modernization of the state security forces.
“Our Armed Forces were ill-equipped to deal with internal and external threats while the police force had been overwhelmed by criminality and the drug trade problem,” Duterte said. “This is why I made it a priority to strengthen the institution, boost the morale of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police and other armed services.”
“The modernization of the defense capability would uphold territorial integrity and sovereignty from external and security threats. I am proud of the accomplishments of the troops in securing the country against all threats to democratic institutions,” he said.
Duterte also asked the Congress to pass a unified system of retirement and pension for military and uniformed personnel (MUP), and for them to be given free legal assistance in cases they may face while performing their duty.
According to Duterte, a unified system for the separation, retirement and pension of MUP will help maintain government flexibility and provide the police force with benefits.
“It is also high time for us to pass the law providing free legal assistance to AFP and PNP officers enlisted officers to help them from charges arising from incidents related to the performance of official duty,” he said.
Duterte also praised the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for addressing the root causes of the insurgency problem in the country.
“In our continuing effort to build a safe and conflict-resilient barangays, we have worked towards a sustainable rehabilitation and development of communities where the communists used to operate,” Duterte said.
The insurgency has been ongoing for decades and that fighting still persists, but he lauded the police and the military for destroying 15 apparatuses or fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
HEALTH WORKERS, LGUS, CHINA
Duterte thanked healthcare workers and local government units who stood on the frontlines of the country’s battle against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Allow me this opportunity to extend my personal and the nation’s gratitude to all those who selflessly gave their all in the fight against COVID-19, our health workers and other frontliners who risk their own safety,” Duterte said.
“To our local executives, this pandemic pushed you to step up and deliver responsive assistance. I am glad to see you take new and heightened responsibility, working doubly hard to protect your constituents,” he added.
Duterte also hailed China as the first country to help the Philippines in the fight against COVID-19 that he said he’s indebted to Asia’s largest economy.
“When the pandemic struck, the first country I called for help is China,” Duterte said. “Sabi ko, President (Xi Jin Ping), we have no vaccination program here… We were not able to invent one. We might have a hard time.”
“Ako, lalo na kaming mga Bisaya, mabigat sa amin ‘yan. ‘Yung utang na loob, mabigat talaga ‘yan,” he added. “Kapag may utang na loob ako sa iyo, you will be sure I will be your true friend and die for you.”
While Chinese pharmaceutical giant Sinovac donated some one million anti-coronavirus jabs to the country, the Philippines paid for 16 million other shots from the company.
Duterte also said he is not ready to go to war with China over the Spratly group of islands in the West Philippine Sea.
“How can we fight China? Do we have weapons? It would be a massacre if we go on a war now. We are not yet a competent and able enemy of the other side,” Duterte stressed.
In 2016, an international tribunal awarded an arbitral victory to the Philippines and invalidated China’s sweeping nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea. Duterte has not enforced the decision, saying Philippine troops are no match for China’s military./PN
