Palace lists Duterte's exploits as president »Manila Bulletin News

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Malacañang ranked the actions of President Duterte as senior government official, after being compared to Jair Messias Bolsonaro, president-elect of Brazil.

In a lengthy 10-paragraph statement, President Salvador Panelo's spokesman said the only similarity between Duterte and Bolsonaro is that they are both elected by people who want genuine change.

"The comparison between President Duterte and President-elect Bolsonaro is understandable given that these two leaders are populist leaders who came to power because of the desire of their respective peoples to have tremendous and decisive leadership," he said. Panelo in a statement of 886 words.

"The comparison, however, stops there since Mr Bolsonaro has not yet assumed the presidency and will only do so on 1 January 2019. Everything is purely hypothetical at this stage," he said. added.

Panelo went on to say that Duterte was not just an uncompromising leader, pointing out that the CEO had demonstrated a unique and effective management style over the last two and a half years.

"His administration is known for his leadership" Tapang in Malakasakit "(esteem and concern) which is estimated by an overwhelming majority of Filipinos," he said.

The head of the palace also praised the course of Duterte and its many "firsts" in the country compared to its predecessors. Among the items listed by Panelo are the signing of laws, free tuition at state universities and colleges, free irrigation for farmers and free Internet access in public places.

Panelo also mentioned that Duterte was offering huge unprecedented subsidies to public hospitals, particularly the Philippine General Hospital and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, increasing SSSS pensions for seniors, increasing the salaries of government employees and doubling the salaries of soldiers, police and prison officers. and firefighters, while committing to increasing the compensation of public school teachers.

He also pointed out that Duterte had distributed certificates of ownership of land to thousands of land reform beneficiaries and farmers, and constantly urged Congress to legislate for the return of the land withdrawal fund. coconut in favor of coconut growers through a trust fund.

The palace official also listed Duterte's efforts to reduce the crime rate and how the president began dismantling the anti-drug apparatus by voluntarily making more than a million personalities drugs and taking a stand against terrorists.

"[President Duterte] has taken bold steps to prevent communist rebellion from spreading and crushing Daesh-inspired terrorism, Panelo said.

Panelo said that Duterte had also eliminated the "tanim bala" scam in airports, issued an order on freedom of information for its strict compliance by the executive department, established a working group on security media, cut red tape to the government, implemented a tobacco control system ban in public places by an executive order and froze the proliferation of online gambling and ordered the shutdown the construction of new casinos.

Panelo also listed Duterte's actions in Boracay, in particular its six-month closure for rehabilitation and its recent reopening. He also emphasized Duterte's position against open pit mining.

The palace official then declared that Duterte had shown altruism as the father of the nation by regularly visiting the troops to cheer them up. and witness to the tidal waves of soldiers, police and other law enforcement personnel killed in the performance of their duties, and to take care of their families in mourning, while leaving to their detractors and its detractors free space to express their grievances.

Economy and foreign policy

With regard to the country's economy, Panelo pointed out how Duterte had stepped up revenue collection, reaching new records, thanks to the collection of around 6 billion pounds by Philippine Airlines for royalties. unpaid shipping and the historic transaction between the government and about $ 40 billion with Mighty Corporation for non-payment of excise taxes by the latter, among others.

"The president has also made the Philippines one of the strongest economies and growth leaders in the region by changing its business climate, which has brought in foreign investment, and ushered in the age of Infrastructure in the country with its program "Build, build, build," he said.

According to Panelo, Duterte pursued an independent foreign policy by ending the enslavement of the Philippines to the United States and improving its relations with all countries, including China, Russia and those in Asia. South East.

Panelo also discussed Duterte's efforts to strengthen local national regions by signing the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to transform Mindanao from an "island of promise" into an "island of achievement".

Corruption

According to Panelo, Duterte fired members of the army and senior officials for corruption and incompetence, launched emergency numbers 999 and 8888 for emergencies and complaints from citizens, and reduced government spending by prohibiting the use of luxury cars and business class air travel.

"He illustrated modesty in the public service by forbidding the hanging of his portrait in all government offices and by serving inexpensive and simple food in social events of the government," he said.

But despite the number of items listed in his statement, Panelo said that there was still a lot to be done.

"Indeed, we have accomplished a great deal under the leadership of the current administration, and public confidence remains high, as evidenced by the CEO's satisfaction, approval, performance and confidence ratings," she said. he declared.

"We hope, however, to do more during the rest of the president's term to continue to honor his wish and to satisfy the Filipinos' clamor for genuine and meaningful change," he added.