Duterte calls for love, unity; time for national resurrection

PRESIDENT Duterte has welcomed “allies and enemies” who wish to contribute to national uplift or betterment of the country.

Yes, no more crucifixion. Time for national resurrection!

*** Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said he personally believed the homily of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Palm Sunday mentioning “cocky and violent kings” did not refer to the President.

Hear no evil..., the presidential “savior” says.

*** “It doesn’t matter to me whether you are enemies or allies just as long as you want to contribute to the betterment of this country, you are welcome,” Duterte said, as quoted by Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

Friends or foes, welcome to my parlor!

*** “Magmahalan tayo, magkaisa tayo kasi sa sakit ng kalingkingan ay damay ang buong katawan (let’s love one another, unite, because the smallest pain would affect the entire body/country),” the President added.

Dr. Duterte’s prescription: Love, unity, and pain avoidance.

*** Panelo, in a radio interview, brushed aside Tagle’s Holy Week homily where he mentioned “cocky and violent kings.”

“I’m sure he’s referring to other world leaders, not from this country. I don’t think this administration feels alluded to, or the leaders of this administration,” Panelo said. ***

Panelo explained that contrary to some allegations, Duterte is a human rights defender who is doing his mandate of protecting the people, especially from illegal drugs.

“I think the actions of this administration speak for themselves. We have not initiated any violence against innocent people. Police officers only respond to any assault on their lives on the process of arrest,” the Malacañang lawyer said.

*** “He [President Duterte] is [a] very humble person. He is [a] softhearted person who is [outraged] by any kind of assault on the person, of any person, of human rights violations,” Panelo claimed.

“He is one defender of every citizen’s rights and under the Constitution, he is mandated to serve and protect the people, and he’s doing just that,” he added.

*** Malacañang had said earlier it will continue to wage its war on drugs, with some 9,000 barangay officials in its watch list of persons allegedly linked to the illegal drugs trade where money apparently talks.

Behave and file anti-drugs report or be sanctioned, DILG Undersecretary Dino warned them.

*** The President, likewise, warned Communist and Muslim rebels to surrender and cease firing or face the fury of government forces out to maintain peace and order nationwide. Shape up or be shipped in coffins, Duterte frowned.

*** The labor and consumer sectors have asked the government to act speedily on rising prices of rice and other basic commodities that could undermine their income and undercut the gains of the Duterte administration.

Okay... we’ll check inflation, concerned agencies promised.

*** As things are, the country continues to face “challenging times,” observers say.

Time for national resurrection from illegal drugs, rebellion, and inflation!