Duterte seeks all-out support for development agenda
President Duterte appealed to Filipinos to help the government achieve its plans of providing a comfortable life for everyone, but likewise stressed that the public is welcome to criticize him and his policies.
Duterte made the statement in a speech during the inauguration of the Malayan Colleges Mindanao in Davao City Saturday evening.
‘Agents of hope, catalysts of change’ The President urged the public to become agents of hope and catalysts of progress, especially in the task of nation-building.
"I also encourage all sectors of our society to keep supporting this administration’s development agenda, especially in pursuits that would educate our young and empower more Filipinos," he said.
"May I also ask the continued support of the public in our continuing campaign against illegal drugs, criminality – at alam mo, pag sa totoo lang, kung hindi kayo tumulong (and you know, if you will not help), we will never see the light of day of this nation," he added.
All-out support
According to Duterte, the people's cooperation is a key ingredient in ridding the country of its social ills which he claimed hindered it from achieving its full potential.
"Indeed, every citizen’s participation will be crucial as we set ourselves to the great but rewarding task of effecting meaningful and lasting transformation for our country and for our brother Filipinos," he said.
"So let us all work together to realize our dream of a truly stable, peaceful, orderly and prosperous Philippines," he added.
Open to criticism "Every Filipino is entitled to criticize me as a matter of right. A general, a school dean, the academe, the UP (University of the Philippines) students, the garbage collector, the military men, the police, wala akong ano niyan (I don't have a problem with that) because I choose to be elected by the people," Duterte said.
"And if I fall short of their expectations and they begin to be disappointed, discontent, or whatever, they have every right for I may have failed them in my promises. Kaya okay sa akin 'yan (That's why that's fine with me)," he added.
Duterte also said that he can give the people the streets of Manila and suspend classes so people can air their grievances more freely.
"Kaya mo akong murahin. Sige okay lang. Mga estudyante (You can curse me, that's okay. Even the students). Why, you can even ask for two weeks. I'll give you the streets of Manila. I'll declare a two-week vacation ahead. Sige (Go ahead)," he said.
"What's the principle behind? It's because you're the one paying my salary. If you are not satisfied or feel that you are... o 'di murahin mo ako (then curse me out)," he added. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)