Deeper ties sought with int’l community
President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines is seeking deeper and more meaningful engagements with the rest of the world as he addressed the Diplomatic Corps for the first time during the traditional “Vin d’Honneur” at the Malacañan Palace.
“We believe that friends help each other and utilize constructive engagement to achieve common goals. In truth, we all share the same aspiration of greater peace, progress and prosperity,” Duterte said during the New Year reception for the diplomatic com- munity on Wednesday morning.
“Friendship, after all, knows no bound. The Philippines has and will continue to build on our friendship, founded on a common objective, shared values and time honored principles of international law. Let us together work to further expand areas of mutual beneficial collaboration,” Duterte added.
The President, in a message before the traditional New Year toast, reiterated his promise to get rid of the illegal drug problem, corruption in government, criminality and armed conflict.
“When I assumed the presidency six months ago, I suddenly pledged to lead my country and my people. I vowed to address three basic evils that subjected my people, especially the poorest and the disenfranchised to the most unbearable burdens of slavery, four million of them [linked] to drugs, corruption, criminality and a revolution in the South,” Duterte said.
“I say to you all now that sacred vow remains unchanged. I say true to the mandate reposed on me. The administration will remain firm in its resolve to hold the corrupt accountable for their deeds. We will make criminals responsible for their action and we will work very, very hard to finally break the apparatus of the illegal drugs trade,” he added.
Vice President Leni Robredo was noticeably absent during the reception.
The traditional toasting of wine was attended by some influential ambassadors, such as United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, and Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev.
Cabinet members also attended the event, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Public Works and Highway Mark Villar, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
Only a few lawmakers shared a toast with the President. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III came with Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Cynthia Villar.