What showbiz people are hoping for from Duterte gov’t
This is what all of us should do — do our share in nation-building in every way we know, consistently and patriotically.
I wanted to get what friends from the entertainment and broadcast industry are hoping for from the Duterte presidency. Here’s what they said:
Ariel Rivera: To weed out corrupt officials and politicians.
Aiko Melendez: May he really apply his campaign slogan that says change is coming. Hoping that he is really the one who would be able to solve the longtime problem of corruption. And hoping for Federal form of government under his leadership.
Dr. Carl Balita: A united nationalism which is more concerned about the needs of the nation than just the selfish pursuits. He was able to generate attention and support of a phenomenal majority and a vision is what it takes to get them into action for change. LJ Reyes: I hope that the influence Pres. Duterte has on the Filipinos will spread like virus. That it will not only stay on this generation’s heart but continue to be part of every Filipino fu - ture. Change has come. I hope that change progressively grows and the change in the hearts of all of us stays. Benj Bolivar: Zero drugs, corruption and crime!
Lance Raymundo: I hope that the Duterte administration will be the road towards a better Philippines. I hope that all the progress, innovation and changes it will bring upon in the next six years would be a steady up - hill momentum for our country and for all the administrations to come. Change and betterment are not only in the hands of the leaders, but in the hands of the citizens as well. I hope and pray that the Duterte administration will inspire unity and cooperation amongst all Filipinos!
Leo J. Consul: As a Filipino working outside the country, I hope to see less and less Filipinos abroad, which is a clear manifestation that the new administration is doing its part and making great efforts to provide jobs for our kababayan. I long to hear news about Filipinos making it big not in foreign lands but in our homeland. I long to watch TV one day without stumbling upon some news about our kababayan being maltreated or abused by the hands of their churlish bosses. I hope our country will never have to experience brain drain and Filipino diaspora. I long to hear our kababayan happy to go back home instead of seeing them shedding tears as they leave their loved ones back home in search of greener pasture, just because they couldn’t find a decent job in their own home. And when they come back home, I hope not to see that distinct fear which every Filipino feels the moment he/she steps that eager feet on their own soil; fear of those corrupt officials, fear of being taken advantage of, fear of those heinous crimes that continuously plague our nation and greatly, fear for their own lives. With this new administration, I hope never to hope for these things again when asked, “What are your hopes for your country?”
Douglas Nierras: I’m hoping that the fight against crime, corruption and drugs will have a just consistency, and will not wane with time, money and influence. It is easy to start but continuing with the same fervor and earnestness is a quality very few can muster in the face of real opposition, apparent or otherwise. I sincerely hope the president will not have to give up his very life in the construction and necessary rebuilding of our institutions.
Sitti: I hope that he would make good on his promise to suppress criminality and stop corruption. To truly have a government, from top to bottom, that truly works for the Filipino.
Bianca Gonzalez: I hope that he is able to deliver on his promise of getting rid of crime and corruption on his six months, or even first year. I hope everyone, even those who did not vote for him, throw their support behind our President. I also wish him good health
so that he can fulfill all his plans to “clean up” the country. Doc Manny Calayan: I am optimistic that the new administration is more determined to wipe out if not totally annihilate the criminal elements in the country. He means business. He has the iron will and is a micromanager which is good because the country can truly progress if peace and order, and security are stable. Further, Duterte will take off from what the previous admin has accomplished, even higher.
Edward Benosa: Hoping for real change and stop corruption para magkaroon ng budget for education, DSWD para mawala ang mga bata sa lansangan and more employment opportunities here in Manila and in the provinces para hindi na kailangan manirahan ang mga probinsyano sa Manila para mabawasan ang traffic and to have quality of life. Dr. Willie Ong and Dr. Liza Ramoso-Ong: We admire Pres. Duterte for publicly stating that he wants to help the poor and the sick get their hospital care, operation and medicines. However, we know that this has not happened in the past decades in a meaningful way. Having worked with the poor in medical missions in the past 25 years, we see many obstacles along the way before the poor can get free and adequate care. We believe that health workers in position (both public and private) should go the extra mile in helping the poor. Laboratory tests should be given free. Basic operations from start to finish should be covered by PhilHealth. There should be no out-of-pocket expense, which means poor patients need not shell out money. Otherwise, there are hundreds of thousands of poor patients slowly dying and being denied health care. Underneath this all, there should be love and respect for the poor. We should treat them like our own family.
Niña Corpuz: As a mother, health advocate and host of Magandang Gabi
Dok on DZMM, I hope our President will prioritize our health care system. Maternal mortality is still high. Many of our public hospitals are poorly equipped. It’s not uncommon to see two patients sharing a bed in a ward, if you don’t find them in the hallways. Doctors and nurses are paid so little — we are said to be the No. 1 exporter of nurses and No. 2 exporter of doctors. People in far-flung villages have to travel hours or days just to get to a health center or hospital. Aside from building and improving our health facilities and encouraging our health professionals to stay, the DOH should also focus on preventive health care. Philhealth should cover outpatient services, which include lab tests and diagnostics, and not wait for people to be hospitalized. The government saves more money in the long run. Hopefully, Duterte’s passion for his anti-drugs campaign will spill-over to health and nutrition for his people. Increase the Sin Tax for cigarettes, include soda and junk food. Mr. President, please use your iron fist in creating a healthy environment. If your people are happy and healthy, everything else will follow.
A strong government is only possible if it has the wholehearted support of the citizenry. This is what all of us should do — do our share in nation-building in every way we know, consistently and patriotically.