Duterte presidency’s accomplishments in 4 years (4)

In a paradigm shift in foreign relations, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as Head of State, adopted and pursued an independent foreign policy, removing our country’s subservience to the West. As a consequence, the historic Balangiga bells from the United States were returned. So was the reshipment of trash to Canada done, even as the country improves its relations with all other countries, like Russia and China, as well as those in the Southeast Asian region.

PRRD likewise strengthened local domestic regions by the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), transforming Mindanao from “an island of promise” to “an island of fulfillment.” Following the successful plebiscite that established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the normalization under the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro is now on track.

Bar none, the laws of the land have been applied equally to all. There are no sacred cows in the Duterte administration. PRRD has fired military and high officials in the government for corruption or incompetence, even including his longtime friends and allies. The Road Board was abolished through Republic Act 11239, which was signed by the President on 19 March 2019 due to allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds. The President suspended all gaming operations

with franchises, licenses or permits granted by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, such as Small Town Lottery, Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan, pending the investigation of illegal activities and corrupt practices. Bureaucratic practices that have been the bane of those who transacted or dealt with the government offices and agencies have been reduced to the barest minimum.

On the complaints against government offices and officials, including requests for assistance of citizens, regardless of their stature in society, the Office of the President, particularly the Office of the Chief Presidential Counsel, has responded to all letters expressing their various concerns by referring them to different departments, offices or agencies for immediate action. It also launched hotlines for emergencies (911) and citizens’ complaints (8888), reduced government spending by prohibiting the use of luxury cars and air travels in business class, and scrapping foreign junkets of government officials, among others.

Further, the President has eliminated the “tanim bala” scam in our airports after his initial weeks in office. He issued an order on Freedom of Information for its strict compliance by the Executive Department. The Freedom of Information bill in Congress has been pending action thereat for many years. The President created a task force on media security, cut red tape in the government, and implemented a nationwide smoking ban in public places through an Executive Order. He also froze the proliferation of online gambling and ordered a halt to the construction of new casinos.

Notably, the United Nations (UN) recognized our efforts to cut down red tape in government. The Philippines jumped 48 notches to 19th place out of 193 countries in the e-Participation Index (EPI) of the UN. It cited the country’s notable performance in establishing online tools to promote citizen’s participation in public consultations and decision-making process. The UN e-Government Index is one of the competitiveness surveys monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The DTI has already started to implement the GovTech project, which aims to improve the ease of doing business by streamlining the business registration process in the country and creating a pleasant and easier customer experience.

The President has similarly intensified revenue collections of the government to new record highs, including the collection of around P6 billion from Philippine Airlines for overdue navigational fees and the landmark settlement by the government of about P40 billion with Mighty Corporation for the latter’s failure to pay excise taxes.

The country hosted the highly successful 30th Southeast Asian Games. In that momentous event, the Philippines was hailed as the overall champion with a record-breaking 149 gold and 385 medal haul.

The President’s approval and trust ratings remain at an all-time high. According to the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey, Duterte’s approval rating improved to 87 percent — nine percent higher from the previous quarter, which was 78 percent. His trust rating, on the other hand, soared to 83 percent. As proof to the Chief Executive’s stratospheric ratings, those that Duterte endorsed in the senatorial elections emerged victorious, resulting in the humiliating defeat of the opposition senatorial candidates during the midterm elections. Considerable number of seats in the House of Representatives, as well as in the local government units, were won, too, by those allied with the President’s party.

PRRD has also proven and demonstrated time and time again that he is committed to the protection of the Filipino people and has staked his honor, his life and his presidency in ensuring the general welfare of the Filipino people through selfless public service.

Consistent with his vaunted and legendary political will, having faced with the pandemic virus strain and its unpredictable and unprecedented nature, the President could not, would not and did not gamble with the lives of the Filipino people in dealing with the crisis. Immediately, on the 31st of January, the day after our country confirmed its first positive case of the virus, the President issued a travel ban on all travelers coming from Hubei and anywhere in China where there is a spread of COVID-19. He thereafter imposed travel restrictions on all people departing for and arriving from other countries with high cases of COVID-19. He then swiftly implemented strict and effective measures, including the imposition of community quarantine and strict social distancing protocols, on our regions to prevent the further spread of the disease and loss of lives.

“His trust rating, on the other hand, soared to 83 percent. “Bar none, the laws of the land have been applied equally to all. There are no sacred cows in the Duterte administration.

(To be continued)