Pinoys have become servants of government, Duterte says

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The feisty mayor from the south visited this city in the north of the country yesterday, savoring what his staff called “another rock star welcome” in this city where his reputation had clearly

preceded him.

Again, presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte rolled out the punch lines which always stir the crowds to cheer. “The people are now servants of the government, instead of the government being the servant of the people” he said. He was obviously referring to President Aquino’s oft-repeated statement – “Kayo ang boss ko,” when he talks about the Filipino people.

“Du-ter-te, Du-ter-te,” the audience chanted, followed by wild applause, repeated many times.

This is the second leg of the “Handog sa Pagbabago” (Offering for Transformation) nationwide caravan led by Duterte, the mayor of Davao City, and vice- presidential candidate Senator Peter Cayetano. The caravan aims to spread the tandem’s platform of government that is rooted on change should they be elected.

An elderly woman who was among some 3,000 people who attended Duterte’s forum at the University of Cagayan in Balzain said: “We have been waiting for him and now that he has finally come, we are very happy. He is our president.”

For an hour, Duterte charmed the crowd with his message of transformation, his promise to get rid of crime, illegal drugs, and corruption in the first few months of his administration.

And then he delivered a line that made the crowd wild: “If I cannot deliver within a three to six month time frame, that means I cannot do it even if I had 10 years to accomplish it,” said Duterte.

Running on a platform that is strong on fighting crime, Duterte said: “I will restore the death penalty.”

He chose the issue of the issuance of a driver’s license and vehicle plates to present examples of government inefficiency, saying he had applied for one and until now has not received his driver’s license.

It’s just a plastic card but the government can’t deliver the service, he said.

“They are about to exit, still there is nothing,” he said referring to the vehicle plates.

His visit to the city yesterday ful- filled his promise to the residents in September 2015 that was unfulfilled because of uncooperative weather.

“I am gratified by the warm reception,” the mayor said.

With the bishops Before he proceeded to the university, Duterte made a side trip to the Archbishop’s Residence where he paid courtesy calls to Archbishop Sergio L. Utleg and Auxiliary Bishop Ricardo Baccay.

Observers said the feisty mayor exuded a meek aura when he met the bishops. “I am honored I was allowed to visit you.” He said after the short meeting.

Bishop Baccay said the visit was a courtesy call without any agenda and it was requested by the camp of Duterte. The mayor related to his hosts his programs of government, if elected. He said the main centerpiece of his program is Federalism.

In an interview with the journalists, Baccay said: “I hope he will have enough respect for the law or we will become a lawless country.”

‘Rock star’

Then he joined the motorcade and became Duterte the rock star again, the cheers of “Duterte, Duterte” fanning his energy as he entered the university.

Twenty-four hours ago, Duterte and Cayetano also stood in front of a much larger crowd in Tondo, Manila, for their proclamation rally. That was Day 1 of the 90-day campaign period.

On Tuesday, Duterte also took his oath as national chairman of the PDPLabanm, replacing Esmail Sueno.