Campaign promises fulfilled, except Edsa traffic: President

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte said that he has fulfilled almost all his campaign promises in 2016 except solving traffic congestion on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

Duterte said that halfway into his term, he already fulfilled most of his promises including the signing of notable measures into laws such as the free tuition, universal health care and Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

“Alam mo... ang TRAIN...nangako ako sa inyo. Wala akong pangako na hindi ko natupad except ‘yang Edsa (You know, TRAIN I made promises to you. I never made promises I couldn’t keep except Edsa),” Duterte said in a speech during the PDPLaban campaign rally in Biñan City, Laguna.

“Nangako ako na free tuition, nandiyan na ang batas. Nangako ako na free universal health care, pirmado ko na ang batas (I promised for free tuition, the law is signed. I promised free universal health care, it’s also signed),” he added.

Duterte noted that his administration has also increased the wage of soldiers and policemen and will soon adjust salaries of teachers.

He also promised to negotiate with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the faction of Nur Misuari.

Moreover, Duterte renewed his vow to end the illegal drug trade in the Philippines in the remaining three years of his term.

He also “pleaded” to the public, especially the youth to stay away from illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Duterte asked the crowd to tell him what other promises he failed to keep so he could fulfil them.

“Ano pa naman gusto (What more do you want)?” Duterte asked.