‘Dramatic progress’ in campaign noted

President Duterte will mark his 100th day in office Friday and so far, he has made “dramatic progress” in the campaign against illegal drugs and corruption, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the first phase of the drug campaign has been successful, from uncovering the enormity of the country’s drug problem to forcing the increase of shabu prices in the South.

“From where we are, from what we can see, he has made dramatic progress,” Abella said in a Palace press briefing.

“Apparently, the crackdown is making headway and the supply is being lowered which tells us the efforts against illegal drugs is succeeding,” he said about the skyrocketing shabu prices in Mindanao.

On reducing corruption in the bureaucracy, Abella has highlighted the administration’s efforts to streamline government transactions, including processing of permits and licenses.

“The streamlining of the business processes is already one step towards avoiding corruption. The streamlining of the business processes, ‘di ba, katulad ng one-stop-shops, three days getting licenses,” he said.

Since assuming power last June 30, the President has launched an aggressive campaign to bring down drug dealers and narco-politicians and rid the bureaucracy of red tape and corruption.

The President’s anti-crime efforts, however, suffered a setback when Duterte conceded he could not suppress drugs within the first three to six months in office. He has asked for a sixmonth extension to finish the job, saying there were too many people involved in the drug trade and he could not kill them all.