Rody doubts passage of anti-dynasty bill
Rody wants 75 as retirement age for armed services
President Duterte wants to raise the retirement age of uniformed personnel to 75 from 56, saying the government would be shortchanged if security officials are allowed to leave the service early.
Duterte said the retirement age of 56 is “too early,” considering that Filipinos are spending so much for soldiers and policemen. “Alam mo ’adre, sa totoo lang,
lugi ang gobyerno sa inyo (You know buddy, the government is shortchanged). You retire at the age of 56, that’s too early,” the President said at the graduation of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Maragtas” class of 2018 yesterday in Cavite.
“Do not be offended. Filipinos are spending much for you, yet you retire at the age of 56. Hindi ako makabawi (I cannot recover the expenses),” he added.
Duterte urged Vice President Leni Robredo, who was also present during the graduation ceremony, to support a measure raising the retirement age of the armed services.
“Perhaps in the next legislation, we will ask the Vice President to do her part... Retirement age is 75,” he added.
Duterte also cited the need to enlist more policemen to address the Philippines’ security requirements. He expressed hope that more Muslims would join the country’s security forces.
“I hope by the next batch or the next – the one coming up for this generation, I will have the money to give you to enlist more police officers,” he said.
“Not all the Moro of Mindanao are our enemies. So maybe next time there should be a percentage of the Moro people joining PMA (Philippine Military Academy) or the PNPA. We need them,” he said.
At the same event, Duterte advised PNPA graduates to be vigilant against the Sparrow unit or the assassins of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Be on alert for the sparrows because they are very active. If you have guns, do not display it, and be sure to keep a low profile. And if you enter an unfamiliar place, keep a sub rosa (private) style of movement,” the President said.
“We are at war. Now, the NPA is really after your guns... Those fools are drooling for your guns,” he added.
Duterte reminded the incoming police officers to have presence of mind and to study the ways NPA members assassinate their victims.
“I am not condemning you to death, I am just saying keep a low profile, heighten your sense of awareness,” the President said.
Duterte also claimed that about 1,000 soldiers and policemen have died because of the campaign against illegal drugs in Mindanao.
He also urged the PNPA graduates to perform their duties in accordance with the law.
This was the third time Duterte and Robredo shared the same stage in less than a week.
“Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo, this is the third time that I have greeted you, my lady,” the President said. Robredo smiled, sparking cheers from the audience.
The country’s top officials attended the graduation rites at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on Sunday and the 121st founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army in Taguig City on Tuesday.
Robredo said she had a chance to talk with the top 20 of the 106-strong Maragtas Class before the commencement exercises. One of the graduates, meanwhile, gifted Robredo with a portrait of herself.
Robredo shared on Twitter photos of the artwork by Cadet Fourth Class Don Carlo Labastida, who hails from Davao City. The painting featured the Vice President’s face and the seal of her office.
President Duterte is in favor of a bill banning political dynasties but doubts if it would be passed by Congress.
Duterte said there are instances when voters want the children of politicians to continue the projects of their parents.
“A few of the principled men, I would say, want this kind of thing about dynasty abolished. I am for it. Ang problema lulusot ba ‘yan? (The problem is, will it pass)?” the President said during a meeting of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) on Tuesday night in Manila.
“After your term, they would ask for your son or your wife,” he added.
Duterte cited his experience in Davao City, where he served as mayor for 23 years. He said his constituents supported his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, because they are in favor of his measures to promote law and order.
“So I don’t know but Inday really is a – she’s a character and she can be mean. The Davaoeños want to continue what I did. What did I do?” the President said, referring to his daughter by her nickname.
“Why is it so peaceful, so clean? Drugs are minimal and the law and order is very good. It took me about three terms really to perfect the system. And that came without (second) thoughts,” he added.
Duterte said he gained the support of people from Davao City despite the spate of deaths tied to his anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“They said many people died. Many people really died. Perhaps many really wanted to get rid of the drugs,” the President said.
Earlier this month, Duterte said political dynasties are not necessarily bad, citing his daughter Sara, who he said was “running the show very well.”
“I agree with you that dynasties are bad but sometimes it can be for the better. If Inday did not run, I would not be in front of you right now because I never wanted to leave Davao,” Duterte said during the Go Negosyo 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit in Pasay City last March 6.
Former chief justice Reynato Puno, chairman of the consultative committee to review the 1987 Constitution, has said an anti-dynasty provision should be included in the new Charter that would establish a federal system of government in the country.
Also last Tuesday, Duterte asked local executives to use their powers to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs.
“I’m appealing to you, make use of the institutions created for you. If you are afraid because there are bullies with bodyguards, policemen, tell them son of a b **** , that policeman, I will hit your head with your gun,” Duterte said.
“All you have to do is just call me. ‘Mayor, there is a bully here.’ Go ahead. Just give me time and I will solve the problem for you. Do not be afraid. Why be afraid of criminals?” he added.
Duterte said he was the only bully when he was mayor of Davao City.
“Before, there were bullies in Davao and their policemen were controlling the terminal. Sabi ko p ***** i** n’yo, ako lang ang tigas dito. Ako lang ang gwapo dito. Huwag mo akong unahan l **** ka (I said son of a b **** , I am the only bully here. I am the only handsome person here. Do not get ahead of me, b **** ),” he said.
Duterte reiterated that he is ready to kill local executives who are into illegal drugs.
“You killed democracy, then you killed people. Because you’re a mayor, I’ll kill you. B **** , do not give me that bull s***,” he said.
“If you are a b **** mayor, you better stay home or stay in prison in the meantime. If you are that bad, if you do that to others, you will clash with me, the President. If we clash, I am sure you will end up dead.”
Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos agrees with the President, seeing the difficulty in stopping political dynasties because of the reality of local politics.
Marcos told local journalists in Pangasinan yesterday that she was with Duterte for the LMP meeting, where everyone was anti-dynasty.
“But it is difficult how that would be passed as 60-odd percent or 67 percent in the local (level is a) dynasty,” said Marcos.
She acknowledged that it is an unfair advantage for families that already have name recall or have wide network while incumbent, “but we also see the rise of new leadership.”
Marcos noted that it is the first time that an anti-dynasty provision has been provided in the law for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.