The Philippine Star

Rody thanks Pinoys: Sorry I can’t do anything more

- By HELEN FLORES – With Alexis Romero

President Duterte again expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people for electing him president, even as he apologized for his “shortcomin­gs.”

“In a few days I’ll be out. All that I did, for me, that’s it. The best that my efforts can really achieve. If that is still not enough, I’m sorry I can’t do anything more,” the President said in Filipino and English during the inaugurati­on of the new building of the Metropolit­an Manila Developmen­t Authority (MMDA) in Pasig City yesterday.

“The things that I failed to do, mostly not because of negligence or I have shortcomin­gs but the time really – six years – would not be enough to finish all the projects,” he added.

Duterte also took the opportunit­y to thank the media, particular­ly television networks, for their coverage of his presidency.

“To all of you, including TV networks, I would not mention, thank you. And your help in my journey in the six years, you gave me the honor to be the president of the Philippine­s. Thank you very much,” he said.

In a speech during the launching of the digital innovation efforts of the Philippine Postal Corp. last Thursday, Duterte said he has served the entire nation “irrespecti­ve of each tribal division.”

“I know that the Filipinos voted for me. Let’s not talk about those who did not vote for me. I served the country irrespecti­ve of each tribal division,” the President said.

Duterte will step down from office on June 30.

We still work

President Duterte continues to oversee the completion of his administra­tion’s programs with little over a month left in office, an official of Malacañang has said.

“We still work. All programs are continuing,” Presidenti­al Communicat­ions Operations Office Undersecre­tary Kris Ablan said over radio dzBB on Sunday.

Duterte was expected to hold his regular Talk to the People last night.

The President did not deliver a public address last week.

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