World Trade Center, Pasay City
March 8, 2017
“I will protect and defend the Filipino… I have the sworn duty to preserve the Filipino nation,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in a speech during the 10th Philippine Councilors League (PCL) National Congress at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
The President hailed the PCL for supporting the administration in its fight against illegal drugs and its drive for a federal system of government. He then discussed the major efforts of the administration against corruption in the government.
“I will stop corruption… I assure you na ang mga Cabinet members are clean,” said President Duterte, but added that government agencies under their supervision are in need of cleansing to root out corruption.
The President discussed how he removed public servants from their positions whom he knew personally due to allegations of corruption. He added that councilors must be wary and do the same to their corrupt peers. “Sa mga local government, bantay kayo diyan,” he added.
President Duterte also outlined the current economic impact of the administration. “Sa economic front, I think I made the correct decision,” and spoke about his visit to President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China and the massive increase of Philippine exports to China.
He thanked President Xi Jinping ”For loving us, and for giving us enough leeway to survive the rigors of economic life in this planet.”
President Duterte also reiterated the administration’s efforts against illegal drugs and the dangers government forces face against armed drug suspects. “Kapag nag-raid sila sa Central Mindanao, they have to face machine guns, M60…” he said.
The President also spoke about the clashes of government troops against rebel forces in Mindanao. “It grieves me to hear na may namatay na NPA, Abu Sayyaf… Do you think it makes me happy to buy bullets to kill fellow Filipinos?” he stressed.
He also condemned the actions of the New People’s Army (NPA) on the killing of four police crime scene investigators in an ambush by the NPA in Davao Del Sur.
President Duterte added, “It’s the time for fixing,” and spoke about how a federal system of government would bring much needed development in Mindanao.
The President was accompanied in the event by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto, and PCL members.
The three-day PCL event, with the theme, ‘Your PCL advocating genuine peace, inclusive growth and countryside development through federalism,’ promotes ‘public service above self’ and supports the national administration in its drive for a federal system of government.
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