Isla Grand Ballroom, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City
August 9, 2017
“My job is not to kill criminals,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as he spoke of government efforts to apprehend crime suspects and people linked to the distribution and use of illegal drugs during the Philippine Development Forum: Sulong Pilipinas 2017 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
The President added, “Drugs cannot be solved by one man,” and reiterated the tremendous support from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its different branches, as well as the Filipino people in ridding the country of organized crimes and illegal drugs.
President Duterte also spoke of the necessity of patience and strategy regarding the remaining Maute terrorists in Marawi City for the sake of its remaining hostages.
To emphasize the gravity of corruption in government, the President promised to resign if one of his children becomes guilty of corruption. He added how some local government units (LGUs) become guilty of corruption due to the practice of necessitating too many permits and not having a fast and efficient process in its issuance.
President Duterte also brought up Federalism as an important agenda of his administration for the continued and sustainable development of the Philippines. He stressed the necessity of having people with no vested interests in writing the new constitution for a Federal type of government.
“I am reiterating my commitment to the Philippines,” said the President with a promise of continued efforts against illegal drugs, criminality and terror, as well as the Philippines’ continued socio-economic development for its people.
Several high-ranking government officials joined the Chief Executive in the forum such as former President and now Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia.
During the forum, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President George Barcelon presented a deed of donation of fire equipment to the Bureau of Fire Protection – National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) and gave a report on the key workshop outputs of the event.
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