PCOO_insidepage_NEWS
05 November 2016

President Duterte unfazed by coup plots
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, November 4, said he is unfazed by any coup attempts and mass demonstrations against him, challenging those who are against his administration to run the government if they can.

Speaking before the members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) during their Regional Convention at the Manila Hotel, President Duterte said he is not worried about rallies and coup plots.

“‘Yung ayaw sa akin, madali yan… no need for coup d’etat… you are wasting your bullet,” Duterte said.

He said that if someone is prepared to run the government, he can step down immediately.

“Go to Malacañan, we’ll have coffee and I myself will swear you to run this Republic and solve the problem. Walang problema. Next year, there will be mass demonstration, for all I care. Wala akong illusions. Do not give me a reason to go out because you might get your wish,” Duterte said.

President Duterte however warned that the presidency is no easy task.

“I cross the river at one o’clock in the afternoon and last night, [I] went back alas tres. Araw-araw ‘yan ah. Kung ganyan naman trabahong ibibigay mo sa akin, I can only endure that much,” Duterte said.

“Pagdating ko doon lahat ng Department may folder… That is the work for the day and I read it until morning time making marginal notes, disapproving and that is it,” he added.

Duterte said he will not allow anyone to commit a mistake if the country is at stake.

According to President Duterte, he had no intention to run for President but what motivated him was patriotism.

“For the simple reason that at that time, the issues that were really critical to the country were never brought to the fore before the national arena. And I was thinking that if somebody won’t do it, then Mindanao could probably be a fractured island, if not totally lost from the rest of the Republic,” he said.

Duterte said that as long as he is President, he will be relentless in his campaign to end illegal drugs, lawlessness and corruption.
“Ang promise ko sa inyo, inshallah. God-willing. That promise, that this campaign against this drugs and criminality will not stop ‘til the end of my term,” he said.

“I will assure you, I will stop corruption during my term,” he added, noting that anyone can call 8888 to report erring government officials or employees.PND 


Duterte says drug syndicates shifted to kidnapping

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, November 4, vowed that he will crush criminality as drug syndicates may have resorted to kidnapping activities.

Duterte said the government’s war against the illegal drug trade has adversely affected and cut the supply of drugs.

He said that Filipinos should be more careful, noting that there had been reports of kidnapping incidents for the past weeks.

Duterte meanwhile said that the government would need a huge amount per year for the rehabilitation of drug dependents, that will cover their medical, rehabilitation and other expenses.

The President reiterated that there will be no let up in his campaign against the drug menace and criminality until the end of his term, even if it will cost him his life and presidency.

In another development, the President expressed his willingness to step down from the presidency if Congress can hasten his appeal for a shift to federalism from the present unitary form of government.

The President has consistently stated that federalism will usher growth and development and thus will bring lasting peace to the country.PND


Malacañan welcomes the appointment of new US envoy to PH

Malacañan official expressed optimism that the appointment of Sung Kim as the new United States Ambassador to the Philippines signals a desire from the Americans to foster a better cultural understanding between the US and the Philippines.

In a radio interview over government-run Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Palace welcomes the appointment of Sung Kim as the new US envoy to the Philippines, noting that Mr. Kim is a Korean, of Asian descent.Sung Kim was sworn into office by US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this week to replace outgoing US Ambassador Philip Goldberg.

Abella said Kim’s appointment is expected to foster better ties between the Philippines and United States.“It’s very significant po that they chose an Asian… I’m sure it’s some form of a signal na they want to be on a better cultural footing at pagkakaintindi na between Asian(s). That seems to be right now the most obvious, one of the major significant reasons why they chose a Korean also. So ang gusto po siguro nila mas maintindihan tayo, that we’re able to relate on better cultural terms,” Abella said.

Abella also said the Philippines is “one of the most exciting places right now.”

Meanwhile, Abella affirmed President Duterte’s confidence against coup plots and mass demonstrations allegedly planned against his administration.“The President truly is confident in his role as President tsaka ‘yung trust na ibinibigay sa kanya ng mga tao at tsaka ‘yung the integrity of what he’s doing, ‘yung kanya pong purpose, ‘yung kanyang direksyon bilang Presidente po,” Abella said.PND