President Rodrigo Duterte again highlighted the importance of the fight against illegal drugs and corruption as he vowed that his administration will never allow a compromise on these problems.
“And, itong, my stand, ang katayuan ko sa droga, pati corruption. I’ll just say sadly really na hindi ako aatras dito,” the President said in his speech before prosecutors in Angeles City, Pampanga on Wednesday, April 5.
“I will be a bit harsh and I will never compromise dito sa bagay na ‘to,” he said at the 29th annual convention of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines held at Royce Hotel & Casino.
The President also affirmed that as head of the government he will address the country’s problems.
“My oath sa Constitution and my swear to God, andyan lahat yan. What is it? I’ll give you an honest answer. It’s just a simple sentence. I am the President at this time and I get to solve the problems that were known only by now,” he said.
The Chief Executive noted that the beginning and the end of being President is to preserve the Filipino nation.
In the same speech, Duterte assured the prosecutors that their promotions will be based on merits.
“So I leave you with the message that we can work together and it’s gonna be a merit system. I will never, never allow politics to set in,” the President said.
“Kaya kung kayo for promotion or anything, huwag na kayong maghingi ng rekomendasyon sa politiko, talagang gaganunin ko ‘yan. Stand on your merit,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President said he has talked to Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and government panel chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III.
“So ‘yung land reforms suportado ko hanggang ngayon and I just had a talk with the, just before pababa dito, Dureza and Bello called me. May ganon ganon nag-usap sila,” he said.
He instructed the two Cabinet officials to tell Jose Maria Sison that he can come home and will be given a freedom of movement.
“Sabi ko you know you tell Sison because he is sick, he’s very sick. He can come home. I’ll give him a free… freedom of movement. I will not arrest him. I’ll even pay for his facilitation kung gusto niya,” he said.
“But there are these three things that I will not. Una is to stop the revolutionary tax. Napapahiya ako eh. So if you continue, engkwentro talaga tayo diyan,” the President noted.
He also cited the release of prisoners and the claiming of territory.
“Second is release all prisoners. Sabi nila within the next two days. Third is do not claim any territory in this, may-ari as an administrator of government ako ang may ari ng lahat ng lupa dito. Do not claim any territory,” he further explained.
“Kasi pagpasok ng mga sundalo at sibilyan sabihin man nila na eh pumasok siya sa teritoryo namin… Then guarantee of a ceasefire that’s not… That’s more or less substantial on the parameters really established,” the President said.###PND
