Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: President Rodrigo Duterte met the Filipino community here in Malaysia Wednesday, November 9, and reiterated his campaign pledge of zero corruption in his administration.

The President run in the last presidential election on a campaign agenda of aggressively fighting corruption, criminality and illegal drugs.

“I promised the people, sabagay ito seryoso na ‘to,” he said in his speech. “Corruption must stop and it will stop during my time.”

He advised overseas Filipino workers here to be assertive especially when dealing with personnel from government agencies. He said OFWs often fall prey to extortionist in the country’s airports when they are going home.

The country has so much concerns and he said he has to put things in order so the country could progress. One of his major initiatives is talking peace with several rebel groups in the country to attain peace and stability.

A federal system of government must be adopted, he said, to remedy Muslim as well as communist rebellion in the country, which has been ongoing for several decades.

The President also expressed his plans to tackle poverty and give people livelihood especially the poorest of the poor. He said he is looking at boosting small and medium scale entrepreneurs to create livelihood.

The Philippines has to improve so that one day, Filipinos would no longer go abroad to earn a living, he said. At the same time, he thanked the Malaysian people as well as Prime Minister Najib Razak for treating Filipinos in Malaysia well.

Before going to Malaysia, President Duterte had a brief stop in Bangkok Wednesdayafternoon to pay his last respects to the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died on October 13, 2016.

At the Grand Palace, the President bowed before the Royal Funeral Urn and presented his condolence wreath. The President then signed the Book of Condolence.

The Thai king, who ruled for seven decades, was a symbol national unity and remain an inspiration to the people of Thailand.

He was also highly respected and regarded in the region and beyond for his dedicated efforts to foster goodwill and cooperation among nations.  Filipinos remembered him with affection after his State Visit to Manila in 1963.

Accompanying the President were Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr., Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and SAP Christopher Lawrence T. Go, Ambassador Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon and Ambassador Marciano Paynor.. PND