House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Sunday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for a “job well done” ahead of his final State of the Nation Address as Chief Executive today.
Romualdez said the President has accomplished more than what is expected of him as he expressed hope that Duterte takes his time to spell out all the achievements of his administration in the past five years during Monday’s SONA.
“Job well done. No matter where you are on the political divide, one will agree that this President accomplished more than we expected of him,” he stressed.
“He blazed a new trail in public service that had never been taken by our political leaders in the past. He could have achieved more were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic that has shaken even the major economies of the world,” Romualdez said.
He cited some of the President’s major legacies, such as the passage of the Universal Healthcare Act, the free college education law, and reforms in taxation.
“[These were] unthinkable for many generations in the past but made possible under his administration. These are accomplishments difficult to surpass by any administration to come,” Romualdez said.
“Major reforms in taxation are set in place, generating more money to spend for people’s welfare. Major infrastructure and mass-transit projects resulted in a more efficient flow of people, goods, and services. This generated a favorable business climate that means more investments, which create more jobs and livelihood for our people,” the majority leader added.
The Duterte administration “passionately” worked toward restoring peace in Southern Philippines with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Romualdez said.
“Our Muslim brothers and sisters now have a regional government of their own, which they are now in the process of building. With huge financial backing from the government, I have no doubts that they can finally stand on their own and chart the course they want for the next generation,” he said.
“All these accomplishments of the Duterte administration are warmly embraced and deeply appreciated by the Filipino. Proof: he is the most popular Filipino President ever, with his trust and acceptance ratings climbing higher even in his last years in office,” Romualdez added.
The Leyte lawmaker said the President still stayed as humble as he is despite his achievements.
“But since this is his final SONA, we hope the President takes the time to spell out all the accomplishments done under his administration to help improve the living condition of our people. Most of these accomplishments did not gain the media attention they deserve, so the President may need to use his biggest platform, the SONA, to itemize these achievements,” he said.
