The accomplishments of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration during his three years in office were “far better” than his predecessors’, Malacañang said Sunday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the current administration was trumpeting its achievements halfway through President Duterte’s six-year term because it was proud of the President’s legacy.
Panelo’s statement came after Senator Panfilo Lacson said it was “too early” to flaunt the Duterte administration’s achievements.
But Panelo believed otherwise.
“That’s not true,” he told dzIQ, when asked if it was premature to present the government’s accomplishments under Duterte’s leadership.
“It’s being trumpeted because the President’s accomplishments in three years’ time are exemplary compared to the past administrations’ achievements.”
Meanwhile, Duterte will not launch a series of criticisms against the Catholic Church without any basis, Malacañang said Sunday.
In an interview with dzIQ, Panelo said it was no secret that Duterte had “personal” grievances against Catholic Church leaders.
“His attacks always have a basis. He does not criticize without basis. And his tirades are based on personal experience,” he said.
During the celebration of the 120-year existence of Baptist churches in the Philippines on Thursday, Duterte took pride that he was the “first” politician who spoke against the leaders of the Catholic Church for their supposed abuses.
Duterte has persistently slammed the Catholic Church, which is critical of his administration’s policies and programs, including the anti-narcotics campaign.
He has also revealed that he was once a victim of sexual abuse by a priest when he was young.
He attempted to mend ties with the Catholic Church when he created on June 25, 2018, a four-man panel tasked to hold a dialogue with various religious groups.
However, the committee seemed to have failed to reconcile with the leaders of the Catholic Church.
On Friday, the Presidential Communications Operations Office launched the “Duterte Legacy” campaign that touts the successes, gains and even the sacrifices of the present administration to improve the lives of the Filipino people.
The campaign focuses on the Duterte administration’s progress in three pillars: Peace and order, infrastructure development and poverty alleviation.
The government’s legacies on education, infrastructure, health, labor, freedom of information, press freedom and media protection, peace and order, and environmental protection were highlighted during the campaign launch.
Various narratives from the beneficiaries of the administration’s landmark projects were also presented during the launching of the “Duterte Legacy” campaign.
A magazine, podcast, and a documentary featuring the government’s priority policies and programs were also unveiled.
Panelo said the President remained focused on bringing peace and development to the entire country.
“He’s focused on developing the country, bringing peace to communities and improving the lives of the people,” he said.
During the launch of the “Duterte Legacy” campaign, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar bragged that the President had been able to fulfill his promises “with great resolve and confidence.”
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, meantime, was elated that Filipinos appreciated Duterte’s resolve to bring “positive” and “real” change to the country.