THERE is no doubt that President Rodrigo Duterte can steer the Philippines toward real change that will be felt by all sectors especially the underprivileged, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday.
He said Duterte has the courage, compassion and dedication to lead the country toward progress.
Marcos was among those who witnessed Duterte’s oathtaking as 16th President of the Philippines in Malacañang, where Vice President Leni Robredo was not invited.
Marcos filed an election protest with the Supreme Court against Robredo on June 29, or a day before she took her oath as the country’s 14th vice president.
Marcos said the tough-talking Duterte means a lot of things to many people.
“A father, a son, a brother, a tough mayor and now President,” Marcos said.
“But to me, he will always be a very good friend. A man who stays true, a man of integrity, a man of extreme loyalty.”
Duterte had refused to give Robredo a Cabinet post, saying he didn’t want to hurt Marcos, who claims there was massive cheating in the last elections to deprive him of the vice presidency.
“He will always have my support and I am one with every Filipino in this feeling of excitement as we welcome a new era in our country’s history,” Marcos said.
Senator JV Ejercito said Duterte clearly laid down the direction of his administration through his inaugural speech, which he described as “simple and easy to understand but loaded with substance.”
Senator Panfilo Lacson commended Duterte for drawing a clear line between Congress and the Executive. He considered it good when Duterte made it clear he would not interfere in Congress.
“Of course, it goes without saying that congressional oversight is part and parcel of our duties. It’s also good to hear that he knows he needs the support of every Filipino and that much he said at the start of his inaugural address,” Lacson said.
Returning Senator Richard Gordon praised Duterte for not going overboard during his inauguration.