Palace on Rody campaign promises: 4 down, 1 to go

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has fulfilled four of his five campaign promises, with federalism the only commitment that has yet to be realized, Malacañang said.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar claimed Duterte has made good on his promise to ease poverty, curb corruption, address crime and illegal drugs and promote peace and order.

“Four of the promises of the President have been fulfilled. Only one remains (unrealized),” Andanar said over radio dzRB on Saturday.

“The fifth is federalism. Once it becomes a law, once the form of our government is changed, the President said he would step down,” he added.

Andanar said the poverty incidence in the Philippines has decreased to 21 percent. The figure, however, was recorded in 2015, a year before Duterte assumed office.

The figure recorded three years ago was 21.6 percent, lower than the 25.2 percent posted in 2012, according to government data.

Andanar said other efforts aimed at solving poverty include the signing of a law granting free tuition to students of state-run universities and colleges and the signing of the tax reform law, which exempts a majority of the country's workforce from paying income tax.

He said Duterte is fighting corruption by dismissing officials tagged in irregularities. He cited the firing of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) administrator Marcial Amaro III over “excessive” foreign trips.

With regard to fighting crime and illegal drugs, Andanar claimed the supply of narcotics in the Philippines and the crime rate has dropped. Total crime volume from January to October reached 452,204, lower by 8.44 percent than the 493,912 cases recorded in the same period last year, according to police data.

Andanar did not elaborate on peace and order but he and other officials previously issued statements crediting Duterte’s leadership for the successful campaign against terrorists in Marawi City and stressing his resolve to curb rebellion and other security threats.

Andanar reiterated that Duterte does not seek to impose a dictatorship once a federal government is established.

“If federalism is in place, he is ready to step down...The President has repeatedly said that and I believe he will do it,” he said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque echoed the claims but refuted the opposition in claiming Duterte wants to emulate the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and is now conditioning the mind of the public on his term extension.

“The President has no wish to extend his term and has said that on the contrary, he is open to shortening it if and when (the) Constitution is amended,” Roque said.