Duterte accepts backers of poll rivals as allies

MANILA, Philippines — To his political foes and their supporters, President Duterte would like to make clear that bygones are bygones as he urged them to join him in steering the nation to development and prosperity.

“Kalimutan na natin ‘yung mga partido-partido. Partnership na lang tayo (Let us forget partisanship. Let’s just form partnership),” the President said Wednesday night in remarks before a gathering of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee Leaders and National Summit held in Pasay City.

He said the nation would achieve nothing if political bickering among rival groups continued.

“Kasi kung mag-ano tayo walang mangyari eh (If we fight, nothing will happen)... Huwag na lang ‘yan. Tulungan na lang tayo (Let’s stop. Let’s just help each other),” he added.

He emphasized he does not care if one is an ally of his rivals in the 2016 elections as long as he or she is willing to contribute to nation-building under his administration.

“If a majority of the people support me, I would appreciate it. Whether you helped me or not, whether you were for (former vice president Jejomar) Binay, (senator) Grace (Poe) or (former interior secretary) Mar (Roxas), I do not care,” the President said.

“Tapos na ‘yun. Bakit pa ba ako mag-ano diyan? Panalo na ako. Kaya ako tahimik na lang ako (It’s past. Why will I continue to dwell on it? I won. So I will just keep quiet),” he added.

To avoid clashes, Duterte advised rival political groups to discuss among themselves who would dominate a particular chamber or institution.

“If you do not want to join us, it’s politics, fine. But if we talk, OK, you give us Congress and the local governments are yours,” the President said.

“Palit-palit na lang tayo para (Let’s just switch places so) everybody happy,” he added.

In jest, Duterte said politicians should just kill each other if they can’t agree among themselves.

“So kung hindi kayo magkaintindihan, magpatayan na lang kayo. Kung sino ‘yung mabuhay, ‘yun na iyon. Eh ayaw ninyo magpa-areglo eh (So if you fail to reach an understanding, just kill each other. Whoever survives gets it. That is if you don’t want to work it out),” he said.

But despite his readiness to work with all political groups, Duterte stressed that his campaign against corruption and illegal drugs would spare no one.

“I promised there would be no corruption. Many have been affected including our comrades in the party and those who were with us during the campaign. I will repay debt of gratitude but do not be involved in graft and corruption because it won’t help you,” he maintained.

“With regard to drugs, I said do not destroy my country. Do not destroy our children. They are our only hope,” he added.

Town mayors accept Duterte’s challenge

Meanwhile, mayors from 4,000 municipalities accepted Duterte’s challenge to lead the effort in eradicating illegal drugs in the community and to help in pushing a shift to federalism as a form of government, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) said.

LMP spokesman San Roque, Northern Samar Mayor Don Abalon said the mayors will be partners of the national government in all the programs designed to improve the quality of life in the country.

“We accept the challenges posed upon us by the President to clean up our respective communities by eradicating the drug menace and other pestering problems that our society faces,” Abalon said.

“The LMP is now a major partner and stakeholder in the push toward federalism. We will take an active role in the processes as Congress makes a move towards Charter change,” he added.

The 4,000-strong LMP held its General Assembly last Tuesday at the Manila Hotel, where the discussions focused on federalism.

Duterte, who was the guest of honor and keynote speaker, pointed out the importance of eradicating criminality.

Some Cabinet members also discussed their respective programs. Among the speakers at the assembly were special assistant to the president Secretary Bong Go and presidential spokesman Harry Roque. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Gene Mamondiong and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio discussed the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

A representative from the Department of Finance discussed local government unit (LGU) Classification and IRA under federalism. Department of Education Undersecretaries Tonesito Umali and Alain Del Pascua talked about education within a framework of LGU partnership.

Representatives from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Department of Social Welfare and Development were likewise on hand to share updates on their programs under the Duterte administration.

Commissioner Noel Gerlan of the Climate Change Commission and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu talked about the need for environmental conservation initiatives as Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol launched the search for Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan in another part of the program.

Other speakers were Quezon City Third District Rep. Ching Veloso and Oriental Mindoro Second District Rep. Reynaldo Umali.

LMP president Mayor Ma. Fe Villar Brondial headed the plenary session. – Cecille Suerte Felipe