Duterte Administration

If I am to rate the Duterte Administration, I would give Eight as my rating. Rodrigo

Duterte was elected president, with a 39 percent of the vote in a five-way race. Charismatic,
blunt, and frequently profane, Duterte combined a Dirty Harry persona with a track record as
a successful mayor of Davao City, Mindanao’s largest city. Although Pres. Duterte might
appear to be unsophisticated and crude, he is politically savvy and attuned to the attitudes and
concerns of average Filipinos. The Duterte government’s top priorities include combating
illegal drugs and crime, promoting rapid infrastructure development, sustaining economic
growth and making it more inclusive, enhancing peace and development in Mindanao, and
reorienting the Philippines’ foreign relations. To support these goals, the government has
significantly increased spending on infrastructure, raised the salaries of government
employees, expanded existing social development programs, revived the stalled peace process
with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF), entered into negotiations with the communist insurgents, and established a closer
relationship with China.

Pres. Duterte’s two principal economic priorities have been to accelerate economic
growth and make it more inclusive, and to significantly increase spending on much-needed
infrastructure. Key features of the government’s approach to the economy include running a
larger deficit, adopting a more statist approach to infrastructure development, and continuing
increases in social spending. Two (2) of the most significant accomplishments the current
administration has are the Build Build Build Program and his War against Drugs. Though many
has criticized this War against Drugs, many had also expressed their views that this WAD is a
success, as actress turned politician Lucy Torres-Gomez said that the “war on drugs” of
President Rodrigo Duterte was successful. She went on to say that if President Duterte had not
been our president at the time, we may have been in a narco-state by now.

As to the Build Build Build Program, it is the centerpiece program of the Duterte
administration that aims to usher the “Golden age of infrastructure” in the Philippines. Lack of
infrastructure has long been cited as the “Achilles' heel” of Philippine economic development,
to which I strongly agree. And the effect of this BBB has already taken its course, big ticket
projects are now being constructed even here in Butuan City. Pertaining to Mindanao the most
significant accomplishment was the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in July
2018. The BOL translates into law many of the provisions included in the 2014 peace
agreement between the Aquino government and the MILF. As president, he has dismissed—
though not necessarily punished—members of his administration suspected of corruption.
Little or no evidence has been presented that he has enriched himself, even his family. As
populist, Pres. Duterte has increased spending for social programs and some of the
government’s policies, such as higher salaries for government employees, free irrigation, and
tertiary public education.

To sum up, here are the Real Changes that the current administration had accomplished
in several areas: First is the drug war and the professionalism of the PNP. Second is a portion
of the government’s economic policies, particularly the increase in spending on infrastructure
and a few populists social programs. Third is possibility of constitutional changes, up to and
including federalism, would be highly significant for the Philippines. Fourth is the important
elements of continuity in most macroeconomic policies and public financial management. Fifth
is government also has continued to expand (with some tweaks or rebranding) most pre-
existing social development programs. Sixth, the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law was
the culmination of a decades-long process. Seventh are the Philippine Identification System
(PhilSys) or national ID program, the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), and the Ease of Doing
Business Law. These programmes are three strong economic management. Finally, is the
successful management of the government in combating the pandemic brought about by
Covid19 Virus.

In conclusion, there are no perfect presidents as there is no perfect human beings. The
current administrations have flaws and drawbacks but those did not overwhelm the
accomplishments and reforms this administration has introduced to this country. What I like
best of Pres. Duterte is his Political Will of Real Change. Proof of this is the national ID
program, first attempt was in 1973 and was finally enacted 45 years later in August 2018. This
program small it may seem has a very significant impact on the lives of every Filipino as it
provides all Filipinos with a unique proof of identity to facilitate financial inclusion and the
more efficient provision of key services. Another is the RTL; it was only legislated in 2019 or
32 years later since it was first attempted in 1987. The reform helped lower rice prices due to
more open importation and increased farmer productivity due to the Rice Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund. Therefore, the rating of 8 for the Duterte Administration is a fair rate.