Rodrigo Duterte, the mayor of Davao City, assumed the presidency of the Philippines in June

2016. He was the inaugural political representative hailing from Mindanao to secure the position at the
esteemed Malacañang Palace. The candidate's policy agenda encompasses combating criminal activity,
addressing issues of corruption, and tackling the problem of illicit drug trade. He is widely recognized as
a very contentious figure who garnered significant attention on the global stage. Prior to his candidacy
for the president, he held the position of mayor in Davao City. Under his leadership, Davao City has
achieved the status of being one of the most secure urban areas in the nation. Duterte has gained
recognition for his assertive demeanor, resilience, and employment of coarse language, which has
resonated with certain individuals who perceive him as charismatic due to his direct approach. This frank
disposition has been perceived as a welcome departure from conventional political discourse,
contributing to his electoral victory. The moniker "The Punisher" was bestowed upon him due to his
aggressive approach in combating criminal activities.

One of the primary tenets advocated by President Duterte prior to his election was the
implementation of stringent measures to combat the proliferation of illicit narcotics within the
Philippines. He intends to replicate in the Philippines the strategies and policies he implemented during
his tenure as mayor of Davao City. He made a solemn declaration to eliminate all individuals associated
with the trafficking and utilization of narcotics. He made a commitment that the fish inhabiting Manila
Bay would see an increase in body weight as a result of consuming the remains of individuals addicted to
drugs, which would be disposed of in the sea. The firm position of President Duterte in addressing the
issue of illegal narcotics garnered substantial support from a considerable segment of the Filipino
populace. Advocates contend that his stringent stance was important in tackling the pervasive drug issue
and its concomitant criminal behaviors. Nonetheless, the implementation of the anti-drug campaign has
given rise to significant apprehensions regarding human rights, as it has been accompanied by
accusations of extrajudicial killings and a dearth of procedural fairness. The approach employed in this
context has faced criticism from international groups due to its perceived infringement of human rights,
prompting demands for an impartial investigation to be conducted.

The administration led by President Duterte has enacted programs with the objective of
promoting infrastructure development, generating employment opportunities, and alleviating poverty.
The program known as "Build, Build, Build" was implemented with the objective of facilitating the advent
of a period referred to as the "Golden age of infrastructure" in the Philippines. The deficiency in
infrastructure has often been identified as the primary obstacle to the progress of the Philippine
economy. This program offers a range of advantages, including the enhancement of rural income,
reduction in production costs, promotion of efficiency in the movement of goods and people, less
reliance on external financial institutions for borrowing, and the creation of employment possibilities.
Conversely, the aforementioned policy has yielded adverse effects, not just on specific facets, but also on
the whole economy. Certain opponents have posited that the correlation between economic progress
and enhanced living conditions for the entirety of the Filipino population is not always absolute. Points
of criticism included wealth disparity and a prioritization of large-scale projects above social services.
This initiative has been associated with adverse consequences, including economic risks, challenges
related to interest rates, contractor risk, and the likelihood of encountering inescapable circumstances.

President Duterte has actively pursued an autonomous foreign policy, with the aim of fostering
closer relationships with neighboring Asian countries such as China and Russia. Certain proponents of
this strategy expressed their approval, asserting that it bolstered the Philippines' autonomy. Critics raised
apprehensions regarding President Duterte's strategic shift towards China, particularly within the
framework of the territorial conflicts in the South China Sea. Certain individuals perceived it as
potentially jeopardizing the welfare of the nation and raised concerns on the potential enduring
consequences. Furthermore, during the initial quarter of his tenure, President Duterte made disparaging
remarks on US President Barack Obama, the Pope, the European Union, and the United Nations, while
concurrently proclaiming his admiration for Adolf Hitler. Much to the dismay of numerous global
observers, Duterte expressed his commitment to eradicating drug addicts in the Philippines on a
magnitude comparable to the Holocaust. There exist numerous additional accomplishments that he
facilitated in the Philippines over his tenure; nevertheless, a significant number of individuals perceive
these triumphs as having caused substantial harm to the lives of the populace.

Examining President Duterte's accomplishments and track record in governance. The

examination of the legal system in the Philippines holds significant importance. If an individual is
economically disadvantaged, it is unlikely that they would receive equitable treatment within the legal
system and may not experience significant advantages from the initiatives implemented by the
aforementioned individual. In fact, these programs may inadvertently exacerbate their hardships. It is
imperative to acknowledge that perspectives on the leadership of President Duterte exhibit significant
divergence, both domestically inside the Philippines and on the global stage. Public attitude can be
shaped by a multitude of elements, encompassing political affiliations, socio-economic status, and
personal experiences. There exists a segment of the population who express satisfaction with his
contributions to the nation, while a considerable number of individuals, including myself, harbor
dissatisfaction with his actions, particularly in relation to a contentious initiative known as the Drug war.
This program has been associated with extrajudicial killings, the inadvertent loss of innocent lives due to
misidentification, and instances of excessive force employed by law enforcement personnel.

If I were to offer recommendations and suggestions to the leadership of Rodrigo Duterte, the
nature and scope of my proposals would be contingent upon the particular domains of concern or
enhancement that I intend to tackle. To begin with, it is imperative to prioritize the adherence to human
rights and the rule of law in all governmental endeavors. This entails the establishment of an
autonomous and transparent framework to thoroughly examine claims of human rights violations,
particularly within the context of the campaign against illicit substances. In the subsequent phase, I
intend to prioritize policies that are geared towards fostering inclusive economic growth and effectively
tackling the issue of income disparity. In addition, I will prioritize the enhancement of social services,
education, and healthcare in order to ensure that the advantages of economic progress are distributed
equitably across all sectors of the population. These viewpoints are solely subjective and I acknowledge
the potential challenges in addressing many concerns within the country. However, I express the desire
for the individual in question to adopt a comprehensive approach, rather than concentrating just on a
single part of the nation, in order to alleviate the hardships faced by Filipinos within distinct areas of
governance. In general, despite the ethical concerns surrounding Duterte's approach to his anti-drug
campaign, it may be argued that his actions have contributed to an enhanced sense of safety while
traversing the streets throughout the country. During his tenure, he instilled fear among criminals, drug
pushers, and drug users, resulting in a noticeable reduction in the nation's crime rate. The individual
successfully ensured the safety and well-being of the populace, despite the presence of certain
imperfections within the initiative. They used their utmost effort in effectively representing the interests
and values of the nation.
REFERENCES:

TIMBERMAN, D. (2019). Philippine Politics under Duterte: A Midterm Assessment. Retrieved from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on November 11, 2023:
https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/01/10/philippine-politics-under-duterte-midterm-assessment-
pub-78091

VIRAY, J. (2019). Duterte: Philippine’s Mostrous Leader?!. Retrieved from ResearchGate on November 11,
2023: https://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/10716/RevisedMonsterArticle.pdf?
sequence=1&isAllowed=y

BBC News (2022). Rodrigo Duterte profile: The provocative but popular Philippines strongman. Retrieved
on November 11, 2023 from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-36659258

Open Government PH (2023). A Year after the Duterte Administration’s promise of change. Retrieved on
November 11, 2023 from: https://ogp.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/news/24-a-year-after-the-duterte-
administration-s-promise-of-change