Biography of Rodrigo Roa Duterte “Digong”.

(2016-2022)

Rodrigo Roa Duterte, also known as Digong, Rody, and by the initials

DU30 and PRRD, is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th

president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He is the chairperson of PDP-

Laban, the ruling political party in the Philippines during his presidency.

Duterte is the first president of the Philippines to be from Mindanao, and is

the oldest person to assume office, beginning his term at age 71.

I. Early Life and Education

A. He was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Leyte, and grew up in

Davao City, where he served as mayor for 22 years.
B. Duterte graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science at the Lyceum of the Philippines University and
obtained a law degree from San Beda College of Law in 1972.
C. He is among the longest-serving mayors in the Philippines and has
been Mayor of Davao City for seven terms, totaling more than 22
years. He has also served as vice-mayor and as congressman of the
city’s first congressional district.

II. Political Career

A. Prosecutor for Davao City and Vice Mayor of Davao City

B. Mayor of Davao City for over 22 years
C. Announcement of candidacy for the 2016 presidential race and
victory in the 2016 presidential election
 PRESIDENT’S GOVERNANCE
The first quarter of 2015, Duterte made hints to the media of his

intention to run for president in the 2016 elections. However, he denied

these plans numerous times amidst clamor from his supporters for him to

run. In January, Duterte said he would abolish Congress if he chose to run

for president and was elected.On November 21, in a private gathering with

fraternity brothers from San Beda College of Law, Duterte formally

announced his presidential bid and also finally accepted Alan Peter

Cayetano's offer to be his running mate, and named his daughter, Sara

Duterte, as his substitute for Mayor. Duterte said he would introduce a

federal parliamentary form of government.

During his campaign, Duterte made controversial remarks, including

promising to kill tens of thousands of criminals and eradicate crime in six

months. He also said his presidency would be "a bloody one", and that he

would pardon himself, the police, and soldiers accused of human rights

abuses at the end of his six-year term. Duterte also apologized after saying

out of anger when recalling the events that he "should have been first" to

rape Jacqueline Hamill, an Australian missionary who was gang-raped and

killed during the 1989 Davao hostage criss After the United States' and

Australia's ambassadors to the Philippines criticized him for the rape

comments, Duterte threatened to sever diplomatic ties with the countries if

elected.
 LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Notably, his “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program garnered

particular acclaim. Most Filipinos view Duterte not as a human rights

antagonist, but rather as a determined president effec- tively addressing

national issues, including economic and social concerns.

He initiated liberal economic reforms, including reforming the country's

tax system. He also established freedom of information under the executive

branch to eliminate corruption and red tape. Additionally, he granted free

irrigation to small farmers and liberalized rice imports with the Rice

Tariffication Law. Duterte was elected in 2016 on a promise to get rid of

the Philippines' drug problem, openly ordering police to kill drug suspects if

officers' lives were in danger.

At least 6,248 people died in police anti-drug operations, official

government figures show. But rights groups estimate tens of thousands

have been slain by police and shadowy vigilantes, even without proof they

were linked to drugs.The campaign was widely condemned and sparked a

probe by the International Criminal Court, but it did little to dent Duterte's

popularity among many Filipinos who welcomed his swift brand of justice.
 PROBLEMS AND ADMINISTRATION

Through this program, the country envisions to put in place a modern

and efficient public transportation system – better roads, bridges, airports,

seaports, and railway systems – that will ensure accessibility to even the

most far-flung areas in the Philippines.

Duterte's 2016 presidential campaign led to his election victory. During

his presidency, his domestic policy focused on combating the illegal drug

trade by initiating the controversial war on drugs, fighting crime and

corruption, and intensified efforts against terrorism and communist

insurgency.

CONCLUSION

Since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took office as president

in 2016, many things have changed in the way of life of Filipinos, including

major changes and adjustments in transportation. In the past five (5) years,

under the leadership of Secretary Art Tugade, the Department of

Transportation (DOTr) has completed 214 airport projects and 451 seaport

projects, the LRT-2 East Extension, and the bike lane network in Metro

Manila , Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao with a total length of 497 kilometers.
Meanwhile, the DOTr is currently trying to complete 100 airport projects and

101 seaport projects, and many more are expected to be completed,

inaugurated, and opened this year.

Among the notable projects of the DOTr are the MRT-3 rehabilitation,

MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, Common Station,

North-South Commuter Railway, Mindanao Railway, and the opening of the

Clark International Airport Terminal 2, Bicol International Airport, and

several modern ports in different parts of the country.President Duterte has

only one order: to give every Filipino a comfortable life. And this is what the

Department of Transportation continues to promote.