Three years left is too short, but no regrets as president —Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday the remaining three years in his six-year term is "too short" for him to deliver on all his promises to the people even as he claimed he has no regrets so far in his presidency.

Duterte came to power in June 2016 on a campaign promise to rid the country of illegal drugs, crime and corruption.

"Three years left is too short. Gusto ko ngayon kung 'yan na lang ang natira, ang naumpisahan yun na lang tatapusin ko and of course itong the scourge of drugs. I promise the people talagang tatapusin ko yan. Tatapusin ko yan. Maniwala ka," the President said in a nationally televised exchange with chief presidential legal counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo in Malacañang.

His heavy0handed approach to curbing the drug menace, however, has met criticism from various quarters that accuse policemen of orchestrating summary killings of drug suspects. Duterte has also been accused of stifling dissent by targeting the political opposition, a charge he strongly denied.

Asked if he has any regrets as the country's chief executive, Duterte replied in the negative.

"Wala. Congress has, not all, but appropriately extended the help. Meron silang mga views na nirerespeto ko," the President said.

Congress, which is dominated by administration allies, has backed several of Duterte's key legislative agenda including the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, national identification system and tax reform.

Duterte last month floated the possibility of cutting short his term due to continuing corruption in government.

He also said that he preferred a military junta or politicians like former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Senator Francis Escudero to succeed him instead of Vice President Leni Robredo whom he deemed incompetent to take on the job. —JST, GMA News