Duterte’s promises revisited and what critics think 2 years later

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

Now on his third year in office, here’s a rundown of how Duterte fared on his various promises based on his or the administration's assessment and that of his critics.

On corruption

"The first thing that I promised you was that I would try to control corruption. Alam ninyo na until now ginagawa ko. I have fired so many undersecretaries and secretaries and most of them... were then my companions in the city mayor’s office," President Duterte said in his speech at the 81st GSIS anniversary, Pasay City on June 19, 2018.

Duterte also created the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and opened citizens' complaint hotline 8888.??

What critics, data say

At least 37 officials either resigned or were fired by President Duterte amid allegations of irregularities or failures, data from GMA News Research show. However, 11 were given new positions in government and only two are facing plunder charges in court.

Opposition Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV said there was a "double standard" when it comes to the reappointment of sacked officials while former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said these officials must face charges if only to avoid perception that their dismissal could just be a form of publicity.

The Philippines' rank also slipped to 117th last year from 101st in 2016 in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. Last year's survey involved 180 countries.

On criminality

"We're living peacefully dito sa ating bansa and everybody could probably say that," Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said on June 8 after the Philippines was ranked the least peaceful country in Southeast Asia in the 2018 Global Peace Index.

Reports say crime incidents in the country dropped by 18.42 percent from January to April compared to the same period in 2017. The PNP tallied a total of 149,491 crime incidents in the first four months of 2018 as opposed to 183,242 cases in the same period last year.

What the survey says

A Social Weather Stations survey conducted from March 23 to 27 showed around 6.6 percent or 1.5 million families were reportedly victimized by crimes such as pickpocket, break-ins, carjacking and physical violence within the last six months.

President Duterte lamented the survey results, calling himself "useless" in a speech before  newly-elected Western Mindanao barangay chairmen in Zamboanga del Sur on June 26.

On tax reform

President Duterte signed into law in December last year the first package of his administration's tax reform program.

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which took effect in January, reduced personal income tax rates but raised the excise tax on petroleum products and automobiles, and imposed a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Data from the Department of Finance show that total revenues have already reached P1.19 trillion from January to May 2018, which is higher by 19 percent year-on-year and also 7.4 percent above the target.

What critics say

Administration critics and some labor groups have been calling on the government to suspend the implementation of the TRAIN Law amid rising fuel prices which impact the cost of basic goods and services.

Opposition Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, for one, filed a bill that seeks to stop the implementation of the excise tax on fuel under the law once the inflation rate breaches the target range over a three-month period.

Inflation spiked to 5.2 percent in June, the fastest in more than five years.

On ‘endo’

"I assure you that this government will never cease in its efforts to provide every Filipino worker with full, dignified and meaningful employment. They deserve no less than decent and comfortable lives," President Duterte said in a speech during the Labor Day celebration in Cebu City on May 1.

President Duterte signed Executive Order 51 prohibiting the illegal contracting and sub-contracting of workers. He also called on Congress to pass a measure to further strengthen the workers’ right to security of tenure.

What critics say

Labor groups such as the Kilusang Mayo Uno wanted more, saying the President should have signed an EO that bans all forms of contractualization.

On seeking just, lasting peace in Mindanao

President Duterte is set to sign into law the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in time for his third State of the Nation Address on July 23. The signing would be the culmination of years of negotiations with the Moro rebels and deliberations in the legislative mill. 

Duterte has been pushing for the enactment of the BBL, which aims to end decades of conflict in Mindanao by creating a political entity that would enjoy greater autonomy than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

What critics say

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed doubts whether the BBL, if passed without the anti-political dynasty provision, could address poverty in the region. Any citizen, meanwhile, can question the measure's constitutionality before the Supreme Court.

On peace talks with Reds

"One of my commitments is that I will talk to the enemies of the state, talk about peace, and maybe in the fullness of God’s time, we will realize our dream for a troubled Philippines," President Duterte said in a speech before Calabarzon barangay captains on June 14.

President Duterte is looking to find a political solution to the 50-year communist insurgency in the country.

Despite setbacks, Malacañang said the government remains open to peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, subject to certain conditions set by Duterte.

What critics say

Chances for a negotiated end to the communist insurgency slumped in June after Duterte pushed the resumption of peace talks to a later date, saying he needed more time and more consultations on the matter.

Enraged by Duterte's move, exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison said it would be better to work for his ouster and prepare for peace talks with the next administration.

On red tape

President Duterte on May 28, 2018 enacted the measure seeking to streamline doing business in the country.

Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 will streamline procedures, shorten processing time for government transactions, and create a central business portal to receive and obtain data involving business-related transactions.

What critics, survey say

The Philippines fell nine spots to the 50th spot out of 63 economies in the 2018 World Competitiveness Rankings released in May by Switzerland-based business school International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

According to the report, the Philippines is facing challenges in investing in quality infrastructure, increasing investment in human capital (health and education), strengthening institutions, increasing digital competitiveness, and mitigating political risks.

On maritime row with China

“We strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution and management of our disputes,” President Duterte said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2016.

Duterte, however, temporarily set aside the arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing's excessive claims in the South China Sea in order to forge stronger trade and economic ties with the Asian power.

He also decided not to provoke the Asian power, saying going to war with China would have resulted in a huge tragedy.

What critics say

Opposition lawmakers and observers have slammed Duterte's insistence not to antagonize China even after Beijing's reported deployment of military aircraft and installation of anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on Manila-claimed reefs.

The Senate minority bloc in May called for a legislative inquiry into the "alarming expansion" of China's military presence in the West Philippine Sea, the area being claimed by Manila in the South China Sea.

On shift to federal gov’t

The Duterte administration has been pushing for a shift to a federal form of government as a means to address national economic and power imbalances.

To jumpstart the process, Duterte tasked a consultative committee to review the 1987 Constitution. The committee completed its job after a few months and proposed a federal charter to Duterte and Congress in July.

The President has said he would quit his post as early as next year once the proposed federal charter is ratified by the public, insisting that the current unitary system of government has failed the people by keeping resources and power centralized.

What critics say

Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide said federalism is an "anti-poor" system due to features like double taxation.

Davide also claimed the draft federal charter did not mention the West Philippine Sea in its provisions on national territory and called the proposed college degree requirement for top officials “undemocratic.”

He also said Duterte is not barred from seeking to become the head of the proposed transition government.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, citing a survey showing majority of Filipinos oppose  charter change, urged Congress to  prioritize legislation that would address various pressing issues such as poverty and unemployment. — MDM, GMA News