Sotto rates Duterte 8.5 out of 10 as President

Senate President Vicente Sotto III gave President Rodrigo Duterte a good rating on Tuesday as the latter marked his fourth year in the seat of power.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, performance level the President or PRRD in my scorecard gets 8.5 from the war on drugs up to the time of COVID-19," Sotto told reporters in a virtual interview.

"President Duterte has strived to uplift the people's welfare with a firm hand and this is something that is seldom seen from the executive department or the executive office," he added.

According to Sotto, Duterte has "reduced the noise and violence" of separatists and terrorists; contained the local communist insurgency; and caused criminal syndicates to lie low.

Sotto also said that the country's foreign policy under the Duterte administration is "independent" and "no longer marching to the beat of the United States."

"Siguro 'yung problema sa pandemic at saka 'yung transportation woes would probably account for the 1.5 [score deduction] in my assessment," Sotto said.

Critics, however, have denounced the current administration's bloody war on drugs and Duterte's pivot toward China amid territorial issues between the two countries in the West Philippine Sea.

Sotto said the Duterte administration should ensure that the country bounces back from the adverse effects of the pandemic and maintain the economic gains it received in previous years.

He added that the members of the opposition also have to make concrete suggestions to the administration.

"Ang maganda sana kung magki-criticize ka, magbigay ka ng suggestion kung paano gagamutin ang kini-criticize mo. Hindi 'yung basta criticize lang," he said.

On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said
that despite his "serious disagreements" on certain policies of the the Duterte administration since 2016, he has always cooperated in crafting laws that serve the needs of the Filipino people.

"While I belong to the minority/opposition, I have always given my inputs and proposals. I have never let politics dictate my lawmaking," Drilon said.

"However, if by working together means a wholesale submission to their policies, then we will be doing a great disservice to the country," he added.

Meanwhile, pro-administration Senator "Ronald" Bato Dela Rosa said Duterte's iron fist approach is the "right antidote to stubborn Filipinos."

"His kind of leadership is what the nation needs in times of crisis and he has proven himself during this COVID-19 pandemic," Dela Rosa said in a message.

He added that the administration should continue to prioritize its flagship program "Build, Build, Build" in the remaining two years of Duterte's presidency to help the economy recover.

GMA News Online also reached out to minority senators regarding their assessment on Duterte's leadership but there are no responses yet as of posting time.

Duterte took his oath of office as the 16th President of the Philippines on June 30, 2016. — BM, GMA News