Analyst praises Duterte for humbly seeking expert advice

A political analyst praised presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday for reaching out to experts and seeking their advice on how to build a framework for his administration. However, the tough-talking executive who rode on an anti-criminality platform must also focus on other issues other than law and order.

“For sure they are still overwhelmed by their victory, at maganda ang attitude ni President Duterte, na siya ay hihingi ng advice sa mga eksperto. This really shows the humility of a person na hindi niya inaako lahat,” Prof. Clarita Carlos said on GMA News "Balitanghali".

Carlos said Duterte should also address the engagement of the country to the economic community of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), aside from his campaign slogan of stopping crime and illegal drugs, to lessen the concerns of the business sector.

“The business (sector) like the fact that you are putting law and order first, pero sana ilagay din natin 'yung foreign engagement natin sa ASEAN economic community and I'm sure maraming mga akademiko at eksperto ang makakatulong sa kanya,” she said.

Carlos added that his transition team must outline a road map for national strategy that will put forward the proposed programs Duterte would like to focus on aside from law and order.

However, Carlos agreed that it's about time to implement an iron fist against drug lords and drug pushers with the combined efforts of drug enforcement agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“I hope 'yung combined force ng lahat ng enforcement agencies pati ng AFP and PNP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, etc. ay talagang palawigin niya at lipulin lahat ng mga salot sa lipunan,” Carlos, former president of the National Defense College of the Philippines, said. — APG/TJD/KG, GMA News