MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has urged the local leaders to improve their performance, reminding them of their responsibility to address social ills like illegal drugs and corruption “as president of your own republic”.
“Another thing and the most important here, the reason why I came. You have to improve on your performance as mayor,” Duterte said in his speech before the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Visayas Clusters conference in Cebu City on Tuesday.
“In your own small town, however small or humble it may be, you are the President there or representing me as president of your own republic,” he added.
Duterte, a former mayor for two decades in Davao City, said he will provide legal assistance to local leaders who may face charges for fighting corruption and illegal drugs.
“If you do your duty, tapos magkaroon kayo ng kaso (then you will be charged) just like the police, I will support and defend you. Ako mismo (I will do it myself),” he said, drawing applause from LMP officials.
He told them to approach Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año if they have problem in the implementation of the campaign against illegal drugs and corruption.
“The mayor expects you to go one bar, two bars higher in governance. If there is a drug problem which you cannot solve, you go to Secretary Año. Tell him the problem and he will solve it for you. Iyan lang o dito sa akin (or through me),” Duterte said.
The President said he will provide good projects in municipalities that have outstanding records of peace and order.
“You are a worker there. Now I would suggest that you improve on your records (in fighting) drugs,” he said.
However, Duterte said local leaders should not expect any help from him if proven that they are involved in unlawful activities.
“You have to enforce the law against all. You avoid corruption because if it reaches the DILG and the recommendation, I cannot help you,” Duterte said.
Duterte reiterated his promise not to allow the country “to go to the dogs” and to continue his relentless fight against illegal drugs.
“I will not allow my country to go to the dogs. You will never succeed as long as I am President. Ubusin ko talaga kayo (I will really go after all of you),” he said.
Duterte also warned the LMP officials not associate themselves with the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“Never give them aid and never give them favor. It will be to your chagrin at the end of the day if you do that. So don’t do that. You will lose everything there. You lose the power over the police,” the President said. (Jelly Musico/PNA)