President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his position that he has no responsibility towards the International Criminal Court (ICC). Ergo, he does not need to respond to its questions in relation to the Philippine state’s anti-illegal drug program. The word came as he led the awarding ceremony of the National ROTC Summit and 1st Presidential Silent Drill Competition at the Rizal Park, Manila yesterday, December 20, 2019. “You do not scare me na ipakulong mo ako d’yan sa international court, criminal court. *. I will never allow myself to answer itong mga puti. Hoy loko-loko kayong mga . . . . I will never, never, never answer any question coming from you. It’s * to me. I am responsible only to the Filipino. Ang mag-husga, Filipino” (You do not scare me that you will cause to jail me in the international court, criminal court. *. I will never allow myself to answer these white men. Hey, you, stupid . . . . I will never, never, never answer any question coming from you. It’s * to me. I am responsible only to the Filipino. The one who will judge is the Filipino), asserted the Chief Executive.
Said reserved officers training corps (ROTC) contest, which aimed at showcasing the skills of the reserved military units across the country and propagating awareness on ROTC program, was participated by seven corps. Among them, that of the Philippine Military Academy clinched the top prize.
The Head of State mentioned that he was inspired by the silent military drill he had witnessed in China. Therefore, he wanted to replicate the same in his motherland. “Alam mo, ganito ‘yan e: I was inspired when I went to China kasi every sundown, mayro’n silang drill, a drill before the flag is lowered, and people congregate every afternoon to see the drill performed by the different units assigned for that day. I want it done everyday. May mag-tingin man o wala, do it for the country. I want you to go into a sort of an activity to honor Rizal at ang ating bayan. Do it, and I order it everyday” (You know, this is how it goes: I was inspired when I went to China because every sundown, they have a drill, a drill before the flag is lowered, and people congregate every afternoon to see the drill performed by the different units assigned for that day. I want it done everyday. Whether or not there are people to watch, do it for the country. I want you to go into a sort of an activity to honor Rizal and our country. Do it, and I order it everyday), explained he.
Last, President Duterte reexpressed his desire to accelerate the government’s service to people and called on state officials to unit with the drive. (I do not want papers to be acted by days. I want it by hours. If you are a director, do not hang on it. ‘Wag mong upuan ‘yan kasi pabalik-balikin mo ang tao hanggan bumigay ng pera” (I do not want papers to be acted by days. I want it by hours. If you are a director, do not hang on it. Do not sit on it to make the person return repeatedly until one gives out money), he ordered.
