President Duterte visits cancer patients in Davao City

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shows his compassion to a young cancer patient during the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) Thanksgiving and Open House at the SPMC in Davao City on August 10, 2017. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, August 10, graced the thanksgiving and open house of the Southern Philippines Medical Center – Children’s Cancer Institute (SPMC-CCI) and expressed appreciation to its hospital administration for improving its facilities.

“I am very proud of the administration, kay doktora, kay doktor and the members… ang ganda ng building ninyo. This is the modern trend actually,” the Chief Executive said.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte extends his hand to a young cancer patient who showed a gesture of respect to the President during the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) Thanksgiving and Open House at the SPMC in Davao City on August 10, 2017. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Duterte also reiterated his desire to reinvent the government’s system, saying there will never be peace in Mindanao or even in the country if the government would not shift to federal structure.

He explained that federalism would evenly distribute the wealth across the country, including the provinces which are having a hard time contributing enormous amounts of money.

The President, meanwhile, reminded the Commission on Audit (COA), Ombudsman, and the Congress to repeal the procurement law which gives priority to the lowest bidder.

He added that the corruption will start there and that nothing will happen in the lives of the Filipinos if that will continue.

“Kasi ibigay pa niya doon sa mga nag-bid, magbigay pa siya ng mga engineer sa gobyerno, magbigay pa doon sa mga congressman, sali ang mayor. Eh sabi ko walang mangyari nitong buhay natin,” he said.

He also considered corruption as “cancer” and the “most insidious one” in the society.

“Maraming pera ang gobyerno basta huwag lang nakawin at gamitin,” the President added.

Prior to his visit to SPMC, President Duterte attended the blessing of Matina Enclaves Residences in Davao City.

The President reiterated his stance against corruption in the government, adding that the rule applies to all, even to his family.

He also said he will honor his promise to the people that his administration will be free of corruption.###PND

Popular

PSA hails significant gains in PH domestic labor market

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet After unveiling figures on the country’s inflation rate for March 2026, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shared the numbers outlining the...

PCO to fake news peddlers: We will not let you get away

By Brian Campued “We will not let you get away with a crime. We will go after you and hold you to account.” This was the...

PBBM welcomes Japanese auto manufacturer’s plans to produce hybrid cars on PH soil

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency The Philippines is set to manufacture its first locally produced hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) after Mitsubishi Motors...

PH govt remains on top of energy emergency; assures citizenry of measures to ensure adequate fuel supply

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet With the Middle East crisis continuing to cripple global trade and drive up fuel prices in countries that greatly rely on...