The brightest graduate

Editorial | June 22, 2022

In July 1, 2016, His Excellency President Rodrigo R. Duterte began his reign over a country greatly divided by principles and political preferences, riddled with corruption and insurgency, and a people yearning for change.

2, 190 days later, on June 30, 2022, he will step down as one of, if not, the best presidents this land ever had.

As the education department of this country has its graduation rites this month, the country will marvel and celebrate at the accomplishment of its brightest graduate – Duterte.

Tatay Digong, as he was commonly called, will end his term atop the laurels of his accomplishments. From successfully curbing the illegal drug trade through his infamous War on Drugs to the very efficient National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) that forced rebels to return to the government’s fold, Duterte has brought back peace into order in this Land of Juan.

With peace in order, his administration managed to steer the ailing economy despite domestic and international economic struggles. Though his economic reforms has led to inflation, he forced oligarchs to fix their delinquencies while increasing the tax threshold of the commoners. He increased the salaries of the state forces, the police and the military, and the teaching force.

Then there’s his Build, Build, Build Program. This program aimed to usher a “Golden Era of Philippine Infrastructure” that eventually helped address this country’s infrastructure deficiencies while also continued the unfinished projects of the previous administration. Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program raised the infrastructure spending to an average of 5.14% of the GDP. Only his predecessor, the late Benigno Aquino III, has a decent infra spending in the post-EDSA era. Ramos had 1.7%, ERAP had 1.62% while PGMA has 1.5%.

The tax reforms coupled with the robust infrastructure prioritization has led his administration to implement modernization of the mass transportation sector. Over hundreds of seaports, airports and lighthouses were completed during his term. With this modernization, mass transportation was made safe, accessible and reliable for commuters.

Then there’s that Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act which was signed in 2017 and gave free college education to all. This in turn resulted to a plethora of graduates which later comprised a healthy domestic workforce while offering a ready and able Filipino worker for overseas opportunities.

The health sector was also prioritized. He signed the Universal Health Care and has the state health insurance coverage expanded from 90 to 100%. The coronavirus pandemic has surely affected the national economy but Duterte managed to keep the national economy afloat.

There are countless more accomplishments this administration has. All for the benefit and well-being of the ordinary Filipino. Sure enough, there is also a lot of negatives the Duterte administration seemingly failed to address, the elections’ credibility for one, but it cannot take away the luster of the impact of his accomplishments.

The Duterte report card surely will be enshrined into the annals of Philippine governance. He has set the bar higher for government officials and public servants. He has maintained that charisma that endeared him to the people as his historic trust ratings prove. And as he will step down from office, our loudest, sincerest and heartfelt gratitude and salutations to him.

Congratulations and Daghang Salamat Tatay Digong.