Duterte Orders Cabinet To Cut Red Tape, Stop Changing, Bending Rules

The dawn of genuine change has arrived.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has officially been sworn in for a six-year term and pledged to wage a “relentless” war against crime, illegal drugs, and corruption within the bounds of law, while ordering his Cabinet officials to cut red tape.

Duterte, the firebrand mayor of Davao City who won by a landslide in the May 9 elections, also promised sweeping reforms to restore public trust in government as he expressed readiness to “serve everyone and not only one” in his quest toward a “better Philippines.”

The 71-year-old mayor of Davao City took his oath of office in a simple ceremony in Malacañang, formally replacing President Benigno S. Aquino III.  Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes administered the oath to Duterte surrounded by family, senior government officials, diplomats, and other administration allies. Duterte, a lawyer by profession, is the first Philippine president to come from Mindanao.

ROUGH RIDE

“The ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest,” Duterte said in his 14-minute speech free of profanity and vulgarity.

Duterte acknowledged that the real problem confronting the nation is the erosion of public faith and trust in government.

“I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system; the erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people’s lives better, safer and healthier,” Duterte said. “Indeed ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. But all is not lost.”

Duterte then laid down his plans to launch an intensified campaign against crime, illegal drugs, and corruption, urging Congress and the Commission on Human Rights not to stand in his way.

The new leader said he was aware some groups have opposed his methods to fight crime and corruption as “unorthodox” and bordering on the illegal but assured that he would abide by due process and the rule of law.

“In this fight, I ask Congress and the Commission on Human Rights and all others who are similarly situated to allow us a level of governance that is consistent to our mandate. The fight will be relentless and it will be sustained,” Duterte said.

“As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president.  I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising,” he added. “You mind your work and I will mind mine.”

Duterte said he has seen how corruption has dried up government funds that were supposed to uplift the lives of the Filipino poor.

He also personally witnessed how illegal drugs destroyed individuals and ruined family relationships. “I have seen how criminality, by means all foul, snatched from the innocent and the unsuspecting, the years and years of accumulated savings. Years of toil and then, suddenly, they are back to where they started,” he added.

REDUCE RED TAPE

In the same speech, Duterte ordered the Cabinet members and other heads of government agencies to reduce bureaucratic red tape and honor government contracts or risk getting fired.

“I direct all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, from the submission to the release,” he said.

“I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all,” he added.

He also asked department heads to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. He said it was wrong to change the rules when the game is ongoing.

“I abhor secrecy and instead advocate transparency in all government contracts, projects and business transactions from submission of proposals to negotiation to perfection and finally, to consummation,” he said.

“Do them and we will work together.  Do not do them, we will part sooner than later,” he added.

DUTERTE COMMENDED

Duterte’s order to cut red tape drew commendations from senators.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he believes the Duterte administration would do well to revisit the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, which he helped pass into law as a member of the Senate in the 13th Congress.

The senator pointed out the measure was signed into law during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s term but was never implemented judiciously.

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said he is also hopeful that the new President’s directive to state department heads would help improve investment climate in the Philippines.

“If he is successful in cutting red tape, restoring law and order, curbing corruption and continues to grow the economy, he will have a very successful presidency,” Angara said when also sought for comment.

“But we all know it won’t be easy and we should unite as a nation behind these lofty goals,” added Angara.

TREATIES HONORED

On the international front, Duterte affirmed that the country will honor treaties and international obligations. His government is also determined to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.

“I am elated by the expression of unity among our Moro brothers and leaders, and the response of everyone else to my call for peace,” he said.  “I look forward to the participation of all other stakeholders, particularly our indigenous peoples, to ensure inclusivity in the peace process,” he added.

Duterte said the journey to a “better Philippines” would be “rough” but asked the Filipinos to rally behind such quest. He recognized that people have clamored for genuine and meaningful change but such change must start with the people.

“Change, if it is to be permanent and significant, must start with us and in us. To borrow the language of F. Sionil Jose, we have become our own worst enemies. And we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves,” Duterte said.

“Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished – these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines,” he said.

ADMINISTRATION’S FOUNDATION

Duterte’s inaugural speech was also peppered with quotes from two former US Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, which he claimed would serve as foundation upon which his administration would be built.

He recalled the words of Roosevelt: “The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little.”

He also draws inspiration from Lincoln who once said “You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men.”

UNIFYING FIGURE

Towards the end of his speech, Duterte portrayed himself as a unifying figure, vowing to be the President of all Filipinos.

“I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I was not elected to serve the interests of any one person or any group or any one class. I serve every one and not only one,” he said.

Duterte said he has adapted as “an article of faith” the words:  “I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.”

“Prescinding therefrom, I now ask everyone, and I mean everyone, to join me as we embark on this crusade for a better and brighter tomorrow,” he said.

“Why am I here? Hindi kasali ito diyan. The past tense was, I am here because I love my country and I love the people of the Philippines. I am here, why? Because I am ready to start my work for the nation,” he added.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, other top government officials, diplomats, and other allies.

Prior to the oath-taking, Duterte paid a courtesy call on outgoing President Aquino in the Palace. The two leaders met for at least 30 minutes before Aquino was accorded with departure honors at the Palace grounds.

After the inaugural reception, Duterte buckled down to work and convened the first Cabinet meeting in the Palace. The Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea earlier took their oath before President Duterte.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn Kabiling

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]