The President warned the people who will dare attempt to ruin the country’s reputation.

“This is my last warning. Do not ruin the things we do for the betterment of the public,” Duterte said.

But the President cautioned that, “We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull us back.  Finger-pointing is not the way. That is why I will not waste precious time dwelling on the sins of the past or blaming those who are perceived to be responsible for the mess that we are in and suffering from.”

He emphasized that “except maybe extract a lesson or two from its errors we will not tarry because it is the present that we are concerned with and the future that we should be prepared for.”

“Lest I be misunderstood, let me say clearly, that those who betrayed the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have their day in court. And if the evidence warrants, they will have their day of reckoning, too.”

UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE

President Duterte yesterday declared a unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels in a bid to end the decades-old insurgency in the country.

“I am announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately,” Duterte said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army / National Democratic Front.

And in declaring the ceasefire, Duterte said he expects those in the CPP/NPA/NDF to do their part.

“Let us end these decades of ambuscades and skirmishes. We are going nowhere. And it is getting bloodier by the day, the President said.

“I expect and call on our fellow Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly,” Duterte said, as he vowed to work for a “permanent and lasting peace” in the country.

“That is my goal, that is my dream,” he added.

The CPP is led by its founder Jose Maria Sison who had earlier aired confidence that peace negotiations between the NDF and the incoming Duterte administration will be a success.

“The commander-in-chief has initiated a very bold move and we fully support him in his effort to bring sustainable and lasting peace,” said military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral truce with the CPP/NPA/NDF is a gesture of goodwill that will lead to a successful peace talks, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said.

The decades-long communist insurgency, one of Asia’s longest, has left about 150,000 combatants and civilians dead since it broke out in the late 1960s. It also has stalled economic development, especially in the countryside, where the communist insurgents have had an active presence.

FEDERAL GOV’T

In the same speech, Duterte asked Congress to pursue a bill paving the way for the shift to new federal-parliamentary system with a president as head of state.

While he has just started his six-year term, Duterte said he is willing to relinquish his post once a federal-parliamentary form of government is established.

“I can commit today to the Republic of the Philippines and its people that if you will hurry up the federal system of government and you can submit it to the Filipino people by the fourth or fifth year, you call for a referendum, and after that, call for a presidential election,” Duterte said in his impromptu remarks.

“Then I will go. Sibat na ako. But you must have a president,” said Duterte, who has vigorously espoused federalism as key to bringing peace and development in conflict-torn Mindanao.

The President said the lawmakers could “copy” the federal-parliamentary government system in France. He said under the federal-parliamentary government, the president can be given “ceremonial powers” except in times of need “when you demand action.”

And once the new system of government is approved in a referendum, Duterte said:  “Even if there are still two, three years, I will go. Okay na ako. Do not worry about it.”

TRAFFIC WOES

The President also asked Congress to grant the government “emergency powers” to effectively address the worsening traffic condition in Metro Manila.

“Many in government and I would have to agree that the worsening traffic situation could be logistically addressed if Congress would also accord emergency powers to agencies concerned,” he said.

Pending such powers, he said the government plans to revive the Pasig River ferry system, exhaust the use of secondary roads, build railway systems, dismantle illegal transport terminals, among others, to ease the congestion in Metro Manila roads. He said this will serve as an alternative mode of transportation for passengers, particularly those coming from the east side of Metro to reach specific destinations within the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig, Marikina, and Quezon City.

“Our anti-colorum campaign and out-of-line apprehension including the removal of terminals will be intensified and, my God, it will be done. Immediately, immediately,” Duterte stressed.

Duterte also endorsed the amendment to the country’s passport law to extend the validity of the document to 10 years. If Congress approves a 30-year extension, the President said he has no problem with it.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn Kabiling and Elena Aben

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