President Duterte: “I will leave my office with a strong military”

President Duterte: “I am comfortable with the thought that I have done my best, lalo na ‘yung ipinangako ko sa military.”

PRESIDENT DUTERTE — The Philippine President said that he’s happy that he’s able to deliver his campaign promise that he would end his term with a strong military despite the government’s limited income.

In his “Talk to the People” public address last February 21, the President recalled the promise he made to strengthen the military during the start of his administration.

“I think it was in Jolo, where I said that ‘I will leave my office with a strong military.’ That’s what I promised and within our limited income, dito sa gobyerno, setting aside the small but equitable portion of it in the military, naibigay ko naman siguro, especially in the upgrade of the armaments,” the President said.

The President made the comment after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reported on the modernization program in the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the doubling of the salaries of all military personnel and pensioners.

Lorenzana said that the President’s strong support has inspired the AFP personnel to work better because they knew they can adequately support their families with their salaries and can do their mandated duty with the newly-acquired military equipment.

According to Lorenzana, the President’s support also encouraged soldiers to work harder in fighting the enemies of the state, adding that even retired soldiers and other uniformed personnel also get adequate pensions from the government.

The President said that he’ll comfortably leave his office in June 2022 as he had already fulfilled his promise to the military.

“As I ponder on the last paperwork that I have to work on, nakikita ko ‘yung mga promotions ng mga sundalo… I am comfortable with the thought that I have done my best, lalo na ‘yung ipinangako ko sa military,” the President said.

READ ALSO: President Duterte Considers Military Hospitals, School Buildings As COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

The President also attributed his long stint as Davao City mayor which made him realize how important it was to build a good rapport with the military and the police.

However, the President admitted that having a few bad eggs in the service can’t be avoided as it’s also hard to instill discipline in everyone in a big organization.

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