House Speaker on Duterte’s first 100 days: It feels like a year

President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte and members of his Cabinet wave during a photo session at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang on Monday (Oct. 3, 2016). (Photo: King Rodreguez/PPD/PNA)

MANILA – Although the current administration is yet to reach its first 100-day milestone, House of Representatives Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez feels as if a year has already passed with so many developments under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Personally, parang first one year na nung administration dahil ang dami nang nangyari (Personally, it feels like the first one year of the administration because of so many happenings,)” Alvarez said in a press conference on Monday.

Alvarez said the productivity of the Duterte administration is more evident compared to the previous administrations, where changes were felt slowly.

“At least ngayon, tignan mo yung drop ng criminality – it has dropped to about 50 percent at least. Malaking bagay po yun. (At least now, look at the drop in criminality – it has dropped to about 50 percent at least. It’s a big deal),” Alvarez said.

According to recent data from the Philippine National Police, the average monthly crime rate hit 49 percent, down by 11.51 percent from 55.54 percent last year. The cut in the country’s crime rate was attributed to the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs and criminality.

When asked about the country’s economic growth, the House Speaker said fixing the nation’s economy within the first 100 days may seem too hasty.

“Parang masyadong maaga naman yun para ayusin mo yung ekonomiya ng bansa in the first 100 days. Normally, services lang ito. (I think it’s too early to fix the economy of the country in the first 100 days. Normally, it’s just about (basic) services),” said Alvarez.

However, Alvarez nitpicked about the current traffic situation and railway system, which so far have not been addressed by the government.

“Sad to say, I still don’t sense any improvement as far as traffic is concerned in Metro Manila and maybe Metro Cebu. But this is not solely the responsibility of the national government, but more on the local government – the addressing of the traffic problem,” he said.

On the other hand, the rail problem is still persistent even now that the train lines are being operated by private companies, noted Alvarez.

“That’s what I don’t understand. Supposed to be that has been privatized during the past administration to address the problem but until now, nothing has been done,” he added.

Commenting on Duterte as a chief diplomat, the congressional leader approved of the President’s foreign policy as it defends the sovereignty of the Philippines, free from the influence of Western countries.

“For the first time, we can see that our national interest is being pursued at naninibago tayo (and we’re not accustomed to that),” he said.

Alvarez also stressed that the public should respect Duterte’s style of diplomacy since it varies from leader to leader.