Rodrigo Duterte

“ For I see these ills as mere symptoms of a virulent social disease that creeps and cuts into the moral fiber of Philippine society. I sense a problem deeper and more serious than any of those mentioned or all of them put together. But of course, it is not to say that we will ignore them because they have to be stopped by all means that the law allows.
Erosion of faith and trust in government – that is the real problem that confronts us. Resulting therefrom, I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system ”

“ So also do we honor and recognize the healthcare professionals who selflessly answered the call to combat the COVID-19 pandemic despite its virulence and unknown characteristics.
While each nation has its own strategy in fighting the pandemic, what the world needs are coordinated international plans and efforts to pursue a common purpose.
COVID-19 knows no border. It knows no nationality. It knows no race. It knows no gender. It knows no age. It knows no creed.
The Philippines values the role that the United Nations plays in its fight against the pandemic. ”

“ The global health crisis has further complicated the global security environment. But no aspiration nor ambition can justify the use of weapons that destroy indiscriminately and completely.
There is no excuse for deaths that a nuclear war could cause nor the reckless use of chemical and biological weapons that can cause mass destruction. ”

“ Now there are things that are really reaching crisis and it's not even epidemic – kayo, Carol – it's pandemic.
You know, two years ago sabi ng PDEA three million addicts. Noon iyon – two, three years ago – I remember. Sabi nila 92% of the barangays in the Metro Manila are contaminated with drug use. Noong mayor ako, ako iyong binubugbog ng human rights issue. Hindi ako nakinig sa inyo, kasi may trabaho ako. At alam ko talagang nagka... it was really spreading like wildfire. And I was scared for my country kasi Filipino ako. Ngayon Presidente ako, I have to worry sa lahat ng mga anak ninyo. ”

“ My administration shall implement a human approach to development and governance, as we improve our people’s welfare in the areas of health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental preservation, and respect for culture.
Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country. ”

“ There are many amongst us who advance the assessment that the problems that bedevil our country today which need to be addressed with urgency, are corruption, both in the high and low echelons of government, criminality in the streets, and the rampant sale of illegal drugs in all strata of Philippine society and the breakdown of law and order. ”

“ To defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, we must work with seamless unity which demands complete mutual trust and the conviction that we will win or lose together.
We cannot bring back the dead but we can spare the living; and we can build back better, healthier, and more prosperous and just societies. ”

“ There are many among us whose emotional wounds are still fresh and painful to the touch. We cannot erase the images of death and destruction from our minds. We cannot wash away the stench of rotting flesh from our noses. And there are many of us who are still waiting for the help that was promised. The enormity of the problem of drug addiction has been made manifest by the number of surrenderees which grows by the hundreds each day that passes. Since July 1, we have already made 3,600 drug-related arrests. ”

“ Ngayon, itong mga NGO, you've been repeating this kind of sloganeering that, you know, drug addiction is a disease, is an ailment. Sakit iyan, hindi natin patayin. Dapat igamot. Okay. Saan bang opisina ninyo? Itong 600,000 ibigay ko sa inyo bukas. Sabihin ko doon sa mga iyon i-deliver ninyo iyan. Sino yan, iyang NGO? Hala, sige, ipagamot mo. Sabi mo sakit iyan. Sige, bigay mo. Kayo na ang bahala.
Human rights? United Nations? Come here. ”

“ We've been at war for almost 45 years. That's why I'm pleading to everybody including the Communist Party of the Philippines to continue with the peace talks. I have kept my silence despite the ranting of Sison. Hindi na ako... kasi kung mayor lang ako pwede – pwede talaga – but then I carry the burden of a nation and so I just have to control my mouth. But this cannot go on. This crazy thing about just the landmine, ito nag-buk iyong mukha nawala na. ”

“ The UN remains humanity’s essential Organization. But it is only as effective as we make it.
To make significant changes, we need to be bold. We need the same collective courage that finally made the United Nations a reality 75 years ago. ”

“ There are two quotations from revered figures that shall serve as the foundation upon which this administration shall be built.
"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." ”

“ We shall continue to attract investments that will generate thousands of jobs each year — jobs that are suitable for the poor and less skilled members of the workforce. Reforms to ensure our competitiveness and promote ease of doing business will be mandatory. Relaxing certain constitutional restrictions on the economy will be needed to make us more attractive to foreign investors. Developing labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism shall be pursued. We must also invest in human capital and ensure equal access to economic opportunities. ”

“ WHEREAS, the foregoing acts of violence exhibit the audacity and propensity of these armed lawless groups to defy the rule of law, sow anarchy, and sabotage the government’s economic development and peace efforts ”

“ Indeed, ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. But all is not lost.
I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality, the sale and use of illegal drugs and corruption. ”

“ Ensuring universal access to anti COVID-19 technologies and products is pivotal in the global pandemic recovery.
The world is in the race to find a safe and effective vaccine.
When the world finds that vaccine, access to it must not be denied nor withheld. It should be made available to all, rich and poor nations alike, as a matter of policy.
The Philippines joins our partners in the ASEAN and the Non-Aligned Movement in raising our collective voice: the COVID-19 vaccine must be considered a global public good. ”

“ But if it is the—you are using the state-of-the-art technology, and I’ve seen it several times in the other power plants in this country, if it is really a good one, then we will consider. I said because we need the energy to power our industrialization. To strengthen the delivery of social services, the government will intensify its social protection programs so it can use its resources and expertise to make a dent in the country’s poverty levels.
What we want is genuinely to reduce vulnerabilities of our people, build resiliency and empower individuals, families and communities. ”

“ WHEREAS, under Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution, the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines, may call out such armed forces whenever it becomes necessary to prevent or suppress lawless violence. ”

“ We will strengthen our counter-terrorism programs by amending various laws on human terrorism, terrorism financing and cybercrime.
This is our answer to the challenges of global development’s non-traditional threats, transnational crimes and fanatical terrorism. Addressing global warming shall also be our top priority, but upon a fair and equitable equation. It must not stymie our industrialization.
We must also endeavor to develop and cultivate partnerships with nations sharing common interests and concerns with the Philippines ”

“ There are now 600,000 Filipinos addict – pusher and user. Huwag mo akong bigyan diyan na user ka lang – wala ka naming pera, hindi ka man anak ng... hindi kita iniinsulto. E ako anak rin ng mahirap pero hindi ako kagaya mo. Ang IQ ninyo itong mga ito – katorse. Bakit kayo pumasa sa...? That's treason. Kumbaga noong old times treason now is a state of war and you'll become a spy and there is a war going on. But actually in the olden times it's treason. That's a crime against the country of the Republic of the Philippines. ”

“ The same urgency needed to fight COVID-19 is needed to address the climate crisis. This is a global challenge that has worsened existing inequalities and vulnerabilities from within and between nations.
Climate change has worsened the ravages of the pandemic.
Peoples in developing countries like the Philippines suffer the most. We cannot afford to suffer more.
The Philippines joined the Paris Agreement to fight climate change. We call on all parties, especially those who have not made good their commitment to fight climate change, to honor the same. ”

“ I reiterate that commitment today, and that is why I call on the Philippine National Police, the barangay chairmen, the Mayors, the Governors and all those occupying seats of power and authority, not to lower their guard. There will be no let-up in this campaign. Double your efforts. Triple them, if need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered or put, either behind bars or below the ground, if they so wish. ”

“ When elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled flat.
Given the size and military might of the contenders, we can only imagine and be aghast at the terrible toll on human life and property that shall be inflicted if the “word war” deteriorates into a real war of nuclear weapons and missiles. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Thus to our religious, bishops, leaders, priests, pastors, preachers, imams let me assure you that while I am a stickler for the principle of separation between church and state, I believe quite strongly that there should never be a separation between God and State. ”

“ Ngayon pag ganito, if the talks failed, meron tayong usapan – I would insist you include the landmine issues or else no talks at all. Then we fight for another 45 years. Walang problema. Mag-recruit ako ng isang milyong Pilipino – fight.
In the 45 years, anong nakita ninyo sa pamilya ninyo? Nakita mo iyong anak ninyong lumaki? Have you elected a single leader here in Davao. Manalo lang kasi na-ticket. And yet I carry ba yan, kasi pareho ang damdamin natin.
The problem is arms struggle. I can be a communist party member but I will never go to war. Iyang armadong pakig bisug ang problema. ”

“ 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. ”