President Duterte has reiterated his promise to Mindanao that he would give an equal share of the national budget to the island.

Reading from the last three paragraphs of his prepared speech in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Duterte said the government has not forgotten about his promise.

“Rest assured that the government remains committed in fulfilling its promise in giving an equal share of the national wealth to Mindanao, including Davao del Norte,” Duterte assured.

“Use the money to uplift the lives of your people and realize your great potential,” he added.

However, Duterte hopes that the people in Mindanao would put the money to good use — in uplifting the lives of the people in Mindanao, particularly in Davao del Norte, and realize the island’s great potential.

“I believe that Davao del Norte will continue to become one of the fastest-growing provinces in Mindanao,” the President said.

“With its vast resources and strong, resilient and vibrant people, the province will be able to achieve greater development at par with the rest of the nation,” he added.

Duterte also recalled a conversation with Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, reminding the secretary to divide the national budget equally.

“Sabi ko kay Finance, kay Sonny Dominguez (I told Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez), ‘divide it equally among all of us,'” he said.

 Budget for worthy projects

Duterte said he would be willing to give money for worthy and clean infrastructure projects that would benefit the Filipino people.

 “Maghingi ka ng project. Basta malinis lang, walang hao shao. At kung may pera, you want this road, a new road, ibigay ko. Tutal ang hati ko sa pera, equally talaga eh (If you want money for a project, like a new road, I will give it to you as long as it’s clean. I equally divided the national budget, anyway),” Duterte said.

But Duterte said he does not patronize nor entertain politicians who communicate with him through phone calls.

“I have never talked about any project over the phone or any particular patronage. Totoo ‘yan. Wala akong cellphone. Hindi ako tumatanggap ng tawag (That’s the truth. I don’t have a cepphone. I don’t accept calls),” Duterte said.

“Lalo na ‘yang mga punta mga negosyante doon (Especially with businessmen). I do not enjoy it. I mean, I’m kind of uneasy ‘pag kausap ko nun (whenever I talk with them). Maraming istoryang hindi magandang lumabas (Plenty undesirable stories surface) [about] graft and corruption,” he added.

Don’t mess with my country

According to Duterte, everyone can talk to him about almost anything except if it involves drugs, terrorism, graft and corruption, or if it puts the country’s interest at stake.

“We can talk of anything else and make compromises maybe, but not when the interest of my country is at stake. That is not negotiable,” he said.

“Do not come to me talking about drugs and terrorism. Mag-away lang tayo (We will just fight),” he added.

“[Talk to me about] any other problem. Basta wala ‘yung graft and corruption sa gobyerno, trabaho, ganon (As long as it does not involve graft and corruption in the government or your work),” he continued.

“Wala ‘yan dito gobyernong ito. Basta may babahiran ka ng corruption, sorry (I won’t allow that in this government. If you’re smeared with corruption, then I’m sorry),” he said.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos

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