Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial aspirants Greco Belgica and Rodante Marcoleta shared their plans for national development in one-on-one interviews with President Rodrigo Duterte in the first episode of ‘The President’s Chatroom’ on Saturday.
Former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chief Belgica emphasized the need to replicate Duterte’s policies, specifically in the efforts to crack down on crime, drugs, and corruption.
“Sa nakita ko sa inyo, sa pag-obserba ko sa inyo, tutularan ko po kayo. Ang lahat ng polisiya niyo gagawin ko pong batas para may katakutan ang mga kriminal, durugista at korap (What I see from observing you, I want to emulate you. I will turn all your policies into law so that criminals, drug lords, and corrupt will have something to fear),” Belgica told Duterte.
Within the justice system, Belgica noted that he will also push for the revival of capital punishment, particularly for heinous crimes. He further explained that we should be hiring more judges, prosecutors, and investigators to facilitate a quicker turnover of cases.
“Palalakasin ko po ang justice system para kagaya ninyo, mabilis nadedesisyunan ang mga kaso. Palalakasin ko po ang napaka-passive na anti-corruption law dahil wala po tayong pag-uusapang progress, economic recovery, pandemic recovery kung patuloy — kung may droga at kalat ang krimen sa kalye (I will strengthen the justice system so that cases can be decided quickly like you. I will strengthen the very passive anti-corruption law because we will not talk about progress, economic recovery, pandemic recovery if it continues — if there are drugs and crime on the streets),” he said.
As for anti-corruption efforts, he said government agencies should coordinate with each other to be successful and shared his desire to establish an anti-corruption police force to XXX.
Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker Marcoleta affirmed that would like to continue Duterte’s infrastructure program to attract foreign and domestic investors.
“Napaka-importante po nu’n sapagkat kapag nalatag ‘yung infrastructure backbone po ng ating bansa, alam naman po natin maa-attract ang investments hindi lamang dito sa bansa natin, lalong-lalo na po sa ibang mga bansa na pupunta sa ating bayan para dito magbukas ng maraming negosyo at ‘yun ang magiging simula kung papaano natin mapapalago ang ating ekonomiya (It is very important because when the infrastructure backbone of our country is laid down, we know that we will attract investments here and from other countries and that will be the beginning of the economy’s growth),” Marcoleta shared.
To further facilitate investments, he also stressed the need to ensure peace and order, saying, “Hinahanap din po, Mr. President, ng mga mamumuhunan ‘yung stability ng isang bansa. Kapag magulo po ‘yung bansa, hindi po ako maniniwala na talagang uunlad ito sa inaasahan nating pag-unlad (Investors also look for the the stability of a country. When the country is in turmoil, I do not believe that it will achieve the development we expect)”.
Moreover, he shared that he wants the Department of Education (DepEd) to discontinue publishing books, citing the Book Publishing Industry Development Act which mandates DepEd to consult with the National Book Development Board about public school textbooks.
Photo Credit: PTV Screenshot