Militants disappointed, Cebu officials OK with Duterte

AS expected, Cebu-based militant groups were disappointed over President Rodrigo Duterte’s performance in his first year in office.

The militants, who numbered more than 200, held a rally at Colon Street in downtown Cebu City to mark the President’s first year in the Palace.

They held a forum at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines–Center for Development and Training (UCCP–CENDET) where their leaders discussed their evaluation on Duterte’s first year in office.

Greg Perez, coordinator of the militant Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Cebu, said the government failed to address the plight of jeepney operators and drivers.

Perez said they hope the phaseout of aging jeepneys won’t come to pass and programs will be implemented to help drivers earn additional livelihood.

Jaime Paglinawan, regional coordinator of the militant Bayan, said the President didn’t end contractualization when he signed an order that prohibits labor-only contracting and other contractual arrangements.

Niño Olayvar, regional chairman of Anakbayan, said the government still has to commit to providing universal free education from elementary to college.

Belinda Allere of the female militant group Gabriela also said the government should provide more jobs and social services to women.

For their part, local officials in Cebu like Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs saved the country from turning into a narco state.

“If he did not attack the issue on drugs, crack down on drugs, we’ll be hopeless. Our situation will be hopeless by now,” he said.

Osmeña said that while it is not enough, it is a lot better compared to the Aquino administration.

He said most of the drug trade emanates from Muntinlupa and New Bilibid Prison.

“(Former justice secretary and now Sen. Leila) de Lima, what has she done about it? Nothing. This is a bad mark on Aquino administration. It was only photo op,” he said.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said it’s still premature to assess for now the Duterte administration’s performance.

“I listened to the President’s reaction on rating his progress one year after he was elected into office, and I agree with him — he is right in some ways. Let’s judge him at the end of his term because one year is too short,” Magpale said.