Good work, Duterte tells Congress

TAGUM CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte seized the opportunity to praise both chambers of Congress — Senate and House — at the 60th birthday bash of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez here.

The President said he was pleased with the ease with which Congress, controlled by his allies, approved the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Mr. Duterte also cited the passage of the P3.7-trillion national budget this year and one of his pet measures, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.

Both chambers of Congress also support Mr. Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program that administration officials said would mark the “golden age” of Philippine infrastructure. —Frinston Lim and Allan Nawal