Palace calls for continued support to Duterte in 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Amid allegations of human rights abuses in his war on drugs, Malacañang on Sunday urged Filipinos to continue supporting President Rodrigo Duterte this 2020.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after a Social Weather Stations survey showed 96% of Filipinos are entering the new year with hope rather than with fear.

“As we wish each Filipino a happy, peaceful and successful 2020, we assure everyone that the best is yet to come,” Panelo said in a statement.

“Let us continue to rally behind the Duterte administration as the Chief Executive does his best in serving and protecting the Filipino people, as well as delivering genuine and meaningful change to our nation,” he added.

Panelo also touted the government’s achievements, saying “2019 has been an exemplary year for the Philippines.”

He said the “economy is on a roll with a BBB+ rating,” adding that the “Board of Investments has also breached its P1-trillion 2019 investment target as of October 2019.”

He also said there are now fewer poor Filipinos, with almost six million lifted out from poverty, and employment has hit a 14-year high while “inflation has been tamed.”

“Significant strides have been made with the President undertaking difficult but game-changing reforms which are important in achieving our goal of bringing a more comfortable life for all Filipinos,” he said.

In a separate statement, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said: “We are heartened that the majority of Filipinos will welcome 2020 with hope.”

“We Filipinos by nature, are very optimistic and forward-looking and can often see the best in the most trying of circumstances, a trait that allowed us to succeed against all odds, Andanar added.

“But beyond just mere optimism,” he said, “the Duterte administration is dedicated to empowering and enabling every Filipino in order for them to achieve their full potential and live a comfortable life through its social and economic policies and programs.”

He assured the public that the government “remains committed in fostering a civil society that is involved in the government’s process of addressing the people’s needs and concerns, and creating local communities that take part in achieving peace and order.”

“We ask everyone to support our government, it is through the participation of those in the government and of its citizens that we can continue and further the achievements of the administration thus far,” he said.