‘Look beyond biases, own agenda,’ Duterte tells critics

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged his critics to look beyond their “biases” and “political agenda” amid their condemnation of the administration’s actions and policies.

“Look beyond your biases, your prejudices, your ambitions, and political agenda,” Duterte said in his speech during his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasang Pambansa.

Duterte’s brutal war on drugs and no-nonsense fight against criminality have received heavy criticisms from local and international individuals and groups.

But the President said he would not be swayed by local and international pressure. He said “I value human life the way I value mine.”

“That is why I ask you to join me in this fight against illegal drugs and all forms of criminality,” he said. IDL/rga