Duterte asks for 3 years to stabilize country

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Duterte has asked to be given three years to stabilize the country and bring improvement to the lives of Filipinos.

“In the fullness of God’s time, you give me three years and I will be able to stabilize the country. By that time, we would be on deck for a new phase of our national lives,” Duterte said during the Philippine Orthopedic Association national convention here on Thursday.

The President said he would fulfill his campaign promises, vowing anew to improve peoples’ lives, giving assurance that his administration would beef up efforts to end corruption, criminality and illegal drugs.

“At this time, our problems are quite convoluted. But I’m trying to somehow navigate the waters of governance so that I can deliver,” he said, pointing to his efforts at weeding out corruption in government by firing a number of officials, including those close to him.

He urged Filipinos to join him in the fight by refusing to give in to the demands of abusive government officers and employees. For returning overseas Filipino workers, he said he has already prohibited the opening of bags and luggage.

Within the three-year period, Duterte stressed that he would remain uncompromising when it comes to the war against illegal drugs and the efforts to control criminality.