PRESS RELEASE
Rodrigo Duterte Inaugurated as Philippine President—Declares Adherence to Lincoln and FDR
June 30, 2016 (EIRNS)—Rodrigo Duterte was inaugurated as President of the Philippines today, announcing in his inaugural speech that his overall policy would be guided by "two quotations from revered figures that shall serve as the foundation upon which this administration shall be built." The two are Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The quotes, which he read are:
"The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little,"
—Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men."
—Abraham Lincoln
Duterte powerfully restated his absolute commitment to wipe out corruption, drugs, and criminality, as he famously did in Davao City, where he was the mayor for 22 years. As to the global human rights mafia campaign condemning him as a lawless killer, Duterte said:
"I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality, the sale and use of illegal drugs and corruption. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal. In response let me say this: I have seen how corruption bled the government of funds, which were allocated for the use in uplifting the poor from the mire that they are in. I have seen how illegal drugs destroyed individuals and ruined family relationships. I have seen how criminality, by means all foul, snatched from the innocent and the unsuspecting, the years and years of accumulated savings. Years of toil and then, suddenly, they are back to where they started... The fight will be relentless and it will be sustained."
He added that,
"As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising."
He held his first Cabinet meeting following the inauguration. It is of note that both Duterte and his Defense Minister, Delfin Lorenzana, have stated explicitly that there will be no war with China or anyone other than the terrorists. Lorenzana told the international press this week that "the military would invest in more speed boats and helicopters to help flush out [the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf] rather than divert funds into maritime security regarding territorial claims with China in the South China Sea," while Duterte called for China’s assistance in constructing railways, telling Filipino businessmen, "Can you match the offer? Because if you cannot match the offer, I will accept the goodwill of China."
