SOUVENIRS. Memorabilia items to honor President Rodrigo Duterte are sold near the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday (June 26, 2022). A thanksgiving event, “Salamat (Thank you), PRRD”, was held for the outgoing President. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s sincerity and passion to serve endeared him to the nation, according to incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.
Angeles said in an interview Sunday that Duterte is indeed a “beloved President” because of his eagerness to provide quality service that the Filipino people deserve.
“Parating nasa isip niya ang kapakanan ng taumbayan (He always had the welfare of the general public in mind),” Angeles said during the thanksgiving event “Salamat (Thank you), PRRD” at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
“Ramdam na ramdam namin na kaming publiko ang laging nauuna, na kami ‘yung naging worthy ng serbisyo. Naramdaman namin na finally, may gobyerno (We really felt that we, the public, has always been top priority, that we are worthy of service. We felt there is indeed a government),” she added.
Duterte earned consistent high approval ratings throughout his six-year term, the latest of which was OCTA Research’s survey conducted March 5 to 10.
He had the highest performance and trust scores among government officials, recording 67 percent and 69 percent, respectively.
Trixie Cruz-Angeles, incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office secretary (PNA photo by Lade Kabagani)
Angeles said Duterte prioritized the marginalized members of the society.
“May puso siya para sa mga mahihirap. May puso para sa taong bayan. Para sa kanya, it didn’t make a difference kung mahirap ka o mayaman kasi ang serbisyo niya para sa mga Pilipino (He has the heart for the poor. He has the heart for the public. For him, it didn’t make a difference whether you are poor or rich because his services are for all Filipinos),” she said.
The country’s 16th Chief Executive who will step down on June 30 also fulfilled his promises of doing “whatever it takes for the benefit of Filipinos”.
“It’s the first time na maririnig mo talaga na hindi tayo sinasabihan na, ay walang pera ang gobyerno para dyan. Ang naririnig natin sa kanya, hahanap tayo ng pera, Gagawa tayo ng paraan. Alam naman natin how government works. ‘Yung mga pangako niya, ginagawa niya talaga (It’s the first time that you didn’t hear the government said we have no budget for that. He always said he will find money for that. We will do something. We know how the government works. He really fulfilled his promises),” she added.
Angeles likewise lauded the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, free education, and financial assistance for the marginalized sectors. (PNA)
