Imprints of Yesterday’s Legacy

BY PIERRE JHUN SAN PEDRO

With a waft of heavy nostalgia lingering in the air, two of the most powerful leaders of the country have now stepped down and left the homes they have known for the past six years.

A flurry of salutes, chants, and handshakes followed the now former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as he officially ended his term and bid his goodbyes during his departure honors at the Malacañang Palace, moments before leaving for his hometown, Davao City, last June 30.

Meanwhile, at the Quezon City Reception House which served as the Office of the Vice President during her term for the last six years, Vice President Leni Robredo waved her goodbyes while softly giving her final ‘salamat’ to the people who have served her office, and have lined up to give their final salutes last June 29.

Indeed, the Duterte-Robredo administration had its ups and downs, victories and loses, and many more remarkable moments that have left their imprints to the people and the country — a legacy we would not soon forget.

REIGN OF CONTROVERSIES

“While this may be a closing chapter of a great moment of our nation, Pres. Duterte’s legacy will not only be talked about in the years ahead, but will also be felt by generations to come, “ Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stated.

Despite, or maybe due to the things that the Duterte administration has done in the past six years — his reign as the President faced a lot of controversies in both the national and international level. His “war on drugs” campaign which have significantly lessened drug activities in the country faced a lot of backlash from human rights activists all over the world due to the severe violations and repercussions it had on the people, despite its so-called success.

From a different perspective, however, begs the question if the numbers justify the injustices that many sectors and organizations have recorded over the years. Duterte’s war on drugs, according to the government’s unitary report, RealNumberPH, at least 6,252 people have died by the police during anti-illegal drugs operation from July 2016 to May 31, 2022. On the other hand, human rights groups have counted an estimate of 30,000 death tolls which included victims of vigilante-style killings; while Rappler has obtained data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) which already recorded 7,884 deaths from July 1, 2016, to August 31, 2020.

TRIUMPHS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

“The fundamental objective of the Build, Build, Build Program is to invest adequately in infrastructure to sustain and support the country’s growing economic activities represented by its Gross Domestic Product,” voiced DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain.

President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” project initially started with a list of 75 projects in 2017, which ended with a total list of 119

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