• From Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella – On the stock market rally
• From Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella – On Pulse Asia’s PRRD March 2017 performance and trust ratings
• Duterte vows clean governance for farmers

The market affirms the Duterte administration’s short, medium and long-term goals by voting with its feet. Optimism in the Philippine economy is on a five-month high, capped by a stock market rally that reflected a total volume turnover of P12 billion on Tuesday.

Likewise, we remain equally optimistic as the National Economic and Development Authority projects a seven-percent GDP growth in the first quarter of this year. This speaks volumes of the soundness of our macroeconomic fundamentals, which we hope will translate to improved standards of living especially for those in the margins of society.

Our goal is sustained economic growth that attracts more investments, creates more jobs for our growing labor force, and leads to tangible benefits in the day-to-day lives of Filipinos.

This is what prosperity for all is about, and what the Duterte administration seeks to achieve during its term of office.

The people continue to embrace the President’s vision of a nation that works for the prosperity of all; a trustworthy government; and lasting peace, considering that the survey coincided with vicious noise from the President’s fiercest critics : the filing of an impeachment complaint last March 16; the Senate appearance of a self-confessed but perjured assassin; human rights reports highly critical of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drug traffickers and violators; the Internationally aired video message of Vice President Robredo.

Nevertheless, the seemingly orchestrated events from parties threatened by the housecleaning efforts of the current administration have not dampened the sentiments of the common people, and those unheard and underserved by past administrations.

The continued high approval of PRRD et al, as validated by the latest survey results, proves that the majority appreciate the decisiveness of President Duterte, and that the attacks of opportunists like Trillanes and his ilk are baseless and malicious.

“Hindi ako aatras dito sa… it’s a sacred obligation between me and the voters, Filipino voters. It is a contract. ‘Yun ang una ko, no corruption,” President Duterte said at the Grand Harvest Festival of the Seh Leng Agritech Corporation in Brgy. Tabacao, Talavera, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday, April 5.

He also called on the farmers to join his administration’s battle against corruption.

“Sabi ko no corruption maski piso. Pakiusap ko lang sa inyo, if you are ready to join me then sabayan ninyo ako,” he added.

The Chief Executive assured the farmers that baggage pilferages in the airports have stopped under his administration.

“There will be no corruption sa… Maski sa airport lalo nang returning OFW, ‘yung mahirap. Pinagbawal ko sila na mag open ng bags. So mag travel kayo, diretso na,” Duterte said.

At the same time, the President reiterated his zero tolerance for corruption from dishonest public officials.

“Diyan sa corruption pati droga, wala tayong atrasan and I will continue to fire people the moment, the first whiff,” he said.

In the same speech, the Chief Executive pledged that taxpayers will get their money’s worth under his administration.

“Ang maasahan ninyo ‘yung taxes ninyo aabot talaga sa inyo. Ibabalik ‘yan. ‘Yan ang taya ko sa inyo,” he said.

The President said he owes no favors to the oligarchs and would not give them any leeway.

“‘Yung mga elite, they won’t find the sanctuary noon na basta sa kanila kung sino lang ang malakas, ‘yun. Mga bidding,” he said, adding that the time of unfair advantage by influential oligarchs has come to an end.

“It will not happen during my time. Kung talagang oligarch ka tapos may makinarya ka, equipment ka, okay,” he said.

“Kung oligarch kang palaway-laway ka lang, kaya hindi ko tinatanggap ‘yang mga ‘yan magbisita-bisita. Mag appointment. Sino ‘yan? Sabihin mo wala, sabihin mo patay na kanina pa. Inatake. Kasi kapalit ‘yung tawag. Eh alam mo na. They are trying to reconnect ibang,” he explained.

The Chief Executive also acknowledged the support of the locals in Talavera, Nueva Ecija during last year’s presidential elections.

“Why would you vote for me, you do not know me, I am not from here, I am not from Luzon,” he said.

President Duterte said the farmers will receive tractor from the government.

“Traktorya. I will… I’ll buy as many as needed. ‘Yung mga tractors, bilhan ko kayo,”he said. ###PND