• Education comes to the Indegenous peoples of Mindanao
• PRRD rallies soldiers to fight corruption, illegal drug
• Duterte: No friendship in the war against drugs

In keeping with the preservation of the rich and varied cultures of Mindanao, the architectural designs of the schools will be identified by the cultural preference of the community they are in. The indigenous people (IP) of the region are after all, “the living expressions of our tradition and culture” according to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

An IP education office will also be re-established to accommodate concerns regarding these schools and give special attention to IP education.

President Duterte has always been a champion for the marginalized sector of society. Duterte is determined to bring progress to the Mindanao region not only through peace and order, rural and regional development but also by educating its youth.

The President presided over the oath taking of 75 newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led by General Ricardo Visaya, who is the Chief of Staff of the AFP at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang. The event was also witnessed by their respective families.

“My congratulations. I give my snappy salute and we will work together. You will have all the things the best that we can afford,” PRRD said assuring that soldiers’ salary will be increased before the year ends

In his speech, the President stressed that he wants to hand over to the next generation of Filipinos a government that is drug free and clean, ending the culture of corruption. The President said this as he emphasized the reason for declaring vacant appointive positions in the government especially those in the regulatory offices.

“Ako naman, utusan lang ng gobyerno (I am just your servant in government) and I’m here to see that you are comfortable and that if you need anything just tell me.”

The President also mentioned corruption that happens even in the bidding of the smallest item.

On the peace efforts of the government, Duterte said: “I am the President, my duty is to seek peace, not to wage war, that is not my primary duty. I think we will have a good chance for the future of your children, a really brighter than what is now.”

With this statement, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte promised he would soon release a drug matrix involving a friend and Senator Leila de Lima allegedly being the highest public official linked to the Muntinlupa drug trade.

The President did not name the friend, whom he identified as “a governor” during a chance interview with reporters in Malacanang after the oath-taking ceremonies for the newly-appointed Board of Directors and officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Philippine Exports Confederation Inc (PhilExport), the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA).

In his speech before the captains of the industry, President Duterte mentioned the gravity of the drug menace affecting 3.7 million Filipinos.

The success of the President’s anti-drugs war has its share of critics. President Duterte, however, remains unperturbed. Quoting Abraham Lincoln, the President said, “’If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how—the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”

The President earlier vowed that the fight against drugs shall be sustained and relentless.

“This fight against drugs will continue to the last day of my term,” Duterte underscored.