Kindly sit down.

House Speaker Allan Lord — his lordship — Allan Jay Velasco; Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar; other members of the Cabinet; Senator Bong Go; officials and employees of San Miguel Corporation led by its Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang; my fellow workers in government; mga kababayan.

I would like to thank the Filipino laborer for his toil and sweat in making all of this possible. They may not be earning much pero ang trabaho pinakita nila will last for generations. [applause] So kung sino man ngayon ang mga trabahante dito, tanggapin po ninyo ang mainit kong pagbati. [applause]

Then, I would like to especially greet Mr. Ramon Ang and, of course, kasali na rin diyan si Mr. Pangilinan, for all of these grand infrastructures without compare at salamat naman at sila ‘yung nag-finance and they gave us a very magnificent Skyway.

Salamat rin sa inyong pagtutupad, the Cabinet members, Sonny Dominguez and the rest, who looked for the money; at kayong mga private contractors.

Ang pakiusap ko lang noon sa aking inauguration was to make — or that was actually I think during the first Cabinet meeting — and I said, “What’s your marching order?” “Just make the life of the Filipino comfortable.” Today, the life of many may not really be very, very comfortable. But ang hiningi ko lang naman komportable lang na buhay. And if this will continue, the planned Skyways and more, then we will be freed of the horrendous traffic congestion that is obtaining in all cities — crowded cities in the world.

Mayroon tayo dito at least nakikinig or narinig nila ang pakiusap ko na komportable lang, not only for the infrastructures but for the police and for the military, and all those connected with public order, and all Cabinet members who have done well.

I am very happy to say to you that I celebrate Christmas alone… [loud vehicle passes by] Walang hiya. Iyan ang ayaw ko. You know in Davao, wala ‘yan. Pinapara ko sa highway tapos sabi ko, “Tanggalin mo ‘yan.”

Ang problema ang motor ko maingay. Ako ‘yung unang nag — tinuli ko ‘yung exhaust. Because you know pollution is really very, very present in our lives today and it is really considered a pollution and is hazard to the health of the people. One of these days, sabihin ko ‘yang mga motorsiklo sa… I’d like to — alam ko nako-corny-han kayo. But wala naman akong maituro na lugar. It does not exist in Davao. There is no broom-broom around. It’s quiet and it is extremely quiet.

So for all of those who have contributed, including the media to give us the mechanism to — ‘yung tao na lang, huwag na kami. Iyong trabahante na lang ang purihin ninyo. Iyong may mga pera na — who had the marbles in their pocket and yet ventured on this near impossible. Iyang road right-of-way lang na ‘yan, ‘yan ang sakit.

Now, may I… I hate to say this, I do not want it but the reason why some of the projects alam mo nade-delay — hindi isa lang — every big project actually, with all the hullabaloo, the celebration, the toast, and after that, at the beginning, itong mga contractor na iba kasi natalo sila gusto nilang bumawi hingian pa ‘yung…

Alam mo sa totoo lang kung mayroon ganoong mga contractors sabihin ninyo kasi iyon ang iunang — sila ang gawain natin na pundasyon ng unang poste ng anong ginagawa ninyo. Gusto kong sabihin “P” for p*** [soft voice]. “P” kung patay [soft voice].

Ito ‘yon eh. I’d like to — I’d like to maybe really thank the Supreme Court kasi when I issued the warning against the judges to stop issuing TROs because they are delaying — a party to delay sa mga ano — sabi ko, “You issue TROs as if it were, you know, mabili mo diyan tingi na sa sigarilyo.” Sabi ko, “Stop it.” Unless there is really a compelling reason or a graft and corruption involved, stop it. Do not delay. Do not hinder the progress of this country because… Ah maswerte kayo paalis na ako. Makatikim talaga kayo sa akin ng…

Alam mo ang mga tao Pilipino ganoon eh. Sabihan mo nang maayos, balewala. Eh ‘pag hinarap mo ‘yan, diyan na magka — diyan na magkasubukan kung sino ‘yung tigas: ang gobyerno o kayo?

Kung marunong ‘yung isang taong magsakripisyo sa inyo, pasensiya kayo. Do not do it. I am asking it in behalf of the Filipino people, hindi para sa akin. Eh matanda na ako. In three to five years, wala na ako sa mundong ito.

So I hope that the next president would be as forceful and resolute na to confront this almost evil practice of people going around the country, naghahanap ng mga bidding, tapos paghati-hatian lang nila. Kaya ang mga proyekto natin, ang pera ng Pilipino, hindi sapat doon sa budgeted sa isang eskwelahan, isang… Because of corruption. Iyan talaga ang totoo.

Kaya sabi ko I’m sad — I told somebody, a judge — I’m sad that his budget will be delayed. So hindi na-delay, then I said, I’m also sad na itong pera na ito mapupunta ito sa corruption pati dadating itong perang ito doon sa kamay ng mga komunista kasi lahat ng mga proyekto, this road is being built by mister so and so, hingi ‘yan. And a sad commentary is that lahat sa Pilipinas bumibigay. Lahat, without exception.

Kaya nga hinihingi ko ang Congress akala nila — talagang mga — term extension. My God. Maski ibigay mo sa akin on a silver platter, maski ibigay mo sa akin libre another 10 years, sabihin ko sa iyo, p***** i** mo, iyo na lang ‘yan, tapos na ako.

And my daughter inuudyok naman nila, sabi ko, “My daughter is not running.” I have told Inday not to run kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya na dinaanan ko. Hindi ito pambabae. Alam mo, the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging g*** ka dito. So iyon ang — that is the sad story.

But may mga tao na pursigido and they have only… You know, all you have to do, I said, just give me the name ng contractor na corrupt o empleyado na corrupt.

And I’d like to congratulate Secretary Villar for initiating a total revamp sa DPWH and there will be more to come. Did I not tell you a little about a few days ago o months that I will dedicate the remaining years of my mayorship dito sa corruption? Talagang upakan ko kayo. Hindi ninyo naalaala iyon, pasensiya kayo.

So with the ongoing revamp, I expect a more… When I leave the office, medyo kailangan lang i-control ng susunod sa akin. It’s not easy to go after them. Hindi ho basta-basta. Magtatakbo ‘yan ng Supreme Court, mag-TRO.

Sabi ko if you want a clean government, judges, if you are with us, do not, unless it is a compelling reason that if buhay mo ang nakataya, huwag mo kasi mag-aaway tayo. It’s either I will not allow you to stop it. Mapapahiya ka, bubulyawan pa kita in public.

Iyan ang warning ko sa inyo. Be careful. Talagang mumurahin ko kayo in public. So be, be, be very careful. Huwag ngayon sa panahon ko, not during my time. Somebody else’s time, okay.

And to — I’ve talked long enough. Iyon ‘yung introduction ng speech ko. Ito ngayon ang totoo. [laughter]

I am honored to join all of you today as we officially open Stage 3 of the Metro Manila Skyway Project.

For many years, our people have greatly suffered from the perennial problem of road congestion in the National Capital Region.

Come to think of it actually when all of the Skyways will be completed, I think ‘yung pagtitiis ng mga tao will be cut by about one-third, not really lahat but it will cut the inconvenience and it will make you comfortable.

For many years, our people have greatly suffered from the perennial problem…

Today, through the hard work and cooperation of DPWH, CITRA the Central Expressway Corporation, and San Miguel Holdings, we finally open this 19-kilometer segment of the Skyway which runs from Buendia in Makati to NLEX and here in Balintawak.

Alam mo sa totoo lang hindi ko na alam. If you drop me dito banda, hindi ko na alam kung saan ako mag-uwi. And that was — when I was a student, I had a car, may Volkswagen ako pero pang-aral lang ‘yon eh. Dormitoryo… Sa ibang lugar, I do not venture to travel because hindi ko kabisado ang Maynila. Lalo na ngayon. Kung sabihin ng PSG, “Sir, umuwi ka lang ng iyo, may pang-taxi ho bigyan kita.” Hindi ko alam kung saan ako magdaan.

Today, through the hard work and cooperation of DPWH, we finally open this 19-kilometer segment of the Skyway which runs from Buendia in Makati to NLEX here in Balintawak.

Connecting with Skyway Stages 1 and 2, we now have a continuous 35-kilometer elevated expressway that directly connects Alabang to Balintawak. This, beyond doubt, will significantly contribute to the efficient movement of goods and people from north to south, and within Manila.

The successful completion of the Skyway is a testament to the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of our Build, Build, Build Program.

It attests to the endless possibilities that we can accomplish through the dynamic partnership between the government and the private sector.

As we marvel at this great feat, I hope that we in government will be reminded of our responsibility to not only ensure the timely completion of all public infrastructure projects, but also to shield the public from all forms of inconvenience during the construction.

To the Filipino people, let me assure you that this administration will continue to pursue our Build, Build, Build program guided by the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.

To our private sector partners CITRA and San Miguel, let me thank you for your trust in this administration. Your investment has finally paid off, and the Skyway shall serve as an enduring edifice of the legacy that we will leave behind for future generations of Filipinos.

With the trust and help of the private sector and of the Filipino people, I am confident that we can build the foundations of an inclusive, robust and prosperous nation that we can proudly leave behind to our children.

Before I end my speech, I would like to take a moment to greet my dear friend Ramon S. Ang a happy birthday. Birthday niya ngayon. [applause] [sings Happy Birthday] [applause]

On behalf of the Filipino people, I thank you for your invaluable contributions to the government’s efforts to forge a thriving and progressive society.

Your initiatives in addressing the challenges brought by COVID-19 during the early stages of the pandemic speak well of your genuine desire to help our people. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. [applause]

It is my hope that your deep sense of patriotism and social responsibility will serve as an inspiration to other captains of industry to actively participate in our shared task of nation-building.

Huwag kayong — as a last bago ako magpasalamat — again, I’ll stress corruption. Huwag kayong magbigay. Kung nanalo kayo ng kontrata, clean, tapos may naghingi sa inyo ng DPW — engineer o ano, pumunta kayo sa akin. Pumunta sa akin, at sabihin sa iyo ipatawag ko ‘yang p***** i**, sampalin mo sa harap ko. That is your consuelo.

Maraming salamat po. [applause]

— END —

Source: PCOO-PND (Presidential News Desk)