What good has Duterte done for the country? Critic Trillanes answers

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV is one of President Rodrigo Duterte's most prominent critics, but he acknowledged that there are some achievements of the current administration he agrees with.

In The Mangahas Interviews on Monday, Trillanes cited continuing military modernization efforts and providing moral and welfare benefits for soldiers were some achievements of Duterte's governance.

"Iyan masasabi ko nag-a-agree rin kami sa pagbigay ng iba't ibang moral and welfare benefits ng kasundaluhan at ang modernization program na itinulak namin ng Aquino administration pinagpatuloy niya sa ganoong paraan nag-a-agree tayo dun," said Trillanes, who was a former Philippine Navy officer, when asked by veteran journalist Malou Mangahas about good contributions of Duterte government.

[I agree with him giving moral and welfare benefits to the military, and the modernization program that we started in the Aquino administration which Duterte's government continued.]

In 2018, Duterte approved the second phase projects of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, to be enforced from 2018 to 2022 with a budget of around P300 billion.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said the modernization process is 60% complete, citing weapons systems, modern individual and organizational equipment, and enhanced facilities.

Duterte a 'failure' in ending drugs, corruption

However, Trillanes said Duterte's campaign to wipe out drugs and government corruption has been a failure.

Trillanes was asked to rate the Duterte administration's accomplishments on ending crime, illegal drug activities and corruption, which were among his campaign promises.

"Lagapak po. Nakikita niyo naman kung crime nagpapatayan, sa streets natin nare-report po yan araw-araw. Ganoon din sa corruption, ngayon sa iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno may sindikato na," Trillanes explained.

[It is a failure. You can see that many are killed in the streets every day. It's the same with corruption, now different agencies in the government have syndicates.]

"Itong drugs, maraming adik sa lipunan at tone-toneladang shabu... Ang administrasyong ito, hindi nila hinuhuli ang drug lord, kasi mga kaibigan mismo ni Duterte," he added.

[We have a lot of addicts and tons of shabu. This administration does not catch drug lords because they are friends with Duterte.]

Last year, Duterte ordered the Department of Justice to investigate corruption in the entire government, saying that many will lose their jobs, face prosecution, and go to jail as a result.  — BM, GMA News