VP Sara lauds Marcos on first year as President

A year since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took his oath of office, Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday commended the chief executive on his successful way of governing.

In a statement, Duterte said that Marcos proved in a year that his government was determined to fulfill his election promises.

“Masaya po ako na ako'y bahagi ng isang administrasyon na nakatuon sa pagpapalakas ng ating bansa — at agresibo sa pagpapatibay ng ating ekonomiya; pagkakaroon ng sapat na trabaho at hanap-buhay; pagtugon sa hamon ng kahirapan; pagbibigay ng suporta sa mga sektor tulad ng mga mangingisda, magsasaka, at mga manggagawa; pagpapatayo ng mga importanteng imprastraktura; pagpapaganda ng kalidad ng edukasyon at kalusugan para sa mga Pilipino; at ang pagpapalakas ng relasyon ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa,” she said.

(I am happy to be part of an administration that is committed to strengthening our country — and aggressively strengthening our economy; providing adequate work and livelihoods; addressing the challenge of poverty; providing support to sectors such as fishermen, farmers, and workers; building important infrastructure; improving the quality of education and health for Filipinos; and strengthening the Philippines’ relations with other countries.)

Marcos was inaugurated as the 17th president of the Philippines on June 30, 2022 at the National Museum. Duterte was his running mate during the 2022 elections.

Duterte said that Marcos was continuing the changes initiated by the former administration led by her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Makikita ng lahat ang sipag at pagpupursigi ng ating mahal na Pangulo na ituloy ang mga magagandang pagbabago na nasimulan ng nakaraang administrasyon — at magpakilala ng mga bagong programa at proyekto upang mabigyan ng ginhawa ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” she said.

(Everyone can see the diligence and perseverance of the President to continue the good changes started by the previous administration — and to introduce new programs and projects to make the lives of Filipinos more comfortable.)

Duterte, who also sits as the Education Secretary, also said that the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President were grateful for Marcos’ support for the programs for the Filipino youth.

She then called on the nation to support the Marcos administration and fortify their “unity” against the challenges to come.

“Nananawagan ako sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan na suportahan ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos upang maisakaturapan ang mga adhikain nito para sa ating lahat. Sana ay mas palakasin pa natin ang ating pagkakaisa — at gamitin natin itong sandata upang malampasan ang mga darating na hamon sa atin bilang isang bansa,” she said.

(I am calling on my countrymen to support the administration of President Marcos to realize its aspirations for all of us. I hope we can strengthen our unity even more — and use this weapon to overcome the challenges that will come to us as a nation.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News