By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte on Thursday reminded newly elected barangay captains in Central Visayas to always be true to their mandate in serving their constituents.
In a speech during their induction almost a month after the first Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections under his administration, Duterte asked 2,633 newly elected barangay captains for their support as the government intensifies its campaign against illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.
“It’s not a threat, it’s just an advice. I am pleading that you are with government now kindly be one, or be responsible for your mandates sa taong-lungsod. We have a problem sa Pilipinas,” he said in his speech which was mostly in Bisaya.
Duterte told the barangay chiefs that he recognizes their importance in tackling the spread of illegal drugs and abuses in the bureaucracy.
However, Duterte warned them to not involve themselves in illegal drugs as he reiterated his campaign pledge to address the drug trade.
Duterte explained that he decided to postpone the elections twice since he assumed office in 2016 as it might negate the results of his ongoing war against illegal drugs.
Last year, Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10952 which postponed the synchronized barangay and SK polls on Oct. 23, 2017 to May 14, 2018.
Duterte had earlier claimed that 40 percent of all barangay captains are involved in the illegal drugs trade.
The President last April approved the release of the names of barangay officials involved in illegal drugs by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
