Rodrigo Duterte served as the 16th President of the Philippines

 

Rodrigo Duterte served as the 16th President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022

His administration was known for its controversial policies, strongman leadership, and focus on law and order. Here are some of the major things he did during his presidency:

1. War on Drugs

• Duterte launched an aggressive anti-drug campaign, known as "Oplan Tokhang," which led to thousands of deaths, including alleged extrajudicial killings.
• The campaign was criticized by human rights groups and international organizations, but Duterte defended it as necessary to combat crime.

2. Infrastructure Projects (Build, Build, Build Program)

• His administration focused on large-scale infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, airports, and railways.
• Major projects included the Metro Manila Subway, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, and the Mindanao Railway Project.

3. Shift in Foreign Policy

• Duterte distanced the Philippines from traditional allies like the United States and built closer ties with China and Russia.
• Despite tensions in the South China Sea, he pursued a diplomatic approach with China, though critics accused him of being too lenient.

4. Anti-Terrorism and Martial Law in Mindanao

• Declared martial law in Mindanao from 2017 to 2019 following the Marawi Siege, when ISIS-linked terrorists took over the city.
• Passed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which gave the government broader powers to fight terrorism but was criticized for potential human rights violations.

5. Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

• Duterte oversaw the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which granted more self-governance to the Muslim-majority region.

6. COVID-19 Response

• Implemented strict lockdowns and quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Launched a national vaccination program but faced criticism over slow vaccine rollouts and alleged corruption in pandemic response funds.

7. Federalism and Charter Change Efforts

• Advocated for shifting the Philippines to a federal system of government, though the proposal did not materialize.

8. Death Penalty Push (Failed)

• Attempted to reinstate the death penalty for drug-related crimes, but the bill was not passed in Congress.

9. Press Freedom and Crackdowns on Critics

• Shut down ABS-CBN, one of the largest TV networks in the country, after its franchise renewal was denied.
• Arrested critics, including Senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed on drug charges that were widely seen as politically motivated.

10. Economic Policies

• Continued economic growth, though the pandemic caused a recession in 2020.
• Passed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which lowered personal income taxes but increased excise taxes on fuel and other goods.

Despite his popularity among many Filipinos, Duterte's presidency was highly controversial due to human rights concerns, media repression, and foreign policy decisions. His legacy remains a divisive topic in the Philippines.