President Rodrigo Duterte thanked his Negrense supporters for their support and trust in him, and pledged to help those in need in whatever way he can even if he is no longer in office.
“I would like to thank you for making me president, some of you here joined me in my journey to the presidency,” Duterte said, pointing out that he will cease to be president at noon of June 30.
Duterte spoke to his Negrense supporters at a private gathering at Villa Olivia owned by the Yanson family, the owners of the biggest bus company in the country, in Barangay Bubog, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Thursday night, May 26.
The Yanson matriarch Olivia Yanson, with her son Leo Rey Yanson and daughter Ginnette Yanson Dumancas, hosted the party to thank the president for his service to the country, former Bacolod councilor Bobby Rojas, a family friend, said.
Rojas said there were two events – a program where the president spoke before about 500 supporters and a private dinner with friends.
Duterte, who said his visit would be his last as president, also thanked those present for their support for his daughter, Sara Duterte, who won the vice presidency in the May 9 polls.
The president outlined the gains in his campaign against drugs and corruption but said more work still needs to be done, Rojas said.
Duterte cited his cleansing of corrupt immigration officials and personnel, and his having six Cabinet members resign for links to corruption, and his having put a stop to the E-sabong that caused many to gamble.
The president said he went after drug lords during his presidency to protect the youth.
He did it for the future generations of Filipinos, not for himself, Duterte told those present.
The president also said that even if he is no longer president they should feel free to contact him if they have problems so he can help in whatever way he can, Rojas added.
The president also thanked the Yanson family for their support.
Leo Rey Yanson assured the president that he will always have a family in Negros, Rojas said.*