Senate President Koko Pimentel gives Duterte’s First Year a rate of 8.5 to 9 out of 10 for fulfilling his Promised “Change”.

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said President Rodrigo Duterte deserves a score of 8.5 to nine for fulfilling his promised “change” during his first year in office.

“From 8.5 to nine [out of 10], kasi alam mo naman yung slogan ni President Duterte, ‘change.’ Ang dami nating naramdaman na pagbabago,” Pimentel, a close ally and party mate of the President, said.

Pimentel, president of the ruling PDP-Laban party, cited changes in the government’s foreign relations policy, and the reduction of crime incidents.

Pimentel said, however, that he is “personally alarmed” by reports of extrajudicial killings.


“Pagdating po sa war on drugs, alam na ng tao na priority ito, and ang balita naman, there is a reduction of crimes in the country. Yan po ang datos ng PNP,” he said.

“However, ang sinasabi ko nga, but I also notice, and ako I am personally alarmed with what I read and what I hear about killings,” Pimentel, also a lawyer, added.

He said this should be the “improvement” the PNP should aim for in Duterte’s second year in office.


Pimentel also praised Duterte for being industrious despite the President’s recent absences from the public eye.

“Napakasipag na Pangulo, given his age, yung pag-visit niya all over the country. Yung mga pagpapahinga, natural lang sa akin iyon, tanggap ko din po iyon,” Pimentel said.

“So sa Presidente po natin, keep on doing what you have been doing. Yung surveys nagsasabi na the people appreciate what you have been doing. Mayroong mga negative statement, pero demokrasya ito eh,” he said. 

Source: RSJ/KVD, GMA News