By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: PCOO

With one year before leaving Malacañang, President Rodrigo Duterte has fulfilled most of his promises that he campaigned to Filipinos as the country’s highest official, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Citing a study from Pulse Asia, Roque said Duterte’s performance has satisfied most Filipinos as he supposedly stood firm on his promise to address the country’s problem on illegal drugs.

Interviewed over state media PTV-4, Roque said: “The details will be delivered by the President in his last State of the Nation address [next month], but needless to say marami po tayong nakamit doon sa mga pinangako ni Presidente, lalung-lalo na doon sa laban sa pinagbabawal na droga.”

He added: “It (priority) hasn’t changed, it is still ensuring that every Filipino is vaccinated [against COVID-19] and his continuing campaign against corruption and prohibited drugs.”

The Palace official also commended the chief executive for the enactment of Free College Education law and Universal Healthcare law.

Roque earlier said that the administration’s priority before Duterte's term ends is the fight against illegal drugs.

However, the campaign has been under controversy through the years, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) calling for the relatives of the victims during the anti-illegal drugs operations to submit their views, concerns, and expectations to be used for a possible round of the court’s investigation.

The probe was requested by former Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda due to “reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed in the context of the drug war” citing police, human rights groups and confidential sources.

But, Roque said the international statute “can do whatever it wants” but building up cases to support the allegations would be difficult without the government’s cooperation.

He added Bensouda’s requests to probe the controversial campaign were merely based on media reports.

“The ICC can do whatever it wants. Pero ‘yung isang chamber po ng ICC, eh minsan sinabi na talagang dapat hindi na nagiimbestiga kung wala namang kooperasyon kasi paano ka nga magkakaroon ng case build-up kung wala namang kooperasyon doon sa member state,” he said.

“All criminal cases, even in the ICC and most especially in the ICC, must present real evidence and not just newspaper reports,” Roque added.