MANILA, Philippines - Because of the “many changes” felt by Filipinos, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III has given President Duterte a grade of 8.5 to nine for his performance in his first year in office.

Pimentel yesterday said Duterte has fulfilled his campaign promise that “change is coming,” particularly in the areas of foreign relations and peace and order, but asked that the issue of drug-related extrajudicial killings be addressed.

“We’ve felt so many changes... The world believes that we have an independent foreign policy. We are no longer being dictated by other countries. We determine our own course in international affairs,” Pimentel said.

Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to Pimentel, showed that criminality has gone down, which was a result of the administration’s war on drugs.

He, however, was “personally alarmed” by frequent reports of extrajudicial killings.

“If the overall incidence of crime went down, let us look at the murders – maybe it has gone up. I am urging the PNP that this is the improvement they can do for the second year of the Duterte administration,” Pimentel said.

He said he does not have many suggestions for Duterte, whom he described as “very industrious given his age.” Thus, for him, Duterte needing rest is but natural.

“To our President, keep on doing what you have been doing. Surveys have been saying that the people appreciate what you have been doing. There are also negative statements, but this is a democracy,” he said.

Unfulfilled promises, disappointments

However, a prelate who is a known critic of Duterte, yesterday said that the President has not been able to fulfill his promises one year after he assumed presidency.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Basic Ecclesial Communities (CBCP-BEC) executive secretary and biking priest Amado Picardal said that the Chief Executive has so far failed to address the problem of criminality.

“There are a lot of frustrations even from his supporters… The criminality problem even worsened,” he said.

Picardal, who was based in Davao for several years, recalled that from 1998 to 2015 in Davao, they counted 1,424 incidents of extrajudicial killings, compared with Duterte’s first year in Malacañang which reportedly saw more than 9,000 killing incidents.

The prelate also pointed out that the suspension of peace talks with the National Democratic Front and the lingering poverty and corruption have disappointed Filipinos.

“Corruption worsened because he needs the support of Congress and there are many corrupt officials there,” he said. “I feel for our country. We are in the midst of darkness.”

Duterte had been absent from the public eye for six days and there had been those asking about his health and if he could finish his term.

“The perception is I don’t know. The number one (reason) is his health,” Picardal answered when asked the same question.

He also said that it is possible that there would be “a breaking point in society” if things worsen and the people get frustrated with what is happening in the country.

Picardal also cited the case filed before the International Criminal Court against the Chief Executive.

“I think it will be hastened because Congress has proven that it is incapable and unwilling to prosecute his crimes.”

Getting used to each other

Sen. Francis Escudero, meanwhile, said Filipinos and Duterte are getting used to each other and learning from each other.

“We’re trying to get used to him and he’s trying to get used to the office, as well. Before, he (could) get away with whatever he was saying (as mayor of Davao City) because no one (was) paying attention,” Escudero said.

“Anything that flows from his mouth is actually not only national but international news as well,” he said.

He said it appeared that Duterte has mellowed down on his use of expletives and strong language.

As far as the economy is concerned, Escudero said it was good that Duterte does not micromanage and leaves it up to his economic managers to sustain the country’s growth.

“Call it laissez-faire or call it level-playing field, that is the impression most businessmen have after his first year in office and I hope it continues,” Escudero said.