MANILA, Philippines — Catholic bishops have their own take on the “achievements” of President Rodrigo Duterte, who starts the second half of his term on Monday with an address to a joint session of Congress. Mysterious high ratingSorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said President Duterte’s biggest achievement was being able to maintain a high public approval rating. “[But it’s] a fact [that] is a mystery to me because of his utter lack of respect for human rights,” Bastes said on Friday. Bastes acknowledged that the economy is healthy, but said this was not due to work of the Duterte administration, as the country’s economic growth started during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. As the President’s focus is to improve our lives, this is tantamount to protect[ing] human life and promot[ing] human rights,” Santos said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 21, 2019 23:26 UTC