By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) - Philippines President-elect Rodrigo Duterte stressed law and order Tuesday at a gathering with business leaders in southern Davao City, where he served seven terms as mayor.
Duterte, who won the May 9 election on an anti-crime campaign, recounted, “having experienced in Davao that there can be no progress or development of the community unless there is law and order".
"I saw Davao grow. During peaceful times, the Davao if beautiful," he underlined in a televised speech during the last day of a two-day gathering.
Duterte, set to become the country’s first president from southern Mindanao island, cast Davao City as an example of how a tough anti-crime platform could spur growth.
"Let me be very brutal and frank to you, all corruption must stop," he said, reiterating his warning against corrupt government officials. "I really don't like corruption. It makes me sick."
He addressed 10 recommendations submitted to him by business leaders - which include revamping the tax system, cutting red tape, speeding up infrastructure projects and implementing a national ID system - calling them “doable”.
"I was given a copy ahead of today the ten recommendations socio economic programs of the government. And I assure you, we will study and review it," GMA News quoted him as saying.
"And for now, I would say I see nothing wrong with this. These are all doable. It's a matter of just doing it, implement it right away," he added.
“I am a lawyer. I never pretended to be an economist,” he admitted, pledging that his economic team would study the recommendations.
Some members of the Philippines’ business community, many of whom are based in Metro Manila and in the country’s north, have criticized Duterte’s perceived lack of economic expertise.
After the May 9 polls, Duterte had expressed willingness to continue some of the economic policies of his predecessor, outgoing President Benigno Aquino III whose six-year term witnessed economic growth - despite some criticizing developments as not having been inclusive.
Duterte is set to assume office June 30.
In his 22 years as mayor of Davao, the city transformed from a crime-ridden hovel to a peaceful and investment-friendly city, where he imposed bans on public smoking, and the selling of alcohol and the operation of entertainment spots past midnight.