Political positions of Rodrigo Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

Despite the controversy surrounding his intention to make good his campaign promise to Ilocanos to allow the transfer of the body of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th President of the Philippines, from the former President's home province to the Heroes' Cemetery in Taguig, Duterte has instructed that the burial be made immediately.

Federalism

Duterte advocates federalism as a better system of governance for the Philippines. He argues that regions outside Metro Manila receive unfairly small budgets from the Internal Revenue Allotment. For example, of the ₱5 billion Davao sends monthly to Metro Manila, only 2 or 3 billion ever returns. He also highlights that money remitted to national government is misused by corrupt politicians in the Philippine Congress. However, Duterte said to Muslim leaders in July 2016 that if the majority of Filipinos are against the proposal of federalism, he will push for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, in which only Bangsamoro would become autonomous. He would also revise the law in such a way that the Moro National Liberation Front would receive the same deal as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Abortion and contraception issues

Duterte does not believe that contraception is inherently morally wrong and advocates for government-promoted efforts to expand access to contraceptive services. He wishes to maintain laws against abortion in the Philippines, arguing that abortion involves the taking of a sovereign human life.

Conditional cash transfers

Duterte vowed a continuation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a conditional cash transfer program started by the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

LGBT rights

In February 2016, Duterte criticized boxer Manny Pacquiao after the latter's controversial comments about LGBT couples being "worse than animals", stating that the boxer did not have the right to judge others in such a manner. Duterte has also advocated in support of anti-discrimination measures to protect LGBT individuals in his capacity as a mayor. He has remarked that, in his view, "the universe is ruled by the law of a God who is forgiving, merciful, compassionate and loving, the same God who created all of us equal".

In terms of the legalization of same-sex marriage, Duterte stated in January 2016 that he feels sympathetic to LGBT people on the issue while still believing that he should not push against the current legal code of the Philippines. He noted that law depicts the matter in terms of religious doctrine and intermingles secular marriage with sacramental holy matrimony, which traditionally is only between one man and one woman. He stressed his feelings of affection for his LGBT friends and family members though indicating his agreement with traditions.

In March 2017, Duterte stated his opposition on same-sex marriage and retracted his support for civil unions, believing in the Civil Code of the Philippines that states marriage is between a man and a woman only. He recognized differences between the Filipino and Western cultures regarding same-sex unions and criticized attempts by the latter to impose the culture on the former, saying that the Filipino culture is based on Christian teachings as the Philippines is a predominantly Christian country.

Public order

Duterte believes that an efficient and effective military and police is the most important part of the nation's security. To aid in this goal, he plans to increase the salary of the military and police to give them dignity and dissuade them from bribe-taking.

Labor policy

Duterte is against labor contractualization and has said that he would like to end the said practice. He has said that, in the long term, the policy destroys the country’s work force and sows instability due to lack of job security.

Industrialization

To create jobs, Duterte proposes to build/rebuild industries and their factories. In particular, he believes the most important step towards industrialization is to revive the Philippine steel industry.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program

Duterte opposes any move to amend the Constitution of the Philippines to allow foreigners to own lands in the country.

Taxation

Duterte has said that a monthly income of 25,000 Php or less should be exempted from paying income taxes. A simplified tax collection system and privatization of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and other government collection agencies are also among his proposals. However, Duterte has also said he is against income tax reduction.

Foreign investments

Duterte proposes the creation of designating “business islands” as economic zones to encourage foreign investment and create jobs. To aid in attracting investors, he wants to make "simple and believable" economic policies and laws.

Mining policy

Due to social costs to communities and risks to the environment, Duterte is against mining operations.

Tourism

Duterte proposes the creation of additional tourism estates in Cebu and in the whole Central Visayas region that bring more job opportunities for Filipinos. He also plans to transfer the main office of the Department of Tourism from Intramuros, Manila to Cebu.

Chinese activities in the Spratly Islands

Duterte, contrary to current Philippine government policy, has said he is open to bilateral talks with China when it comes to the maritime dispute centered on the Chinese claim to the Spratly Islands. He is supportive of the Philippines' arbitration case against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, but has said that a non-confrontational and less formal approach to China would be more effective in coming to an agreement. He has also said that the Philippines should revert to the previous position to agree to explore jointly the disputed areas with other countries like China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan for resources such as oil, gas and other minerals.

Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States

Duterte has said that if Filipinos could not get their fair share in the justice system with the Visiting Forces Agreementand Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, signed between the governments of the Philippines and the United States in 2014, then these agreements should be revoked.

Trans-Pacific Partnership

In a speech in December 2016, Duterte opposed the Philippines' intention to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, saying it would affect developing countries like the Philippines in accessing affordable generic drugs. He also praised United States President Donald Trump's intention for the U.S. to cancel the deal generated by the previous Barack Obama administration.