What Duterte Said in His Weekly Address (Nov. 5)

Here's what President Rodrigo Duterte said in his weekly address to the nation. This one was aired on Thursday (Nov. 5).

• Health Sec. Francisco Duque III reported to Duterte that the Philippine Red Cross resumed its COVID-19 testing efforts after PhilHealth partially settled its liabilities. Duterte said: "mukhang pera."
• Duterte asked about the factors that contributed to the declinine in COVID-19 cases. Duque attributed this to public compliance with the minimum health standards.
• Duterte said he was "really surprised" that the Philippines was ranked among the safest countries in the world based by American analytics firm Gallup. 
• Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. seeks Duterte's approval for the Philippines COVID-19 immunization roadmap.
• READ: COVID-19 Vaccination Could Start in May at the Earliest
• Duterte read the names of dismissed Customs officials due to grave misconduct and other infractions.
• Duterte said there should be an audit of "ghost projects" of the Department of Public Works and Highways. He says he expects most officials who will be dismissed will come from the DPWH. 
• READ: Crooks in DPWH? Duterte Says Blame Fake Bidders, Not Mark Villar
• "Kabastusan talaga." Duterte criticized poorly-designed projects such as toilets without doors and dividers.
• Duterte advised officials involved in questionable and "ghost" government projects to resign.
• READ: Duterte to Focus on Corruption Fight in Last Years of His Term
• Duterte said his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte led relief operations in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Rolly such as Catanduanes.