By Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte has congratulated his “idol” former President Fidel V. Ramos on the publication of his new book, wishing him good health and greater success in his undertakings. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administers the oath-taking of the new Career Executive Service Officers (CESOs), the conferment of the 2017 Gawad Career Executive Services (CES), and the 2018 Outstanding Government Workers Awards Rites at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace on September 27, 2018. (PCOO/ Facebook) MANILA BULLETIN The President attended the ceremonial launch of the “Prosper Thy Neighbor” written by Ramos at the Manila Hotel and heaped praises on the former leader. “I would like to congratulate my idol for his successful book launch. I wish him good health sir and greater success in your undertakings. We will be forever grateful for your uplifting leadership and for your selfless service to the nation,” Duterte said during his remarks before giving a salute to Ramos. “Please stay around for another 100 years, we need you,” he said. Duterte said Ramos' latest book was another milestone in his brilliant writing career, adding it is expected to inspire Filipinos for all time. He also agreed with Ramos that he also wants Filipinos “to be in a comfortable place.” “This compilation of speeches, anecdotes and editorials underscores the role of the President as the skipper or captain of the Philippines, the one person who can unite in resolving pressing issues that we face as a nation,” he said. He said the book of Ramos also provides valuable insights on the role of the Philippines in achieving the United Nations' sustainable development goals built on the principle of leaving no one behind. The UN goals target eradication of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development across the world, he added. Duterte assured Ramos that his government wold continue to implement measures to attain UN goals, particularly in fighting poverty and hunger. “Mr. President, I assure you that in this administration is exerting its efforts, ultimate efforts even utmost in making more progress to achieve these development goals not because it is mandated by the UN but more importantly because it is for the good of the nation, the Republic of the Philippines,” he said. “We have made great strides and remain unrelenting in our efforts to address the root causes of poverty and hunger, unemployment, corruption, criminality, dangerous drugs, endemic disease, environmental degradation and climate change,” he added. Ramos, in his speech, thanked the President for attending his book launch and seized the opportunity to remind him that much more needs to be done for the country's progress. The former leader said the President has “much more to do for our beloved Philippines than what he is doing right now.” He also said the younger Filipinos expect Duterte and his crew “to save lives and enhance our people's future instead of using force and weapons to do your job.” “This particular moment in our nation's history presents a wonderful opportunity for PRRD to receive the baton of responsible governance and leadership from the Filipino people who have done their share of nation building,” he said. After accepting the book from Ramos, the President briefly set aside his prepared speech and reaffirmed his commitment to preserve the nation and protect the people. Duterte likewise defended his war on “vicious” illegal drugs, lamenting that t has become a P215-billion industry. “Your speech was a set of instructions and I appreciate it that you were talking about the ship of state which is really the most important thing for all of us, and under my stewardship that I should pursue the Filipino dream,” he said. “Although you might not agree with all the things that I have done or will be doing, let me assure you that the light at the end of the tunnel is my country. And I will do anything, anything for the Filipino people,” he added.