Philippines' Duterte orders free state college education

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law making education at all state universities free, a palace official said yesterday, despite warnings from his economic advisors that the Philippines cannot afford it.

Duterte, who is known for his populist leanings, believes the long-term benefits of the measure outweigh the short-term budgetary challenges, said deputy presidential executive secretary Menardo Guevarra.

"Free tertiary education in state universities and colleges is a very strong pillar or cornerstone of the president's social development policy," he told reporters.