WHAT a letdown, what a disappointment, what a shame—the announcement the other day of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte that he was not running for president of the Philippines in the 2016 elections.
Millions of Filipinos had hoped that he would run, to clean up the country not just of petty criminals pushing shabu on the streets but of big-time plunderers who have been robbing our country blind through such legal subterfuges as the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the Development Acceleration Program. Millions more had hoped that a Duterte presidency would at last bring to them the prosperous and secured life that many previous administrations had pledged, but failed, to deliver.
Not all were heartbroken. The minions of the status quo had feared that Duterte could thwart their plans of perpetuating incompetence in the government and using moral language to conceal their programs of selfishness, vengeance and deceit to mislead the people. These minions thought they were through destroying Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and were now focusing on Sen. Grace Poe, whom they failed to persuade to run as vice president to Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II. They were beginning to set up Duterte at their sights, not an easy task, given his record of competent and honest service to the people. Now that he had eliminated himself from the race, what a relief.
For the millions and millions of Filipinos who had pinned their hopes for a better Philippines and a superior life under a Duterte presidency, they could only suffer frustration and disappointment. An essay published in this paper talked about Duterte’s program of social uplift and economic development in Davao (no-nonsense traffic management, environmental conservation and urban-renewal programs; social projects ranging from medical assistance, housing, educational opportunities, including scholarships and day-care centers, to parks and playgrounds for the people… a vigorous investment program, emphasizing Metro Davao’s agricultural and tourism potential). “Davao City today is one of our country’s best developed cities.”
We can very well expand the description to encompass the entire Philippines.
Are we condemned to choose from the morally flawed, the technically incompetent, and the angels of pettiness, vengeance and self-righteousness to govern us? Why can’t we have a government staffed by honest officials, dedicated to the improvement of our individual and collective lives, the betterment of our communities, and the enrichment of our national values?
We played in our minds with a Duterte presidency, providing a unifying leadership to our ever diverse persuasions; cleaning up our society of wrong-doers from street level to august chambers; tapping our fullest potential for hard work; leading us to that prosperous and peaceful society which we deserve. It was an absorbing fascination. But it was not meant to be.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano
6 comments
If his decision was final, he chickened out.
Just wait….
Ironman Duterte
Duterte in GOD’s benevolence will definitely run for PRESIDENT……JUST WAIT AND HAVE PATIENCE
“It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over”, There’e still hope.
Sarah seems to support Digong for #Duterte 2016
“Nagpa-upaw nalang ko samtang naghulat #Duterte2016 #kalboparasapagbabago #NohairWecare bisan walay kwarta, bisan way makinarya, bisan mapildi #justDUit” she said.
Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/730845/look-did-sara-duterte-shave-head-to-urge-pa-to-run-for-president#ixzz3oWUh3u6e
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What has been successfully done in a city may not pan out nationwide. Given the list of contenders however, Du30 would still be a good bet to make it happen not only as good as PNoy but much better.