President for six years

AFTER more than a year of lofty popularity, the satisfaction and trust ratings of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte owing to controversial reasons have begun to sag and decline rapidly and paradoxically among the poorest of the poor, which calls for in-depth review and response from administration officials.

The decline, which is customarily expected and temporary, needs to be addressed early and corrected expeditiously to prevent further down turn.

The convergence of issues arising from the brutal war on drugs, EJKs, teenage killings, hazing, smuggling, and impeachment cases filed against the Chief Justice and the Ombudsman have conspired and contributed to pulling down the ratings of President Duterte.

In the United States, whether Americans agree or not, President Donald Trump has embarked on his chauvinistic “AMERICA FIRST” theme with its cathartic changes.

These changes have resonated well with the American people.

In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has yet to devise and formulate a philosophical platform on which to launch his vision and aspirations.

Except for the fixated war on drugs, President Duterte cannot formulate policies off the cuff and shoot from the hip without rhyme or reason that the people can relate to.

One Cabinet member said one has to know President Duterte for 50 years to understand him, as one who tends to follow his own instincts.

Granted that the President is sincerely compassionate towards the poor and the oppressed, generous, authoritarian, honest, and fearless, he is not endearing or loyal to friends who cross the red line of corruption or misgovernment.

In this respect, President Digong Du-

“Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.” — Wilson Mizner

terte appears not to have any loyalty and tends to be stubborn and intolerant.

Thus, with these character traits, foibles and authoritarian streaks, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been elected to serve the Filipino people for six years, and should therefore refrain from constantly threatening to resign, or step down, or be ousted since they have no basis on actual situation.

These threats and diatribes are unpresidential and counterproductive to confidence building.

In sum, while the masses are regaled and tickled pink with the spectacle of seeing President Digong Duterte assaulting he oligarchs and chastising Mighty Tobacco, Mile Long, Philippine Airlines, and others, corruption, criminality, smuggling, and drug trafficking continue to spread nationwide.

For these reasons, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte should regularly reassure the business sector and the masses of his steadfast leadership and his policies are not motivated by vengeance, politics, or frivolity as confusion and uncertainty lead to destabilization.

You be the judge