Two years later

“What is objectionable, what is dangerous about demagogues is not that they are extreme but they are intolerant.” — Robert Kennedy

AFTER two years, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte stands tall, still popular, and rabidly patriotic.

He has not, however, outgrown Davao City or his mayorship mindset or provincial moorings.

Inspite of repeated threats, President DU30 will not voluntarily step down till 2022 as he loves to shock and awe, cajole, rattle, and test the limits of society.

And, President Duterte is not in a hurry as the revised Constitution and establishment of a federal system will assure continuity of governance which is essential for sustainable development.

Thus, there is more than meets the eye in PDU30’s governance style and vision.

Notwithstanding extremely driven economic and political volatilities and controversies, the Philippines remains politically stable, and the economy remains resilient and defiant with economic confidence undiminished.

However, with President DU30’s penchant to spew derogatory expletives, and engage in word wars and verbal tussles with human rights bleeding hearts, European Union celebrities, United States officials, and Catholic Church leaders, he has tended to generate uncertainty, animosity, fear, investor reluctance, opposition, and an enforced evaluation of PDU30’s policy changes and thrusts.

Thus, having enumerated all the above, is there a problem?

First, President Duterte is an astute local politician who loves to entertain and regale provincial audiences with folksy witticisms laced with colorful language and vulgarities.

These outbursts, however, to entertain or emphasize are decidedly unpresidential and have never been associated/ with previous presidents.

There is no wisdom and “pogi points” to be reaped or gained with these repetitive tirades and twosome spectacle.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is now president of 100-million plus Filipinos who is expected to lead by good example, patriarchal, inspirer, reformist, and honest leader that he has been.

Second, without relenting in his obsessive war against illegal drugs, President Duterte needs to subordinate the crusade, and instead focus on other priorities, such as, pollution, slow down, environmental, Hence, the President cannot be a one-dimensional person but a multidisciplinary leader and statesman.

When all is said and done, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte can do it, and is doing it.

With his reform agenda, Pres.Digong Duterte might yet become a great President.

You be the judge.