A president like no other

WHATEVER depressing rumors are swirling around the health condition of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, his patriotic ardor and sincere concern for the underprivileged classes and distaste for any form of corruption are not only infectious but also persuasive and convincing.

With his usual peroration at the National Thanksgiving and Testimonial dinner in honor of Fidel Valdez Ramos, former President of the Philippines, hosted by the UCCP at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel (October 14,2018), President Rodrigo Roa Duterte admitted that he had achieved much success, especially in the brutal war against drugs and corruption, but had confessed that he still had many promises to fulfill and little time to accomplish them.

First – Nevertheless, whoever succeeds President Digong Duterte in 2022 or earlier, and whether democratic or authoritarian, the successor must improve or enhance to the next level the many initiatives and breakthroughs of PDU30 as the Filipino people, especially the millennials, will expect no less of the next leader.

With spasmodic verve, PDU30 has boldly launched an independent foreign policy that reached out to China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, India and ASEAN that can no longer be reversed but can only be enhanced.

Moreover, there have been auspicious policy changes vis-à-vis OFW welfare and employment conditions; relentless war against drug trafficking and corruption; the welcomed rehab of Boracay; accelerated infrastructure building; and the modernization of the uniformed services and weaponry, among other achievements.

The next leader will be hard put to improve on the achievements of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte though many issues remain unresolved and indeterminate.

Admittedly, there are ponderous issues and problems that cannot be solved overnight or even within one’s lifetime but, nonetheless, PDU30 has initiated reforms for others to follow and finish.

On the other hand, though 72 years old is still considered “young,” the gout of President Duterte has visibly slowed down, and may be of concern as 2022 is still four years away.

Second – There is an unsettling exodus of high officials ostensibly to run for public office which will automatically distance themselves from the claustrophobic atmosphere of Malacañang.

Moreover, on the downside, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte may have inadvertently generated a climate of fear and intimidation without having achieve human transformation and reformation pf public psyche and renewal of moral values, such as honesty and altruism.

We reiterate that PDU30 should cast a wider net to snare the best and the brightest Filipinos.

You be the judge.