How real is the Duterte super surge?

WOULD we all end up hooking another perfect fool for free?

No way, please, cried the returning California-based veteran sportswriter Percy Della.

“He’s a moron who in his right mind would pick a fight with Pope Francis,” said the grizzled sports scribe about Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

*** Didn’t Duterte end up wrecking himself with that (live) broadcast of him cussing the Pope last week?

“You bet he did assassinate himself,” said premier jazz artist Richard Merk, who continued to hope things would clear up; and for Duterte to remain solidly in the running for president in next year’s national elections.

Merk said we should all pray for Duterte. Why? “He’s our only hope who could cure the chronic ills, mainly rampant drug addiction, that have been wrecking Philippine society beyond redemption.”

*** There were conflicting assumptions on how that foul moment during Duterte’s proclamation appearance last week would play out.

There were those who felt the hard- hitting no-nonsense Davao City chief executive would sink in a political grave he had dug for himself.

But majority of those we had talked to felt it was not—should not—be the end for Duterte.

Last Sunday morning, veteran management consultant Jake de Jesus from Mandaluyong said he too was stunned by the Duterte stance during his proclamation. But De Jesus said he reconsidered and decided to stay put with Duterte after the outspoken presidential candidate apologized and explained that his statement against official helplessness, at the height of horrendous traffic jams all over, had been misinterpreted.

Duterte, in fact, apologized and even offered to step out of the presidential race if the Pope would so wish.

De Jesus said the original Duterte backers he had talked to, in the golf course, in various work places, have remained steadfast in their support for a Duterte presidency.

This unwavering stand were firmed up by reports yesterday that Duterte had topped the latest SWS poll survey, which noted that he has surged significantly across all social classes and areas.

This, according to dedicated agriculturist Chito Bertol, original Elvis Presley of the Philippines, should send the drug lords, the untouchable criminals, shaking (again) in their boots.

Anyway, as we went to press, there came an item from the usually reliable “Free Baste News” of businessman Sebastian Chua that the Pope himself did not mind Duterte’s indecent and obscene comments and behavior.

But a thorough official check would bare that the Vatican had neither touched nor commented on Duterte.

It won’t be determined until the results of next major national survey are released before we know whether or not Duterte is out of the woods (or his grave).