President Duterte: I am really a dictator

PRESIDENT Digong admitted to imposing a “dictatorial” style of governance for the country’s development when he spoke before former communist rebels.

He prefers to act like a “dictator” to be able to sustain the country’s program. Many believe that it was just one of his Freudian slips (slip of the tongue) considering that the president has a “gift of tongue.”

Let’s find out what is the explanation of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. Roque may agree, disagree, come up with a “potable explanation” or may confirm that President Digong was just exercising his “sense of humor.” The President admitted that his “like-a-dictator-style” will make things happen in this country.

Roque has to expand that or deflate, as the case maybe. Those with negative reaction fear that the President might use federalism to support his intention of becoming a dictator.

That could just be another academic allegation. The extension of martial law in Mindanao and the affirmation of the New People's Army as terrorists and the possible declaration of martial law in Luzon and Visayas may possibly be the springboards for many “no-els” scenarios. Digong’s popularity may make him another Marcos.

This “joke” could be made complicated by the participation of the International Criminal Court and the orchestration of Senator Antonio Trillanes.

Let us visualize the possible dictatorship of President Digong.

It could go in several ways. He would be an authoritarian ruler who could be compared to a despot, tyrant.

He could behave like Adolf Hitler… a fuhrer, autocrat or autarch. He could desire to elevate for the law, honor for authority, a sense of discipline and pride in being a Filipino who is capable of defending our community when it is under siege the way Mamasapano, Marawi, even Malacañang or any other territory when attacked, and how we are willing to risk our lives to protect loved ones, our family, and when needed, the ultimate defense of our country.

Government work today towers with the certainty of our people's continued support and trust parallel to the way I emerged as your President who relates intimately with the broadcast base of our people. You have all heard me speak; the unique syntax and wild metaphors I often use; the spontaneity of my expletives when specific issues must be con- himself with a rank of a “4-star” general in the military and be a military leader like a “candillo” in Spanish-speaking countries.

He could be a “benevolent despot” by becoming a dictator who is moderate, enlightened, and well-disposed towards his subjects. That could be the kind of dictator that the Filipinos would want now.

With all the powers in his hands, he could be a “martinet,” a dictatorial person, specifically an authoritarian and uncompromising military disciplinarian. In his dictatorial system, he could aim at total control.

That could be “totalitarianism” or “absolutism." He could also form a “junta” wherein there will be a group of military officers ruling the Philippines in a dictatorial way. He could be held by the neck by the generals or he could be made a subordinate dictator by the “First World Power.” Then he simply becomes a “satrap.” This could be our vision if President Digong allows himself to be a dictator.

He could decide what would become of him or the circumstances will decide for him.

We do not want to have further speculations. If he becomes a dictator, the Filipinos will react… churches, workers, elites, politicians, military, insurgents, super powers, and God.

Let us work hard, pray hard, diligently perform our duties as citizens and wait for an outcome.

That could be our destiny. Something could be decreed in advance by providence. That could be foreordained.

Someone up there could always intervene… after all, our fate is always ineluctable. It could just be another “Digong’s shaggy-dog story.” SSBacolod demned so that the consequential popularity of my cuss words astonishes even the most cynical of my critics.

Nonetheless, let me remind you that my occupancy of the highest seat of power is held strongly by the support of a people who sincerely believe, respect and trust our governance.

As information officers, therefore, your words should approximate these truths. May this information convention strengthen the resolve for each of you to be the perfect professionals in your field of communication. And, may you re-create the fundamental earnest of journalism in its profoundest sense as we shape our words into instruments of real and effective change.

As your President, I call on you all to speak deeply and write bravely with courageous honesty.

For valor, Mabuhay!" because as we well know, it would be hellish.

Well, this is what we get for living in a tourist town but have we no right to complain, have we no right to feel bad? No right to gripe?

In the past, we have given the city to visitors during summertime when it was sure that the city would be flocked by a multitude.

In the recent years, because of the express highways which made the city a mere 4 to 5 hour drive, visitors have come in droves at irregular times of the year.

This is the downside of having the accessibility that was once a dream for the city and now we get our wish… but we never realized it would be this bad huh.

As we accept our fates every time the temperature drops and as we anticipate a hoard whenever there is a long weekend, allow the residents to gripe and complain.

Allow the Baguio resident to feel invaded, let the local scream their hearts out because of traffic and occasionally rant about how uncouth tourist drivers are when traversing city streets.

Do not tell us “We told you so,” because no one said we would be walking home at midnight, no one said that roads will be filled to the brim with cars.

Let the locals lament their fate… because this is the only thing left for us these days.

Good luck in the coming weekend everyone. May the force be with us all.