Father of the nation
A FATHER tells a child: “It is okay to curse God. It is okay to kill suspected drug dealers. It is okay to use cuss words. It is okay to joke about rape.” If you are that father, then you idolize President Rodrigo Duterte but I don’t know if you love your child as much as him. But then this a free country, and you are free to make choices for as long as these do not encroach on the rights of ot her s.
Look, the Philippines is safer and more progressive. With the number of people killed, lawfully or extra-judicially, there should be lesser crimes committed. And haven’t you noticed the construction boom in many urban areas, and at times, spilling over to adjoining municipalities? “Build, Build, Build” is not just a slogan, but a reality that is putting fundamental, if not modern infrastructure, to support the next economic leap forward of the country. If you do not notice these, then you are either blind or totally opposed to Duterte.
I can permit Mocha Uson to cut and paste the entire second paragraph for her blog; for we all know that she is the president’s most zealous promoter and defender. But then there are hordes of critics who count the killings as human rights violations and believe that the present business climate is the result of the completed programs of the Aquino administration.
Here is one truth that cannot be denied. The Philippines has become a divided nation. While one side sees the positive impact of the Duterte government on the lives of Filipinos, others find nothing but repression, corruption and abuse of authority. The divide has become more apparent with the president’s attack on the Catholic Church.
Where is the Duterte government headed to? It depends primarily on the president. Sure, he has control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, but then the loyalty of our legislators has, time and again, proven to be fragile. Politicians take the position of least resistance, shifting alliances for convenience and survival.
True that Duterte had 16,601,997 votes, but that massive support can simply disappear because of such factors as dissatisfaction, disappointment and apathy. The Philippines is not Davao City, Mr President. As the expiration of your term draws nearer, political butterflies will start drifting to parties offering sweeter deals.
The public has been forgiving of your faults and shortcomings, but there is a limit to that. Leadership is not about being feared; rather, a true leader is one who is respected, who inspires, who unites. To be respected is to respect the rights of others. To inspire is to bring out the best in people. To unite is to symphonize the citizenry towards the vision of love, peace and prosperity.
Be the Father of the nation, Mr. President.