Digong will not change
AS the ancient Roman Heraclitus once said, “A man’s character is his fate.” What President Rodrigo Roa Duterte says and does, however bizarre or outrageous, is what you get which means that the citizens will have to follow every twist or turn, or start a revolt or rebellion.
If proven wrong, President Duterte may apologize but he will not change.
His mind is set on the glorification of the nation, and the welfare of the masses upon which the foundation of a new society will be erected.
President Digong Duterte is not afraid to decide, and does not fear public protest for if push gets to shove, he will do it.
He is also not afraid to distance himself or alienate friends if the reason compromises the national interest.
Contrary to public expectations, the persona that we see is the unbending character of Duterte whether we like it or not.
Moreover, while President Duterte is tough on wrongdoers and corruptors, he is compassionate to the poor and the dispossessed.
That, in a word, is the Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte that we have to live with which insinuates optimism and great expectations as well as foreboding and uncertainty.
Thus, apart from promising a corruptfree and clean government, President Rodrigo Duterte has accomplished the following in the five months in office.
First, he has substantially suppressed the illegal drug trafficking and drug addiction which were tending towards a narco-state.
Second, serious negotiations to end insurgency and forge a peace agreement with the CPP-NPA-NDF were initiated and for the first time invited senior communist cadres to join the Duterte Cabinet.
Third, as promised, a lasting peace for the Moro minorities with a realistic and restructured Bangsamoro Autonomous community.
Fourth, President Duterte has pioneered and crafted an independent foreign policy that will be flexible, friendly, and not beholden to the Untied States that tends to be condescending towards the Philippines.
On the other hand, with the unbridled exuberance of President Duterte and his authoritarian inclinations, there will obviously be generated anxieties and trepidations, such as: (1) extra-judicial killings and human rights violations; (2) the controversial burial of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, with President Duterte insisting that the former should be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani since it is legal for a President and soldier to be buried there whether he is deemed a hero or tyrant; (3) the tendency of President Duterte to be impatient and intolerant of criticisms; (4) the possible misuse and abuse of discretionary funds and pork barrel; (5) the increasing lack of transparency in government activities in spite of the FOI.
In toto, there appears to be anxiety in the air that is not comforting and reassuring in spite of the extraordinary trust and popularity ratings of the President.
When all is said and done, the hopes of the Filipinos can be summed up by Irish poet, William Yeats, who wrote, “I have spread my dreams under your feet; tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”
You be the judge.
“Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.” — HEGEL