Settling down to reality
ARE we changing in our hearts, or our values to the better, or are we simply afraid of Pres. Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte, and keeping out of harm’s way without undergoing transformation?
As promised, there have been many changes under the Duterte administration as Pres. Duterte had vowed to bring about “change” by, say, declaring a brutal war against drug trafficking; against corruption; and against criminality as the vehicles for “change.”
Substantial progress has been accomplished against these endemic and seemingly unsolvable problems.
Indeed, while these social diseases make good crusades for transforming society, they may not be winnable within Duterte’s lifetime.
Thus, reluctantly, Pres. Digong Duterte has conceded and admitted that these problems cannot be solved in six months, one year, or six years, though the war against them will continue unabated with Pres. Duterte staking his reputation, security, and his own life for the sake of the country and future generations.
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has to humble himself and settle down to reality that it takes money and economic growth not only to build infrastructure but also to fund the many reforms that he has in mind.
First, this country does not need a rampaging and angry Chief Geronimo riding herd over the people but a pensive and urbane statesman like Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt who will introduce a game-changing “New Deal” to lift this nation to a higher level of development.
In view thereof, let the rich pay more for sustainable development by paying the correct taxes, decelerate population growth; encourage foreign investments; and make certain that the entrepreneurial spirit is not dampened, and the rich are not allowed to salt or squirrel away their wealth in foreign havens.
Second, it is observed that the secondechelon executive appointees of Pres. Duterte leave much to be desired.
Invariably, the appointees are flaccid, intimidated, and provincial who are not, so to speak, in sync with the energy and philosophy of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, which needs “righting” by the President himself.
Third, let us focus on the ponderous, such as, tax reforms, peace process, Muslim autonomy, education, death penalty, and speedy justice system instead of mundane and pedestrian changes, such as, nationwide smoking ban; distracted cellphone while driving, Uber and Grab; and wasteful congressional hearings in aid of publicity.
Pres. Duterte needs to pause and re-assess the dilemma of “want” of the people and “resource availability.”
Pres. Digong Duterte, wanting to remain popular, cannot spend the next five years visiting funerals and comforting the afflicted when there is a burgeoning, and counting, population waiting for his attention, reforms, and transformation.
You be the judge.
“If we must choose between them, it is far better to be feared than loved.” — N. Machiavelli