NEW ELECTION METRIC: WHO LIES THE BEST?

PRESIDENT Duterte gaslighted about 16 million people in 2016 for being stupid enough to believe that if elected he could eradicate the drug menace in this country within six months or less, among other problems. He has now admitted it was just campaign hype—all sound and fury signifying nothing. In other words, he lied through his teeth— and with a straight face! He has confessed to being “inutil” to do anything about that scourge as megatons of illegal drugs kept coming in under his nose.

And the most grotesque thing about it is, Mr. Duterte has maintained very high “approval ratings” in previous and recent surveys even as he bungled practically every aspect of his shambolic governance. Inspired by such “popular acclaim,” Mr. Duterte doubled down on his cornucopia of lies as if his followers were really hopelessly too dumb to see the truth. Current presidential candidates, in fact, all yearn for his endorsement—all except Leni Robredo who cannot stomach his brazen pretensions and hellacious vulgarity.

And it seems lying is no stranger to the Duterte family. His daughter, Sara, then mayor of Davao City and now a vice-presidential wannabe in tandem with the scion of the most mendacious family that ever misruled this country, boldly pontificated that lying is no big deal—that all politicians lie as a matter of course. And given her “very high rating” in the race, is this now the new metric in this country for the election of our leaders: who lies the best? No one should be chomping at the bit for the fulfillment of any of their false promises. The Dutertes have raised to the highest level of perfection the art of prevarication in politics with absolutely no consequences or accountability.

Has God forsaken the only “Christian country” in these parts—because “almighty” Duterte once blasphemed Him for His “stupidity”?

MARIA MARGARITA AYTONA, marimar_ay@yahoo.com