Thank you, Mr. President

TODAY, we cast our vote. Today, the feud and disagreements stop as we wait for the results. But today is also the right time to thank the man who, for six years, tried to tame the undisciplined, improve the land, and challenge the status quo.

While doing all these, he was questioned and ridiculed by many – mostly from people who could not even identify whether they have done something good for the country. But as an elected official with the topmost position, he endured the blames and criticisms. And up to the remaining days of his service, when people perceive him as a lame duck, he continues to serve.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

It has always been so tough. The war on drugs, the fight against corruption, the Covid-19 virus which was too complex to contain, zapped your energy and hope to heal the land.

At 71 then and as the oldest person elected as president in the country, you roamed around, set a direction, and built an inspiring vision. Now at 77, though your body is no longer as vigorous as six years ago, you did not leave things undone. You are God’s miracle.

You started with tax reforms which made the Philippines one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Then you poured more money into infrastructure and your Build, Build, Build Program benefitted the majority. The school buildings and classrooms, bridges, access roads, and others are solid and permanent evidences.

The transportation modernization, the increased shipping routes, the new airport terminals, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which was named most improved in 2018 after it was identified as one of the worst airports before were favorable to us. And who would not forget the laglag-bala racket in the airport? It stopped completely when you came.

Yet, many still attacked you. You may not have perfected your plans but you have succeeded because you had the support and cooperation of the people you have sworn to serve.

Backdropped by controversy in your entire term, you still gained and maintained a very high approval rating; something so rare in our country. This shows that more Filipinos believe in you. This is a fact that your critics refuse to believe. Amid all the accusations against you, people can never deny that you are one strong president who made positive change possible.

Your expletives and controversial statements may drive us up the wall and your unguarded moments may not be as funny as they seem, but all these do not define who you are as a leader, more so as a president of the nation.

These acts are but a miniscule compared to the many accomplishments under your watch.