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Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

President Digong

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The Filipino people gave Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte a huge vote of confidence. Being elected into office by almost 40 percent of the voting population is a feat that so far, only he has done. The people decided in a big way that this unconventional guy is the one who, in the next six years, would hold the rein of government—hopefully, in a way that will be good for the country and its more than a hundred million people, more than ten million of which are scattered all over the world. Thus, one can say that Digong’s administration will have to go beyond our lands if government is to also look into the welfare of overseas Filipinos.

I did not go for Duterte, as I have said before. But since the people chose him, I am bowing to the will of the voters. I choose to be as supportive as possible without letting my guard down. I will praise when something is praiseworthy, but I will also criticize when needed. We are in a democracy, after all.

Mayor Duterte made big promises during the campaign. He vowed to significantly curb corruption and criminality, two of the most serious problems plaguing our land. He said he would go after drug lords, and other criminal elements roaming our streets. He promised a safe, secure, orderly environment where citizens can have peace of mind and not feel threatened or at risk.

Like all the other candidates, Duterte said that he would deal with poverty, that his government would fix the problems with our public transportation system especially in Metro Manila. Infrastructure will be improved, agriculture and industrialization will receive the much needed attention. He said his administration would prioritize education and health.

Perhaps his biggest promises are the ones dealing with systems change. Duterte is the only candidate who openly said that he will pursue a federal form of government, and shift to the parliamentary system. I have written in the past that in my view, systems change can be good for us. These are big, radical changes that will be most challenging to take on. I am looking forward to how President Duterte will lead the nation towards these. Certainly, these need to be done within the confines of the law. Tinkering with the Constitution is always difficult and changing the form and system of government will necessarily go beyond amendments, we will need to change our Constitution.

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My major objections against Duterte have to do with human and women’s rights. I will continue to oppose words and actions that demean people, particularly women. I am with those who will oppose vigilante, and extra-judicial killings. I will go against the reinstatement of the death penalty. On this respect I will keep a close watch on our incoming president. The change that he said is coming should be done without violating and disrespecting the people’s rights.

I want to be proven wrong in my perception of Duterte as having low regard for women’s and human rights. I hope that the people who told me that what Duterte repeatedly said were mere campaign posturing is correct.

So far, I am liking most of what I am hearing and seeing in Duterte post-elections. I liked the offer of peace to his opponents in the race. That was a very welcome gesture from him. After all the harshness, viciousness, and divisions during the campaign, we need a unifying president. We have had enough of the blame game practiced by outgoing president Noynoy Aquino throughout his yellow government. People want a fresh, positive start, and Duterte’s offer of friendship to the other candidates is a welcome start.

The names being floated around as possible members of the incoming president’s Cabinet seem to be acceptable especially to those in the know. I also like the pronouncement made by Senator Pia Cayetano that there will be a significant number of women in the Duterte administration. Senator Pia knows how angry the people were over the rape ‘joke’, so I hope she will facilitate the entry of capable women in Digong’s government. So far, the selection and vetting process that’s being put together for key government posts is commendable. Hopefully, this will not be ‘ningas cogon’.

Duterte’s FOI pronouncement is a very welcome one. Yes, start with the Executive and show the other branches of government how it should be done while waiting for the passage of the bill into law. How nice if the FOI law becomes the first output of the 17th Congress!

The list of do’s and don’ts that the incoming president, the no-smoking policy in all public places, videoke ban after 10:00 p.m., liquor sales ban after 1:00 a.m., curfew for minors who are not accompanied by an adult, etc. are understandable. It’s like a parent telling children what rules to follow. However, let us also be cautioned that regulations such as these, cannot go beyond people’s rights. What I’m saying is, yes, let’s put order in our house but we cannot be restrictive to the point of being unreasonable.

Obviously, Digong has hit the ground and is starting to work. He knows that there is no time for a honeymoon.

Again, we all want change, and hopefully, we will have this with President Duterte, the people’s choice, at the helm. We all should give this a chance but still remain vigilant. The work of fixing our country is work for everyone, us, included. No president, no matter how good, can do it alone.

Congratulations, incoming President Duterte!

 

bethangsioco@gmail.com.  
@bethangsioco on Twitter.  
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