Why is President Digong still popular?
Unlike other presidents, this one remains popular despite all the accusations. His survey ratings remain high, despite being lambasted by the Left, the Right, the Church, UN, EU, American traditional critics, and human rights advocates. Senator Antonio Trillanes and Rep. Edcel Lagman, both Bicolanos, never stop saying evil things against him, including alleged extra-judicial killing, summary executions, and violations of human rights. The people either do not believe them or believe what Duterte is doing or alleged to be doing is only right and just.
This president is different. If you heard his SONA yesterday, you will agree that he isn't the usual head of state. He does not relish protocol and pretended niceties. He is not like PNoy who would regale the crowd with his Balagtas-sounding Tagalog even as he knows not the realities on the ground. The SONA of Duterte sounded like an on-site news report by Anthony Taberna right in the center of an ongoing battle in Marawi. In contrast to the professorial style of GMA, Duterte speaks like a student who is well-prepared for his graded recitation. He is not all theories like FVR, or all spicy humor like Erap.
Duterte speaks like an ordinary standby telling a story in very spontaneous and sincere way.
Duterte is different because he doesn't give us BS. He tells the truth like a doctor tells a patient he has cancer. But he doesn't only say the problem. He provides solutions. He is not a crowd pleaser like any trapo. He tells us to our faces that we suck. He tells us that the nation still suffers from social cancer. We need all kinds of treatment. And Martial Rule in Mindanao is one such bitter pill to swallow. We need to face this problem frontally. He goes to the battlefront, unlike PNoy who was in Zamboanga while the 44 Special Action Force troopers were slaughtered in Mamasapano. Duterte grieves with orphans and widows, unlike PNoy who would rather attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony than meet the caskets of murdered officers and men.
Duterte is popular because he would rather be right and truthful than be nice and polite. He curses at the scoundrels in barong, the scalawags in robes, and the rascals in suits. He makes the taipans uncomfortable and sows fear among drug lords, gambling lords, smugglers, tax evaders, and the corrupt. He is popular because he says exactly what the people feel. Duterte is not polite, not courteous, not pleasant to hear. But if one comes to think of it, he doesn't make ''bolada'' or ''estoryahe''. He tells the truth in a way that embarrasses us, pains us, and sometimes angers us. At the end of the day, he has been open, honest, and frank. And what matters most is that he is the president who will never steal from us or rob the government coffers. You can mark my word on this.
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