The curious life of Duterte

Up to the last minute, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte  kept everyone guessing. Will he or will he not? Run for president, or not? The media quoted him as saying he won’t run, and then, he will run if . . . A newspaper headline said, “Duterte drops out of race.” Others said he said he would run, if a woman contender for the presidency will run; that was the big If. And just the other day, he was reported as saying he finally decided to run. The big IF had been spelled out. What a man, what a spell-binder, what a magician to be able to hold the media in his fingertips.

Over the weekend, the “punisher” said at a birthday party of a law school mate in Dasmarinas, Cavite, “My  candidacy for the presidency is now on the table.”

In his speech that lasted for about 30 minutes, he said what changed his mind was the recent decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) throwing the disqualification case questioning the citizenship of Sen. Grace Poe who had been accused of not being a natural-born citizen. Duterte said he cannot accept having a non-Filipino as president of the land.

He said he would still “fill in the  gaps” and talk to the members of his political party. He would still talk to members of PDP-Laban and Sen. Koko Pimentel who are among those who have been pushing him to run.

He said he would change his mind about running unless the SET reverses its ruling or Poe tells the public who her real mother is.

So there still remains another IF.

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As the vehicle carrying my husband and myself arrived in Gingoog from the Bangkasi airport in Butuan City the other day, what greeted us was a huge tarpaulin placard plastered on one side of a tall building announcing the qualities of Duterte. It said: “People’s Choice for President, TApang at MAlasakit, Duterte 2016.” Rather too early to be putting out a campaign ad, don’t u think?

But Duterte’s leaders in the city may have to work double time to make the Gingoog hoi-poloi vote Duterte for president. Many of the tricycle drivers told us their choice is Binay, and they have not heard about Duterte.

But a friend of ours in the public relations field who requested not to be named is just too happy about Duterte’s decision. He believes Duterte, with his whiplash style, can be the leader who can stop criminality in the land. There is a demand for a fearless leader like him, amid a global scenario of Islamic jihadists in Paris, France that killed at least 129 people and injured more than 350 others. Such a scenario can be repeated in our own land, with the homegrown Abu Sayyaf which is said to have declared support for the Islamic State (IS) which as of this writing is still holding two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina as hostages in the jungles of Sulu, and  demanding P1 billion each as a ransom for their freedom.

But the Abu Sayyaf is not our only security problem, our pr friend says. Organized crime is just as much a serious peace and order concern, with the Philippine National Police having its hands full going after kidnapping gangs, drug-trafficking syndicates and robbery groups. Adding to the breakdown of law and order is street crimes, such as theft burglary and snatching of cellphones and other valuables, usually perpetrated by motorcycle-riding criminals riding in tandem in city streets. My friend is right, as criminal activities seem to have increased, resulting in people’s mistrust in government efforts to run after lawless elements.

“Thus there is a strong clamor for a leader who can stop criminality with the application of threats of severe punishment, with an iron hand, impose discipline in our society and restore the people’s trust and confidence in their government,” says the pro. “Mayor Duterte, now presidential aspirant, is said to get double-digit approval ratings in popularity surveys because of his tough stance against crime in his city.”

Still, one wonders if Duterte, with high-handed methods, may be able to cut down the crime rate on the national level. The impression that he can just gun down criminals for the sake of promoting peace, makes him go afoul of the law, and human rights lawyers and the Department of Justice will go after his head.

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What is of special concern to Gingoognons is the “battle royale” between the candidates for the positions of mayor and vice-mayor in the 2016 election. The incumbent mayor, Marie de Lara Guingona, is seeking a second term, but what surprised many is that her running mate for vice-mayor is her mother, Ruth de Lara Guingona, who flew in from Manila just in time to file her certificate of candidacy in the local Comelec office. Ruth had served for three terms before Marie’s election in 2013. While Marie has earned some points during her term, Ruth is known for her rapport with her constituents, and the improvements she’s made in the city’s infrastructure program. Her support of her daughter’s bid for reelection is a hard act to beat for the opposition’s candidates.

Running for mayor is the incumbent vice-mayor, Erick G. Canosa, a medical technologist by training, whose father once served as vice-mayor. Erick endears himself to city and barangay residents for his charismatic personality. I understand that seven of the 11 kagawads have joined forces with Erick, and they have been observed to be going around the city’s 79 barangays to make their intention known to the voters. Erick’s running mate is Councilor Avelino T. Bernaldez Sr.

Let’s see how this contest proceeds.

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Speaking of Gingoognons, I’m very proud of Jed Balsamo, who will be making his public debut as piano soloist of “Divertessment for Piano and Orchestra” by National Artist Lucrecia Kasilag on Nov. 27 at the Far Eastern University grandstand, Recto Ave., Manila.

Jed’s performance is part of the program sponsored by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Far Eastern University, to revive Pinoy pride in music with “Musikang Lahi: Honoring Our National Heroes for Music” concert.

The one-of-a-kind concert will  celebrate each National Artist for Music’s magnum opus, their lives’ greatest works. Among the pieces to be rendered in the soulful MSO timbre are Francisco Feliciano’s “Pagdakila  sa Cordillera”; Lucrecia Kasilag’s “Diverstissement  for Piano and Orchestra”; Lucio San Pedro’s “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”; Ramon Santos’ “Penomenon”; Antonio Buenventura’s “Mindanao Sketches”; Felipe de Leon Sr.’s “Manila Sketches”; Antonio Molina’s “Hatinggabi”; Ernani Cuenco’s “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal” and “Bato sa Buhangin”, and Jose Maceda’s “Exchanges”.

Live recording of the pieces will be facilitated during the concert. Admission is free of charge. For queries and reservations, call Carlos Garchitorena, MSO marketing director, through (02) 523-5712 or email [email protected]. One may also call Ms. Mae or Ms. Ethel at (02) 7364897.

Back to Jed, the 2012 Outstanding Gingoognon (the same honor conferred on me by the Gingoog City Council for endlessly promoting the city in my column), this young man  is actively involved primarily with musical theater as pianist, arranger, musical director, and composer. He wrote three full-length musicals for Tanghalang Pilipino. He has also composed several choral music for the Philippine Madrigal Singers. He continues to write and receive commissions for concert music; most recent are the Piano Trio No. 2 for the London Piano Trio in 2013 and the contest pieces for the violin and lower strings category C for the 2015 National Music Competitions for Young Artists.

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Email: [email protected]