Duterte for order, not violence – Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines - Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a good example of a leader who will restore order, the rule of law and equality among Filipinos, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday.

Cayetano defended Duterte from the allegations made by Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, who said the tough-talking Davao mayor’s message of violence in his campaign could be dangerous for the public mindset.

Robredo earlier issued a statement saying that they were able to develop Naga City the same way Duterte improved Davao City without subscribing to the mayor’s brand of leadership.

“Many of those who are moved by Mayor Duterte’s leadership are inspired by his achievements in promoting peace and good governance. They are certainly not advocates of violence as many of them are in fact victims of crime. What they want is a leader with bold solutions and swift action, a leader that will restore order, rule of law and equality. This is what Mayor Duterte and his brand of leadership bring,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano, the running mate of Duterte who had earlier formalized his presidential bid, also disagreed with Robredo’s comparison between Davao City and Naga.

“With all due respect to Rep. Leni, I think she is wide off the mark on this one. Davao’s crime volume is way below compared to Naga or Metro Manila, which are currently at alarming levels. This is despite Davao City being bigger compared to Metro Manila and Naga, and home to a diverse population composed of Christians, Muslims, other ethnic groups and groups of opposing ideologies,” Cayetano said.

“Instead of attacking Mayor Duterte, let’s duly recognize his accomplishments, learn and find ways how his success can be replicated in other cities,” Cayetano added.

Cayetano urged candidates against criticizing each other.

“Let’s just work together in making our country safe for our people. What the country needs now is a strong solution and swift action to the problems we face today. It was a difficult task for Duterte to restore peace and order in Davao City. What he did in Davao maybe he could do for the country,” he said.

Duterte’s tough stance against criminality apparently made him a virtual magnet for some political leaders to jump over to his fence.

Following last Friday’s filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) to officially launch Duterte’s run for the presidency in the May 2016 elections, several members of the ruling Liberal Party expressed their support for the mayor.

“It does not really surprise me,” Duterte said yesterday during his weekly “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” television program. –Edith Regalado