Keeping out ‘rude’ Rody

The self-imposed “boycott” by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from conducting press conference for now until June 30 when he officially assumes the Office of the President should be respected as a ceasefire period of sorts. It should be a welcome relief for both the incoming president and the media to cool off from the heated brouhaha over the issue of corruption and media killings.

Through his executive assistant Christopher Go, it was announced that Duterte himself decided last Friday to stay away from his usual no-holds-barred press conferences for the time being. So for the next few days, Go advised media to monitor the state-owned network PTV4 through which the president-elect would henceforth issue his official statements.

For the meantime, Go disclosed, Duterte would savor his last days until the turnover to his daughter Sarah as the newly elected mayor of Davao City. Anyway, Go pointed out, outgoing President Benigno “Noy” Aquino III is still in office until the end of this month before Duterte takes over.

The self-imposed “boycott” by Duterte came after he ranted against “corruption” in media during two press conferences he did one after the other last week in Davao City. In a previous night’s press conference, Duterte lashed at Filipino journalists in response to the latest case of a tabloid reporter gunned down in Manila last May 27. Duterte minced no words in saying some of the slain Filipino journalists were killed because they were “corrupt.”

An international media organization, Reporters Without Borders, joined local and foreign press groups in condemning Duterte’s statement. It went on to urge Filipino journalists to boycott the incoming president for allegedly condoning acts of violence against erring journalists.

A fuming Duterte let out a mouthful of his usual cussing and dissing against media following a boycott call made by this international media group. The live telecast press conference went on for almost two hours of Duterte’s incessant cussing in between his rants. At one point, he let loose: “Don’t fuck with me!”

It was reminiscent of the presidential campaign period during which Duterte imposed on himself a fine of P1,000 to be given to charitable institution Caritas in Davao City every time he cussed in his speech.

What made things worse was the uncalled for – if not unpresidential – catcall that Duterte did to GMA7 reporter Mariz Umali during a press conference aired live on radio and television last Tuesday night. Also unrepentant on this act, Duterte refused to apologize for whistling at Umali, swearing there was no malice or sexual undertones to it.

Like the media, Duterte insisted he is also entitled to exercise his “freedom of expression” to convey his admiration. But he sidestepped questions on the fact such act is not only disallowed but also penalized by local ordinances in Davao City as offensive against women. This is not to mention the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law where it is also one of the prohibited acts in work places.

The Duterte camp led by his designated presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, defended the catcall as the mayor’s being “playful” with his friends in media. While he may be appreciated with his “playful” interaction with local media, it is a totally different ball game once Duterte assumes the presidency.

It was a rude awakening for the Duterte camp. Such freewheeling interaction with media that the outgoing Davao City mayor used to enjoy and be known for, would be a source of lapses for his fledgling administration, if not turn into national embarrassment.

During his press conference held last May 4 at The STAR before we had the presidential roundtable with him, we witnessed how none of Duterte’s close aides could stop him from his cussing and angry name-calling and other perorations at his political detractors. Among those present were his future Cabinet appointees like Go, to his designated executive secretary Salvador “Bong” Medialdea to national security adviser-designate retired Gen.Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and ex-rebel soldier Nicanor Faeldon who is soon to be Customs chief.

As Davao City mayor, his being savvy with the local press is not the same thing when he assumes the presidency. He must learn to level up with the national media and the international press as well.

Whether it is uncharacteristic of him, Duterte has no choice but to conduct his self with dignity befitting the Office of the President. As Chief Executive, he must act like one, not only in deeds but also in words.

So for all intents and purposes, the self-imposed “boycott” of president-elect Duterte would do him a lot of good to take stock of things.

Because of this boycott, parents who are worried about the foul-mouthed language that their children have been hearing from the incoming president of the country heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Incidentally, do you know that there is an office under the Department of Education called as the National Council for Children’s Television mandated to protect minors from such foul language and other obscenities? Under its mandate, the Council is tasked to ensure that “child-friendly” or “child-neutral” TV shows and programs being aired from 6 o’ clock in the morning up to 9’o clock in the evening are “safe harbor” period for minors watching TV.

During his last press conference Thursday night, Duterte promised reporters they would see a “metamorphosis” of his character once he takes his oath of office as president of the country. But for now, he likened himself to a crawling caterpillar that would later on transform into a colorful, high-flying butterfly.

“I’m not the president. You wait. I’m really a rude person. I’m enjoying my time as a rude person,” Duterte candidly confessed.

Once he officially assumes the presidency, the “Mayor of the Philippines” vowed to keep out of public eyes and ears this “rude” Rody in him for the next six years.

Duterte made this newest promise to change starting from his rude old self. He does not have to change though his character and nature of his personality just to fit the presidency. But perhaps, we can live with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Malacañang.