EDITORIAL - The end of a presidency

Barring any act of God, President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office today after six years, marking the end of one of the most polarizing presidencies in Philippine history, if not the most polarizing.

It can also be said that he was one of the more interesting people to become president. A mayor of a southern city who was already known for his foul language, dirty gestures and, most controversial of all, his alleged penchant for killing off society’s undesirables and deplorables.

He did promise he would become a different person after assuming office as president.

“When I become president, when I take my oath of office...ibang storya na yun. There will be a metamorphosis,” he was quoted as saying.

That metamorphosis never came. Up until the end of his term he never gave up his foul language and dirty gestures.

We cannot totally fault him for his. As the old saying goes, you can take the boy out of the country but not the country out of the boy.

However, he still ran the entire Philippines like it was a small city that can easily be controlled, intimidated, and fall in line, and not a huge nation of 110 million people of different regional backgrounds.

Many of his decisions involving national and foreign policy seemed grounded more on his personal feelings and preferences, rather than in consideration of public interest.

In particular, his pivot to China and away from the US seemed based on his own hatred for the US. It was something he likely came up with on his own and against the advice of those around him.

Despite his many faults his popularity never seemed to suffer. A phenomenon one can say is unique to the Philippines where people seem to worship idols who are brash yet possess what can be called the common touch.

Of course, we cannot say President Duterte was all bad. No one is. There were also times this brashness and reputation for having a tough hand were needed and became useful, particularly during times of crisis. There were indeed some times when his “unconventional leadership” --to quote his executive secretary-- was what carried the day. Some times, though, not at all the time.

And despite the lofty position he had occupied for the past six years, he never let it get to his head. It can be said that never lost touch with the common people, especially those from the city he calls home.

Yes, Digong was quite the character and the president, a sui generis, truly one of a kind. But considering how he ran the country and made decisions it would probably be for the best if we never have a president like him again.