Veiled warning of a revolution

As we all know, our president, President Duterte, is a man of many words. And many of these words spill out of his mouth before he even has a chance to think them through. We can definitely say that he doesn’t mince words, but at the same time I think we can say that he doesn’t realize the gravity of them either. He says what’s on his mind in the moment without thinking about the consequences of these statements later. I can only imagine how his staff and speechwriters must feel as he goes “off script” quite often leaving his spin-masters rushing to pick up the pieces of his latest speech (or tirade or joke as the case may be).

I admit that his candor is perhaps one of the reasons why people voted for him. I guess a lot of voters figured – someone who says exactly what he thinks the moment he thinks it could not possibly be a liar. And we have certainly had our fill on those in the government. President Duterte’s honesty was something new in the previous presidential elections and “new” was something everyone was looking for. And 16 million people voted for new or “change” I believe the key word was to them.

However, just because something is new or different doesn’t mean it’s better than what came before. And we are all learning our lesson when it comes to that this time around. President Duterte really created the perfect storm when he ran. He said what was on his mind without filter, he promised things were going to change (and boy did they!), and he presented himself as the “everyman” – the same as the every day Filipino. This endeared him to voters who had become so used to seeing politicians placing themselves “above them” or at least been presented with politicians who acted this way.

It’s no wonder they would flock to a man they believe is “one of them” or understands them and their plight over the usual suspects. President Duterte has charisma, I will give him that. Not since President Ramon Magsaysay has that level of charisma been present in a public official. Not to mention when he chooses to care, the president cares a lot. Whenever soldiers fall in battle, he rushes to be with the family they left behind to console them and even to try to provide for the children’s continuing education whenever possible. This makes him easily beloved by the people despite the many problems we are facing in the country today.

However, with anything good comes the bad as well. We all know that and those discerning will realize that the president, for all of his wanton free speech is not an advocate of free speech in others. His continued harassment of the media (or at least the harassment of those around him of the media – to his benefit) has been evident and is not ending and now he has made off-the-cuff comments of going after his critics in the worst way possible.

At a recently given speech Duterte was quoted as saying that if things got really bad he would suspend “the writ of habeas corpus” and essentially just go after all of those who oppose him and who would criticize what he is trying to do. He said that he had enough problems with drug lords and criminals and corrupt politicians that he could not add critics who question his every move into the mix so at best he would just go after them all for speaking out against him.

This latest quote, however, is something that sent a chill down my spine and I’m sure it did the same for so many others who remember Martial Law and what it was like to not be able to vocalize our opinions and speak our concerns. The question here isn’t whether or not the president is doing a good job and is within his rights to institute a revolutionary government, but more on the fact that no matter how many times he attacks others, our president is not open to being attacked himself.

And the very fact that he would even suggest suspending the “writ of habeas corpus” is dangerous because we know that he is not above silencing those who would speak against him by going after them or arresting them. This is not good. It’s scary. And even if they once again go and say that the president was joking it was still an extremely dangerous joke. And as they always say – jokes are half meant.

We all need to be careful to safeguard our freedom. Let’s not forget what has happened before. We need to remember to be able to tell ourselves “Never Again.”

Bayanihan spirit

Summer has arrived and it has arrived with a vengeance. The unbearable heat is being felt by all and dry season is driving people a little stir crazy. After all, heat and lack of water is not a good combination. However, in this crazy time its nice to know that Filipinos are willing to work together to make the best of a bad situation.

Amidst the challenges of the dry season and a lack of potable water, Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water are now working together and agreeing to share their water supply to help service certain areas of Metro Manila and adjoining provinces. This is the spirit of bayanihan among Filipinos in times of great need. It doesn’t matter that it is shared need that makes them do this, what matters is that when times get tough, we’re willing to work together.