One-of-a-kind grit

Ruffy Magbanua /

AFTER just one year in office, President Digong Duterte has left a convincing impression that he is a one-of-a-kind public persona – a determined leader with a peculiar character:  a no-nonsense, no-matter-what attitude.

Sizing him up close, Duterte’s aggressive language and violent tactics are proof of his toughness that shocked and awed not only Imperial Manila but  the world at large.

By being true to himself, he had all the sarcasm for the well-heeled, scented crowd of the elite and the mighty with his gutter language, but done an impressive job of endearing himself in the eyes of the greater masses.

Duterte may be coarse, rough and uncouth, but throughout his stint in Malacanang so far, he has played well with metaphors — the indirect approach of governance that locked him  up with the culture of the masses’ behavior and thinking.

Further, Duterte’s obnoxious ways are something previous leaders of this country could not replicate nor out-shadow, or even outpace.

What matters most to people is Duterte’s standpoint and how he conveys his biting messages correctly and effectively, albeit sarcastically.

But with a steady record of very good ratings courtesy of SWS and Pulse Asia, more people have become optimistic about change in their quality of life.

And more people as well are satisfied with how democracy works under a foul-mouthed,  aggressive presidency.

Furthermore, Duterte is now popularly known as tough on crime and corruption, but still notorious for his aggressive rhetorics and policies.

Despite criticisms, Duterte’s popularity has held strong in this country. The SWS/Pulse Asia survey results show that 75 percent of  Filipinos are satisfied with his administration.

Beyond his controversial statements, President Digong has also been criticized to the max for his brutal war on drugs, the latest casualty were the notorious Parojinogs of Ozamiz City.

Yet despite all negative impressions about him, President Digong’s presidency is not  the usual thing — he is now part of  a global phenomenon worth a penny to mention: Russia has Putin, the US has Trump and China has Xi Jinping, to name a few.

Tough stance, disciplinary grit, but an endearing figure of a father – these are the admirable and remarkable qualities that make President  Duterte an idol and a role model in the eyes of the ordinary Filipino.

And yes, majority of the people  admire President Duterte not because of his incorruptibility and  sympathy for the masses, but because of doing the extra mile —  bravery in governance.

There has never been a President who took time out to be with weary troops fighting in Marawi – twice in a row.

There never was a President who traded guts and fury with the communist insurgents, daring their ageing chairman Joma Sison to be man enough by returning home for a face-off.

There never was a leader of this country who openly cursed the US and the EU for influence-meddling in the internal affairs of the state vis-à-vis the reported EJKs and human rights violations.

There never has been a President to lock horns with the left-inspired street honkers by joining them in a rally outside the halls of Congress.

There could be more in the Duterte’s list. But for now, let’s cross our fingers tight. We are in for more exciting days ahead of us, baby!

E-mail: ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo.com