Who’s afraid of Duterte?

Ben Contreras

WHO’S afraid of a Rodrigo Duterte candidacy for President?

If it was a flop in Cagayan de Oro City, the Saturday crowd in Luneta was certainly not. For that alone, I thought it would be in the headlines on Sunday, the following day.

Of the three national newspapers, one photo merited the front page of Bulletin. Philippine Daily Inquirer had a front page side story. Philippine Star had nothing. Maybe I just didn’t notice it.

But why should it be in the headlines? First, the people who went there reached more than what one giant TV network estimated. In fact, several folds than what the TV betwork estimated. Why downplay it and not report it as it was? Second, they were there on their own, not “hakot” as we call it in our local language. Third, they were the people who are learned, and know that it is wrong to make the surroundings dirty. Thus, they ensure the cleanliness of the area afterward. If these are not reasons enough, then some people out there must be afraid of a Duterte presidency.

It is normal for candidates to woo the voters. But when voters are asking one to run, that’s something else. I can’t remember anyone as phenomenal as Duterte.

Is there a conspiracy here? Even in surveys, they seem to shun Duterte and intentionally omit him from the list of probable candidates as if Duterte’s name has become a taboo.

What Manila is doing may boomerang. I guess Manila is afraid of federalism. “Ayaw nilang mawalan ng pera na madaling nakawin ng mga malalaking pulitiko sa Manila. They are afraid of what Duterte might really do as Duterte always mention in his speeches.

It may not even be about Duterte. It could be about people’s dismay over the unending corruption in the government from one administration to another.

PNoy’s “Daang Matuwid” was only for starters. Today, everybody calls it “Daang Natuwad” for the corruption involving his Liberal Party partymates. “Natuwad” because his errant party-mates seem to be not getting the harsh treatment they deserve. This is destroying the image of the Liberal Party. LP continues to support even politicians who are known for their corruption and immorality.

Duterte was able to build an image of a strong hand leadership that made his city clean, safe and orderly and its people disciplined. Not that Duterte can work magic for the Filipino people. But the clamor is borne out of desperation that it has become a situation where it is the people who are asking him to be their leader, their President. Name a politician in the past that has achieved what Duterte has today.

It’s not even farfetched that once Duterte announces his candidacy, many will jump ship and join the bandwagon. And that includes those from the LP. I am willing to bet on that.

The giant TV networks cannot go on ignoring Duterte. They cannot ignore the voice of the people. To do so might spark an Independent Mindanao sentiment.

Mindanao never had a President before. They see it in Duterte, their hope, their savior. It is almost like, “It’s now or die.”

You’re afraid of Duterte? Pray that he won’t run because if he will, the election will be nearly over.