‘We are Dutertards’

Ben Contreras

REP. Rufus Rodriguez was asked who among the presidential candidates he would support. He explained that it is a matter which their party, the Centrist Democratic Party (CDP), has yet to decide on. It became a guessing game. Initially, many believe that Mar Roxas would be it. Later, some would said it was going to be Grace Poe.

The choice was not by one person but by the CDP as a body. The CDP national leadership decided that chapters in the provinces can choose their own candidates to support, independent of their national leadership’s choices. Thus, in the election days ago, the CDP Cagayan de Oro Chapter decided to support Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

In a radio program last Saturday, Rodriguez announced the party’s support for Duterte.

The result was anchored on four criteria.

First and foremost, this is probably the only time that we have someone, a Mindanaoan who is now at the threshold of becoming the next president of the Republic. Thirteen past presidents were from Luzon. Two were from the Visayas. The late Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez almost made it. This is one opportunity people from Mindanao should not miss. Like we all love to say and sing, “It’s now or never!” DU30 2016!

Second is the eradication of crime, drug and corruption in three to six months. This may sound a tall order but if we people would only cooperate and help in attaining these targets, then it is possible. Duterte was honest to say, “I cannot do it alone. You have to help me.” Change is not for one person to achieve. Change should in fact begin from us, the people. It is and should be a collective effort.

Third is federalism. It is common knowledge that one of the advocacies of CDP is a federal system of government. Our present system hampers the speed of development in many big cities because of the centralized government system. Some places cannot maximize their potentials for growth and development because their incomes have to be sent to the national government and only a drop of the bucket comes back for use. A federal system of government would be the exact opposite to the old system.

Fourth is the Mindanao Railway System. This is a dream long neglected by the national government in Manila.  While Luzon has long had a railway system, it has today several additional systems, the North, South and what have you, while the Mindanao Railway System continues to remain in the planning board.

The Mindanao Railway System will bring unprecedented growth in this part of the country. It will connect all places and invigorate economic activities that will eradicate joblessness and poverty. It will also make insurgency and calls for independence a thing of the past.

Rodriguez would like to assure CDP members respect for their conscience vote. In his conversation with Duterte, the gentlemen have agreed to respect who they will carry down the line, from the vice president to the senatorial bets.

The announcement of Rodriguez on the CDP’s decision was timely for the start of the campaign period for local candidates. Many were overjoyed by this development while some disagreed.

The supporters of Duterte in the province and city have many colors. But they prefer to focus on Duterte being one from Mindanao. They are yellow, orange and lavender working together to see their hope for a better Philippines under Duterte comes true.

Like Rodriguez, we hope to see a better Cagayan de Oro, too.

Let me end this by saying, “We are called the ‘Dutertards!’ We are not yellow nor any color that you might be. We are the colors of a rainbow, bound in one purpose for a better and changed Philippines.”