The public address aired on November 17, is a report for the people about the progress of the government’s efforts and projects to help typhoon-battered masses and to combat the ongoing pandemic. It should have only been for that, but the mighty President has a different thought in mind.
President Duterte, possibly butthurt because of #NasaanAngPangulo which trended during the passage of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses, starts a spiel that went on for more than 10 minutes. In it, he accused VP Robredo of being a liar and of starting the hashtag. Along with a handful of misogynistic comments and constant highlighting of his attendance at the ASEAN Summit and more.
This is a testament to hurt and threatened “strongman,” and it shows that at the end of the day, the number one priority of his administration is to take down the ones who they see as “opposition.” It shows that they’re willing to stoop so low just to jab at their opponents, even the students, described by Roque as “loko-loko.”
It is saddening, that at a dark time where all help would have been welcomed regardless of ideologies and stereotyped colors, Duterte does the opposite. Condemning attempts at coordinating, seeing attempts of helping as driven primarily by color and politics. This meltdown revealed in all its glory the divide within the government, a rift that they created and probably would not mend. Especially because Duterte sees it as a competition, and a threat – “Do not compete with me. Do not start a war with me.” A confirmation of competition, and a threat that sounds both menacing and afraid. This is quite surprising given that Duterte got a whopping 91% trust and approval rating as compared to Robredo’s 57%. It’s a no-contest and too great of a gap to be considered threatening.
But what is to be expected? Election day is looming, and they are wallowing in the mud of controversy in the eyes of many and are increasing. From pardoning his underlings who committed violations, some who are even accused of corruption, and much more. Duterte and his men are making moves to mow down and expose possible adversaries in advance, to cover their filth.
In the end, we can only hope that this downward spiral will stop, or that there will be a twist in the story. A twist where this man-child of a president will somehow change, that he’ll man up. A day when he’ll realize that there shouldn’t be competition when it comes to helping people. That this tantrum based on biased assumptions and false information will not be repeated. But still, with such a big and fragile ego, this is near impossible.
