Unbelievable! Sixteen million Filipino voters chose the 16th president of the Republic of the Philippines: Rodrigo Roa Duterte. That the choice is someone who is obviously not into mainstream politics but was a simple mayor of Davao City known for his tough stance, reflects the people’s yearning for a strong leader, telling us to our faces – “We want things to change.”
Analysts attribute the big voter turnout, which hit a record-high 81 percent, to supporters of the popular mayor who was besieged from all fronts by critics and detractors. Duterte has now surpassed the votes of all other presidential candidates in the past with close to 16 million votes.
The mayor himself told us he could not believe he was running and he still could not believe he is poised to become president. The tough talking mayor gained a few more fans when he said it is time to begin healing the nation, extending the hand of friendship to his rivals and critics. We were all moved when he broke down in tears in front of his parents’ tomb, asking his mother for help since he is “just a nobody” – which clearly shows us he is as human as one can see, whose emotions can be frail, overwhelmed perhaps at the thought of what’s ahead for him as president.
As Manny Pangilinan said, the result of the elections is an “in-your-face message to all of us in the establishment” because people have chosen someone out-of-the-box to be their next leader.
And now, it is incumbent upon all of us to rally behind the incoming president because the task ahead is very clear – and the people around him and his advisers should be there to help Rody Duterte, not because they have an agenda for themselves. Businessmen have also pledged to support the administration of Duterte to ensure sustainable economic growth. Even the stock market surged after the elections, with the peso soaring the most against the dollar in six weeks.
Among those whose names are being floated as possible members of the Duterte administration are former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and former Trade Undersecretary Tommy Alcantara, who I think are both good choices. Other names mentioned include former Press Secretary Jess Dureza and former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Dominguez who are both welcomed by those of us who know them.
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As for the pending disqualification cases, those cases should be thrown out the window because they have all become moot and academic. The people have spoken and it would be stupid for Comelec to disregard the voice of the people. We are already starting on a high note, and even Duterte critic, Senator Sonny Trillanes said, “let’s not be a party pooper.”
Our sincere congratulations to the new president of the Republic of the Philippines!
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