5/10/18

The President That Plays No Favorites

Gleaning from his previous undertakings and the past presidential performances, it's time to say that this leader who wants to be introduced as the president, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte plays no favorites; all are Filipinos who catapulted him to power. He loves them and the country.

The choice of his cabinet members and other positions in his administration was not because of favoritism but to disclose the best for his great love of the country and its people. He distributed his infrastructure programs to sections of the country that were in dire need of them irrespective of political affiliations. It's a manifestation of what he vowed to do to the best iota of his capability as a leader. He nipped in the bud the flowering of illegal drugs, the growing corruption and the rising criminality to the ire of his constituents and the opposition yet was acceptable as a panacea to the country's ills. He was able to thwart the Marawi siege that lasted for months and convinced some rebellious elements to surrender for a peaceful life and be assets of the government.

To be chosen to fill up the position is not a privilege but a responsibility to labor more on what the task is asked for. Should one fail to his/her commitment he/she knows the eventual consequence as seen already in the dismissal and the replacement of the involved personnel? It is not that the chosen person to fill a position is favored over the others but he/she has entrusted a job to be performed with dedication and honesty for the betterment of the government. With this gesture, the country is more favored than the individual person chosen to perform the task as he says, " We are only employees of the government who pays for us."

This president wants his performance not to be lauded with earthly status but for the ardent love of his people and country. In a speaking engagement, he always says," Thank you for your courtesy; you may sit down". He said that he is done with accolades and clapping of the hands. That he is even willing, by means of a lottery, to give up his portion of the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. He is just contented to be beside his parents'  resting place.

The Filipinos hope to look forward to the day when the Philippines will be having a new form of government,  a scenario of diverse people enjoying economic prosperity on more than 7,000 islands with less corruption, less criminality,  and maybe the absence of illegal drugs.

Today, the Philippines has finally emerged from its long-time dream to become a nation worthy of world attention. This credit is due to the Filipino people's trust and confidence in their new-found president who truly leads and loves the country to progress and not to perdition.

We can now feel and see the closeness of the people in this time of distancing due to the pandemic Covit-19. Because of this, we can now unearth the hidden treasures that could only be found in the Philippines. Is it not a fact, that the Philippines has rich natural resources buried deep in its soil waiting to be tapped. Is it not that Filipino employments are in demand in areas of health care, medicine, engineering, science, etc. All because Filipinos are hardworking, honest, friendly, adaptable, and have no language barrier.

And lastly, the Philippines has a strategic location on the map between the East and the West.

The Protector

Dubbed as The Punisher, he has manifested himself, contrary to what the opposing camps said of him when he rode high on his track record of popularity, his being an employee and leader of the country he vowed to preserve and the people he promised to protect.  Now, he has earned the merit of The Protector.

The issue is beyond a moot point about this Paradigm Shift. By vox populi, he won to lead the country named after the King of Spain. And Spain colonized it for over 300 years leaving on its wake the marks of Catholic Christianity through its cathedrals, churches, friars, haciendas, mestizos, respect for elders, and close family ties. But Spain was unsuccessful in converting the island of Mindanao in the South. However, the islands of Luzon in the North and the Visayas in the center were practicing Christians.

Some portions of Mindanao had been introduced into the Islam religion before the coming of Magellan on March 16, 1521. There were three groups that were converted into the Islam Religion. The first group to embrace Islam were the Tausogs ( people of the current) of the Sulu archipelago.  The second to welcome Islam were the Maguindanaos (people of the flooded plains) of Cotabato province and the last to accept Islam were the Maranaos (people of the lake) of Lanao province and where recently the Marawi siege took place that lead to the Declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.

With that scenario, emerged from the South a dedicated, humble person devoid of hubris to occupy the highest post of the country which politically should have been from the North. He is with mixed blood. His father is from the Visayas while his mother is from Mindanao of a Maranao ancestry. However at this point, the people need a Southern leadership, a breath of fresh air, a dream of a shall we say, a total freedom ride. They want a strong leader whose heart pulsates with a passion for the love of change for the country ravaged with corruption, criminality, illegal drugs, and a hampered economy. They want a recovered  " Eden and Pearl of the Orient Sea."

Flashback:  Spain colonized the Philippines for over 300 years and America for 50 years.

After the defeat of the Spanish Armada by the American Naval forces under the command of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay, the American flag with its stars and stripes proudly waved on the Philippines skies. With that was the torch of Education, the emergence of Protestantism, a glimpse of Hollywood, and the gnawing memory of the Battle of Bud Dajo or the Moro Crater Massacre in Bud Dajo, Patikul, Sulu, Philippines (of the Sulu Archipelago) and the Balangiga Massacre in Eastern Samar, Philippines.

Proven that a pen is mightier than a sword, the writings of Jose' Protacio Realonda Mercado y Rizal and other illustrious Filipinos opened the American mind that leads to the declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Manila was signed on July 4, 1946, that granted the Philippines full independence from the United States of America. From that year until 1962, Independence Day was on the 4th of July until President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 28 moving the Independence Day celebration to the 12th of June. The 4th of July is now  Filipino-American Friendship Day.

The Philippines' Declaration of Independence was signed on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. This was the document in which the Filipino revolutionary forces under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain.

The President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte !

He came. He dined. He sang. He talked with them. He befriended them through his love of the Flag and the population- the common people who have big dreams and big hopes. These are the locals, the peasants, the less educated, the poor, the common masses, the vulnerable. Yet the growing fire of dissent continues on burning as Groups rebelled against the odious practices of the elected and appointed people of the Palace. These elected and chosen people failed to listen to the wailing concerns of the people but continued their business as usual that paved their way to prosperity while the people were disgruntled, dismayed, and divided.

And he came...

His words enlighten. His valor and the strength of his Armed Forces defend. His achievements mirrored in the Build, Build, Build deliver. He epitomized the Filipino soul. His amazing love of his country and people protects him.

He is the Protector!

(05-02-2018)