Duterte's Language, Doomsayers and the Philippines Now

President Duterte's colorful words and remarks in just almost three months in office have captured the world's attention in unprecedented fashion. The airtime and print space that were given to him in such a short time eclipsed those of his predecessors. In fact, some people around the world who have heard about Duterte now do not even know any of the past presidents of the Philippines or the country itself. The downside of this is that more negative than positive things were written and broadcasted about him, apart from the fact that true events in the country and the sentiments of the Filipino people were not reported fairly by the western press.

The Philippine President though does not care about his negative publicity outside of the country. He acknowledges that he does not aspire to be a statesman and only intends to serve his people in ways that he believes are best for the Philippines. He emphasizes his points of view even to the extent of using gutter language. These are tough words for the ears of double-talking foreign meddlers, but fools around the world admittedly would just jump into conclusion, to the point of condemning him without realizing that personal demeanor does not represent domestic and foreign policies. Fortunately, Duterte does not worry about foreign idiotic ideas of him.

Naturally he also has critics in the domestic front. Those are people known to be his political adversaries whose usual noise and prediction of doom are expected, and sometimes those who unwittingly express baseless opinions or erratic points of view that can be detrimental to the country's interests. For instance, there was this stock analyst at a local television program who proclaimed on air that shares of stocks in the market remained flat and were not expected to rise because of Duterte's continuous adversarial demeanor against the West. Such baseless opinion was rebuked the next day by the PSE President himself, by declaring instead that investors basically consider fundamentals, world and regional trends, statistical data and profitability in making decision to invest. Fact really is, the Philippine Stock market remains one of the most attractive and stable in the region.

The Philippines today is one of the most peaceful and economically flourishing countries in the region. In fact, when some Western states issued travel advisories against travel to Mindanao after the isolated bombing of Davao city, bombs instead exploded in New York and New Jersey, there was terrorist stabbing in Minnesota and there were violent protests in Charlotte, NC in the US. Terrorism is unabated in the Middle East and Africa while in the southern Philippines, 21 Abu Sayyaf terrorists recently surrendered, terrorist captives are being released one by one and the rest of the terrorists themselves are being decimated. Peace deals with rebels are in process. Tourism keeps rising. On investment, Spain and Japan are quietly placing stakes while the government's mega infrastructure programs are taking off. Institutional reforms are taking place while business policies are streamlined. Most importantly, the vast majority of Filipinos now trust the government and their leaders especially President Duterte, and, are in approval of transpiring change and reforms.

This is indeed the opportune time to know the real friends of the Philippines in the face of geopolitics. Put simply, friends show support instead of unfounded criticisms during times of need.
For sure, President Duterte is bound to know the 'double talking' parties. God bless the Philippines.