Saving Duterte

“THE STRONG do as they will… The weak suffer as they must.”

The Greek historian Thucydides made that memorable observation to describe the behavior of states as they struggled for power and survival in the Aegean region in 416 B.C. One could easily connect this dictum to President Duterte’s perspective on how to rule and transform the Philippines: by using a mailed-fist “might is right” approach to law and order—a merciless view that is governed by no scruples except the morality of realpolitik and desired results.

It is evident that the thrust of Mr. Duterte’s governing philosophy depends on a heavy use of the fear factor. Folksy language of the foul kind is part of it. He needs it as an all-purpose weapon to club any opposition to his goal of transforming an oligarchic-plutocratic-clerico Filipino nation—with a long history of colonial subjugation (and damaged culture)—into a disciplined, modern state. It’s a herculean task by any yardstick, considering the culture of corruption, an easygoing, unruly, archipelagic people, and a rambunctious elite democracy best described as obstructionist and kanya-kanya (to each his own).

No one can doubt Mr. Duterte’s guts. “He has tons of it,” as one admirer, F. Sionil Jose, put it. He is not afraid to challenge anyone and any institution that gets in his way: the Catholic Church, its leader, Pope Francis, the United Nations, our Supreme Court, Congress, and the international and local media. Not even the world’s superpower, the United States, is exempt from his wrath. Obviously, he does not believe in the wisdom of “speaking softly while carrying a big stick,” to paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, an American president renowned for his physical courage and Machiavellian statecraft.

But one wishes that our primary leader could learn how to hold his intemperate tongue and select only key battles in order to save his precious time and resources, as well as his political capital that is being dissipated and squandered on various battlegrounds.

His unwillingness to modify his perspectives, strategy and tactics could be his worst enemy. And the country will needlessly suffer the consequences. Saving Mr. Duterte, from himself, should thus assume top priority among his advisers and supporters. In the words of Vice President Leni Robredo, “he is the only president we have, and it’s our obligation to support him … even while disagreeing with some of his actions… The country cannot afford another upheaval.”

Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/97498/saving-duterte#ixzz4Klgqorki