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.
It is good to see someone who is very popular among the people become the next president, given the task of unifying Filipinos who have been so polarized. People must give the incoming administration a chance, and I think choosing the right people around him to become members of his official family is going to be very crucial as they will help define the Duterte presidency.
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!
VP position still up for grabs
That there is a thin line (or very narrow margin) between Rep. Leni Robredo and Senator Bongbong Marcos is so clear that we all really have to wait until the canvassing of the votes for the position of vice president has been completed. And it’s but right that neither of these two candidates should concede right away because the votes are just too close to call, unlike in the presidential race where the winner was clear with Duterte having a winning margin of over six million votes against his two closest rivals.
The neck and neck race, however, indicates just how polarized our country is in terms of the Marcos issue, with supporters of Leni Robredo floating the ghost of martial law while Bongbong’s supporters say the time has come to unite and move forward to the future. From the way things look, it is certain the canvassing will experience delays so let’s practice patience – it’s a virtue.
Joel Villanueva: 2022 material
Everyone was surprised about Joel Villanueva emerging at the number two spot in the senatorial race with over 18 million votes with frontrunner Frank Drilon ahead by just a few thousand votes as of yesterday.
The former TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) chief ran a very good campaign supported by the grassroots network of the party list group CIBAC (Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption) which gave Joel a congressional seat from 2001 to 2010. Of course, he also had the support of the Jesus is Lord charismatic group led by his father, Brother Eddie Villanueva, which claims four million members all over the country.
Aside from Joel, the most likely new faces in the Senate are Manny Pacquiao and Sherwin Gatchalian whose likely win is also a surprise to many. For sure, there will be a different makeup in the Senate, and this will be critical and important since the Senate will play a major role in guiding the Duterte administration. As we all know, it is crucial for the Executive and the Legislative branches of government to work together – but it is equally important for the Senate to maintain its independence.
The impressive showing of Joel Villanueva has made many look at the up-and-coming senator as “good material for 2022.”
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