EDITORIAL - First sign of Duterte losing it emerges

You recognize desperation when you see it. And it appears that President Duterte is being consumed by it. His open support for same-sex marriage not only is a complete reversal of his previous position stated at an international gathering, it is also unnecessary and uncalled for. While it is true there is a bill seeking the same, it requires no urgency of action that necessitates presidential backing.

There are far greater problems facing the country that demand unstinted presidential focus than tinkering with the question of same-sex marriage. The country does not rise or fall on the question of same-sex marriage. The matter can wait until more enlightened times when such a delicate matter can get the discussions its proponents think they deserve.

Right now there is no crying need to start a ruckus. It is to the greater part of prudence to let sleeping dogs lie. For Duterte to make an abrupt about-face on the matter suggests he is desperate about something. And while there is no clear consensus on what that something is, it is easy to make an educated guess about it. Duterte must be feeling a palpable erosion of support.

True, the president's ratings remain high. But they have been on the slide with a consistency that must seem alarming to one used to seeing such huge popular support from the beginning of his ascendancy. And while nobody is suggesting panic, Duterte cannot remain impervious to the change. He has got to feel it, like sand shifting underfoot at the crash of every wave.

At the very least that is cause for some concern. And when one is concerned, he takes steps to address an emerging problem. So Duterte, quite unnaturally, tries to reach out to sectors he has previously not engaged, segments of society he has not touched base with. Duterte is seized with a desperation that is not born of fear but of a failure to understand.

Duterte cannot understand why there is a consistent attempt to undermine his leadership. He is getting pricked. Used to having his way, he is not comfortable with the noise. His tough talk hasn't worked. So he is trying something else. But it is the wrong move. He is stirring the hornets' nest. And for what? There is nothing immediately rewarding about what he has done. To become so divided at this time is not in the national interest.