Palace on TIME cover: Filipinos appreciate ‘strongman’ Duterte’s brand of leadership

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte, widely criticized for his pronouncement and policies, has demonstrated a brand of leadership appreciated by the public, Malacañang said Friday.

“Regardless of slant, President Rodrigo Duterte has demonstrated strong and decisive leadership—a quality appreciated by Filipinos as evidenced by the chief executive’s high satisfaction, approval, trust and performance ratings,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Roque was reacting to Duterte’s inclusion on the cover and in the cover story on global strongmen of the May 14 issue of Time magazine international edition.

Duterte was described in the article as a “former mayor who talked more like a mob boss than a president” and who was elected into power as a response to rising number of street crimes and his vow to wipe out the drug trade.

The story written by political scientist Ian Bremmer also includes Duterte’s “idol” Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom Duterte has professed love for, is likewise featured. 

READ: Duterte among 'strongmen' in TIME cover story

“Filipinos have learned not to take [Duterte] literally with his colorful language but they have surely taken seriously the issues the president has espoused, such as the war on drugs and crime,” the president's mouthpiece said.

Roque maintained that drug problem is a global burden and the country’s war on drugs has been acknowledged by leaders of other nations.

“The president’s brand of justice strictly adheres to the rule of law where dismantling of the drug apparatus ensures the proper investigation of all drug-related killings,” he said.

Duterte’s brutal crackdown on illegal drugs has claimed lives of thousands, mostly urban-poor dwellers.

The president has railed against criticisms and concerns from both at home and abroad.

In March, the country announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, citing the supposed meddling of the court’s prosecutor.

ICC had earlier announced a preliminary examination into alleged crimes against humanity in the war on drugs.