Who among the presidentiables can really fight terrorism?
For many times already, the global terrorists have demonstrated beyond the pale of doubt that there is no nation in the world today that is completely impenetrable by some determined and trained terror attacks. The high and mighty United States, with its powerful arsenal of weapons has been humiliated by the infamous 9-11 assault at New York's Twin Towers. The proud and highly feared Russia, with its President Vladimir Putin who is largely considered as one of the strongest and most powerful among the world top leaders was hit by the terrorists when its plane was allegedly bombed in Egypt a few weeks ago. Even the great France, in representation of the entire European Union, was hit in Paris with 129 dead in a series of coordinated bombings.
For a ''tiny'' nation (in terms of defense capability), like the Philippines, who among the declared presidential candidates is the best leader who has the competence and the ''fire in the belly'' to protect our people and defend the whole country from external aggression and internal threats. Who can stand up to the bullying of China and the intermittent interventions of such bigger powers as the US of A, Japan, Russia, and even India? Who can face the rebels and the secessionists, the NPA, the Abu Sayaf, and the Jamiya Islamiya? Who can solve the drug menace, the rising crimes, the kidnappings, the robberies and the carnapings? Who can sow terror to the criminals and the troublemakers?
I do not think that Senator Grace Poe can do it even with Senator Chiz Escudero beside her. Both Grace and Chiz, by their looks alone, appear too soft and too vulnerable. The terrorists will just laugh at them. They are only good at academic elocution and debates. They cannot bite the bullet nor have the fire in their belly to confront '' the slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes." This is not a campus display of academic prowess. This is real politic. I also do not believe either that Vice President Binay can do it. He cannot even confront his accusers with determined grit and passion. He does not even want to be ''roasted'' by Senators Chiz, Alan Peter, Trillanes, and Pimentel in senate hearings. How can we trust that he can stand up to global bullies like Xi Jin Ping, or Vladimir Putin?
Neither is Secretary Mar Roxas up to it. He even bungled in Tacloban during the Yolanda disaster. He made a serious ''faux pas'' before such local ''astigs'' like the Romualdezes. He even rubbed Mayor Duterte the wrong way. His ''teka, teka'' style will not bring him anywhere. He may just be made for the corporate world or at the cabinet level. But to stand up to the terrorists, I have my serious doubts, my very serious doubts. He is a good man, he is a decent man. He is very honest. But he is too 'formal'', too stiff, and too ''ilustrado.'' The masses cannot connect with him. Or to put it more bluntly, he cannot connect with the masses. How much less to protect the masses from terrorism? That is why he needs Leny Robredo. The lady can connect, but can she protect?
I do not think either that Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago can solve terrorism. We cannot fight the terrorists with high-sounding philosophies and argumentation. We cannot drive away the ISIS, the Jamiya Islamiya, the Abu Sayaf, or the Chinese intruders from our territorial domains, by regaling them with ''argumenti ad absurdum.'' Yes, of course, Senator Miriam is a trained shooter. She can handle a caliber 45 better than Grace Poe or even with more agility than either Mar Roxas or Jojo Binay. But the defense of the nation is not a pistol tournament or a shooting practice. This is going to be war. And the lady may be the gladiator in parliamentary combat. I do not think she can stand up eyeball to eyeball with the MILF or MNLF in Mamasapano.
The next President should be bold, daring, determined and unyielding, without being neither reckless nor imprudent. He or she should have the guts to stand up to any world power. He should be prepared to die if necessary and to offer his or her life in the service of the people and the defense of our nation. There is only one person who can fit that qualification standard, and that is Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. He is tough, fearless and cannot be bullied by anyone. We need this kind of leader because the main problems in the country today cannot be solved by the charms of Poe, nor by the corporate aura of Roxas, not by the common touch of Binay or the eloquence of Santiago. We need a Heneral Luna who can discipline the government officials and personnel and keep the people safe from criminals and troublemakers. There is such a man and he is now an available candidate. Something has still to be done on his certificate. But there is still a way. There is still a chance. We hope and pray.
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