#DayuhanSaSarilingBansa

Before the campaign period for the 2016 elections, the name Rodrigo Duterte was resonating all
over the country. His achievements as the beloved mayor of Davao did not go unnoticed by most
of the Filipinos. He was like a breath of fresh air for some because of how he managed to maintain
the discipline in his community. The City of Davao was said to have prospered since Duterte was
appointed and the people were in awe of what it had become. The whole country was desperate
to experience a similar sense of growth and development which has been longed for and highly
anticipated for many years. People thought that Duterte can apply to the entire country what he
did in Davao, and that his term could be the start of a new era for the Philippines. Finally, the day
of the 2016 elections came and Rodrigo Duterte won against his opponents by acquiring 39% of
the presidential votes. The promises made by this fresh perspective captured the ravenous hearts
of the Filipinos, so they willingly placed their faith on “Tatay Digong,” the game changer. (Peel,
2017)

It has been four years since it all began. Now, the stench of frustration and dismay pervades the
whole country. Those who believed in him felt deceived, tricked, double-crossed, and more.
(Timberman, 2019) People were in disbelief as their elected president allowed the country’s
former ruthless dictator to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. (Unknown, 2016) People
shook their heads and cringed as their elected president spat vulgar words to those who dare
criticize him. (Roy, 2016) People were baffled as their elected president broke bread with China,
the country that has been fervently trying to strip the Philippines from its rights in owning the
West Philippine Sea. (Guarco, 2019) With the current CoVID-19 pandemic, those who were once
entranced by “Tatay Digong” have finally opened their eyes widely and saw the ruins of their
beloved country. The Filipinos demonstrated their strong dissatisfaction towards the current
administration by airing their sentiments in Social Media. Those who dare speak ill of the
president are either criticized by the remaining Duterte supporters or picked up by the police in
the comfort of their homes. (Beltran, 2020)

Being one of those who allowed Rodrigo Duterte to sit in power, I feel partially responsible for
what he has brought upon the Philippines. His administration has been viewed satirical due to
the officials he appointed who are far from competent. It has been a series of incredulity and
deceit, even journalism is being suppressed to demonstrate the power the administration has
over everything. Chinese nationals have substantially increased in the country as well as their
crimes, yet they are being shielded from the country’s own laws due to political interests. Sadly,
Filipinos do not share the same fate. (Beltran, 2020) They shall suffer the consequences of their
actions, be it big or small. Despite everything I am still hopeful for a brighter tomorrow. Two years
may be a long and dragging time to hope for, but it will come. Time will come when Rodrigo
Duterte is to be replaced by someone who is hopefully better than him and his foolish ideals.
Works Cited

Peel, M. (2017, February 02). Drugs and death in Davao: the making of Rodrigo Duterte. Retrieved
May 31, 2020, from Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/9d6225dc-e805-11e6-
967b-c88452263daf

Timberman, D. G. (2019, January 10). Philippine Politics Under Duterte: A Midterm Assessment.
Retrieved May 31, 2020, from Carnegie:
https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/01/10/philippine-politics-under-duterte-
midterm-assessment-pub-78091

Unknown. (2016, November 22). Marcos burial: Reactions and what comes next. Retrieved May
31, 2020, from Philippine Primer: https://primer.com.ph/blog/2016/11/22/marcos-
burial-reactions-and-what-comes-next/

Robles, A. (2019, July 18). Duterte and his crew of foul-mouthed Philippine officials: the new
normal? Retrieved May 31, 2020, from South China Morning Post:
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/3019147/duterte-and-his-crew-foul-
mouthed-philippine-officials-new-normal

Roy, A. (2016, December 15). Over half of Filipinos think Duterte's swearing is damaging
international relation. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from Business Insider:
https://www.businessinsider.com/51-of-filipinos-think-dutertes-swearing-damaging-
international-ties-2016-12

Guarco, I. (2019, July 12). Filipinos Don't Trust Duterte to Handle China. Retrieved May 31, 2020,
from Foreign Policy: https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/12/filipinos-dont-trust-duterte-
to-handle-china/

Beltran, M. (2020, May 12). The Philippines' Pandemic Response: A Tragedy of Errors. Retrieved
May 31, 2020, from The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/the-philippines-
pandemic-response-a-tragedy-of-errors/