People are crying out to Mayor Duterte to run for President of the Republic of the Philippines. While his governance and leadership style has led Davao to its peak, acquiring a spot in the top 10 safest cities in the world, but the question is, are we Filipinos really ready?
While I know that one cannot arbitrarily change things as they please, but knowing that in a national scale and in almost all political systems, the opposition is almost always present, what's going to be in store for us? Granting without permitting, that Digong wins, how is he as president, going to change our unitary form of government to a federal type of govt.? I reckon that this would require a change in our constitution, and thus would require full cooperation between all the branches of our government. Is there widespread support and clamour all throughout the bureaucracy for this change? Are the legislators ready, knowing we have some incompetent persons that know nothing about legislating sitting in our Congress?
(In my opinion, Federalism is what this country would really need to distribute the wealth and power of this nation, and not just have it concentrated in the North. This was even proposed by the Osmeñas before, in the 90's. However, if this happens, are our LGU's ready? Are the people ready to embrace a new system? Can this be achieved in a 6 year term? How efficient would this be knowing how corrupt our local officials are?)
If the whole Philippines is to be replicated just like Davao, are we ready to embrace the changes?
Let me give you a few examples:
-Loud exhausts
-No smoking in a public area
-No selling of liquors beyond 10pm or 12am
-Curfew for minors
-Speed limits
(I know the Local government also has a say in this, but let's just hypothesize that these changes are to be expected.)
On point,
Are we ready to accept this? When in fact, everytime LTO passes a regulation on mufflers, the motorcycle community cries injustice, and just says loud pipes save lives?
Are we ready to actually give up smoking in public? I doubt if the public would welcome that idea with open arms. Imagine the implications of that policy if it were to be implemented nationwide, tobacco companies would have lesser income; and as a consequence that would result to a tax loss that would be tantamount to millions. (Tobacco companies earn billions from smokers who freely light their cigarettes whenever they have the chance, anytime anywhere--except in Davao, of course.) What about our sidewalk vendors and Sari-Sari stores who sells overpriced cigarettes?
Are you ready to give up your really cool night life? How would bars and drink hubs react to this?
Are minors nowadays ready to go home early, when most of the time, these "bagong-tubo" are the ones most noisy and ridiculously misbehaved whenever they go on nightouts? (Well, they can't vote though, but they are by all means very agile keyboard warriors)
Are our drivers ready to abide by speed limits? The SRP in Cebu is a very concrete example of how speed limits are not observed.
These are just some of the things that we should consider. While an iron fist ruler is what the nation needs, but that is only a part of the equation. The nation also needs open-minded followers. Are we?
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Well, I personally think that majority of the Filipinos are not yet ready, and those will be the people who will complain and complain in the near future. While I admire the kind of man Mayor Duterte is, frank yet kind hearted, willing to help without seeking credit, pure in his intentions, stern and firm in enforcing the law, and many other traits, however, I do not like this man to be eaten by the system. I do not want the system to betray him, and I would not want him to be prosecuted after his term, for politics in the Philippines is something to be ashamed of. Of course, Digong is a seasoned politician himself, but there will always be times when the tides don't come our way.
So to wrap this up, I still believe that one man can change our country, however I believe that the one man is not Duterte. It is YOU. So register, and do not let your vote be wasted. We are all a part in changing our system. Stop wasting your parent's money or your hard earned money in nightouts and vices. Save, invest, and live a better future. Obey the laws of the Land and I assure you that whether duterte runs or not, he will be happy knowing that with or without him being the President, he has inspired you to take the civilized road and inspired you to become a better citizen of the Republic of the Philippines.
Disclaimer:
I am not seeking a debate or argument. I am merely expressing my thoughts. I am not a political analyst, nor am I a top notch graduate with amazingly flying colors. Everything in this post is purely of an oppinionated nature. I am not closing my mind to other candidates. However, I will still support Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in whatever path he may take because I AM READY.
ARE YOU?
