Is Duterte the answer?

Presidential candidates Mar Roxas and Mayor Digong Duterte  have been slugging it out over the peace and order situation in Davao City.  Mar called it a “myth.” Duterte countered by questioning Roxas’  credentials as a graduate of Wharton in the US.

At one point the talk escalated to  challenges  of face-slapping, a   gun duel then a fistfight –  all  behavior unbecoming a  presidentiable.

Wharton settled the matter by sending an official record that states that Roxas finished an  undergraduate degree in economics.

There is no question that both Roxas and Duterte are qualified to run for president. They both have a track record in public service. Roxas was a  congressman, a senator and a cabinet member.

Duterte is a lawyer with the distinction of serving as mayor of Davao City which boasts of an environment of  imposing discipline, which people  perceive as lacking in the national government.

This is why  Duterte’s brand of leadership is attractive.  Many citizens are fed up with the state of national affairs  with daily reports of corruption, illegal drugs and crime. People want it stopped and perceive Duterte as the answer.

I can’t blame those who believe that Duterte is the only one who can implement drastic changes in a society where people are frustrated by  lack of political will in eradicating graft  and drugs.

They see how Duterte has made headway in  in Davao city. Many are people who feel helpless with the  present government of “daang matuwid” are shifting support to Digong Duterte as the hope for change.

For ordinary folk, Duterte  talks and acts with some sense. Roxas, on the other hand,  continues to suffer from a lack of  connection with the public and a level of trust. This is unfortunate because Roxas is an honest and highly qualified person for the  position.

Another candidate, Grace Poe,  is facing a series of disqualification cases before the Supreme Court over her true citizenship and residency requirements. Her  fate hangs in the balance as the Commission on Elections still has to decide the twin issues.

Vice President Jejomar Binay is quietly campaigning and has been taking a respite from the graft and corruption cases hurled against him by his detractors.

I am praying  that we would have a campaign where  candidates engage in friendly debate as they do in the United States  to give  voters a better view of the intellectual mettle of all candidates.  It’s good to see them perform  under pressure and explain how they intend to  address the problems and challenges confronting the country.

The candidates owe this to  the people whom they are courting for  votes and support. So far, Mayor Duterte  has a concrete and  very attractive platform of federalism.