RODY DUTERTE AND I

My relationship with Mayor Rody Duterte of Davao City dates way, way back.

In fact, as this photo will show, we were already friends at the time when the desk computers still used the floppy disks.

I have always admired Rody especially on how he handled his relationships with the Bangsamoro and even the communist New People’s Army in his area.

One valuable lesson I have learned from him is this: After the elections, you become the leader of everybody – the rebels, the law-abiding citizens, the Muslims, the Christians and the Lumads, including those who did not vote for you.

My personal relationship with the man I call the “Equalizer” is cemented by the fact that he is the only Godfather of my youngest child, Bernhart Immanuel.

On Dec. 14, he will again stand as Godfather to my daughter, Dr. Maria Krista, when she marries her childhood boyfriend, Chito Solis.

Source: Manny Piñol