By Manny Piñol
A few days ago, fellow sportswriter Nick Giongco of the Manila Bulletin sent me a text message saying that his 18-year-old daughter who studies at De La Salle University in Manila told him that she would not vote in the 2016 Presidential elections.
When he asked her why, she reportedly told her father that the person she wanted to vote for President was not running.
Nick said he felt sad because it would be the first time she will be able to vote and this prompted him to send me a message asking if Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte would reconsider his earlier decision not to vie for the Presidency.
I told Nick that Mayor Duterte was still going through a “final soul-searching” and that it would be nice if his daughter, Audrey, would send him an open letter and convince him to run.
Mayor Duterte, I told Nick, has a soft spot for children and Audrey’s letter might just help in convincing Rody to accept the call of the people for him to run for President.
Here is the open letter of 18-year-old Audrey Giongco to Mayor Duterte:
“Dear Mayor Duterte:
“My name is Audrey Corinne Cajucom Giongco. I am 18 years old. I am currently a sophomore student at De La Salle University – Manila, currently taking up International Studies, Major in European Studies.
“A few months ago, as news revolved around the May 2016 elections, I could not help but express my disappointment when it was reported that you were not inclined to join the race for the presidency.
“Despite this, I held on to hope, wishing and praying that you’ll have a change of heart. I was waiting for the day where it would be announced that you have finally filed for candidacy.
“But you broke my heart when you held a press conference in your hometown of Davao recently, categorically saying that you were not running.
“A few days ago, my eyes lit up when you sent a message, asking your supporters to give you more time to think it over.
“Mayor Duterte, please do not let us down.
“What your supporters and I see in you is all the trappings of a true leader, someone who has what it takes to uphold the rule of law. The one man who has the political will to crack the whip on offenders and raise the hopes of the maligned.
“I want you to give the presidency a shot because I dream of a country where people could walk at night–or even during daytime–without fear of getting mugged.
“I want you to become president so that my parents, my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, classmates and friends, and even the ordinary citizens would feel safe and secure, knowing that someone with bad intentions would think twice or even thrice before committing a crime.
“Once again, Mr. Mayor, do us all a big favor.
“Truly yours,
Audrey”
(Photos of Audrey and her friends and classmates downloaded from her Facebook page.)
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