Nation-wide signature campaign 10 MILLION FILIPINOS SIGN PETITION ASKING DUTERTE TO LEAD COUNTRY

By Manny Pinol

Over 10 million Filipinos have already signed the petition asking Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte to run for President of the Philippines in 2016.

The Duterte 2016 Movement which is composed of volunteers launched the nation-wide signature campaign to convince the colorful Davao City Mayor that there is a popular clamor for him to be the next President.

Leaders of the movement who are using their own limited budget have so far toured several areas in the country through a caravan creating awareness about the qualities of Mayor Duterte as a leader.

Attention is now being slowly given to Mayor Duterte by the so-called political survey firms, some of whom are usually funded by interest groups.

While the previous survey results have largely ignored Duterte but included political neophytes like Grace Poe and Congresswoman Leni Robredo of Naga City, widow of former DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo, they have now started to include the Davao City Mayor.

A purported national survey conducted by a polling group recently placed Duterte 7th in the Top 10 with Vice President Jejomar Binay leading the pack and his supposed rival DILG Secretary Mar Roxas in 8th place behind Duterte.

The accuracy of these surveys and the integrity of the polling groups, however, have been questioned in the face of popular random surveys conducted by media groups which show a deluge of preference for the Davao City Mayor.

About two months ago, a major radio station in Metro Manila asked its listeners to text in the name of their preferred Presidential candidate.

Duterte’s name was not included but he came out Number 1.

The colorful and controversial Davao City Mayor has captured the affection of millions all over the country because of his reputation as a tough leader who has kept his city almost crime free earning for it the honor of being listed as the 4th Safest City in the world.

Duterte, who has served his city for over two decades, has not been tainted with charges of corruption and has led a simple life living in a low-cost housing subdivision.

While Duterte has repeatedly refused the idea of the Presidency, the nationwide clamor as indicated by the reactions of the people in face to face actual interviews could yet soften his hardline position.

(The idea of this T-shirt design came from the messages posted by followers of this page including the catchy DU30 and the phrases Last Hope, Last Card. I asked JoJedd Tuvilla, an OFW working in UAE to design the t-shirt. Those who would like to print their own shirts to show support for Duterte could freely use this design.)