Playing with Fire A PRESIDENT OF OUR TIMES

By Dr. Gonzalo Duque

Sunday Punch, Pangasinan’s News Leader

EVERYDAY, as Election Day comes nearer, our attention goes to names, some popular, others, notorious, still others ubiquitous, and unwinnable but still trying hard to get into our awareness.

You’re right, all of them are so-called presidential wannabes.

Of course, nandiyan si Vice President Jojo Binay, who earlier was almost sure to win for consistently topping presidential surveys. But nagpapalit na ata ang quality at direction ng hangin. Humihina, mga igan, dahil sa dami ng corruption charges!

Sabi niya hindi totoo, mga all lies! Of course, yan ang usual at expected na sagot ng akusado but the public is sceptical, suspicious, kasi galing sa mahirap si Jojo Binay, e, ngayon super yaman, bilyonaryo ata? Papaano naging bilyonaryo?

Ito namang so-called honest at front liner sa LP na heir apparent kuno dahil nag give way to P-noy na si DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, naku! May kakaibang temper. Pag nagalit, masama ang lumalabas sa bunganga. Kaya tuloy na turned off ang mga botante!

In our view—all these names, Binay, Roxas, Bongbong Marcos, Miriam Santiago, Ping Lacson, Alan Peter Cayetano, and lately, Rody Duterte—ay dapat we should carefully scrutinize.

If you ask us, and we are saying this after much thought, we would suggest that slugfest man from Davao, Mayor Rody Duterte!

Why? Because he—his bravado, simple approach to governance (bitayin ang mga criminal, lalo na ang criminal na pulis!)—fits the Presidency to a T.

Tignan nyo. Ang bansa ay laging nanginginig sa mga taong walang humpay na nanghahamak sa kapwa. Sino ang mga taong ito? Mga law breakers, policemen, drug manufacturers, grafters. Our people are ngitngit na sa sitwasyon! Look at that Metro Manila cop na nahulihan na ang kanyang locker ay puno ng drugs! Dapat bitayin sa Luneta na ang mga ganyan!

Our former classmate Fred Lim was moved when we suggested that Duterte be our next president! Gustong sumama sa ating advocacy.

Sa totoo lang, after P-noy ang Daang Matuwid ay in grave danger kung ang kanyang successor ay not made of stern stuff.

Binay? Forget it!

Mar Roxas? Ewan!

Yong iba? Dapat imbestigahin.

Duterte? Mukhang ok a. Pag-usapan natin further ito mga kabayan—para sa bayan.

May nagtext, a Duterte-Grace Poe would be an ideal team, with Miriam as campaign manager! Sure win yan, mga abay!

What do you think?

Haah! Pag nag presidente si Duterte, ila-line up niya sa Luneta ang mga abusadong pulis?

Sapak, kung ganun! But please, naman, huag sa harap ni Dr. Rizal! Doon sa likod niya, pwede! Nakakahiya na ilinya sa National Hero!

Ok raw si Secretary Bebot kay Duterte. Ganun din si Mon Tulfo!

(Dr. Gonzalo Duque is former Vice Governor of Pangasinan, former Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Deputy Administrator, columnist Sunday Punch, owner of Lyceum University in Pangasinan, older brother of former Health Secretary and incumbent Civil Service Chairman Francisco T. Duque III . He is a classmate of former Manila Mayor Fred Lim in law school.)