Duterte’s Plight for Presidency: A Worthy Combat

Photo by: Rody Duterte Facebook account

You cannot win an election without a fight.

This is a cliché statement that significantly described how the whole 2016 national elections went. As the campaigns have shown, Filipinos all over the social media have rendered the traditional fighting strategies for the candidates. A lot has been valiant on expressing their views to which presidential candidate they want to commit their support and votes.

For a few months, netizens have experienced debating against each other, throwing statements of biases and prejudices, publicizing narratives about the pros and cons of the candidates, blocking and unfriending people who showed opposition against them, and even dividing families. It is obvious that the latest elections have become an alteration of the ancient ones because of the media, particularly over the Internet.

One good evident that social media is truly reigning is the presumptive winning of presidential candidate Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Despite all the anti-ads on televisions, newspapers and radios, he still dominates the electoral results with 38.5% of the total votes. 

Now, what are the best attributes that Duterte has to gain trust and confidence of the Filipino people?

First, he has a solid base online. He had gained supporters all over the social media to unite for support, without him even trying. They were organic aficionado, and that means that they are volunteers with great passion and will to stand and campaign for him until the end. These followers are also willing to support him financially to fuel his machinery and also give him a competitive race from the richer candidates.

Second, Filipinos want to have a Davao-like country. It has been recognized to be the safest city in the country, rich and clean. And all these credits were because of the regime of the city’s mayor, Rodrigo Duterte. Filipino people dream to experience what Davaoeños have acquired with his rule.

Lastly, he has all the necessities to be the next president-elect. He does not have stains of corruption, he knows what he is talking, he is already a veteran and a proven effective leader, he does not have too many health issues that may worry the citizens despite his old age, and he is the epitome of change for the Filipinos. 

His supporter's credo is that he is the man to stop crime and corruption in the country, and instill discipline. They are absorbed in this idea that drugs and crime in the country are the roots of all our problems, and that he is the perfect runner to demolish the Philippines’ main problems. 

It was a hell of a fight. Reading those “beast mode” electoral posts on Facebook every day against Duterte, seeing all the anti-Duterte campaign advertisements, and hearing all the negative sides of random people against him, were all demoralizing for his supporters. But despite of those distressing things, Duterte still fought right and just.

This election is a commencement for a much braver and better Philippines. It is a start of transformation. 

With the combination of support, bravery, hope, and prayers, we have achieved the change.

Change is here and after all, it was a great combat.