Duterte is not a Psychopath

Why is President Duterte not a psychopath? First, he doesn't exhibit a failure to accept responsibility for his actions. He has realistic goals, and he is beginning to fulfil them. Second, the willingness to prioritise power above all else, including the welfare of their fellow human beings, ruthlessness, callousness and an utter lack of conscience are amongst the defining traits of the psychopath. But President Duterte prioritises the welfare of the poor and powerless. He is even the most patriotic president this country has had. A psychopath doesn't promote our collective interests. Mr Duterte does. A psychopath loves drugs. Mr Duterte doesn't. A psychopath operates against the interests of his own people. Mr Duterte has made a valiant effort to end contractualisation in the workplace. A psychopath cannot confront criminals and pretends a problem doesn't exist. Mr Duterte deals with the challenges even if it affects his popularity. A psychopath is willing to betray his people so long as he gets favourable judgment from the US and UN and EU because a psychopath goes behind our backs to cook up schemes running contrary to our interests, which is not only grossly insulting but dangerous. A psychopath is unfeeling, but Mr Duterte feels great empathy with the poor, the police, the soldiers, victims of disasters, peace-loving Filipinos, the people who help shape the future he wants for this country.

A Need to be Independent

A former colony has to grow up at some point in its countryhood. It should no longer look to its former coloniser for its opinions and for guidance in conduct. It should not be bound by or committed to its selfish agenda. It has to think of its own people. Its president cannot be a puppet. It cannot be used to further the purposes of its former coloniser. Time this country exercised its independent authority and the right to govern itself. The US could have weaned the Philippines on independence on 4 July 1946 after walking on our resources for 48 years. We are now a septuagenarian, not a baby all of 7 months crawling to get around efficiently on his own.

Is a Corrupt Leader Better Than an Honest Leader Who Swears?

Some Filipinos would prefer a corrupt leader who employs tact and conciliation to an honest and loyal leader who swears every now and then. It is OK with them that corruption is rampant and drug addiction deteriorates this country so long as no human rights are abused. It is OK with them that criminals and drug addicts rob, rape women and children, kill so long as their rights are not kicked around. Yes, they have the point. But why is it their criticisms are only focused on demonising the President? If they are indeed so concerned with this problem, they should take part in a campaign to stop the use of illegal drugs by encouraging their friends and neighbourhood to desist from their vices, discouraging drug addicts and pushers and making them feel alarmed instead of cinching them of their rights despite their criminal activities. I think what the President wants when he says he'll kill them all is not really to inflict death on them, but to terrorise them to give themselves up to the control of drugs. Our president should hold his head up high, work his tail end off, and be even better and stronger because of the Yellow, whose agenda is to destroy his reputation and credibility. Their hateful words hurt and over time they can take a mental and emotional toll on him, but he doesn't have to be a nice or likable person in order to be a leader. Mr Duterte has to be tough. The war on drugs is no joke. It’s not always going to be easy, but he being a strong beacon people can count on is what is necessary for the Filipino people and his legacy. The war on drugs is for the future of this country unless you are into drugs and criminality.