On Duterte's radical leadership and why the critical collaboration of Congress is needed

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s last month prior to the presidency surely brings a lot of hopes, expectations, and excitements from the people who aspire for real change that was never realized from previous mediocre regimes.

What perhaps will distinguish the incoming president from the rest is his animated and prompt approach to problems that beset the country — at least by how he responds to a given dilemma no matter how local it may be. The said actions put him in close contact with realities and the people that catapulted him to power — a reaction that was never made by previous occupants of Malacañang who thinks that such occurrences are best left to police operations, assuming that these are tackled by the police in a straightforward manner.

What perhaps will distinguish the incoming president from the rest is his animated and prompt approach to problems that beset the country — at least by how he responds to a given dilemma no matter how local it may be. The said actions put him in close contact with realities and the people that catapulted him to power

With that in mind, he desires to keep in touch with the people and wants to fulfill the covenant that he made with the Filipinos. As such, the Filipino people will have an old-fashioned leader who acts like a father and a hands-on leader that will keep the family in order in so far as the local order is concerned. 

The last time that we had such a selfless act in a leader was in the person of former President Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957). Aptly known as “Man of the Masses,” he opened the gates of Malacañang for all people to see. Just like Magsaysay, hopefully, Duterte will have his hands full giving priority to the welfare of the underprivileged.

House and Senate leadership

With the incoming administration poised to implement a radical leadership approach, we hope to see a legislative department applying critical collaboration with the executive branch. 

Though this should not in any way compromise the independence of the legislative branch, it should not, however, hinder the real intention of the leadership relative to the benefits that should accrue to the nation. They have had their share of benefits and fringes for the past couple of years under PNoys reign. I think it is about time to relinquish the throne of leadership to someone who will deliver the goods for the people as prioritized by the president.

It should not be a case of party affiliation or boasting of numbers but the giving of full cooperation, respect and support for the incoming leader and keeping the house in order by entrusting the legislative leadership of both houses to somebody whom the president can trust.

It should not be a case of party affiliation or boasting of numbers but the giving of full cooperation, respect and support for the incoming leader and keeping the house in order by entrusting the legislative leadership of both houses to somebody whom the president can trust. 

Controversial policies and issues which President-elect Duterte hopes to pass like the death penalty and federalism need legislative support as these campaign promises have obviously gained ground support and brought Duterte to the highest position of the land.

Death Penalty and federalism

We are now living in a different era, habituating on varied situations and dimensions. The degree and gravity of man’s behavior have changed brought about by the environmental influences and man’s reckless misdeeds. 

Whereas before, man would be meted capital punishment when actions were not really considered as heinous as what it is now, then why don’t we give it a try now when all sorts of heinous activities proliferate in our society. Of course, it should only apply to certain defined heinous crime that has affected directly the community and the society as a whole like drug pushing, rape of minors, kidnapping and other activities that have affected the community deleteriously.

Whereas before, man would be meted capital punishment when actions were not really considered as heinous as what it is now, then why don’t we give it a try now when all sorts of heinous activities proliferate in our society.

Federalism has been a major issue in political change since years back, as an alternative measure to promote economic development. President-elect Duterte a strong advocate of federalism thinks that it is about time we try something that has made other nations successful. 

The advent of federalism grants autonomy to people in the far-flung communities. It will give local municipalities and cities a chance to develop on their own without intervention from the national government. Policy formulation and legislation are passed locally according to their need. We have had innumerable measures that are meant to promote local economy but have never benefitted the people in the grassroots level. It is about time that the local government is given a chance to develop on their own according to what their available resources and utilities are.  

The advent of federalism grants autonomy to people in the far-flung communities. It will give local municipalities and cities a chance to develop on their own without intervention from the national government.

Federalism provides incentives for local government to make their locality be attractive to investors. In so doing, they are able to promote their place as a potential investment destination. Currently, the signal for local development emanates from the central power, leaving cities and municipalities at the mercy of political patronage. 

Consequently, if you are not politically affiliated with the ruling power, your sphere of influence will most likely be left behind in terms of developmental support. 

Abandon diggings in Manila

Almost anywhere you go in Manila you will surely find abandoned diggings in sight. You don’t need to go further to prove this point because practically the whole of Sampaloc has been left hanging for almost six months now. Streets bounding the university belt like Eloisa, Santander, Antonio, Navarra, Juaning, Rosarito and P. Noval are seriously affected by these inconveniences. 

The sad thing is that they started to dig the place before the election ban on public works, then left without no one tending until now. In the first place, why do they need to dig prior to the election ban and not do it after the election, to the inconvenience of the people? 

The sad thing is that they started to dig the place before the election ban on public works, then left without no one tending until now. In the first place, why do they need to dig prior to the election ban and not do it after the election, to the inconvenience of the people? 

Is this what they have been saying about the glory of Manila? Even investors and businesses in the university belt have been experiencing huge losses brought about by these inconveniences. This goes against our thrust of attracting investors to pour in the economy. Presumably, this is a typical example of graft and corruption at its best (or worst?).  

Emmanuel J. Lopez, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the University of Santo Tomas and the chair of its Department of Economics. Views reflected in this article are his own. For comments email: [email protected]