A Duterte Nation

This country is still very much a Duterte country...

Okay, let me just get this off my chest, since I’ve had a few drinks and I’m ready to open fire.

The reason I’m often hesitant to reveal where I’m from is that the current administration is an embarrassment. I know, of course, that it’s not my fault, and my nationality shouldn’t be tied to the actions of the government. But I can’t ignore the fact that, all too often, it is.

Because in a world where national identity is often shaped by the actions of its leaders, it’s hard to escape the feeling that your nationality is tied to the state’s behaviour. It’s embarrassing to be represented by someone who is incompetent, corrupt, or out of touch with the needs of the people, and yet, it feels like you’re somehow carrying that shame, even if you wholeheartedly disagree with their actions.

I love my country, of course, even though it's currently fucked up. My sense of national pride began to flourish when Rodrigo Roa Duterte, our long-serving city mayor, was elected president in 2016. As a man from the south - a region often viewed with contempt by the north - his rise was remarkable. Yet, the nation was united in wanting him to lead, compelled by the outstanding leadership he demonstrated in our city, which, by the way, was once a conflict zone. When he became mayor, Davao was transformed from one of the most dangerous cities in the Philippines into one of the safest.

I was immensely proud; under his guidance, our economy was widely regarded as the most promising in Southeast Asia. Other nations envied the strength of his leadership.

Comparing him to Trump? Ridiculous. To put it bluntly, Duterte is a thousand times better. And that’s not just me saying it - an American said that. When it comes to Trump’s leadership, it’s garbage by comparison.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte, you’ve probably heard the name - hard not to, with global rallies calling for his return and people celebrating his birthday across continents. Honestly, aside from the 'supposed' birthday of Christ, I can’t think of anyone whose birthday gets that kind of worldwide fanfare. People genuinely loved him.

He’s been arrested and handed over to the ICC in The Hague. Illegal, mind you. Eight months, and counting, at 80 years old. Well, the current administration turned him over, simply because he was too loud about their corruption and because of his war on drugs, a campaign that was backed by millions of Filipinos who saw it as brutally effective in dismantling criminal networks and drug syndicates.

And here’s where it gets really absurd: No judicial hearing. Article 59 of the Rome Statute, which requires that anyone arrested in the "Custodial State" - in this case, the Philippines - be brought promptly before a competent judicial authority. Duterte should have been brought before a Philippine court to challenge the arrest warrant, but instead, he was swiftly processed and transferred, bypassing this crucial step. So basically, he was kidnapped. Fucking government.

Then there’s the ICC itself - an institution whose judges seem to be getting suspended one after another over their own criminal cases. The irony is almost unbearable...

And let’s not forget its track record: it somehow always manages to focus on leaders from weaker nations while tip-toeing around those with real geopolitical power. Now, they’re eager to throw Duterte into the mix - because nothing annoys an institution like that more than someone who isn't white and refuses to be the obedient, convenient target they’re hoping for.

Long live the Global South!

So, why does the Philippines remain so firmly a Duterte-dominated country?

Because in every failed government project, every exposed corruption, and every display of incompetence from officials, people turned to his name like a saviour. They remembered him with deep nostalgia for the good he did for the country. He was loved because he genuinely cared for his people, and they saw that.

What’s even more remarkable (and somewhat satisfying) is that whenever the current president (I’m not even going to mention his name because it makes me sick) or any of the other corrupt officials make a public appearance, people start chanting: Duterte! Duterte! Duterte! In prayer rallies, school assemblies - literally everywhere - people are united in wanting one thing: Duterte.

However, there’s no hope for this country. I’m not being pessimistic - this is just the reality, and it pains me to see how my fellow Filipinos, the hardworking and honest ones, are the ones who are primarily affected, suffering the consequences of the leadership of a puny, weak-brained, drug-addicted plunderer. It hurts even more knowing the old man is rotting in a foreign land, judged by people who have no real understanding of our social context. International Criminal Court - what a shitshow.

Alright, maybe there’s hope - a revolution. There’s no real change without bloodshed, no heads rolling. Like history often teaches us: when justice no longer works, when right is seen as wrong, violence arises. As Max Weber pointed out that when a state fails to govern effectively (due to corruption, weak leadership, or loss of legitimacy), violence may be the only way to restore order, or new authority may emerge from this violence.

You might not agree, but that’s how change often happens in history. It’s brutal, but sometimes it’s the only thing that gets results. And when this old man dies, it’ll mark the beginning of change. There won’t be any revolution while he’s still alive - people are too busy just trying to survive, getting through each day. It pains me to think that someone valuable has to die for change to even begin. And that someone will have to be Duterte.

Duterte will be the one to end the corruption - and his daughter, much loved just like he is, will lead the charge to bring about real change. But this won’t be easy; things will probably get worse before they get better.

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