Duterte and the demise of Aquino myth

The trust rating of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is at record high in the level of excellence. This despite the efforts of the opposition and the leftist organizations to discredit and demonize him with issues that range from the banal extra-judicial killings to threats of martial law just to name a few.

Despite all the denigrations, the President just carried on with his job with his usual or to some, unusual leadership style that made him so distinct from the traditional mould of politicians.

Well, they may not like what and how he conducts and manages the affairs of the government but there is no denying he delivers. The critics might contest that but the public as shown by the results of the surveys tells a more significant and meaningful story.

This overwhelming support for the President swamps and dumps whatever issues the critics raise against Duterte. Even in the survey of the "senatoriables", nary a political figure identified with the opposition landed in the magic 10. This apparently worries Bam Aquino who, of late, swallowed his yellow pride and hinted that he is willing to cooperate with the Duterte government in its undertaking.

My fearless forecast is if the midterm elections are held tomorrow, no one from the Liberal Party is going to make it. For Bam, the remaining Aquino in politics at the moment, the survey seems to ring the political death knell for the clan.

The coming of the new leader from Mindanao radically altered the entire political spectrum.

Duterte is a child of destiny. When his mother, Nanay Soleng, was appointed as vice mayor of Davao City for her role in the Yellow Friday protest march, she politely declined the position. The regional leadership placed Rodrigo's name in her stead. He went on as Mayor for more than 23 years punctuated only with a stint in congress. In the Presidential elections, he was the most reluctant candidate. But I personally witnessed and heard how the crowd roared and gravitated around him as he campaigned for Federalism. Each assembly was a specter of pandemonium as the event would end up with the audience roaring in thunder "Duterte for President", Takbo! Takbo! Takbo" , run, run Digong run. His name for a long while was not even seen in surveys.

But when they did, the survey institutions saw the unexpected. The man who abhors the power of the Presidency leads.

President Duterte closed the final chapter of the Aquino myth. Today, we see pages in our current history written as events take place in a dizzying pace. Duterte only has to steady the course and the country is on its way to prosperity. The demise of the Aquino myth is behind us and no one cares to mourn.