CHANGE. A six-letter word that’s easily spelled than done.

This concept is basically

embedded in every platform and in any campaign speech we heard from presidential
candidates. But if there’s one thing we have in common with these aspiring
presidents, it is our desire for change.

In fact, it is most likely the only thing the candidates agree amongst themselves.

We all want change to happen in our country. We’ve wanted it since we realized our
lack of it. Which is why the mere mention of it does not just give us the goosebumps,
it also leaves us hoping.

“Stay calm. Change is coming.” – this was the campaign message of the Duterte-
Cayetano tandem. And after all the counting and cheating allegations, the “hope-full
cry” for change grew even louder as former Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte won the
Philippine presidential elections.

Mayor Duterte may have started from the bottom of the list, but his clear and strong
proposition for change attracted many to his side. Of course he has the track record in
Davao to prove he can do it, although, I was wondering why he rarely referred to this
track record whenever doubts arose.  Maybe he is that confident the record speaks for
itself. 

Duterte is a tough talker, a non-conformist, and not the typical candidate. Compared
to all the other candidates, he is street-smart, unorthodox, and as his supporters say,
has a strong political will to get things done.

He gets things done effectively and quietly without fanfare. We now see a progressive
Davao, with all the necessary infrastructures, favorable business environment, and of
course, peace and order.  He delivers whatever is good for the welfare of his
constituents. He is consistent in his promise to focus on the fight against corruption,
drugs and criminality. As he said before, if these issues were addressed, everything
will follow.

As we all heard, he was the only one who would often say that if you don’t like him,
don’t vote for him; that he is not too keen to win.  But the Presidency is a destiny.

With the support of the Filipino mass-based voters, and frankly many in the ABC

voters, he gained the big numbers.  The desire for change is too strong.

I wouldn’t call myself a solid “Durterte fan” but I somewhat had a paradigm shift
when I watched video of him sobbing over his parents’ grave. For me, that wasn’t an
act but more of an expression of his vulnerability and love for his parents. And even if
it was released with malicious intent, it pulled a heartstring for me as one who highly
regards parents.

I see Duterte as a man of the people. I believe that’s what he wanted everyone to
think. He is straightforward and brutally honest. But in my humble opinion, these
would not get him anywhere if he doesn’t have a solid plan to fulfill what he promised
our nation.

The part I like and expect from a Duterte leadership is the return of discipline among
the Filipinos. I know many would have this, but this dimension of our culture will
surely be enhanced.  Rules and laws will be followed.  Reduction or elimination of
corruption. Discipline and efficiencies in the delivery of government services. We
have heard stories about how he can not tolerate inefficiencies and ineffectiveness in
government. He promised to remove erring and ineffective officials. This we would
love to see.

Like many out there, we are all concerned that a very strong leader might develop into
a very authoritarian leader or even a dictator. He answered this aligue and said,
“There is no dictator who died happy. I will not be one. If you are a law-abiding
citizen, a God-fearing Filipino... I will die for you.”

I am hoping that the “change” he wanted is not just the change we love to happen but
The change that our nation needs. One solution may not change the traffic situation in
the Philippines but maybe try to change the way public transports are maintained and
operated. Everybody likes tax exemptions or at least a decrease but it would primarily
benefit us more if the tax goes to where it should go.

And who doesn’t love a safer nation? Going by the number of people who supported
Duterte all the way, I would assume majority are inclined to agree with his
“methods”– yes, including the killing of convicted criminals, if that’s what it takes.
As for me, I still believe in rehabilitation for criminals. I still believe in achieving a
safer nation without having to resort to a killing spree. Yet, I digress. Because the
bottom line is, if our newly elected president wants change, so do all Filipinos –
however that change may look like to any individual.
I sincerely hope that our newly elected president will get all the support he needs in
changing what needs to be changed. I hope he would be more schematic; extra-
vigilant if possible. He may have won the hearts of his fellow public servants but I
hope he can get into their heads as well in terms of making better decisions for the
Philippines.

“Change is coming,” says the “iron-fisted” man. We are now looking to him to lead
us to change not just what we can but most especially, what we have to. But before
we start our list of things we wanted to be altered, I hope we start within ourselves.

Duterte Administration’s programs are promising. It will also bring the right values
that we want to instill in our children. Positive values such as passion, obedience,
God-fearing, and many more must be promoted as well congruent to these programs.
We are entrusting the life of our children to the next leaders of this country so they
must be good examples to our children.

Yes, there was the usual election jitters from the market, but we now see a quick
rebound. As the next administration settles down, I’m sure business confidence will
go back to where it was or even better once they see the policies and programs laid
out.
We have a healing new president. Post-election unity is needed and we all must do
our share in nation-building. We have one country, one great nation, where everyone
will be destined to move up in life.

Change is definitely coming.

I believe in the end that the change we want to see must start from within us. The
leaders just need to inspire and create the enabling environment.  Our success and
happiness depend on our own mindset, resourcefulness, perseverance, and hard work,
and service to others. We just need an environment that will attract opportunities and
encourage everyone to be the best they can be.

Change doesn’t stop. Change is constant. Change is the only permanent thing in this
world.

So for the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Roa
“Digong” Duterte, I wish you all the best. Welcome to an even more change-thirsty
nation.

God bless us all and THANK YOU! :)