Views on Politics and Dutertes Presidency

My four years as a political science student taught me one of the most unfamiliar yet
noble conceptpolitics is not dirty, it is a process. This was introduced to us by our professor in
Constitutionalism, highlighting the need to go beyond what is commonly accepted: that politics
is dirty. As a law student now, I realized that the former idea still governs my belief when it
comes to understanding Philippine politics. Indeed, one cannot merely suggest that politics is
dirty without understanding the process involved in politics. To illustrate this idea, let me
emphasize three points. First, politics is commonly associated with government. This is true but
politics is only part and parcel of the numerous interactions between and among individuals in
the society. Basically, government is not a responsibility of politicians alone, but that of the
whole citizens, young or old, rich or poor, educated or not. A basic example to this relates to the
election process we have in our countryhow citizens elect political leaders during elections,
whether or not they choose a candidate for a noble purpose greatly influence how our
government could emerge as a democratic one. Second, politics is not merely about individuals
serving in the government, but rather, it involves citizens of different sectors interacting in a
system of governance. This implies that our government, being an agency in itself cannot work
through its mandate in the absence of people who can work efficiently and with integrity to serve
the common good. Common good entails the promotion of the interests of everyone, not just of
the few powerful individuals in the community. Third, politics serves to harmonize the different
aspirations among individuals (in particular, the need for a progressive and peaceful country) in
relation to the structure of government (e.g. the means and methods on how the government was
able to deliver the basic services to its citizens). Hence, politics alone is never determined by the
structure of government but on the kind of political leaders that we have as well as the citizens
participating through the political process. As provided in the Constitution, all government
authority emanates from the people.
Filipinos have given its mandate to a new set of political leaders, starting with the
President who had given his inauguration speech last June 30, 2016. President Duterte must have
understood the key to a progressive governmentcitizens who are willing to support and
cooperate with the government in its endeavors as he started his speech with a persuasive line
and I quote, No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or
significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and
sworn to serve. This statement is indeed very true today in view of the vital role of the citizens
towards a democratic government. No leader, as emphasized by Pres. Duterte, would be able to
fulfill its responsibilities without the support and cooperation of the citizens who have elected the
different set of political leaders, from the local government units, to the legislators, to the
national government. I commend his views that in his term, Philippines will honor treaties and
international obligations. This is very important as our country is a signatory to various
international conventions and treaties that help promote the rights and welfare of the Filipinos. In
particular, Article II, Section 2 of our 1987 Constitution mandates that our country adopts the

generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the
policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations. I do hope
that Pres. Dutertes leadership will pave way to various opportunities for the Filipinos to improve
its economic standing in relation to different countries as we are now in the ASEAN years.
Moreover, Pres. Dutertes administration would be able to provide long-term solutions to the
dispute relating to our Philippine territory vis a vis the claims of other nations, specifically
China. He failed to mention this aspect as he said that, they shall be supplied to you in due
time. According to him, he need not go into the specifics but for now, I can only suggest that the
President should have concrete plans as to how he can validly effect these things of national
significance, as these are timely and relevant concerns that our leaders in the government should
prioritize. Indeed, we cannot deal into matters of a peaceful country without securing our
national territory. The President mentioned about his main agenda since he started his campaign
the battle against corruption, criminality, and drugs. No doubt, these problems plagued the
country since time immemorial and I really hope that the President with other political leaders
would be able to provide substantial solutions to these problems. Corruption, criminality, and
drugs are signs of a defective systemand I would agree with Pres. Duterte that these are effects
of a society with lost and faded values. Indeed, Filipinos must see to it that the change we
really want to achieve starts from our own selves. This is a challenge not only to our political
leaders, but more importantly, to us Filipino citizens. We need to discipline ourselves, to go
beyond our individual interests, and work along with others. Pres. Dutertes famous tagline
Tunay na Pagbabago (Real Change) can never be achieved by us, if we remain as the same set
of people who are apathetic towards a clean and honest government.
I volunteered to serve as one of the paralegals last May 2016 Elections, and we were
assigned to Mambaling, Elementary, School. Out of the many voters who patiently went to their
precincts to vote, a certain man approached and asked us, Wheres the second floor of this
building? I heard that is where _____ (a candidate for President) gives money for his
supporters. Well, this country still needs a citizen voter who is mature enough in discerning for
the political change most of us wanted to. Now that Filipinos have elected the next set of
political leaders, I only wish to remind them that Presidency is not only about the President.
Although he plays a great impact in the government, governance is a responsibility of allfrom
the highest officials, to the local government leaders, and to us, Filipino citizens. The real change
for this country is a responsibility of everyone. Presidency is merely not of Duterte and his
Cabinet, it includes all agencies of the government down to the Filipino electorate. I do hope that
each of us will do our part. As Filipino citizens, we ought to know the right things and persevere
to act upon them.