PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has been in office for two years and it is becoming evident that he is unfit for the highest office of the land.
The problems of criminality, drugs and corruption have been with us in decades but under the Duterte presidency, these problems, contrary to his promise to solve them in three to six months, have escalated to alarming proportions.
The extra-judicial killings of drug suspects continue unabated, victimizing thousands of people, mostly the poor and the marginalized.
Yet, the drug problem has persisted. Many people believe that the government’s drive against illegal drugs is a farce since only the small fries are arrested or killed while those responsible for the smuggling of drugs at the customs bureau worth 6.4 billion pesos remain scot-free.
The drive against corruption appears to be a sham since Duterte is waltzing with Gloria M. Arroyo and the Marcos family. Some high officials in the government were ousted for propaganda purposes but many of them have been appointed again to another office in a game of musical chairs.
The notorious secretary of Justice Vitaliano Aguirre was removed for his questionable dismissal of drug cases against Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa. Lately, however, Aguirre has been reportedly appointed to a juicy position in the Social Security System (SSS).
Criminality has become rampant. In a space of six months, three Roman Catholic priests were murdered with impunity. Within a week three local officials, namely Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili, Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija and Trece Martires City, Cavite Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan were gunned down by assassins’ bullets. Their murders have remained unsolved.
Here in Cebu, crimes are on the upsurge. The slaying of San Fernando Councilor Alexander Alicaway and former Talisay City Councilor Emil Go have remained unsolved. Recently, prominent lawyer Salvador “Buddy” Solima was gunned down inside his house in Guadalupe, Cebu City. The gunman was arrested although the mastermind is still free. Not long ago, three police officers were killed by their fellow officers.
Meanwhile, the economy is in doldrums as admitted by President Duterte, Prices of gasoline and diesel are rising every now and then. Prices of prime commodities are now almost beyond the reach of the common man. The peso has depreciated to almost 54 to a U.S. dollar, the lowest in 12 years. Inflation is now 5.2 percent, the highest in five years, thanks to the TRAIN law.
Because Duterte has not solved the pressing problems of the nation, he entertains his fanatical followers with his tirades against the Church, and his claim that the Christian God is a “stupid God while his God is “perfect.” Now, he challenges the believer that if they can prove the existence of God, he will resign.
Many share the observation of National Democratic Front chief consultant Jose Ma. Sison that what President Duterte needs is not an adviser but a psychiatrist. – Democrito C. Barcenas