COMPARING President Rodrigo Duterte to Brazil's President-elect Jair Messias Bolsonaro was "understandable," given that both "are populist leaders who came to power because of their respective peoples’ desire for formidable and decisive leadership," Malacañang said on Friday, November 2.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement, taking note of foreign commentators who have been drawing similarities between Duterte and Brazil.
Panelo, however, stressed that Duterte already has a track record as chief executive since 2016, while Bolsonaro has yet to assume post.
Panelo also noted that the comparison was no different from Duterte being likened to US President Donald Trump and other "strong and tough heads of state who implement gallant measures against lawlessness."
"The comparison, however, ends there since Bolsonaro has yet to assume the presidency and will only do so come January 1, 2019. Everything is merely speculative at this point," Panelo said.
Bolsonaro is a former officer from the far-right Social Liberal Party who has been accused of misogyny and of being homophobe.
Bolsonaro won the second round of the South American country's presidential election, winning 55.1 percent or around 58 million of the total votes.
Bolsonaro’s support for torture and threats to jail political dissidents have prompted political analysts to brand him as Brazil's first authoritarian leader.
Duterte, on the other hand, has been criticized for his harsh and insensitive remarks against women, church leaders, and human rights advocates.
Panelo said Duterte's first two-and-a-half years in office has demonstrated that the chief executive has his own unique but effective style of managing the affairs of the bureaucracy and the country – similar to none.
Panelo added that Duterte's “tapang at malasakit (courage and compassion)" brand of leadership has the overwhelming support of majority of Filipinos.
"Duterte's record as the Philippines’ chief executive speaks for itself. The President has done many firsts in his administration," Panelo said.
Panelo then bragged that Duterte has signed several measures that are beneficial to the people. These are increased Social Security System (SSS) pensions for senior citizens, improved government employees salaries, doubled the take home pay of state forces, and distributed Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Panelo also said that Duterte has similarly intensified revenue collections of the government to new record-highs, and made the Philippines one of the strongest economies and growth leaders in the region.
Panelo also noted that Duterte has reduced criminality rate, waged a war on illegal drugs, fired corrupt government officials, thwarted the spread of terrorism in the country, and promoted and protected the country’s environment.
"Indeed, we have accomplished much under the leadership of the current administration and public confidence remains high as seen in the satisfaction, approval, performance, and trust ratings of the Chief Executive," the Palace official said.
"We, however, expect to do more in the remainder of the President’s term to continue fulfilling his vow of, as well as satisfying the clamor of the Filipinos for, genuine and meaningful change," he added. (SunStar Philippines)