A RAINBOW appeared above the crowd that assembled in Luneta last Friday to show solidarity with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
The beautiful spectacle was prodigious. Countless religious gatherings and political rallies had been staged in Luneta but nothing is as significant and as this rainbow like it was a portent to what is yet to come-the 2016 presidential derby.
The Mayor had often said in the past, that he will consider running if he sees a sign from the heavens giving him the message to run as thousands have urged him to. If he conveniently brushed aside the saying that “the voice of the people is the voice of God” Duterte should shudder and ponder his options now that the more eloquent message is written in the skies.
I was driving up to Baguio City when I heard over the radio that a rainbow streaked across Luneta where the people congregate to demonstrate their support for Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Why did it not occur in Tarlac or in Pangasinan. Why did it happen where it happened and why was it timed when the throng gathered to assure the Mayor they are and will be there for him?
Duterte was in Zamboanga when the event in Luneta took place. He was chasing the abductors and their victims who were snatched from an island resort in Samal, Davao del Norte.
He has to do the job because no one else would. They are too busy politicking. He had offered himself to the kidnappers in exchange to the foreigners that they had abducted.
In Luneta, the crowd braved the rain and stood their path. Duterte later learned that what ABS-CBN reported early in the day as a crowd of about 5,000 had actually swelled as shown on Facebook posts. Touched by what he saw he sent a text message through Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, “I hear your clamor loud and clear... hindi ko kayo pababayaan.”
Again we see in Rodrigo Roa Duterte the mark of a true leader. He shuns the enormity of power in the Presidency but is prepared to sacrifice himself so that others will be free.
Take note at how Duterte would miss his sleep when ordinary mortals like us would be snoring ourselves to slumber while the Mayor sneaks out from his humble home, drive a taxi and prowl the nooks and corners of the city hunting criminal elements. He comes home when daybreak illumines the streets, takes a nap after breakfast then face his constituents and, when time allows him, peddles Federalism no matter where in the country for as long as someone listens.
In Baguio City it is convenient to just park your car in your hotel and take a cab or walk. I asked our taxi cab driver John Cacanando who will he vote for President. Without batting an eyelash he responded, “Yong gusto kung Presidente kasi sir ayaw naman yatang tatakbo.” “Sino pala ang gusto mong Presidente?” I pressed on.
“Si Duterte, yong mayor ng Davao City sir. Marami na akong naririnig kung gaano katahimik ang Davao City, sir”.
John is a taxi driver that reflects the great awakening among Filipino voters. He speaks lengthily about what is happening in the country. He is aware of the rising tide of criminality and corruption and the kind of presidential candidates we have.
“Yang si Grace Poe sir, naudyokan lang yan. Oo mataas yong rating niya at dahil doon naudyokan siyang tumakbo. Pero wala yang kakayahan sir sa laki ng problema natin sa krimen at corruption. Naudyukan lang yan. Si Binay binoto ko yan bilang vice president dahil naniwala ako na siya ang nagpaganda ng Makati. Tapos bilyon-bilyong pala ang katiwalian na kinasangkutan niya. Pati dito sa Baguio sir, napaka-unpopular niya. Si Roxas naman… okay naman siya pero wala namang pinakikitang galing. Tatay niya naging presidente… tatay ba niya yon? Pero sir tingnan mo ha. Nong mamatay si Ninoy, binoto natin si Cory. Namatay si Cory, binoto natin si Noynoy. Namatay si FPJ naging popular si Grace Poe. Nang maudyukan ngayon gustong tumakbo. Sana sir tumakbo si Duterte. Kailangan natin kamay na bakal… Sampu kami sa pamilya ko sir. Sir dito na tayo sa Good Shepherd…”
End of conversation.
Back in our hotel room early morning after Luneta happening, in DZMM teleradyo Julius Babao and co-host were talking about Duterte and the event in Luneta Park.
They talked briefly about Grace leading the survey, Binay dropping off from No. 1 to No. 3 and Roxas incredibly now second. All three, Julius said are declared candidates for President. But what surprised them most was that despite the fact that Duterte is undeclared and had in fact repeatedly said he is not interested in running for President, he is consistently 4th. Julius is a learned and professional broadcast journalist but he shared the same thought as that of taxi driver John. But Julius was a bit more emphatic with his appreciation of Duterte: he is in the mold of Lee Kwan Yew. Rainbow over Luneta tells us more. It could be the sign Duterte is waiting for.