I might think about it: Duterte in Valencia

by Chito A. Fuentes

VALENCIA CITY – “If you look south and it’s me you see, and if Gov. (Jose) Zubiri is beside me, I might think about it,” Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said at the conclusion of his speech here Wednesday.

It touched off a thunderous applause instead.

Duterte has been categorical about his disinterest in the presidency and he said so again at the start of his speech during the “Summit on Federalism and Current Issues” at the Valencia City gym.

Jampacked crowd give Mayor Duterte standing ovation upon arrival at the 4,000 seat Valencia City Gym in Bukidnon. Photo by Chito A. Fuentes

He recalled that he was merely chosen to give a face to federalism by two of the region’s elder statesmen, former Assemblyman Ruben Canoy and ex-Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. which is the reason why he is going around.

Canoy, who was seated at the presidential table on stage, nodded in agreement.

Duterte once again expressed his concern about the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is facing rough sailing in Congress.

The mayor had repeatedly warned that violence will break out in the event that the BBL fails.

Duterte, however, made it clear that he is merely hoping for the passage of the BBL “for the sake of peace”.

The mayor pointed out that if the BBL is given to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the government is bound to give it to all.

“There must be equality of the law,” he stressed.

The BBL has come under closer scrutiny after the Mamapasano incident with at least four senators voicing opposition to it. 

With the BBL hanging in the balance, Duterte said the problem is that the government has no plan B.   

“Nobody is minding the store,” he added, pointing to the uncertainty in the region which he said will again be the battleground.

Duterte was eagerly awaited inside the 4,000-capacity gym. The audience stood and clapped as he made his way to the stage and once again when his turn to speak came.

There was no mistaking the agenda of the gathering with tarpaulins welcoming Duterte saying: “the Filipino people should support a presidential candidate who promises during his incumbency (a) federal parliamentary form of government will be a reality.”

Zubiri left no doubt about the importance of the gathering, pointing out that only one of Bukidnon’s 20 town mayors and two city mayors was absent while all 464 barangays were represented. 

Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri's leadership is manifested with all but one of Bukidnon's 20 town and 2 city mayors were at the front seat to listen to Mayor Duterte's advocacy on Federalism. Photo by Chito A. Fuentes

Also present were Representatives Jose Zubiri III, Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba and Rogelio Neil Roque.

Former Sen.Miguel Zubiri also graced the event.

The scene inside the gym was a virtual microcosm of Mindanao: indigenous peoples in their ethnic costumes, government officials in their office uniforms, religious leaders, ordinary citizens and soldiers and policemen.

The welcome fit for a president was not what Duterte wanted, but which he could do nothing about.

In the end, he was left with little choice but to acknowledge that he might just think over what he said is like “a distant star”.

For people in a region that has been looking north since the birth of the republic, there is little doubt it is time to look south. 

 With the elections still more than a year ahead, that is good enough for his audience who rewarded him with a thunderous applause. (CHITO A. FUENTES)