Mar Roxas stands up against Duterte

The presidential election campaign gets maddening by the day.
The entry of Duterte into the ring has added more spices to the juicy race to Malacanang. His style has stirred up controversies. His calling Pope Francis names created upheaval from Catholics. His pronouncements about the God-given purpose of his 70-year-old birdie inspired 70-year-old men. His God-gift-to-women appeal titillated not only the opposite sex but also full and hot blooded men.

Duterte is a love him or hate him kind of guy. His numbers show that the crowds are loving him. He’s like the new super hero on tv that is coming to get the goons. The audience is clapping, women are gasping, and men are cheering.

We are all disgusted about the widespread drug use and distribution, the unabated street and organized crime that’s why we are looking for someone perceived or packaged to be like superman to blow the whistle, clear the streets and hang the criminals.

We are fed up of wasting our precious lives wasted in daily traffic that’s why President Aquino’s rating is dipping. And unfortunately, his endorsement of Mar has not shown any considerable improvement in Mar’s standing. The common tao’s analysis is that if they vote for Mar, then things would just be the same. The ordinary people’s perception and analysis of things are different from other sectors. They didn’t know that our economy under Pinoy had been robust. More jobs were created, foreign investment confidence remained high, business was generally upbeat and full of optimism. We should also give Pinoy’s administration the credit for keeping our economy aglow. But CDE don’t see that. That’s why Duterte is strong in the CDE segment.

Is Duterte the guy? We don’t know. We would only know after…

or is Mar the guy? Mar Roxas is well-bred, smart, well-educated, has served two governments in several capacities. I personally know Mar and I know he’s a really good guy. Many people believe in him but don’t want Korina, so how does that go? Korina is not running for public office but if Mar wins, she wins too, officially as first lady. Many can’t seem to fathom that Balitang K would be the queen. Why? What’s wrong with Korina Sanchez? Some find her antipatics. Remember? “Bring it on?”

Mar is the underdog in this presidential race. Many admits he will be a good president. But does he stand a chance in popularity against Duterte? Currently, Mar has to make the public think deeply and intelligently. Otherwise, he could still be the underdog come election day.

On the sampalan teleserye,
Mar Roxas commented that the peace and order situation in Davao is only a myth. He said he based his conclusion from the official police reports of the number of crimes committed in Davao.

Mayor Duterte syempre was offended. However, instead of disproving Mar Roxas’ claim by citing factual figures, he resorted to personal attacks by saying that Mar didn’t graduate from Wharton. He didn’t stop there. He threatened to slap Mar if their paths crossed.

Wala akong kinakampihan pero Duterte should have cited official crime statistics to prove that it’s really peaceful in his city rather than question Mar’s education. In our country, our history shows that the Filipino voters don’t give a damn about a candidate’s educational achievement. Secondly, he threatened to slap Mar? I am confused. Please educate me. Why? For what? Because of what Mar said about Davao? Medyo mababaw.
Bigla nga akong nag-worry, di ba his daughter also slapped someone in Davao? Baka pag si Mayor na ang presidente, kung mainis sila sa atin, sasampalin na lang nila tayo? Kawawa naman tayo.

Some people are blaming Mar, kasi daw pinatulan si Duterte, dapat daw he should have just kept quiet. I don’t blame Mar for reacting that way. I would probably feel the same way if someone threatens to slap me for no apparent reason. What have I done to deserve the threat? Siguro marami sa atin magagalit rin.

I did a survey of 60 people at the Philcoman’s gathering on December 10 at the Hotel Intercontinental and Duterte came out the winner with 40% and with Marcos getting majority of the votes for vice president with a solid 55%.

It’s still too early in the game to predict who will the winners be.
The surveys don’t say it all. Kita mo Binay was a poor 6% in the surveys against Mar’s 44%. Tapos biglang sya ang nanalo. Nalampasan nya pati si Loren Legarda at si Mar Roxas.

If Mayor Duterte wins the presidency, I hope he becomes more respectful of people’s rights and freedom. I hope he upholds the rule of law. I hope he becomes more objective and circumspect. I hope he becomes more compassionate and understanding.

What our country needs is a strong leadership. One that is based on respect for the rights and freedom of the 100 millions of people he would govern. A leader that would inspire and motivate all of us to do our own share for the betterment of our country.