D for Presidency?

          Some known and not-so-known political personalities are perhaps starting to show off by now to the public. For about more than a year from now, millions of Filipinos will then again cast their supposed-to-be-powerful votes than can somehow create a societal transformation by choosing the most suitable leader who can put mesmerizing words into fruitful actions.

          Last February 11, Dumaguete City particularly Negros Oriental State University welcomed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for an uncertain visit. It was attended by some NORSU higher ranks, faculty and staff, students, and some local media practitioners. The sixty-nine-year-old honorable spoke before the audience about the current national issues. He included in his speech the very antique beginning of colonization up until the current scenarios of Mindanao and the country.

          He even talked on the history of Bangsamoro in Mindanao and the highly centralized monetary system of Philippine government which has been described as Manila-centric. Incumbent solons were also criticized by Mayor Duterte saying that some are visibly “corrupt” while others are not capable of handling the positions they are holding.

          Well, I don’t have to put so much emphasis on these because the very reason of his visit is to inform everyone how Federalism would change the country’s ever biggest dilemma—corruption. Not to mention that he is implementing a federal type of governance in Davao City which made the latter one of the most peaceful and safest places on earth which can be reflected on its fast economic development.

          In my further readings and research about Mayor Duterte, I discovered that Dumaguete was not the only target of his visit and to note, it was a 30-day sortie, as what Christine Herrera of Manila Standard Today reported in her article. He has gone to Butuan City, Zamboanga City and Pagadian City before he reached the very ground of our city. Another set of visits is scheduled in Cebu, Puerto Princesa City, and Dipolog City—all perhaps are Visayan-speaking heartland.

          The article continues that the mayor will also be going to Luzon particularly Baguio City, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan within the next 30 days. I wonder why he visits those places just to spread the words of Federalism, not unless he is into other ‘vague agenda.’

          I’ve also read in other online articles that he is not aiming for presidential seat nor be a contender of those renowned presidentiables which he also mentioned and strongly stressed during his NORSU visit. This mayor even said if he is into presidential run, he will wait for the ‘divine signal’ before he would make the much-awaited announcement.

          Probably, as of the moment, he is still in doubt. But for me, one thing is for sure, he is into a ‘certain’ national seat. Maybe, being a president is not yet for him because of the fact that he only holds a mayoral position and directly leaping for the highest seat of the land. Maybe, he’s in denial that what he’s doing is already part of campaign activity because it’s a NO-NO to Commission on Election (COMELEC). What’s the purpose of spending much money for the visits, for the ballers, stickers and tarpaulins?

          To the honorable mayor, if I may ask, how can you implement a national reform through Federalism if you will not be the president of this nation? If signal is what you’re looking for, try to examine the overall aspect of the Philippines today and you’ll realize that it’s the rightest time for change!