Published by Bayan Metro Manila
President Rodrigo Duterte is nowhere to be found amid the surging COVID-19 cases and the build-up of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
The public health crisis alone warrants not just his attention but visible leadership to assure Filipinos that he is on top of the situation and that the government is doubling efforts to improve the pandemic response. Instead, we got photos of Duterte playing golf and jogging in the Palace grounds.
We remember when Duterte decided to give an unscheduled televised address in 2020 after he saw a news report of a protest by urban poor groups in Quezon City, and threatened to shoot those who will use violence during the crisis. Surely, the sight of hospitals reaching full capacity and people dying without receiving medical treatment should be enough to prod the president to address his terrified constituents.
This is the time for the president known for throwing expletives to use his notorious gift of gab against China’s incursion into our maritime territories.
But Duterte could not be bothered to show up and deliver a message during a crisis situation. Is he still in charge? If he is unable to discharge his duties effectively, he should step down already.
Duterte’s resignation will not solve all our problems but allowing him to remain in office will prolong our suffering. His removal as president will give us a better chance to survive the pandemic after a year of relying on lockdowns, curfew, and other militarized restrictions.
Duterte has to be made accountable for his government’s criminal negligence and human rights abuses. Some would argue that this can be done in next year’s election by rejecting Duterte’s anointed candidate. But why wait for another year when exacting accountability today would save more lives?
Donald Trump was impeached in the Lower House days before the end of his term but it was not seen as a futile exercise because it delivered a forceful statement reflecting the sentiment of those demanding accountability.
This should be our attitude too in calling for Duterte’s resignation. It should serve as a warning to all elected officials that bad governance, treason, and tyranny will force them out of power.