LAWMAKERS on Tuesday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for landing in the top spot of TIME Magazine’s online reader poll of who should be in its list of 100 most influential people for 2017.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said Duterte fully deserves to be on the list because of his style of leadership, governance and unorthodox methods in solving the country’s problems.
Despite the President’s use of profanity, Barbers said he is still well-loved by most Filipinos because he is truthful and sincere in his words and deeds.
“Filipinos love guys who are very realistic and down-to-earth, and of course with a sense of humor that the masses can easily identify with,” he added.
Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano said Duterte probably wouldn’t care about the poll.
“Does the President give a damn about it? That should be our question to him,” Albano said.
“I do not think he cares if he is not in the list or in the list as long as he is doing the right thing about his crusade. Remember the guy shuns publicity,” Albano added.
Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting said the poll result provided an insight into how the President is viewed internationally.
Albano and Tambunting also took note of the President’s continuing popularity despite controversies hounding him as shown by the latest Pulse Asia survey, which said that most or 78 percent of Filipinos approve of the work done by President Duterte.
But Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin, a member of the opposition, said he was not convinced with the poll result of TIME.
“Now that even reputable media institutions are being either hijacked or attacked by populist leaders and their online supporters,” Villarin said. “I think we should take what we see online with more than a grain, if not bags of salt.”
The Palace on Tuesday said the President’s fiercest critics have failed to dampen public sentiment in favor of Duterte, as the recent Pulse Asia survey shows.
“This tells us that a great majority of Filipinos appreciate the President’s priority of protecting the nation’s patrimony — the next generation — from dangerous drug traffickers and violators; to restore a trustworthy government free from corruption; to keep our streets safe from crime; and our society just and fair,” Abella said.
Abella also said the sustained strength of the Philippine peso mirrors the high business and investor confidence in the leadership of President Duterte.
On Tuesday, the University of the Philippines’ Board of Regents offered Duterte an honorary doctor of laws degree.
“In keeping with tradition, the UP will confer an honorary degree on the President,” Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said.
The President has yet to accept the offer.