By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
Malacañang yesterday attributed the inclusion of President Duterte on the cover photo and top story of Time Magazine to his strong and decisive leadership.
Duterte was included among the “strongmen” leaders on the cover of Time Magazine in its May 14 international edition. The cover story features Duterte, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
It described Duterte as a “former mayor who talked more like a Mob boss than a President, on his promises to wipe out the drug trade with his own brand of justice.”
Despite the slant, Malacañang said Filipino are satisfied by how Duterte runs the country and his brand of justice adheres to the rule of law.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Filipinos by now are used to Duterte’s language and know that while he may be extreme in his words, he is serious in his commitment to serve the country.
“Regardless of slant, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has demonstrated strong and decisive leadership – a quality appreciated by Filipinos as evidenced by the Chief Executive’s high satisfaction, approval, trust, and performance ratings,” he said.
“Filipinos have learned not to take PRRD literally with his colorful language but they have surely taken seriously the issues the President has espoused, such as the war on drugs and crime,” he added.
Roque also said that the drug problem is a worldwide concern and Duterte’s way of handling the illegal drug situation in the country has been recognized by other world leaders and international organizations.
“The drug problem is not only a Philippine concern. It is a global burden and the Philippines’ war on drugs has been acknowledged by countries and leaders, including Indonesia, China, President Donald Trump, and police leaders from other Southeast Asian countries,” he said.
“The President’s brand of justice strictly adheres to the rule of law where the dismantling of the drug apparatus ensures the proper investigation of all drug-related killings.”