President Rodrigo Duterte Inauguration Speech Reactions

Listening to a Philippine president inauguration speech is most of the time boring, however President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's Inauguration Speech had perhaps been one of the most inspiring one. Previously I admired the speech delivered by former President Estrada in 1998 and now I am admiring Duterte's speech and have high hopes for his administration. Here are my reactions on President Duterte's speech...

Call for Unity

Every Predident of the Philippines had called for unity but there had never been one as sincere as this one. He has the sincerity in his voice and the sincerity in his eyes to call for unity. Unity among all people in the government, unity with those who are opposing the government, unity with the international community, and unity with ourselves.

"No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve."

His call for unity is a good sign but perhaps he should also begin reaching out to Vice President Leni Robredo as the first show of true unity. Set aside personal preference and friendship with Senator Ferdinand "Bong-Bong" Marcos" and show the country that indeed you mean business as a President.

I think President Duterte is very sincere and serious in this one.

The real problem of the Philippines

I was caught off guard when he talks about the real problem of the country. He narrates his priorities which is the fight against corruption, criminality and drugs but then he said that is not the real problem. If it is not the real problem then what is the real problem?

President Duterte says that it is the people's lost of trust and confidence in the government that has become the real problem of the country. Indeed, I agree with hum on that 100%. Most Filipinos have lost faith in this country. They had lost the belief that we can be a great country because the government had failed time and time again. Recognizing this means that the new administration knows where to start and what to do.

As his first order of business he immediately directed various agencies to speed up the processing of government documents and to eliminate redundancies. Why would you need to repeat the same process in each department when you were already approved in one? This givernment means business and means to make our lives better.

Realizing Heneral Luna's observation

President Duterte quote the words of National Artist F. Sionil Jose stating that we have become our worst enemies. In Heneral Antonio Luna's voice, "Mga kababayan may higit tayong kalaban kaysa sa mga Amerikano - Ang ating sarili."

This had haunted the country ever since. Vested interest had become the norm and the personal interest needs to be reached before the interests of other people. The recognition of this problem is the first time I have ever heard about it. This is an administration that seeks recovery of our lost dignity as a Filipino.

Duterte said, "Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished – these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippine."

He also recognized that the journey will not be easy but he assures everyone that he remains committed to the country and to make a better Philippines.

Quoting Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt

President Duterte borrowed quotes from famour US presidents and this shows the kind of leadership that he will emulate,

"The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Duterte will be a champion of the poor and reading this we might see major programs in poverty alleviation and providing more opportunity for those who have less in life.

“You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men." - Abragam Lincoln

He is projecting that he will be a president for all, that he will not favor anyone and instead will work hand in hand for the country. It is very inspiring to see a president who sees the value of everyone. This is a very rare occasion and the first time I had seen since I was born in this country.

A Respectful President

This administration is someone who would respect the continuity of what the previous administration had done. Despite President Rodrigo Duterte's bad thoughts about the shortcomings of the previous Aquino administration he assures continuity of projects. He even warns government agencies to honor approved contracts and not to change them

He also assures everyone that his administration will respect all international treaties and agreements. This is contrary to what he is saying in the campaign which in my opinion back then was part of the campaign strategy.

A great start for President Rodrigo Duterte

Overall, I admire him now more than ever. I have high hopes for his administration and I believe that this is the first time that a president had realized the real problem of this country. Our new president needs our wholehearted support and we should give it to him.

What do you think of his inaugural speech? Are you inspired? Share us your views.

For the FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE INAUGURATION SPEECH CLICK HERE. You can also watch a video footage from the same link.