Duterte critics should adapt, not ask him to change
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The chief criticism against Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is his vulgar language. He has insulted international organisations, diplomats and politicians here and abroad. The so-called (though mostly only self-professed) “political analysts” in our
I rather believe in the Spanish saying, “The natural defect cannot be removed.” We all have manners, habits, idiosyncrasies and conduct distinct from everybody else. Are we saying Mr Duterte must suddenly change his habits to suit each one of us? That is physically impossible.
Isn’t it much easier for us to accept Mr Duterte as he is rather than the president adjusting to the electorate? To his detractors who say his behaviour is unbecoming of a statesman, he has said, “I merely wished to be president, not a statesman!”
In international relations, diplomacy sometimes breeds hypocrisy.
Rudy L Coronel
