President, nation’s face

President Duterte should be more careful with his language and behavior. He is the leader of the Philippines and of the country’s more than 100 million citizens. He should exercise moderation and due restraint in speech, avoiding profane language, or cuss words and phrases like “son of b___h” and  “go to hell.”

Unfortunately, he has used these expressions, alluding to Pope Francis and the then incumbent US president and UN secretary general, the European Union and the leaders of some countries. I wonder if he even realized then that he was representing the Filipino people when he used foul language.

Yes, he bested four other candidates for the presidency because a plurality of the Filipino voters cast their ballots for him.

Mr. Duterte, if you still care about the sensibilities of your countrymen, you should apologize to them and promise that you will be more careful henceforth with your language. Bad habits die hard, yes, but remember: In the world stage, you are the Filipino nation’s face and spokesman!

Recently, in one well-attended occasion, you showed bad manners: You openly talked about Vice President Leni Robredo’s hemline, knees and legs. This is very, very ungentlemanly, insulting and sexist. Has it ever occurred to you to make a public apology to the victim who happens to be the Vice President of the Philippines or that even the president of the Republic of the Philippines has to practice good manners and right conduct?

QUINTIN GOMEZ, San Fernando, Pampanga