Strongman or indecisive leader?

It should be remembered that President Duterte himself brokered a speakership deal that led to the 15-21 term-sharing agreement. Unfortunately, honoring this so-called “gentleman’s agreement” is problematic for both camps. What transpired on the night of Sept. 29 speaks volumes not only about the House of Representatives but more about the leadership of Mr. Duterte. He has failed to show his decisive hand despite his pronouncements that both sides should give due credence to the agreement made.

Ultimately, Congress has unveiled and provided a bigger picture of what President Duterte really is—that he is not, after all, a “strongman” but an indecisive leader, to say the least. The battle for the top post between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco has proven that when the President is faced with matters that need his firm and outright decision, per some lawmakers’ recollection of the meeting, he is not able to provide a decisive solution.

The argument that the President is not acting firmly on this issue and that he is just mediating between the parties is illogical. It is a known fact that the leadership in the House has the blessing of whoever sits in Malacañang. Of course, some would argue that Mr. Duterte knows where to draw the line in matters affecting other branches of government, and that he would rather not interfere in them. But, to put it simply, in the matter of the speakership deal, Mr. Duterte has not been a resolute leader. The country can be compared to a dragon boat where he is the captain, and for lack of clear direction, one side moves this way while the other moves in the opposite direction. If this holds, especially in more important issues, then surely the country will barely move.

Mark Jerome T. Bongalon
Tabaco City, Albay