Double-talking President

One day President Duterte says one thing, and the next day another. Anyone tasked to speak for the double-talking President really has his work cut out for him or her.

Take his own words about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue: In his online speech in 2020 at the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Duterte said: “The award is now part of international law, beyond compromise, and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish, or abandon” (“Duterte affirms arbitral win vs China before UN: It’s now part of international law,” 9/23/20).

But in his pre-recorded press briefing recently, Mr. Duterte ranted against that arbitral award: “In the language of hoodlums, I will tell you, give it to me …: P**ang in*! That’s just paper. I will throw it away in the wastebasket!” Surely to the great delight of China, which is bullying everyone in the WPS. In his pre-election campaign, Mr. Duterte promised to assert our sovereignty in the WPS and even ride on a “jet ski” to plant our flag there. But it was Chinese flags that began sprouting in the WPS.

He also vowed to destroy drug syndicates within six months in office. Then he confessed he needed not six months but six years to deal with the drug problem!

With all due respect, given the countless times he has flip-flopped or lied through his teeth on practically all issues of national importance, is our president a pathological liar?

SCARLET S. SYTANGCO
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