Profane pols debase themselves, nation

This refers to the April 19 editorial “And he’s No. 1,” which notes that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed the outrage over his rape remarks at a campaign rally last week as much hoo-ha over nothing; the “gutter language” he is using he attributes to his supposed class background: “’Di naman ako anak ng coño” (Loose translation: I don’t come from an elite family.)

All candidates for public office, presidential or not, whether rich or poor, are expected to be more respectful and decent in their words, especially during public discourse. They are expected to have an oral vocabulary a few notches above that of average citizens. They are supposed to use words carefully, whether in public or in private. They are supposed to bear in mind that words are very powerful and can provoke unexpected reactions. If politicians cannot even respect the Holy Father what respectability is there left?

Does vulgarity win votes? Does profane language catapult a presidential candidate to victory? Some candidates, in their ardent desire to win, resort to insults, slander and fault-finding, instead of explaining their programs of government. One thing is for sure though: When they use gutter language or cuss words in public, they debase not only themselves but the whole country as well.

—REGINALD B. TAMAYO, Marikina City