Let’s give the innate goodness of Duterte a chance

SEEK CHANGE not for the sake of change but seek change for goodness’ sake.

“Man basically is good,” St. Thomas Aquinas said. I agree. That’s why I personally believe President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s inner self is full of goodness, this quality being basic in every human being.

Duterte sings. Duterte jokes and laughs. Duterte loves his children, apo and friends. Duterte loves the taste of durian and the smell of wild orchids in Mount Apo. Duterte loves beautiful girls. In other words, Duterte is truly a human being.

But come pride and arrogance. God is so displeased with pride.

Duterte has also some weaknesses, just like other human beings. He has a “pusong mamon” for friends, which could be dangerous if he appoints less qualified friends to key government positions. And a “pusong bakal” for his enemies.

Let us give him a chance to prove his worth. The full moon is not always full, sometimes there is a total lunar eclipse.

—ISIDRO C. VALENCIA, Taguig City