Duterte: Worst president ever? 

Not long ago, the ultimate turncoat in modern Philippine politics slyly boasted of the so-called “Duterte magic.” His characteristically sycophant intervention came shortly after his patron, Vice President Sara Duterte indulged in a Digong-style chutzpah by claiming that as many as three Dutertes will be running for the country’s highest chamber next year. “All of them are [planning] to run [for Senate],” she told reporters during a visit to Cagayan de Oro in late June. “[Sebastian] Baste Duterte will run for senator and [then] he will run in 2028 (for) president.”

It was a calculated show of force, as she steadily styled herself as an opposition leader and, crucially, prepared for a direct clash with the legislature for the annual budget hearing. Over the next three months, however, the Dutertes would have a rude political awakening. Sara Duterte would be repeatedly exposed and humiliated in various legislative hearings, which only strengthened the case for her impeachment. Her approval and satisfaction ratings also suffered significantly, with barely a third of Filipinos in the National Capital Region sympathizing with her. As for ex-human rights lawyer Harry Roque, well, he would end up as a fugitive.

The collapsing fortunes of the House of Duterte were on full display during the filing of the certificate of candidacy for next year’s elections. Recognizing their dismal numbers in authoritative surveys, neither of Sara’s brothers dared to run for a national post.

The family’s patriarch flirted with the idea of running for senator but he eventually decided to sidetrack his bumbling son, whose legendary incompetence and vacuous populism created a dangerous opening for rivals. Famed for their smarts, the Nograleses made a bold yet calculated bid to take over Davao’s top offices next year.

The congressional side of the race seems more competitive, given the Nograleses’ historical strength, but even the mayoral race could turn out interesting if Duterte’s rivals end up receiving all-out support from the well-oiled administration. It goes without saying that the mild-mannered Karlo, who served as Duterte’s former Cabinet secretary, should adopt a more feisty and formidable campaign if he is to stand any chance of fulfilling his family’s long-held political dream.

But even if the patriarch retains his dynasty’s grip on the top provincial office, the long-term prospect for the Dutertes is potentially grim. The much-vaunted quad committee (quad comm) hearings have created game-changing exposes, which could eventually bring down the House of Duterte. To begin with, Kerwin Espinosa simply confirmed what every sound mind already knew, namely how the former administration just cooked up false charges against critics such as former senator Leila de Lima.

But the true bombshell was the testimony of Duterte’s alleged former lover. Former policewoman Royina Garma exposed the entire “architecture of mass murder” under the former president’s drug war. “The Davao model involves three levels of payments or rewards. First is the reward if the suspect is killed. Second is the funding of planned operations. Third is the refund of operational expenses,” she told the quad comm last week, implicating not only the former president but also Duterte henchmen such as Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.

The potential entry of the International Criminal Court later this year will likely seal the deal, especially for Duterte’s other hapless henchman, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Duterte supporters have often boasted of their idol’s popularity as the ultimate vindication of their fanaticism. But with the notorious dynasty’s popularity on a downhill, what we are left with is nothing less than the disastrous legacy of the former administration.

To put things into perspective, Duterte oversaw more alleged extrajudicial killings in his first four years in office than almost two decades of dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. And unlike any of his contemporaries for that matter, Duterte unabashedly kowtowed to China, which has been colonizing our exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte was not only as indolent and unstatesmanlike as Joseph Estrada but also oversaw corruption scandals and irregularities that echo the notorious Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presidency. His singular mismanagement of COVID-19 also meant one of the worst economic recessions in the world as well as the loss of lives of countless Filipinos. The list is long. This country has yet to get a truly great leader, but I can’t blame those who think Duterte is the Philippines’ worst president ever.

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rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph