By Frank Baraan IV
You can tell at the onset if someone is going to be a tyrannical leader or a compassionate one just by listening to how much they use the words I, my, me, us, we, ako, akin, tayo, kami.
And there is a noticeable difference between how Leni Robredo and Rodrigo Duterte use those pronouns — particularly, the possessive pronouns.
When Leni gives speeches, addresses the nation, or posts a video updating the public of her latest projects, she always uses TAYO & WE. If you visit her personal Twitter account, the Vice-President gives regular reports of what her office has been doing for the people during this lockdown. Her inspiring, robust speeches always mention the ever-inclusive “WE” — “TAYO.”
Last March 12, 2020, the VP released a statement regarding the #COVID19PH situation: “Isang komunidad tayo; walang paraang malagpasan ito kundi isaisip ang kapakanan ng lahat… Alam po natin: Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang walang sapat na salapi para magpatingin sa pribadong ospital.”
Compare those to Duterte’s impromptu speeches and Late Night With Rodrigo press cons. Last April 27, 2020, he announced that he is rejecting peace talks with NPA-CPP citing the killing of “his soldiers” as a reason.
“Yung mga sundalo ko, pinagpapapatay…”
Last July 26, 2016, ABS-CBN posted on their YouTube channel a video of Duterte promising soldiers to double their salaries, “Pangako ko, doblado ang suweldo niyo.”
As the Mayor of Davao, such authoritarian pronouncements may be tolerable — even acceptable. But as a President, Duterte should realize that he doesn’t own the country, the government’s money, and the military. He may be the Commander-in-Chief, but he is, essentially, also just a temporary custodian and interim CEO of the nation.
Duterte doesn’t own us — we own him. We don’t owe him anything — he owes us everything.
Perhaps Duterte’s memory may be getting a tad bit foggy. After all, he’s almost 75. His sharp mind might not be how it used to be.
Maybe it’s time to remind him that the Philippines is not owned by just one; it is owned collectively by everybody.
One hopes the frequent use of words like WE & TAYO might help. Unfortunately, though, we can’t teach old dogs new tricks.
Old dogs no longer have space in their brains to learn new tricks, because they are already filled with old tricks to trick, you know, WE, US, TAYO — the public.
Oh, sorry — not the public. Wrong word. What I meant to say was, uhm, SUBJECTS.
