Should manners be included in the character of a diplomat-in-chief?

Obviously pointing at Duterte’s crass behavior and unbridled retorts often carrying with them the P word or the F bomb. Only those who call themselves decent are the ones whose ears are bleeding every time Duterte give his speech to the people.

Just this morning, he spoke before the Filipino community in Japan in a 3-day state visit. He again dropped the notorious P-word, and you can hear the resounding laughter of the people. But more than anything else, his promise that the present generation will be the last of the OFWs left an indelible mark of hope to our kababayans.

But then again the “disente” highlighted the profanities first, and was entirely deaf to the essence of his speech.

This man can just move our hearts because of his honesty and love for his countrymen. He can easily connect to the people, a quality never achieved by the decent speaking past presidents we had. He speaks the language of the masses, he thinks using this language, and couldn’t he be more understood and loved by the common people.

He is willing to be grilled down the fire of the senate, should they possess evidence against him. And he would willingly do so for the people.

So in the matter of manners and right conduct, he already said he got the lowest mark in GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct) way back elementary and high school.

So? At least he delivers what others took more than a term.

His delivery is a fresh zest of air from the rather formal and constricting language of the past presidents we had. Always talking about promises and achievements written in percentages and colorful charts and tables. Claims that are completely disconnected from the common aspirations of the people.

Our president is quick at giving feisty retorts, but also prudent when it comes to matters concerning the welfare of his beloved people. Hesitation and procrastination is not prudence, neither moderation and fear. Prudence is a mark of a good states man, to wait for the opportunity, but at the same time build circumstances surrounding that opportunity until that moment becomes ripe for seizing.

What made him a good statesman is his honesty and his genuine love for the people.

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