To political analyst Dindo Manhit, it is inherent in the projected image of President Rodrigo Duterte that he comes across as a popular, stern leader with an iron hand but imbued with a manifest caring nature – like a father figure, qualities that seem to fuel thew core of his public persona.
“Nababalanse yung pagka (He balances this image of being a) compassionate and caring leader, but his strong image is based on that – I care for you, so I will do everything for you,” Manhit elaborates. It’s very effective, because he became totally different from the persona of former president Benigno Aquino, who was laid back.”
But, Manhit quickly adds, such a style may not always be effective, because it could bring on a potential feedback streak of rebelliousness: “If a person comes on as a strong man, there will be varying reactions, either people will be subservient, or rebellious or disobedient.”
In the meantime, President Duterte had been scantly seen in public recently, starting with his no-show at the Independence Day celebration and a few other public events.
Only recently did he pop at an evacuation center for residents of the Islamic City of Marawi displaced by the violent standoff between government forces and terrorist elements who chose to fight it out there, spawning waves of destruction, death and chaos leaving the Maranao city in utter shambles.
And then it was six more days of a president being scarce, something that could not but spawn concern and public speculation about what’s with the nation’s leader.
Early this week, on Tuesday, there he was again in the public eye, at Malacañan Palace marking Eid al-Fitre marking the end of the holy Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan.
According to psychologist Randy Dellosa, “For those people who call him Tatay Digong, siyempre (surely) they will be the ones who will get worried. Weather it’s a corporation, family, or presidency of the nation, it is always important to feel the presence of that person. Otherwise, the psyche of the nation is disturbed.”
Adds Manhit: “It also bears keeping in mind that the president is but human. He can get tired or overworked. The thing is, the election campaign team projected him as this strong leader, somebody with a can-do attitude. He cannot be seen as getting sick or weak. That’s where the challenge lies: How to balance the reality of being a human, the stress of the presidency, and his image that the public supports.”
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