Trump and Duterte: Rockstar presidents

Last Wednesday, Nov. 6 PST, we witnessed the greatest comeback in the history of politics. Former president Donald Trump trashed his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, to recapture the White House and become the 47th president and first president of the United States since Grover Cleveland in 1893 to return to office after a defeat.

- HARRY ROQUE

Trump's political comeback is nothing but spectacular, for it came after two assassination attempts and two impeachments aided by nine years of demonization by a heavily partisan media establishment.

Similarly, in the Philippines, we saw how former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte – and now, his family – endured nine years of relentless vilification campaign – only to emerge as the most beloved president of the Philippines at all times at the conclusion of the Oct. 28 Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing.

Four weeks ago, critics and detractors of the 16th president already predicted the decline and collapse of what they derisively called the House of Duterte. Thus, when former president Duterte appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing, they all believed this was the start of the downfall. But expectation, as we all know, is far from reality. Little did these critics and detractors know that Oct. 28, 2024 would mark a watershed in the Duterte saga, as the former president became a stuff of legend, proving his continuing hold on the Filipino imagination.

In the words of the Gen Z, former president Duterte, just like president-elect Trump, is a rockstar!

Two years of toxic political attacks against the Dutertes under the current government went down the drain. The Filipino people once again got enamored with the former chief executive as fPRRD defended his record with conviction and outwitted adversaries. His presence was undeniably powerful as he set the tone of the hearing.