Julmar Grace

As Christians, why should we vote for Mayor Duterte

Less than a month to the 2016 presidential elections, we finally have decided who to vote for president. All of them are good and can lead to some measures, but as a people who expect a spiritual revival in the Philippines; we have to look at different avenues to choose who the best candidate for the Malacañang Palace is. We prayed, watched almost every interviews, read almost all trending posts, followed each of their campaign journeys online, and we have come to a sound decision that we are giving our #ChristianVote to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Voting with a Conviction

We call this the #ChristianVote because this is not just a vote from a Filipino citizen (not that it is lesser) exercising the rights of suffrage alone. This is not just a vote out of our own personal experiences, ethnicity (Bisaya) and locality. This is not even because he is our Mayor.

This is a vote in faith and intercession given to the one who we believe can be used by God to usher His destiny and calling for the Filipino people.

Qualified but…

Let’s go there straight.

Senator Meriam Santiago is sickly. She is smart but can’t even stand in debates for a long period of time because of her physical limitations. How can she run this nation in its nitty gritty plight? The Philippines needs a president who will go to every barangays and get her/his hands dirty (not in a corrupt way) with work. Senator Santiago is not the right person for this responsibility.

Senator Grace Poe is well-versed but has limited experience. She can do research, prepare a plan but the last #PiliPinasDebates2016 for presidentiables disclosed that she can’t decide effectively in the midst of crisis. This was reflected when she was asked by the good Mayor on what will she do if China attacks. Senator Poe is good but not fully equipped for this time being. This is setting aside the issue on her citizenship which may play a crucial role in understanding what this country needs.

Former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas has been given a lot of chances for good governance over the past few years but he hasn’t done this nation any outstanding and effective long term change. Former DILG Sec. Roxas was born to a family of influential leaders but does not possess the heart and will to be one.

Vice President Jejomar Binay is tinted with corruption issues. We have a saying that “when there’s smoke, there’s fire”. He denied all issues and say all are black propagandas. But how come he did not also expose what’s true? Why is he not present in all hearings? Why is he not using media to share what reality is? A press conference can be very easy to call but he did not do anything to address these issues.

This tells us that he is hiding something. There’s no transparency. And in the condition the Philippines is at right now, gray lines are not a gamble we’re willing to risk.

Why #DU30?

Let’s also go their straight.

Mayor Duterte is a proven and tested effective leader. In all the presidential candidates only Mayor Duterte has a track record of competent public service WITHOUT CORRUPTION issues. His 22 years of service in Davao is definitely not perfect but the best across the land.

We are a living witnesses. We have traveled a few cities in Europe, Asia and the Philippines but there’s no place like Davao City.

• There is peace and order. The law is functioning. There are No Smoking Ordinance, Firecracker Ban, Speed Limit, Liquor Restriction, No Videoke In Public after 10pm, and a few more rules that we all abide and value. It’s not a martial law state because only those who violate the law receive humane consequences. These laws gave this city the rare peace of mind we can’t find in any cities.
• There is safety. People are free and protected. When we see police officers (which is almost every 1 kilometer in public places), we feel safe and not threatened. When we hear news of bomb threats and crimes, we have a mindset that it won’t happen in Davao City because we have Mayor Duterte. Our 911 and public rescue and safety teams are there 24/7 ready to respond to any call of help, for free!
• There is progress. Visit Davao City today, you will see taller buildings and new infrastructures simultaneously being built all over. There are jobs and good opportunities. It’s true, life is here. And this can be possible nationwide, if the Philippines is up for it.
• There is equality. People are heard. Even the poorest of poor receives justice when the issue reaches the Mayor. People from different groups even the minorities, are esteemed.
  

Mayor Duterte can unite the nation. The NPA, MILF, MNLF, Catholics, (“born again”) Christians and all other groups share a good standing with the Mayor. There is mutual honor and respect despite the differences.

And only a Mayor Duterte can do this. Only him can lead this diverse land with more than 80 ethnic groups spread out in 7000 plus islands, including all the Filipinos working all over the world. He alone can bring the unity we badly need.

Mayor Duterte has a clear plan with a time frame. Only a #DuterteCayetano tandem gives us  solutions. If this is a science class and Filipino people is the teacher, other tandems (science groups) are identifying the problem and giving us hypotheses. The #DuCay tandem is giving this land a conclusion and recommendations. They both have the leadership and political will for transformation.

Yes, our Vice-President is Senator Allan Cayetano. Here’s why.

In addition, if we deem that Mayor Duterte is a great leader; wise and not corrupt, we have to trust his choice. There’s a reason why he choose Cayetano and not Marcos or Robredo…

Mayor Duterte is a palaban (gladiatorial). The Mayor is a fighter. He hates crimes and injustice. He is brave and is a man of action.

Mayor Duterte is a patriot. He has passion for the nation and love for the Filipino people that we have not seen from the rest. He ran not because he wants to gain something, but because he wants to serve his people and bring change in this nation. He genuinely cares for the poor and the helpless.

Not Political

Mayor Duterte has issues…

He cuss and is adulterous according to the Law of God. These caused our hesitations before because we wanted a leader who upholds righteousness. We even had to follow his stands on divorce and same sex marriage and we’re happy when he declared NO to both. Nonetheless, we have to understand that he did not have a real encounter with God yet. We can’t expect anyone to uphold God’s values and project the saintly life when he doesn’t have the Holy Spirit in his life. That would be unfair.

The killings of Davao Death Squad (DDS) is also linked to his name. This was a big no-no to me before. I even wrote a blog about it discussing how it doesn’t reflect the heart of God who is full of grace. These criminals should be given a chance. But over the years I understood that in a corrupt nation like the Philippines where the justice system works only for the rich, a serious Public Servant needs to do radical measures to uphold justice and common good. Desperate men do desperate things.

It’s simple, killing one drug pusher will save 50 kids who are using drugs. And we’re from Davao City, we have personally seen at least three pushers killed and have talked to their relatives. We even know someone whose Dad was a former member of the DDS. Living here for more than 15 years, we can attest that it’s true, no one is killed without being warned, no minor, women or the innocent are killed. Because if only our judicial system works, the DDS should have remained a myth.

To add, the Mayor also has a bad mouth. The latest “rape joke” shows that. He has “gutter language”. How we wish he talks more statesmanly but he is who he is. He grew up in the “streets”. But at the end of the day, it’s not about who talks more politically correct but who can lead this nation with effective leadership. The one who won’t steal from the people but will give himself fully to the nation.

Lastly, Mayor Duterte is not the “good image” guy we’re used to. Not the political type that tickles our itching ears with good words but are unable to implement and bring real change. He bluntly reflects the real situation of our society: broken family, cusses when mad… But why would these actions intimidate the Christian in us when we often see these in our own neighborhood? Adultery, cussing, and killings are in the very soap operas you love to watch. Let’s not do what the Pharisees did when Jesus walked on earth. 🙂

Revival in the Philippines

We believe in the change coming. We believe in revival coming to the Philippines. As Christians, we need to look what God is doing and not be blinded by self-righteousness. We need to be able to set aside our religious preferences and think of our nation. Who can lead us best? Who has a track record great governance? Who is not corrupt? Who can best bring the will of God and His righteousness in this nation? It is the one with the selfless motive to real change.

This is the time for revival. He is giving us a leader who can usher transformation in our land. Let’s position our nation for revival by voting the one with the heart to serve and will to change. Duterte, despite his imperfections is the man of the hour! He is the instrument for change.

Yes he’s not a Christian (yet). But even the “unbeliever kings” in the Old Testament (Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes) were used by God to bring salvation to His people. It just takes a people bold enough to position themselves to be used by God and usher blessing from a leader to a nation. Let’s be the Daniel and Esther of our generation. Let’s give our #ChristianVote to #Duterte!

🙂 🙂 🙂

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NOTE: When I used the word “we”, this means my Husband and I. This stand and campaign do not reflect the people we serve and organizations we’re affiliated. However if you’re a Christian like to join us in the “we” voice and would like to influence others to give their #ChristianVote to #Duterte, please pray with us… please share this blog to open more eyes. On to national transformation!