Dear Mr. President,

            How are you doing, sir? I hope all is going well for you. I know you've been having problems with this pandemic. The fact is that we all are. I'm not sure what it's like to be president during a pandemic, but I'm sure it's not easy. I only hope you make the right decisions to keep this pandemic from causing more misery to your people. Even if I disagree with most of what you say, I hope you do what is best for the Filipino people.




        You have done a lot for this country and its people. For instance, when you were mayor of Davao, you worked to improve your hometown. But it doesn't mean you're flawless; the truth is, no one is. You were involved in a lot of conflict in the Philippines, such as your “ war on drugs ”. You campaigned on the promise of eradicating illegal drugs within three to six months after being elected. Despite the fact that it has been 5 years, your drug war has not resulted in the eradication of drugs in the Philippines. Your drug campaign in the Philippines, I believe, is ineffective. Your 'war on drugs' was primarily anti-poor, killing only the marginalized while drug lords continue to live with freedom. 'According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, there were 5,942 drug suspects murdered in police operations as of October 31, 2020'. The majority of these suspects killed had no chance to speak or face trial. 'The United Nations’ human rights chief found “serious human rights violations” in the conduct of the Philippines’ bloody war on drugs.' But, beneath it all, I know that the pandemic has been a difficult time for the entire world, not just the Philippines. I hope you would realize the mistakes you have done and do what you think is right and just for the Filipino people. I believe that every leader need righteousness and justice to lead, and I hope you do have it.


            Many people think and speak negatively about you, Mr. President. I can understand these people, because people are suffering, people are dying. Nonetheless, despite the fact that you have let me down multiple times. I will continue to hope the best for you because I know you love and care about your people and will do everything in your power to provide the best for them. I think there is still time for change, Mr. President, for I believe that a great man is defined not by his shortcomings, but by how he faced them. Best regards, Mr. President. And now that you have announced on Saturday October 2, 2021 that you are stepping down from politics, I want to thank you once more for your service to the Filipino people.



References: 

AB Wire. (2016, September 5). Obama cancels meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo... Retrieved October 4, 2021, from The American Bazaar website: https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2016/09/05/obama-cancels-meeting-with-philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-417004/

How Duterte’s drug war can fail | War on drugs. (2014). Retrieved October 4, 2021, from Philstar.com website: https://newslab.philstar.com/war-on-drugs/policy

Rappler.com. (2016, September 13). IN NUMBERS: The Philippines’ “war on drugs.” Retrieved October 4, 2021, from Rappler website: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/numbers-statistics-philippines-war-drugs

‌UN rights chief says Duterte drug war without regard for due process, human rights. (2020). Retrieved October 4, 2021, from cnn website: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/6/30/un-human-rights-chief-duterte-war-on-drugs.html

 

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