Lately, the Duterte detractors have come out in droves apparently to stall the surging popularity of Duterte among crime-weary citizens who see the tough-talking Presidential candidate as the answer to the unabated crime in the Philippines.
The biggest name so far in taking a jab at the candidacy of the Mayor of Davao City to undermine his popularity is no less than Winnie Monsod, an economist, a popular figure in the television industry and a newspaper columnist of Philippine Daily Inquirer.
In her PDI column, the UP Economics professor questioned the credibility of the website, Numbeo.com, in anointing Davao City as the safest city in the world. The hard-hitting columnist wrote that Numbeo.com’s data are based on the perception of the people who visited their website and not on hard facts. Hence, Davao City moved up from the ninth place in April 2015 to first place in November 2015.
In short, the method Numbeo.com uses to come up with their ranking is easily manipulated.
After this, many Duterte detractors join in attacking the mayor of Davao City armed with this argument to inject doubt into the hearts of the Duterte followers and the undecided voters who are still weighing their options of whom to lend their votes in the 2016 Presidential election.
Credits to kickerdaily
As expected, many supporters of Duterte did not take this attack on their Presidential bet very well. Moreso to a certified Dabawenya who find the time to write the most passionate and authoritative letter to defend Mayor Duterte from his harshest critics. Please read the letter below in full.
I have come to a conclusion that most of the anti-Duterte posts that I see on my FB feed are from my “friends(?)” who live in Manila and have not even set foot (not even a toe) on Davao. And I think that’s what irks me most. I can raise an eyebrow over Leni’s remarks that Naga is similar to Davao only because I have been to Naga and while I admire that place for its beauty, good food, great tourist spots, friendly people, it doesn’t in any way resemble the infrastructure of Davao. C’mon now.
So if YOU, my Manila condo-dweller friend who is perennially stuck in traffic and inhaling all the smog from EDSA, have not been here, then don’t be so cocky because you don’t even know what you’re missing. I haven’t met anyone who’s been to Davao and has cursed this city. Come down here and then tell me straight in the eye that this place sucks 100%. This is not a perfect city. It still has its flaws. It is a work in progress. But it’s promising. It’s growing. And we’re all working together to make it better.
I know you are one of those laughing at Davao for claiming to be the 4th Safest City in the World based on some questionable website. Well, we don’t really need a website to prove that our city is safe in the first place. Come down here and see for yourself or perhaps we can just show you some stats.
The crime rate is really low. Why? Because we have police visibility, CCTVs installed around the city, and we have a FREE 911 service. Trust me. I have called it a number of times — one time when I thought a burglar was in my neighbor’s yard, but turned out to be a dog left out and another time when a videoke party went on beyond the 11pm mark. At both times, 911 responded within 15 minutes. Yes it was THAT FAST. So do I feel safe? YES. I don’t need a website to prove that.
Perhaps, the only reason why that faux list went viral is the Filipinos’ (note that I didn’t say Davaoenos) penchant for claiming petty victories in the international arena. Isn’t that everytime a Pinoy wins on American Idol, X-Factor, and all of those contests (kahit na 1/4 Pinoy na lang sya eh) we all celebrate as a nation? News like that are headlines to us next to the Syrian or Spratley crisis. So okay we got TOO EXCITED. Most of us didn’t verify the source. We’ve all been victims of clickbaits. I bet you’re guilty too. It is human nature to get overexcited at something that pleases us.
I know there’s another faux website claiming that we have the cleanest water. Again, I don’t need some website to tell me that I can drink from the tap. We really do have clean water here. I grew up drinking from the tap. I only started drinking purified water when I studied and worked in Manila. But now I’m back in Davao, I have saved a lot because I don’t need to buy gallons and gallons of purified water to drink at home.
YOU MAY LAUGH ALL YOU WANT and call us idiots, stupids, Dutertards but personally I don’t care because I know you my Manilenyo friend. You already have a jaded heart. I can’t blame you though. Chaos is your normal. When I was in Manila and life was hellish, it was a blessing to know that I have another place called home — Davao. While you are stuck there. You’ve got nowhere to go.
I am feeling so emotional about your anti-Duterte posts because WE DON’T REALLY WANT TO SHARE HIM WITH YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE. We in Davao are alright. We are okay here.
Do you know why we are supporting our mayor’s bid for the presidency because as much as we hate the fact that OUR TAXES are paying for the rickety MRT you ride to work every day (that we don’t get to use but thank goodness for that) we also PITY YOU. We believe that the entire Philippines also deserves the kind of governance that we are enjoying here in Davao — efficient, transparent, not corrupt. If you don’t like that then you’re a bigger idiot than us.
I know why you’re so rattled about Duterte’s so-called “disciplinarian” style of leadership. BECAUSE YOU ARE A SPOILED BRAT. Only spoiled brats resent rules. You can’t give up your vices for the sake of others. What do you call that? A SELFISH SPOILED BRAT. You think it was also THAT easy for Davaoenos to quit smoking, go home earlier, celebrate the New Year without firecrackers? NO! BUT WE FOLLOWED. Because we believe in the objective. In the same way that Singapore had to strictly enforce rules to make their country get on its feet in the ’60s. Simply, we can’t have order if nobody wants to follow rules.
We are passionately supporting our mayor because like Frodo who bravely volunteered to carry the burden we are his “Samwise Gamgee”. Davaoenos are “chill” people. Like Sam we are okay with our life here in our own Shire called Davao. Food plenty. Air and water clean. Life is here! We don’t need all this fuss. Alas, our good friend who has been very good to us have chosen to put an end to THE CURSE. And like Frodo, he is small compared to his enemies. But like Frodo he also has the most noble cause. He has decided to put up a good fight despite his size; despite the size of the task.
I know most of us Davaoenos deep down inside are not THAT thrilled that our beloved mayor has decided to take this risk simply because we don’t want someone WE LOVE being hurt. But here we are… facing and taking down enemies for our mayor’s sake. Who among the other candidates can claim to have the same kind of supporters? The Davaoenos have left their quiet little corners and even if critics are laughing at us we don’t care.
And so even if we don’t want this whole grueling journey full of orcs and ring wraiths (black propaganda) along the way, we are with our Frodo — we are with our Mayor. We believe in his cause. We will fight with him. This run for the presidency is not going to be easy. Because we all know ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDOR. In this case Malacanang. #DU30
What do you think about this post?
Credits to Jill Villanueva-Palarca
I’m from Mindanao, Dvo. Or. let the haters hate… go duterte2016.
stupid and idiot? sagdii na sila kay wa na ka testing ug pagpuyo na hamugaway, no traffics. fresh veg., clean waters , etc..
BUT with all due respect to folks from Metro Manila, we were really surprised that majority of Manilenos preferred Duterte to become president based from the Pulse Asia survey that one-third of people in Metro Manila preferred Duterte.
we preferred mala-demonyong salita pero ma-anghel sa gawa di tulad sa mga pulitiko dyan anghel kung magsalita pero kademonyohan ang gawa…sawa na po kami sa kahirapan…sawa na po kami sa walang hustisya…sawa na po kami sa korupsyon na lalo nyo kaming binaon sa kahirapan at kayong mga pulitiko naman ang laging may kaginhawaan……
being “HONEST” to the public is what we admired most to Mayor Duterte…unlike other candidates you may find their true color after being elected to a certain position…we have past president(s) that buried us deeper to a sinkhole…hintayin pa ba natin na di na tayo maka-ahon..kami po ay HINDI..kaya sa 2016 solid DUTERTE kami sa pamilya namin..salamat po from Cebu.
Davao is your own, love it, but we are talking about a president here. Resume is really important. Davao is not what you say it is. I hope you haven’t let him run the presidential race because he will just eventually lose, and his bad deeds will be revealed.
You should know him and your city better because you live there, but you don’t. So I pity you…..
What? He will eventually lose? Ano ka ngayon unggoy? Save some ass if you can’t save your face with your words on top.
Slam dunk Jill.
I am so blessed that I live in Davao There’s no better place than being here. Manila is like hell. I can’t imagine myself living in a place like that, We give credit to Mayor Duterte for what he has done to our City. He deserves our votes & our respect. We thank him for his sacrifices & making this city what it is now. Saludo kami sayo Mayor. Our prayers are with you.
and yet, madami pa ding tga Davao at Mindanao pumupunta sa sinasabi mong HELL pra maghanap ng trabaho… =)
Oo napunta nga dito sa Manila kasi wala sila magawa..nasa Manila kasi kukunin ang mga requirements nila para palabas ng bansa….
Problem with Monsod is she has the data and didn’t go beyond with it – I mean how in the world would people vouch for a city’s safety including visiting foreigners without any significant proof of it from those travellers and migrants?
I’m from Manila and been in Davao… I support DU30 because I envy people in Davao because they have the best Mayor in the whole Philippines. I just not make Davao as the drugs free city but also made his people disciplined and honest. I never encountered any taxi drover whose rude & opportunist which is the contrary in Manila.
as if nasubukan mo ng lahat ng mayor sa Pilipinas?? kung gusto mo si Digong iboto mo, wag mo ng dagdagan ng kung ano-ano… pabebe na tawag dyan…. =)
Yeah right. The crappy shitty jobs found only in Manila. And dimwit people like you.
Sana bumoto na lang tayo doon sa pasya ng ating puso at isip. Kung ayaw nilang iboto si Mayor Duterte, pwede naman yon. May kalayaan tayo. Kung gusto nating iboto si Mayor Duterte pwede rin. Wag na lang po tayo maghahatol na ang mga boboto para kay Mayor Duterte ay mga idiot at stupid. Igalang po natin ang pasya ng mga tao dahil kalayaan at karapatan nating lahat yan. Yan po ang demokrasya.
Tama!!!!
hindi po lahat. kasi may iilang BOBOtante na nasisilaw sa pera. VOTE BUYING. if that happens, it isn’t freedom, its the fact that money is controlling you. that’s why we keep on campaigning, not only for Mayor Duterte’s presidency, BUT ALSO HONESTY.
I am symbolically giving back my candle to mareng Winnie. Seems like she has taken the role of an “attack dog” for the yellow minions. I cannot sense one bit of impartiality in her anymore. May God bless our country!
Simple economics ‘iya Wennie: i earn 5 digit a month but i won’t exchange that for a 6 digit salary in HELLISH Manila.
Been to Davao many years ago. I’M a cebuana by heart.
I’m residing in the US now and I have heard many good thing about your Mayor and the progressive Davao. Kudos to all Davawenios. More power to Mayor Duterte and may you be successful in your candidacy. My vote is yours.
Hayaan nyo na lang ang nagmamarunong sa ating bansa… Eh, sa totoo lang wala din namang napatunayan… Si Mayor Duterte walang dada… pero andaming napatunayan… Tama ang sinabi sa taas.. kung sana lang ay maramot ang taga-Davao.. ay ‘wag na nating hayaang tatakbo pa Si Mayor para pagka-Presidente. Subali’t karamihan ng mga taga-Davao at taga-Mindanao sa kabuoan.. nakikipag-isa sa mga kapatid sa buong bansa..na nag-nanais ng pagbabago… Kaya, ipinag-kaloob namin sa inyo ang aming Mayor para samahan siya sa kanyang hinaharap na hamon… Ang kanyang hamon ay hamon sa lahat ng nangangarap ng isa bansang mapayapa at maunlad…
Duterte detractors are those blinded people never think about changes in our country.. never think about those corrupt politician in the government , they ‘re fanatic to corrupt politicians…
They never visit developed country like Singapore, and learn how they developed their country.
Singapore become developed because they implemented the RULE OF LAW…
in Singapore law is law..
Here in our country Law is like a RUBBER BAND .. law is only for the poor people..
most of us were blinded by the brave, strong, and strict aura of Duterte and the mentality of him being the only cure to the increasing crimes and corruption in our country, forgetting the reality that Duterte is also part of so-called “PARTY”, PDP-LABAN. that this “PARTY” always worked as a GROUP… and if ever Duterte became the President, he will surely serve ONLY as a REPRESENTATIVE of that PARTY because decision making always comes from the GROUP and for the good of the GROUP…. sad but true…. and also, if ever he win, Duterte should also chose between AFP and NPA…. again, sad but true……
Ay taray! Ikaw na ang magaling. Tumakbo ka na rin. Yabang lang ah
And Duterte supporters are not blinded as well? Let’s highlight a few things you’ve been blinded about as well.
1) Duterte kills criminals. What criminals exactly? Snatchers, robbers, thieves? PETTY criminals. You don’t need your mayor to do that. You can do that yourself. When it comes to high profile ones he is just out there as the rest. July 2 Issue of Inquirer has dubbed Davao the smuggling capital of the Philippines (all this time I thought it was way up North). Not only that, he doesn’t exactly intimidate his opponents for the election does he? His reputation didn’t exactly ward off political mudslinging.
2) In case you have not heard the news, Singapore’s safety is gradually dropping due to the rise in population. This is symptomatic for any city that has an unanticipated increase of people. People following the rule of law will drop as soon as law enforcement is spread too thin.
3) The way most of you react when someone criticizes your mayor, you are far scarier than INC and that makes me wonder why you need him in the first place.
At the end of the day you’re just like Manilenos. Waiting for someone to do the dirty job for you instead of doing it yourself. So if Duterte wins the Presidency, congratulations. He just go promoted from public janitor to executive janitor.
Very well said Julio !!!
Wow as if may ebidensya. Kaloka! Nakita mo bang may pinatay sya? Or are u like those people who blabbermouth what they read, see, and hear. Puro ka kwento eh.
Yabang mo Julio, nasa Pinas ka, Tagalog na lang di ka naman presidentiable, feeling know it all, can u hear yourself, i guess, not….
julio my boy.. i pity you..
The Die Is Cast digong will be the next President let’s make sure he wins. Don’t worry about the so called detractors we will soon discover who and what the really are! Go Drigo! “Col” Ernie Ocampo Los Angeles California.
this monsod woman, maybe she never ever set her feet on the land of DAVAO yet… judging my beautiful, peaceful, and child-friendly city is STUPIDITY! if i compare the services of my city governments to your city governments??? ewan ko lang… i already stay here in malaysia but i will never ever change my home place davao to any kind of cities in the philippines! YEAH!!! I AM PROUD TO BE A DAVAOENOS!
can you compare it to Makati City??? Im not from that City and IM DEFINITELY not a Binay Fan but I heard a lot of GOOD things from there compare to any other cities in the Philippines…. =) so as Taguig…. the City of Sen Cayetano….
Makati is also bogged down with traffic and I wouldn’t even compare Makati with Davao. Davao is a sparsely populated city which accounts for its low crime rate and low traffic/pollution not because of Duterte. Dabawenyos fail to realize this.
They made sacrifices to make it happen? Yeah, that’s easy to say IF the police had a manageable population to handle. The ideal police to citizen ratio is 1 cop for every 8 citizens. 1 cop to 15 is too much. We don’t have that many in more dense cities and neither to we have the budget. Hence, crime becomes unmanageable. Again, some people fail to understand this.
Lastly, these so called death squads that some of them are so proud of? If your leadership has stooped to this level you know their own laws have already failed them.
“So-called” nga kase wala namang pawang katotohanan. Nanggaling na mismo syo. Puro satsat eh wala namang alam.
whatever, tapos ka na? batse na….
The only thing I don’t support is the smoking ban – that’s just too much. Oh and he should legalize/decriminalize cannabis. Nothing wrong wrong with a little green.
Mga Putang Ina ninyo! Mga BOBO! Tanga!… Oh, wag kayong mapikon ha! ? Masagwa bang pakingan na tawagin kayong ganyan? toto naman eh! …Ganyan kalasing presidente ang gusto ninyo diba?
Unang una ayaw ninyong ikumpara ang ang Davao sa Naga pero kinkumpara ninyo ang Davao sa manila. Ilan ba mayron populasyon mayron ang manila kumapara sa Davao? ang dami nang sasakyan, dami negosyo, ang ekonomiya? ang davao ay tourist destination nang bansa, samantalang ang manila ay industrilized na lungsod. Ang problema sa NCR ay matagal nang problema na minana pa natin sa mga na unang namumuno, hindi pa maunlad ang davao.
Pangalawa kung demonyo ang ibang kandidato, cguro naman mas tripling demonyo si d30 dahil mamatay tao sya, maniac, sinungaling at bastos!… Si duterte ang taong hindi kumikilala sa hustisya, taliwas sa kumento nang isang tanga na fans niya. May hustisya ba ang tawag m sa isang Berdugo?
Pangatlo tama lang ang sabi ni mareng wennie hindi talaga statistically tama ang survey nang isang website at maaring dayain….kung alam mo ang tinatawag na statistic?
Sinong nagsabi na safest city ang davao eh sa mayor palang hindi na safe ang mga tao! at ano ang tawag mo sa mga balita na patayan, droga, nakawan na nangyayari diyan sa lugar ninyo or maaring hindi lng nabalita. Maaring taga davao ka pero hindi ibig sabihin na alam mo ang nagyayari sa ibatibang barangay, malaki kaya ang davo. saan kaba nakatira? baka sa subdivision nang mga mayayaman na kumpleto sa cctv at security kaya safe ka! hahahaha… wala kang alam sa nangyayari sa labas nang subdivision mo.
Hay naku hwag ng patulan ang aso…..
I get the point and I agree, 100%.
Please don’t be like the person you do not want (Rodrigo Duterte). He will be happy, because he loves bad words, soooooooooo much!!!!
Tonto Bo.. Iho de puta bos!.. ebo el Bobo! Go Duterte..
“I know most of us Davaoenos deep down inside are not that thrilled that our beloved mayor has decided to take this risk simply because we don’t want someone we love being hurt. ”
Exactly my sentiments too! Thank you for the post, so right on!
A bad side of “regionalism” is patronizing a kababayan and one’s place of birth because it is where he came from and he is from the same place as they may be tagged the same. Every person is unique, and I won’t believe for a fact that Davao residents are all murderers, violent, and are fan of womanizers. Imagine this traits for your father, it is so disappointing…. Love your city and give your nation a father like Duterte…
Is it really that hard to think?!?
I will vote for Rodrigo Do-Dirty if I will not use my head, but I have my family that I think of, I need a TRUE and HUMAN President.
Rodrigo Duterte: The Rise of Philippines’ Death Squad Mayor
http://bbj.hu/opinion/rodrigo-duterte-the-rise-of-philippines-death-squad-mayor_102752
My choices for prez, VP (1)
http://opinion.inquirer.net/94518/my-choices-for-prez-vp-1