Rodrigo Duterte is the election’s most polarizing candidate. Fans praise his no-nonsense approach to politics while doubters criticize his iron fist. Even celebrities and public figures have spoken out, and Parokya ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda is the latest to air his side.
Miranda posted his political views on Facebook as a response to a comment posted by a netizen. According to Vincent Atienza Cifra:
I am not a Catholic. Pero in defense of both the Pope and Duterte, uunahan ko na yung mga posibleng manira kay Duterte dahil sa sinabi niya kanina sa proclamation na “wag na sana bumisita si Pope.” Umattend po ako sa proclamation niya at narinig ko ang buong speech/lecture niya. Ang konteksto po niyang sinabi niya ay yung congestion/delays sa airport at kalsada dahil sa kawalan ng kwenta ng gobyerno, na kahit sa ‘air’ at important roads ay may traffic dahil hinihintay si Pope dumating. Ang point lang ni Duterte, hindi naman kailangan maparalisa ang takbo ng mga airline, o ng mga kalsada, at ng negosyo dahil lang may pupuntang isang importanteng personalidad. Bakit kasi di gastusan ng gobyerno ang paggawa ng ibang major airports sa mga karatig lugar (special airports na pwedeng gamitin for special events for instance) o di kaya gawing mas epektibo, accessible, at kapakipakinabang ang paggamit sa mga katawang-tubig for transportation? He also wanted to stress na kung siya, hindi na siya sa Luneta mag-oath-oath for presidency dahil mag-tatraffic lang. His anger, na nasamahan niya ng mura-expression niya, was not clearly directed at Pope. It was an expression of frustration sa management. Siya na mismo nagsabi na marami siyang kaibigang pare. Sa San Beda pa nga siya nag-aral at siya na rin mismo nagsabi na he was raised Christian. His anger was directed sa gobyerno. – Na sa hiya, gusto niya nalang sabihin sa Pope na wag nalang siya bumisita. Nasamahan niya nga lang ng mura, nakasanayang expression obviously… Sarili niya nga minumura niya eh. Ang kanya lang, we can do better para hindi tayo mapahiya sa Pope at sa taumbayan. Duterte’s sense of humor is truly idiosyncratic but it is not without sense. Dapat lang talaga laliman din natin ang pagtanggap sa mga statements niya – wag yung ‘face-value’ acceptance. ‪#‎Duterte2016
(I am not a Catholic. But in defense of both the Pope and Duterte, I am going to get ahead of those who will criticize him because of his proclamation thatthe Pope shouldn’t have visited. I attended the proclamation and I heard the whole speech/lecture. The context was the congestion/delays in the airport and roads because of the lack of preparations. Duterte’s point is that airlines, roads, and businesses shouldn’t be affected because of an important visitor. Why is it that the government can’t make other airports in major cities (or special airports for special events, for instance), or make existing ones more effective, accessible, and useful? He also wanted to stress that if it were him, he wouldn’t take his presidential oath-taking in Luneta because it would cause traffic. His anger and his cussing were not clearly directed at Pope. It was an expression of frustration at management. He said it himself that he has a lot of priest friends. He went to San Beda and he himself said that he was raised Christian. His anger was directed at the government. Out of shame, he wanted to tell the Pope not to visit. He included cuss words, which are obviously part of the way he talks. He even cusses himself. To him, we can do better  so we don’t embarrass ourselves to the Pope and the masses. Duterte’s sense of humor is truly idiosyncratic but it is not without sense. We have to deepen our understanding of his statements and not accept it at face value. ‪#‎Duterte2016)
Miranda agreed and said:
I value my faith more than anything, even my country.
I love and respect the Pope a lot more than Duterte.
Pero honestly, di naman ako na-offend sa speech nya. Di naman ganun katanga si Duterte para murahin nya si Pope sa context na pinapalabas ng ibang tao.
As I said before, alam ko hindi sya santo. And as I also said before, I don’t always agree with everything Duterte says or does…but I still firmly believe that he is what our country needs.
Hindi dahil nawalan na ako ng tiwala sa Pilipinas at sa mga Pilipino, but because naniniwala ako na gusto nya talaga ayusin ang Pilipinas.
His plans go beyond “killing pushers and rapists” as others limit and dismiss his capabilities to. Tingin ko hindi nya rin papabayaan makalusot yung mga kurakot na pulitiko at mga kalokohan na nagaganap sa iba’t-ibang gov’t agencies.
Again, opinion ko lang naman ito. It may differ from yours, and I will respect that, as long as you respect mine.
Peace and goodvibes sa inyong lahat.
(I value my faith more than anything, even my country.
I love and respect the Pope a lot more than Duterte.
But honestly, I wasn’t offended by his speech. Duterte is not stupid to cuss at the Pope at the context people are saying.
As I said before, I know he is not a saint. And as I also said before, I don’t always agree with everything Duterte says or does… but I still firmly believe that he is what our country needs.
Not because I have lost trust at the Philippines and Filipinos, but because I believe that he truly wants to fix the Philippines.
His plans go beyond “killing pushers and rapists” as others limit and dismiss his capabilities to. I feel that he won’t allow corrupt politicians and other shenanigans at different government agencies.
Again, this is my opinion. It may differ from yours, and I will respect that, as long as you respect mine.
Peace and goodvibes to everyone.)
Do you agree with Miranda? Share your thoughts below!
