MANILA, Philippines – For female local leader Leona Ungco, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is the only presidential candidate who can effectively change the status quo – especially in public order and safety.
"Kailangan natin talaga ng pagbabago kasi marami ng kurapsyon, marami nang problema ang Pilipinas. Marami siyang maco-contribute [to solve] traffic, drugs," said Ungco, coordinator of the Progressive Ladies League of the Philippines - Taguig chapter.
(Our country needs change because we have a lot of problems, including corruption. He can contribute a lot [to solve] traffic and illegal drugs.)
Ungco is among hundreds of Duterte supporters from all over Metro Manila who flocked to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, December 8, as the Davao City mayor reaffirmed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president.
Mothers, female students, and women leaders were among those present. And like Ungco, they strongly believe in Duterte's iron-fist approach to criminality. Some of them are even willing to look past his womanizing ways.
A mother of four girls, Ungco told Rappler: "Nasa babae naman 'yun eh kung papatol ba sila eh 'di 'yun na 'yun. Pag pumatol na sila, sila na may pagkakamali nun, 'di na si mayor, kasi si Mayor Duterte siguro naman namimili din 'yan."
(It is up to the women if they will submit to it. If they do, they are the ones to blame, not the mayor, because I think Mayor Duterte is also selective when it comes to the kind of woman he dates.)
A female student who supports Duterte also said she is not offended by his womanizing, and even praised the mayor for being honest. (READ: Rodrigo Duterte: Yes, I'm a womanizer)
"Natural na sa Pilipino 'yun. Sa totoo lang, natutuwa ako kasi umamin siya. Bakit 'yung ibang pulitiko, dami-daming kabit, hindi naman umaamin," 17-year-old Katherine Adriano said.
(It is a natural thing for Filipinos. Actually, I'm glad that he admitted he is a womanizer. Other politicians have many mistresses but they don't tell the truth.)
But Duterte has drawn flak, especially from gender rights advocates.
In a previous statement, women's group Gabriela denounced his womanizing, stressing that presidential candidates should uphold "the highest standards towards uplifting society's views on women."
"Treating women as objects is an affront to women and should not be flaunted. This reeks of machismo and reinforces the society's low regard of women."
Killing criminals 'okay'
Duterte's female supporters also defended him from accusations that he orders the summary execution of criminals in his city. (WATCH: Rappler Talk: Human Rights Watch on Duterte and the death squads in Davao)
"Nakikita namin na 'yung kanyang pamumuno ay maganda. Ang mga pinapatay ni Duterte ay masasamang tao, mga nanggagahasa, mga kurap. Pumatay man, nasa tama," Filomena Dizo of Taguig said in an interview with Rappler.
(We see that his leadership is exemplary. Duterte only kills the bad people – rapists, corrupt [officials]. While he kills people, it is for justice.)
Another supporter said that human rights only protect criminals from being penalized.
"Kasi ang sinasabing human rights, kahit yung masasama sinasagip nila, imbes na matakot ang mga tao, 'di na natatakot kasi may sumusuportang human rights," Adel dela Cruz said.
(Because of the concept of human rights, even criminals are protected. They are not afraid because of human rights.)
Morality 'not a popularity contest'
Sociologist Clifford Sorita said that these supporters' view of their presidential bet's actions is natural.
"A group that they are forming is geared to one person. Sometimes, the tendency is blinded to the shortcomings of the leader that they refuse to see the morality of the same issue," Sorita said in a phone interview with Rappler.
However, he reminds the public not to simply accept unfavorable practices just because many others do it.
"Morality is not a popularity contest. I don't think it is fair to simply say that one thing is moral because a group of people accept [it]." – Rappler.com