Jay Sonza, a former broadcaster and journalist, recently published an expository Facebook post that elucidates certain characteristics of the president. Dwelling particularly on the communicative or verbal style of the president, Sonza explained why Duterte behaves or communicates in such “unfavorable” manner.

The exposition is rooted on the previous criticisms fired against the President where Duterte is relentlessly scrutinized for his so-called “vulgarity” and verbal behaviors which, according to Sonza, is oftentimes misinterpreted by the people.

Defensively speaking on behalf of the President, Sonza explained his personal assumption, theorization as to why President Duterte behaves that way.

“More often than not, Mr. Duterte is misunderstood, misread or taken out of context, especially for people who do not know him personally, who have not met him, who are not use to his manner of speaking, who have not experience his brand of leadership, who hates his guts and those who belong to the other side of the political fence and will eternally oppose anything this administration will do for the country.” Sonza initiated.

“Bakit nga ba hindi madaling maintindihan, mabasa o maunawaan ang pangulo ng bansa? Let me venture to guess some reasons (hindi po ako personality specialist o psychologist, ang mga pananaw ko ay nakabase sa aking mahabang karanasan sa gobyerno, corporate world, media at batay na rin sa aking napag-aralan at bilang crisis manager sa ilang kung naging kliyente).” He added.

Sonza’s explanation is inclusive of four main points. Also in his elaboration, Sonza incorporated some facts-some scientific and some are not, as basis and references. Sonza’s explanation reads:

“First, Mr. Duterte thinks faster than he could speak. According to studies, ganito ang mga matataas ang IQ. 

He read more books, magazines and newspapers than any one of us. HIndi Makahabol ang bibig sa bilis ng pag-iisip. Kung inyo pong napapasin, madalas halos hindi tapos ang kanyang mga sentences. This specially pronounced when answers question during instant press conferences or ambush interview. Kasi ang pakiramdam niya matatalino iyong mga mediamen.

Second, si Mayor ipinanganak sa Leyte, lumaki sa Davao, lahing Cebuano (mind you buena familia ang angkan doon. if you want to know more about this as Jojo Robles of Manila Standard and DWIZ), Maranaw/Muslim at Tsino. Iyong pinaghalong kultura, istilo ng panalita at asal probinsyano ay napakalaking kaibahan sa gawi ng mga taga Luzon. Sa mga Bisaya, lalo na sa mga Mindanawan kasi sa galaw pa lamang ng labi, kamay, paa, o kindat nagkakaintindihan na.

Third. Kahit pa maraming kaibigang mayaman, namuhay si Presidente sa piling mga ordinaryo tao. Lumaking “bugoy” o laking kalye. Kaya, parang Batangenyo, Cabitenyo o Novosiyano, mabulaklak ang bibig nito kapag nangungusap. Madalas marinig ang katagang “putang ina o lecheng yawa o bilat ibay” hindi bilang pagmumura, kundi bilang pagbibigay ng diin o emphasis sa nais niyang iparating na diwa.Fourth. Naninibago ang lahat sa pagbabago. Nakakahiya mang sabihin, ang Pinoy kapag nasa abroad ay ubod ng disiplinado. Pero dito sa sariling bayan, karamihan, nuknukan ng kawalan ng disiplina – mayaman o mahirap man. 


Ang karanasan ni Ginoong Duterte bilang alkalde ng Davao, kabilang na ang pamamalakad sa gobyerno ay nagbunga ng maganda. So, kung tumino ang siyudad sa pamamagitan ng paraang tatak-digong, bakit hindi ito gawin sa buong bansa.” Sonza reasoned out justifiably.

Before ending his post, Sonza also pointed out another significant reason why misunderstanding between the president and the people exist constantly. Partially putting the blame to the presidential spokesperson, Sonza wrote:

“It becomes difficult only because some of the people around the president is not helping him. Foremost of which is the presidential spokesman. Instead of clarifying statement or policy pronouncement, he compounds it by his inability to speak with spontaneity and conviction. tuwing tinatanong siya ng media, madalas at sa hindi nagsisimula ang sentence nito sa “i think, ah, I think….(eh sa putang ina naman, bago ka sana humarap sa mga reporter ay nag-isip kana muna. sorry po tao lang) at walang kabuhay-buhay.” Sonza asserted.

Frustrated, Sonza further described how ineffective Duterte’s spokesperson is in dealing or rectifying the statements and often misinterpreted behaviors of the president.

“Sa totoo lang nakakadalawa o tatlong upak na ang mga kritko ng pangulo wala pa ring sagot ang mga taong dapat ay nagsasalita para sa iyo o sa administrasyon. 

Kaya madalas ang naririnig, napapanood at nababasa ng taong bayan ay iyong mga pahayag ng mga kontra o nais magpabagsak sa iyo. Ubod ng bagal ng sagot, minsan ang sagot ay mali pa dahil hindi ka kabisado o nababasa ng taong dapat ay katuwang mo.”

“By the way the presidential media relations is terrible. I say this because if it is in place, there wont be this imbalance media space as it appears today. And if I may suggest, no ambush interview for the president. It demeans the office At ito rin ang pinanggalingan ng mga binabaligtad na kuwento at upak kay Digong….This is where I miss the likes of Juris Soliman (media relations), Didi Sytangco (spokesperson), and RTVM team of Erap. They were pro.” Jay Sonza added, concluding his Facebook post.

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