Duterte-Duterte 2028: Because one Duterte is not enough chaos

(First of 2 parts)

“History is replete with examples of dynasties that prospered by keeping government in the hands of the family”

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you combined a lawyer, a magician, and a reality show villain?

There would appear Salvador Panelo, former presidential legal advisor, the man capable of weaving a legal web so intricate that it would make even the most experienced political observer dizzy.

His legal pronouncements were as unpredictable as a game of political poker, and his ability to defend the indefensible was truly a sight to behold.

Recently, in what can only be described as a bolder sequel to The Godfather Part II, Panelo floated the idea of ​​a Duterte-Duterte tandem in the 2028 elections.

Yes, you read that right: a powerful father-daughter duo out to restore what he apparently sees as the golden era of Philippine government.

It is clear that Panelo has mastered the art of resurrection, not only of legal arguments but of political legacies that seem to defy the natural arc of public fatigue.

The Duterte brand: Magic Or mirage?

Now, let’s talk about the “Duterte magic,” that unique style of governance characterized by fear, fervor and an inescapable fixation on the mythical war on drugs.

For a time, it was magic that mesmerized the nation, making six years seem like an eternity.

But as with all magic, the charm begins to wear off.

The weary sighs from the public suggest that Duterte’s governing style is beginning to look less like a magic trick and more like a magic trick gone wrong.

Of course, Panelo, ever the political wizard, believes that simply pairing Rodrigo with his daughter Sara will trigger the nation’s collective amnesia.

Never mind that “brand Duterte” is now the political equivalent of wearing bell-bottom jeans in 2024: dated, uncomfortable and, frankly, in dubious taste.

The increasingly unattractive name Duterte could prove a tough sell in a landscape where people are increasingly concerned about real government rather than a sideshow of cursing and chest-thumping.

Duterte’s “impossible” feats

But let us not underestimate Duterte’s well-documented ability to make the “impossible” possible.

Remember how he transformed Davao from a crime-ridden city to a place where jaywalking could get you a severe reprimand from none other than the mayor himself?

Or how his war on drugs single-handedly redefined the concept of due process? Duterte’s entire career is a testament to the idea that what seems impossible — whether it’s evading the prying eyes of the ICC or turning extrajudicial actions into state policy — can be achieved with enough bravado and bullets.

So while the idea of ​​a Duterte-Duterte tandem sounds absurd to the rest of us, for Duterte it is just another day at the office, where absurdity is the norm.

After all, if he can normalize the idea of ​​a “revolutionary government,” what stops him from believing that another term in Malacañang is just what the nation ordered?

A defense of the Duterte-Duterte tandem

Panelo might argue that the Duterte-Duterte duo is just what the Philippines needs to maintain “stability,” a quaint euphemism for ensuring one family’s grip on power remains unchallenged.

History is replete with examples of dynasties that prospered by keeping government in family hands.

From the Marcoses to the Estradas, the Philippines is no stranger to the idea that political power is best served with a bit of family ties.

Then there is the populist argument, the idea that the Duterte-Duterte tandem embodies the “will of the people.”

After all, what better way to reject the “elitist” establishment than by perpetuating a political dynasty?

In any case, it is the ultimate subversion of democracy: turning the electoral process into a family reunion.

And let’s not forget the national security aspect.

If there was one thing Duterte excelled at, it was turning every political issue into a matter of life or death.

The logic remains that the nation, threatened by “outside forces” (read: anyone with a different opinion), needs a strong leader who can keep the peace, even if that peace comes at the cost of a few civil liberties here and there.