The Philippines does not need a dictator but a leader who has compassion for the poor.

This was the response of Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV to President Rodrigo Duterte, who defended his “strongman” style of leadership.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aquino said on Friday that dictatorship only breeds violence and killings, lack of freedom, joblessness, corruption, and huge debt.

“Hindi kailangan ng Pilipino ang isang diktador (Filipinos do not need a dictator),” Aquino said in a statement.

“Hindi diktador ang kailangan, sa halip ay pinunong may kakayahan at tunay na malasakit sa buong bayan, lalo na para sa mahihirap nating kababayan,” he added.

(A dictator is not needed, instead, a leader who is capable and truly concerned about the nation, especially the poor.)

On Thursday, Duterte declared that he was really a dictator, insisting that the country would not progress if he did not act like a tyrant.

“If you say dictator, I am really a dictator. Because if I don’t [act like a] dictator, son of a bitch, nothing will happen to this nation. That’s true,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech before former communist rebels, whom he invited to dinner in Malacañang.

READ: Duterte: I’m really a dictator

His statement came weeks before the country marks the 32nd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Aquino reminded Mr Duterte that the Filipinos fought hard to overthrow the Marcos dictatorship through People Power because iron-fisted rule was not the solution to the people’s needs.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Lumaban ang bayan noong People Power dahil hindi dictatorial style ang dudulot ng sapat na kita para sa bilihin, kalidad na edukasyon, at kaligtasan ng pamilya na inaasam-asam ng mga Pilipino,” he added.

(The people went into People Power because dictatorial style would not bring enough pay for the basic necessities, quality education, and safety for our families that each Filipinos dream of.) /kga

Read Next

EDITORS' PICK

MOST READ