IF PRRD were still here leading the Philippines today, how different would things be?
March 11th marks a date that many Filipinos who supported Rodrigo Roa Duterte will never forget. It has been one year since the former President was brought to The Hague to face proceedings before the International Criminal Court. For his critics, it was a long-awaited moment of accountability. For his supporters, it felt like something far more painful — the sudden removal of a leader they believed fought fiercely for the country.
One year later, the world continues to face uncertainty. The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are once again pushing global oil prices upward. For a country like the Philippines, which relies heavily on imported fuel, every increase in oil prices quickly finds its way into daily life. Transportation fares rise. Food prices follow. Electricity costs creep upward. For ordinary Filipinos already trying to stretch every peso, the impact is immediate and real.
At the same time, the Philippine peso continues to feel the pressure of a strong U.S. dollar. The exchange rate fluctuations remind us how interconnected our economy is with global forces beyond our control. When the peso weakens against the dollar, imported goods become more expensive, businesses struggle with rising operational costs, and consumers carry the burden through higher prices.
In moments like these, it is natural for people to look back and ask questions about leadership. During the height of the pandemic, Duterte governed during one of the most chaotic periods in modern global history. The COVID-19 crisis disrupted economies, strained healthcare systems, and challenged governments worldwide. Whether one supported or opposed his policies, it cannot be denied that his administration faced a crisis that tested every leader across the globe.
Today, as oil prices rise again and the peso continues to fluctuate against the dollar, some Filipinos quietly wonder how he might have responded if he were still in office. Duterte was known for speaking bluntly about global politics and for projecting a leadership style that emphasized decisiveness and national sovereignty. His supporters often recall how he confronted international pressures head-on and framed economic challenges as matters requiring firm political will.
But beyond economics and politics lies something deeper, memory. Leadership, after all, is not measured only by policy outcomes or exchange rates. It is also measured by the emotional imprint a leader leaves on the people. For many Filipinos, Duterte was not simply a president. He was “Tatay Digong,” a figure who spoke in the language of ordinary citizens and who projected the image of someone willing to take risks for what he believed was right.
One year after The Hague, the debate around Duterte remains intense. Critics continue to demand accountability and justice. Supporters continue to defend what they see as a misunderstood presidency. Between these opposing views stands a nation still navigating its own questions about governance, sovereignty, and the kind of leadership it wants in times of crisis.
History has a way of revisiting these questions whenever new challenges emerge. Oil prices rise. The peso weakens. Global tensions escalate. And inevitably, the public reflects on past leaders and wonders how different decisions might have shaped the present.
Whether one views Duterte as a controversial figure or a steadfast defender of national interest, his impact on Philippine political life remains undeniable. A year after his transfer to The Hague, his name still surfaces in conversations about leadership, crisis, and the direction of the nation.
Perhaps that is the enduring power of political legacy. Even after the office is gone, the questions remain.
And now, the question naturally lingers in the hearts of many: What would Tatay Digong do if he were still in Malacañang? Would he confront the crisis with the same firmness? Would he speak directly to the people and assure them that the government is working for their welfare?
Kethelle I. Sajonia is a college instructor at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Mintal Campus. She is currently in the final phase of her Doctor of Communication degree at the University of the Philippines. Her research interests include inclusivity, education, communication, and social development. She actively engages in scholarly research and community-based initiatives that advocate for inclusive and transformative communication practices.
