Palace: Duterte comparison with Brazil's Bolsonaro 'understandable,' but...

The comparisons between President Rodrigo Duterte and Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro cannot be made just yet despite similarities between the two leaders,  the Palace said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the argument after foreign news outlets compared the two leaders for their shared disdain for human rights organizations and fascination for military rule.  The two have also been under fire for making rape jokes — Duterte has made numerous remarks about rape while Bolsonoro said he won't rape an ugly woman.

“The comparison between President Duterte and President-elect Bolsonaro is understandable given that both are populist leaders who came to power because of their respective peoples’ desire for formidable and decisive leadership. The comparison, however, ends there,” Panelo said.

“Mr. Bolsonaro is yet to assume the presidency and will only do so come January 1, 2019. Everything is merely speculative at this point,” Panelo added.

Panelo then claimed that the Duterte administration is highly esteemed for its “Tapang at Malasakit” brand of leadership which resulted in the delivery of social services such as:

• passage of Free College Education law in state universities and colleges
• passage of Free Irrigation law
• institutionalizing feeding programs for public school students
• providing free medicines and financial support to indigent patients,
• increasing SSS pensions for seniors
• doubling the salaries of soldiers, policemen, jail officers and firemen,
• collection of P6 billion from Philippine Airlines stemming from its overdue navigational fees
• the P40 billion settlement reached between the government and Mighty Corporation for the latter’s failure to pay excise taxes
• voluntary surrender of one million drug personalities
• thwarting Maute terrorists,
• rehabilitation of Boracay island, among others.

“This is no different when PRRD was referred to as 'Asia’s Donald Trump' for initiating trailblazing reforms in the Philippines. This is also no different when the President was likened to strong and tough heads of state who implement measures against lawlessness. Indeed, we have accomplished much and public confidence remains high as seen in the satisfaction, approval, performance, and trust ratings of the Chief Executive,” Panelo said.

“We, however, expect to do more in the remainder of the President’s term to continue fulfilling his vow of, as well as satisfying the clamor of the Filipinos for, genuine and meaningful change,” Panelo added.

President Duterte's term ends in June 30, 2022. —JST, GMA News