Duterte vs Poe: Duterte wins

Catholic Church authorities in the Philippines are falling all over themselves trying to please Pope Francis who is a humble and simple man.

They couldn’t even put their act together when they chose a popemobile for the papal visit.

One group asked Edison Cham, president and CEO of ECTK Armored Car Manufacturer, to make a jeepney popemobile.

Cham, a former Buddhist who converted to the Catholic faith, readily agreed and made one for free.

Meanwhile, another group in the Catholic Church requested former Ambassador Tony Cabangon-Chua, president and CEO of the ALC Group of Companies, to make another popemobile.

Cabangon-Chua, a devout Catholic, said yes immediately and like Cham, donated a popemobile made from a brand-new Isuzu pickup truck.

The Church was not satisfied with only two popemobiles for Pope Francis—they wanted three.

So another group in the Church ordered the Kia car used by Francis in Korea last year sent over.

But why a third popemobile when two would have been enough?

Because if there were more time, perhaps the local Catholic clergy would have many popemobiles made so Francis would be changing cars practically every hour.

The typical Pinoy pasikat (show-off) mentality has reared its ugly head even among the local Catholic clergy.

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I read Boo Chanco’s column in The Philippine Star on Monday with interest.

Boo said only Sen. Grace Poe could beat Vice President Jojo Binay in the 2016 presidential election.

According to Boo, Poe, a neophyte politician, would make a very good president.

I agree with Boo that only Poe could lick Binay in 2016 should she decide to run. But this is only if Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte will not run.

Both Poe and Duterte insist they will not run. At this time.

Should they both change their minds and run for president in a three- or four-cornered fight (Binay, Poe, Duterte and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas), Duterte will win hands down.

Boo has discounted the Visayan vote which is in Mindanao and the Visayas which would go for the Cebuano-speaking Duterte.

Mindanawans would surely go all out for Duterte because they would want a president coming from their region.

There has never been a president from Mindanao.

Compared to Duterte, Poe has no experience in governance.

Davao City, where Duterte has been mayor for a long time, is considered one of the safest cities in the world and is most friendly to business.

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Congressman Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani province was listed as having the most number of absences in the House of Representatives last year.

Let’s forgive Pacquiao for his absences since he has brought honor to the country through his boxing prowess.

Anyway, if he’s not bringing honor to the country, he personally attends to the needs of his constituents and many will swear to that.

But what about a member of Congress who was absent most of the time because he is reportedly addicted to drugs.

This congressman is said to be always “high” on methamphetamine hydrochloride (street name: shabu).

He is so addicted to the drug that he would even order some of his staff to run shabu errands for him.

His colleagues know about his addiction but they just leave him alone.

Congressman Boy Addict, please go on rehab because you’re wasting the people’s money not doing anything.

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