I don't know about you guys but this man Duterte is becoming an annoyance more than anything. Literally a weasel in disguise. I don't get how he's popular at all when all he has shown is being a 2 faced fool.
He has to deal with the Philippine politics which is very corrupt and very pro-America and the fact that he's still popular despite his overtures to China and displacing America to the sidelines should give you pause to appreciate that no other Filipino politician could get away with what he's done period.
But having said that, Duterte must navigate the very treacherous terrain of the Philippine politics when as you must be aware he's on the last leg (year) of the administration until the election next year. The political animals in the Philippines that are very pro-America are working very hard everyday to damage his name and reputation to handicap whomever candidate(s) Duterte will support as his replacement.
The man is being attacked from the covid-19 handling, to the vaccine procurement issues to the use of Chinese made vaccines; and most potentially damaging of all is the persistent issue regarding the disputed islands between China where the administration must navigate with extreme caution due to the Filipino public's very negative attitude towards China. Which is why Duterte must issue this tough talking statements to blunt and placate the pressures both from within his own cabinet and outside politicians who amusingly accuse him of cowardice and worst calling him a "dog of China". You must pick your poison wisely.
