he biggest dramatic chronicle Filipinos are following at the moment is that of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
It has undoubtedly eclipsed all the action sequences and thespian greatness in Batang Quiapo. The second season of Lolong with its powerhouse cast is no match to the by-the-minute development and fast-and-furious twist and turns of this international spectacle. And, yes, all the shipping, half-naked nubile men, chatty young women and their Gen Z issues in Pinoy Big Brother: The Collab Edition pale in comparison to this history happening and unfolding in these digital times.
There is much to learn from this Digong Duterte Drama Chronicle, especially the manner in which the ICC and its judges conduct their hearings and the order of its proceedings. When the pretrial happens in September, more learnings will ensue about the methods and procedures inside an ICC hearing. We will also witness the best and brightest lawyers from the prosecution and defense teams.
Duterte was arrested on crimes against humanity in relation to the alleged extrajudicial killings that transpired during the war on drugs campaign. In the photos and videos on social media and traditional news outlets, Duterte made his first appearance via a video conference call. He appeared different, the brashness and bravado gone. The man who once vowed to slap and kick the higher-ups of the ICC appeared meek, the contemptuous persona gone in just a matter of hours. Wow! This is only the beginning, and the drama employed is so finely-tuned!
The entertainment industry being a politicized lot is a known fact. Ex-president Duterte’s ICC arrest brings further divisiveness and has polarized show business to an all-new level.
Surprisingly, the more loquacious and woke artists are mum, choosing to keep their opinions to themselves as the drama takes its course.
The most prominent reactions about the arrest have come from actor Jake Ejercito, son of Joseph Ejercito Estrada, 13th president of the Philippine Republic; seasoned broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio; and gay actor and comedian John Lapus.
The best-looking Ejercito scion posted on a quote card that had the picture of Kian de los Santos. The teen was a victim of the war in drugs campaign. On the black and white quote card, with Kian’s photo on it, written are the words: “Tama na po! Tama na po! May test pa ako bukas...” Jake’s caption to his post: “Ang mali ay may bayad, at ngayon na ang singilan.”
Clavio also used the quote card of Delos Santos, with a swipe to those who are using the “he is too old already, let us be merciful to him” card: “EHEM : Sabi nila, ‘HINDI NA SILA NAAWA KAY DUTERTE , MATANDA NA!’
“Teka, noong WALANG AWA nilang pinatay sina si Kian, 17 yrs. old, si Joshua , 17 yrs. old, si Jemboy, 17 yrs. old, NAAWA ba sila sa mga menor de edad? Sa araw na ito , simula ninyo nang makamit ang katarungan.”
Lapus minced no words with his post on X wherein he reacted and reposted a request for prayers for the immediate freedom of the former President: “I pray na makulong [pray sign emoji].”
Between now and the pretrial date, we can expect more reactions from enlightened stars and industry movers and shakers.
It is also natural if the more critical ones continue to seal their lips and resist the urge to brandish their opinion about the matter; wait and see how this political drama stretches out. They do not want to be too quick to draw and have truly put to heart the “think before you click” slogan.
What we can expect now — more fake and satirical quote cards that feature television characters supporting ex-president Duterte? What is most laughable about this part of the drama chronicle is the gullible who shares it and parades it as truth and nothing but the truth.
There will be more fake news from paid bloggers and trolls that appear on social media every minute only to be proven immediately as fabrications.
No doubt, there will be more of Kitty Duterte’s “kalat,” specifically of the “wake and bake kind” and her social media requests, mocked and treated as jokes.
Expect more of Sara Duterte’s plea and the rest of her kin that her father is old, weak and sickly; that it is immoral that foreigners are trying him and that only Filipinos must judge their kapwa (fellow) Filipino; and that despite his brute and all-out macho man posturing, in our eyes he does no wrong, blood is thicker than water, he is our father and we love him. And all that is happening is a well-orchestrated Marcos “getting back at us” shenanigans and vengeance plan.
Watch out for more diatribes from Senator Robin Padilla;action star and senator-wannabe Philip Salvador; and Salvador Panelo’s one-liners, the perfect example being: “Bolahin mo lelang mo,” which reportedly alluded to a statement from Senator Imee Marcos.
We await the dream legal team of the prosecution as we already have a taste of how Salvador Medialdea operates and uses his knowledge of the law card.
Both the prosecutors and defense teams were given ample time to prepare for the pre-trial. In September we will all know its outcome. With the so much information coming out on social media, let us be more discerning and do our research as well before we take anything hook, line and sinker.
The Digong Duterte Drama Chronicle is one for the books that can be used as reference, guide and lesson about character, evil, humanity, morality, power, values, becoming a president and the presidency itself.
May we all be able to handle the truth once the verdict is made.