EP 57: Duterte 'Best Communicator'?

Words matter especially in a pandemic where one statement by a public official can trigger panic.

On the eve of the latest lockdown of the national capital region, hundreds turned up in the City of Manila causing chaos in vaccination sites.

Many of them were interviewed saying they feared that unvaccinated people won’t be allowed to leave their homes or worse, won’t receive aid during the lockdown.

In short, Duterte’s words — his threat — mattered to them.

In his defense, Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte’s words could not have triggered the chaos in Manila because they had been said a good week prior. 

Roque also described Duterte as the “best positive communicator in the country today.”

In this episode, we examine Duterte as a communicator, his so-called authenticity and populism, especially in this pandemic.