I voted for Rodrigo Duterte. I believed—and still believe—in his vision of leadership. His strong stance, decisive governance, and willingness to challenge the status quo resonated with many Filipinos like me who longed for change. Even today, I remain supportive of the Duterte brand of leadership, and I see potential in Sara Duterte as a future leader in 2028.
But support, no matter how strong, should never come at the cost of reason.
Lately, I’ve found myself increasingly uncomfortable—not because my political beliefs have changed, but because of how some fellow supporters choose to express theirs. There is a growing pattern of hostility that goes beyond healthy political discourse. It has become automatic: any post, any update, any development involving President Marcos is met with immediate criticism, often without context, without thought, and without fairness.
It doesn’t matter whether the issue is good, neutral, or even beneficial to the country—some will still find a way to attack. Not to inform. Not to debate. But simply to oppose.
This is where the line is crossed.
Support should not mean blind loyalty. It should not mean tearing others down just to elevate your chosen leader. And it certainly should not mean abandoning logic and respect in favor of noise and aggression.
What’s more concerning is that this behavior doesn’t strengthen the Duterte brand—it weakens it. It creates an image of supporters who are reactive rather than reflective, emotional rather than rational. Instead of attracting people to the cause, it pushes them away.
We cannot claim to want good governance while practicing toxic citizenship.
True political maturity means knowing when to support and when to stay silent, when to criticize and when to acknowledge something good—even if it comes from a different camp. It means understanding that the country is bigger than any single leader or political family.
I remain a Duterte supporter. That hasn’t changed. But I refuse to be part of a culture that equates loyalty with hostility.
If we truly believe in strong leadership, then we should also practice responsible support. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about who we vote for—it’s about the kind of citizens we choose to be.
