Ah, Rodrigo Duterte, the master of mixed messages, has once again taken center stage in the theater of Philippine politics. 

His recent call for Filipinos to withhold paying their taxes until the House of Representatives opens its financial books is the epitome of political irony. 

Duterte, a man who claims to love his country, is essentially urging his fellow citizens to engage in civil disobedience while ignoring the fundamental principles of civic responsibility.

It’s remarkable that a former president, who was supposed to lead by example, is now advocating for a strategy that would cripple essential public services and infrastructure. While transparency in government spending is undoubtedly crucial, Duterte’s approach seems more like a ploy to deflect attention from his own administration’s controversies.

One cannot help but wonder if this call for tax rebellion is merely a distraction from criticism now facing his daughter vice president,  or another attempt to maintain his charismatic grip on the Filipino public. 

In a nation yearning for ethical leadership, Duterte’s proposal feels more like a self-serving spectacle than a genuine act of patriotism.

And oh, how ironic that when he stepped down from the presidency, we all wished him a happy and quiet retirement which we thought was well-deserved.