"HE'S a leader who listens."
That was how a Malacanang spokesperson defended President Rodrigo Duterte after former President Fidel Ramos chided Duterte for his apparent "one-way kind of decision-making in law enforcement".
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte might have "slightly different" style from the past leaders but he still seeks advice and listens to opinions.
"[Duterte] perhaps has different working style from [Ramos]. Ramos’ approach is more managerial and more corporate while the President himself is more visionary. That doesn’t mean he’s insecure. What’s clear to me is that he’s a leader who listens," Abella said.
"At this stage, we can see that there is a major leap from Duterte's policies simply because he has to follow the rules but he has been acting out of the box. He's truly a visionary leader, he’s really what would you call a transformational leader,” he added.
Ramos, in an online interview, said Duterte seemed to lack consultation as there is "one-way" kind of decision-making in law enforcement.
The erstwhile president then stressed the need for more consultation, if Duterte really wants to serve the country.
"A lot of these fears being generated by him is because he is afraid of fear or he is not secured. He is insecure. Pardon me for saying this, Mr. President Duterte, but you must be at peace with yourself," Ramos said.
"The way it is, there is a lack of consultation, as I said in the beginning, not just with his active commanders. Maybe not even with the Cabinet members concerned, but also with the rest of the citizenry… There is a need for more consultation," he added.
Ramos, one of the prominent political figures who convinced Duterte to run for president, has become critical of the incumbent leader because of the "huge disappointment and letdown" in the performance of the current administration. (VoxPop Philippines)
