Understanding Duterte (again)

WHEN President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) delivered his United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) speech, many observers noted certain things evolving; in particular, his position on the South China Sea arbitration ruling. Some analysts insisted that PRRD was just reading through without understanding the speech. Some had the impression that it was the first time he saw the speech hence he did not relate to it. One can see things where there are none and come to such a conclusion and one can listen and do a second take to see if he nailed it. If PRRD did not, the reactions to it would not have mattered.

The UNGA session — the 75th this year — is really a day where leaders deliver their key speeches one after the other. New York every September is an extravaganza of diplomacy when leaders from around the world and their delegations flood the city. The tit-for-tat between the United States and the People’s Republic of China were felt by all. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “deplored the lack of multilateral solutions to global challenges” as he opened a summit for the world body’s 75th anniversary. “No one wants a world government — but we must work together to improve world governance,” Guterres said at the rostrum ahead of virtual speeches by world leaders.