Netizens expressed their disbelief after Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa called President Rodrigo Duterte “Dr. Duterte” and said that the country is healing because of his existence.
During a meeting with PDP-Laban members, the senator praised President Duterte and compared him to a doctor that heals its patients. Only in this case, the Philippines is the patient.
“Ang Pilipinas ay parang isang pasyente na ngayon ay gumagaling na dahil mayroong isang Dr. Duterte,” dela Rosa stated.
“Ngayon, nang gumaling na gumaling na, eh paubos na naman yung panahon ng Dr. Duterte.”
He encouraged Duterte to run for Vice Presidency in the 2022 elections saying that it’s “timely” for the latter to grab the chance. Even though he may not be the “main doctor” anymore, he’ll still contribute to the betterment of the patient.
“So yung desisyon mo sir na sabi mo tatakbo kang bise presidente ay napaka-timely po, dahil kahit na hindi na ikaw ang magiging main doctor sa isang pasyente na Pilipinas, you will be acting as [the] assistang doctor na malaki pa rin ang role para sa ikagagaling ng pasyente.”
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa urged President Duterte during a meeting with PDP-Laban members to pursue running for vice president in the 2022 elections and said he is "Dr. Duterte" treating a "patient named Philippines." pic.twitter.com/PoEPo2Ai1N
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) July 7, 2021
Medical doctor RJ Nuguit questioned Dela Rosa’s use of the term “Dr. Duterte” and encouraged everyone to Professional Regulation Commission to remove said doctor’s license.
Dr. Duterte?
Jusko, tara samahan nyo ako sa PRC at alisan natin ng lisensya to. pic.twitter.com/E1TIDP8xZq
— RJ Naguit 🌹 (@raymond_naguit) July 8, 2021
Celine Lugue asked if the senator inhaled anything because he sounds intoxicated.
Ano kaya hinihithit ng mga to lakas tama eh pic.twitter.com/kaMIPt0m6j
— Celine Lugue (@glencocoswife) July 8, 2021
A netizen pointed out that it was wrong for Dela Rosa to address the President as a doctor as it’s only for those who have earned the title.
You can't go call Duterte as "Dr. Duterte" if he isn't even a doctor.
That kind of political branding is for politicians who are ACTUALLY doctors.
Makasuka intawon ang pamahayag ni Otab.#Eleksyon2022 #Halalan2022
— Detective Mask 名探偵マスク (@DetectiveMask) July 7, 2021
According to a Twitter user, the Philippines was never sick before Duterte took his place as the President. Its state only worsened after he handled it.
Bato Dela Rosa: “Gagaling itong pasyente na pangalan ay Pilipinas pag andyan pa si Dr. Duterte.”
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Walang sakit si Pilipinas noon. Malakas, malusog at may yaman pa ng P1T. Nagkasakit at lumubha siya noong pinakialaman siya ng Dr. Duterte na yan. Duktor-duktoran lang kasi.— Logie Kinko (@Logickinko) July 8, 2021
Someone saw the Philippines’ state from another perspective. He said that if the country is the patient, it’s laying in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is not healing like what the senator claims.
He added that Dr. Duterte is the type to be late on his responses to patients but still gets credit.
GAGA on revival state na yung Pilipians nandun sa ICU bHie nakahilata soon to be braindead hayeeop. Si Dr. duterte late pa yung response sa naghihingalong pasyente tapos siya pa bibigyan ng credit??
May analogy ka pang nalalaman. Seminar ka muna sir baka matauhan ka but I doubt. https://t.co/WzUSp6kEg7
— Ken ⚙️ (@kyutieken) July 8, 2021
Another called for a lawsuit against Dr. Duterte for “medical malpractice.”
Naku, Bato! Dapat kasuhan si Dr. Duterte ng medical malpractice. https://t.co/ogYsaRpuFH
— Askme (@Serious_097) July 8, 2021
Meanwhile, a netizen simply uploaded a laughing gif as a reaction to the President’s new nickname.
https://twitter.com/akosiSHERLOCKH/status/1413070889097121799
On June 7, President Duterte gave another hint that he might be considering pinning for the seat of the Vice President in next year’s election.
“To the proposition that I run for vice president, slightly I am sold to the idea. Meaning to say, I am seriously thinking of running for vice president,” said Duterte.
He previously said that participating in the 2022 elections is a “good idea” as he still has unfinished business, one of which is regarding his infamous battle against drugs.