Presidential Elections 2016 in America and in far off Philippines in South Asia got world wide attention as the contenders for the top position in these two countries have lent an interesting color to their respective election campaigns. Donald Trump, the New York Billionaire and Rodrigo Duterte, city mayor of Davao in Philippines have made poll game more playful by putting their showmanship over substance.

As we write this, Rodrigo has already won the race and is all set to be sworn as Philippine’s President on June 30 for a term of six years. Donald Trump on the other hand after establishing lead in Primaries has come to be known as presumptive nominee of US Republic Party for Presidential Poll.

Besides making the severe attacks against his Republican opponents in primaries, Trump has been going after Muslims, Mexicans, the Chinese, Japanese, women, and even physically challenged reporter. His unkind words have divided Republican Party on question of support to  him as their presidential nominee, even though in opinion poll he stands little ahead of Hillary Clinton, his probable democrat opponent in the final battle.

Two sides of the same coin

If Donald Trump blurts out whatever pops into his head and doesn’t care about political or moral correctness of his words, Duterte is equally reckless and controversial figure in his country. He is known for his provocative  comments made on a gang rape, his sexual conquests and tough stance on crime. He has vowed to execute 100,000 criminals and dump them into Manila Bay and told critics to forget the laws of human rights.

Rodrigo’s assurances of a crime free environment in Philippines and Trumps divisive slogans in US did win them majority people’s support but when seen from the glasses of morality, the boorish talks they indulged in to gain cheap popularity to win elections looks bizarre, weird and even offensive. The two have criticized Pope and had made sexist and even spiteful remarks about womenfolk and stuck to their words even in face of people’s disapproval. Both resort to blunt and at times obscene narration of some persons and issue under their discussion.

Such brash manners, no doubt, earned them wrath of some but they also won many hearts because frankness became their emblem of grit, honesty and transparency. Suchlike tricks went well as man in the street took them to be honest and forthright better than so many crook politicians who in the past cheated them with flowery words to gain power. Looking at similar strategy adopted for their success, both Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte have been called as the two sides of the same coin.

They are instable

Whatever tough posture they took during campaigns, later their vacillation and weakness started showing up. For example, Rodrigo who last year said that he is not afraid to air his thought against church or Pope now says he will visit the Vatican to personally apologize to Pope Francis. Similarly, last month he asked for forgiveness for his controversial remarks made about a rape victim and said, “I apologize to the Filipino people for my recent remarks made about that in a rally. There was no intention of disrespecting our women and those who have been victims of this horrible crime- sometimes, my mouth can get the better of me.”

Donald Trump when quizzed by media over possible US visit of Mr. Sadiq Khan the London’s newly elected Muslim mayor in the backdrop of his plan to bar Muslims’ landing in US, he conceded that as an exception to the general rule, he has laid down. Similarly, he is finding difficult to muster enough support for building walls around America or introduction of punishments severer than waterboarding to deter terrorists.

Trump who in the past had claimed to finance his election campaign without organizing any ‘Fund Raising’ event or by accepting donations from big corporate houses and had promised to hike their tax rates to give relief to middle class people, has taken a U-Turn in this respect. As per reports, if elected, he would rather lower maximum rate of taxation from existing 36.4 to 25 percent. May be that happened after Sheldon Adelson one of the richest men in the world and owner of America’s largest casino company offered big fiscal gift to Donald Trump to run his election campaign, some opine.

In the end

Contrary to the Western media coverage, Rodrigo Duterte is no Donald Trump, although both of them have gained international notoriety for their controversial conducts and confessions. If Donald Trump, one of the wealthiest business men in the world owns a jetliner, a chopper, luxury boats, golf courses, hotels and commercial buildings, in fact anything that money could purchase, Rodrigo calls himself a socialist.

The self-styled leftist Filipino is a city mayor, who lives in a low-cost subdivision, and pours city funds into treatment for children with cancer. He is fond of high speed motorbikes instead of luxury cars. For him a leader, far from being an extravagant, should be like a garbage man, who cleans up the dregs of society so others will live in a clean community.

Hostility of media, notwithstanding, Rodrigo as the mayor of Davao controlled the city with an iron hand and transformed this earlier known ‘country’s killing fields’ into its most prosperous place. He justifies tough moves against druggists, killers and criminals by saying that for “every problem, there is always a solution, even if it’s controversial.”

But soon after his victory this tough looking guy melted after paying a visit to his parents’ grave- where he broke down crying, for his mama to guide him.

With Philippines outcome having become known all eyes are now set on America’s Presidential election due on November 8. Donald Trump being rich already, if makes for the white House will be one of the most powerful, too. The prospect of a Trump presidency is indeed frightening but Hillary Clinton, in the White House is no less troubling. If November presidential contest happens to be between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump as it looked like, the Americans would have to elect either Tweedledum or Tweedledee, the fictional characters in an English nursery rhyme that look alike.