The very nature of politics is gaslighting is it not? I don’t see any reason why the accusation should be limited to President Rodrigo Duterte. Pandering is another politician’s trait. So is patronizing. In his Manila Times piece “Presidential gaslighting”, Professor Antonio Contreras again pushes this non-issue…
The [“Duterte Die hard Supporters”] DDS had this popular line before, and I saw this upfront in row one when I was still in bed with them, where they would label critics of the President as gullible, and could easily be triggered by Duterte’s deliberate gaslighting. The most powerful tool used in gaslighting, which is often used by Duterte, is verbal abuse.
The DDS would prance with glee as they heap insults on critics who react and are offended by Duterte’s actions and call them “snowflakes,” taunting them with the words “Iiyak na ‘yan” (Look, they’re about to cry) if only to dramatize the devastating effect of being offended by a president who is an expert in triggering intense feelings among people. The President indeed is a master in gaslighting.
Zzzzz… Gaslighting is such a woke gripe. Let’s, instead, delve deeper into narcissism. Is Duterte a narcissist?
Judging by the way he conducts himself Duterte is not a narcissist. He doesn’t have delusions of grandeur. He dresses as a Bisdak does. What is comfortable is what he wears. He does have a penchant for expensive timepieces but not the Rolex variety. But what do you call someone who is a critical collaborator but bends backwards justifying the actions of the President because he is paid to do so?
Nowadays columnists have to compete in the marketplace of ideas because social media platforms allow anyone and everyone to express an opinion. It’s a known fact that most of what became the DDS socmed group were anti-Duterte before they became pro-Duterte, the good Professor included.
I don’t think gaslighting is a legitimate issue. Contreras appeals to those who hate Duterte with the same compunction as he does. His level of hate is high because he finds himself out of the loop. Is there much of a difference between a famewhore and a narcissist? You be the judge.
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