When President Duterte, at the start of his speech in Malacanang, gave me special credit as one of the “pioneering spirits” in the country’s peace process, it was unexpected. I am not attempting here to appear solicitous or “sipsip” if you may ( as I am no longer in government) but it has to be acknowledged by all that this Bangsamoro milestone would have not been really possible were it not for the fact that a Mayor Duterte is now sitting there in Malacanang as president.
