Davaoeña beauty queen describes Duterte as ‘a compassionate man’

Jehza Mae Huelar. Photo: Aya Tantiangco

She fell short in her bid for a crown at Binibining Pilipinas 2016, but 2nd runner-up Jehza Mae Huelar told the press on Wednesday that she has a lot to look forward to in the future—especially off stage.

Huelar hails from Davao City and she's happy that her city's former mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, has been elected as the president of the republic.

"For the past 10, 15 years I saw the change in Davao City," Huehlar said, commending Duterte's strong sense of discipline, which translated in his policies. "We can now slowly see the changes here in Manila."

Despite the current president's infamy for supposedly inspiring bloodshed, which earned him the nickname "Punisher", Huelar painted a kinder picture

"He is a man who has a strong heart and he is very compassionate. He really means what he says," she told the press. "He is a thinking president and he also listens, so we should take advantage of it."

The president's war on drugs has attracted global attention, with the foreign press putting some focus on the dark side of his campaign.

US Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit last week reminded him that civil and human rights must be respected, but Duterte was quoted saying, "Iyong si Kerry nag-usap kami, human rights, [sabi ko] 'I have a job to do, let us go to another topic'." — BM, GMA News