DUTERTE'S POPULARITY: RHETORICAL STRATEGIES OF THE PRESIDENT USED TO PERSUADE THE PEOPLE

In Aristotle's perspective, rhetoric is an art of persuasion that has been used by political leaders in their speeches to convince their followers of their views and policies. Persuasion is an attempt to influence the audience to validate the speaker's claims and get them to participate in activities in favor of him. This study seeks to figure out the use of rhetorical strategies in President Rodrigo Duterte's 1st, 3rd, and 5th State of the Nation Address and how it contributed to his popularity. It further explores to the implications towards mobilizing his officials. This study uses a qualitative research approach incorporating systematic sampling, following Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle namely ethos, pathos, and logos. The results show that President Rodrigo Duterte used all the modes of persuasion in his SONAS and ethos is the most commonly used rhetorical appeal. These rhetorical strategies contributed to the President's popularity and can persuade officials. Since the study is limited on a specific rhetorical strategies, further studies are recommended to add to the depth of the study.