Dear Senator Alan Cayetano: “Would you please explain the term ‘discipline’ as used by the Duterte/Cayetano campaign?”
[Photo credit: gmanews.tv]
Society of Honor
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Dear Senator Alan Cayetano:
I’m writing on behalf of Filipino voters who may be as confused as I am about things. I have a decent following here in the Philippines and may be able to help them understand what you and Mayor Duterte are proposing.
I hear the campaign promise of “discipline” made by the Duterte/Cayetano campaign. It is reflected in this quote from the Mayor:
Duterte: “As president, I will enforce the law and I will have to instill discipline and that is the only way we can go forward in this country. [Philstar]
I write to you because you are a lawyer and a representative of the national government as a senator. I hold great respect for the work you did on the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee revealing the method and extent of the Binay plunderings.
To be frank, I don’t think I would relate too well to Mayor Duterte, because we don’t seem to share the same values about women, the NPA, China or human rights and I have a hard time grasping his comments in debates, which to me are flippant and not focused on policy that helps me understand the real promise of his and your candidacy.
But I digress.
These are the definitions of “discipline” from dictionary.com:
discipline
[dis–uh-plin]
Yeah. A little overmuch, which helps create the confusion.
To instill discipline means you and the mayor are using the noun form, and if I look at the first four definitions . . . which are the most prevalent usages of the term . . . we would have:
The first is a teaching form, a way to get people to consistently do the proper thing. Marching in the army is a discipline. It is constructive and builds skills and teamwork.
The second is similar, but pertains to specific, repeated patterns to develop skill or desired results. Like jogging every morning. It, too, is positive.
The third is very different. It means punishment as a way of getting a desired behavior. The training method is to punish.
The fourth definition is fascinating. It is rather the way God or nature or fate teach. Trial and error, the hard lessons we learn just by living life. It can be either positive or punitive.
Am I correct that you and Mayor Duterte refer to definition three?
punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.
This is generally the tone I hear to the pronouncements. That getting rid of drugs and crime, the essential first step to a progressive, growing nation, requires hunting down and punishing . . . even killing . . . offenders.
If I presume that to be the definition, I suppose I could go along with it if I knew the ground rules. That is, if the rules were clear so I knew how to avoid any trouble. I would hate to be walking down the sidewalk inadvertently following a drug dealer and get shot on the presumption of guilt by association.
So what are the rules? Are we talking laws? Those that exist now? New ones?
What will they be? Can a policeman shoot anyone standing in a room where there are drugs? Or must there be a visible act of resistance before killing occurs? Will these acts be video taped so that we don’t have runamok justice by any yahoo with a gun who says he represents Duterte/Cayetano? Or will each authorized enforcer carry the weight of a judge? Will investigations be done on suspects? Background checks? Prior problems with the law? That kind of thing? Or just executions if there is probable cause, in the eyes of the shooter?
I mean, getting done in three to six months is going to require moving fast.
Do you see the trouble I am having in knowing what this promised “discipline” is all about?
Frankly, it scares me a little.
This is what a Duterte follower named St Alphonsus wrote to me on my blog. That is, he came into my forum, my house, as a guest, and said these things:
Just what I thought of you Mr Joe America trying to be Pilipino!. You may understand our history but you will never experience what it feel like to be a Mindanaoan and a true Pilipino. You should go back to the US and welcome Trump because he will be your next President! Too bad and I feel bad most of the Americans are moving to Canada. Honestly, Americans like you are never welcome in Canada! Trump is right we should start building those walls because you are the exact duplicate of Mr. Trump. I appreciate your concern to Filipinos but sad to say YOU ARE NOT ONE OF US! AND YOU WILL NEVER BE! I fully understand that Americans are most hated in the world. If you want more of me… you let me stay in your blog but if you don’t I will understand. TRUTH HURTS! Lastly… Mar is truly a fraud. I know that you know that. Ciao Amico! [Comment from St Alphonsus]
Well, clearly Duterte follower St Alphonsus wants to discipline me for being from a place he doesn’t like, for having opinions he doesn’t like and for sponsoring a discussion forum that Filipinos find forthright and informative. Do you see why I am nervous about the un-defined ground rules for this discipline platform?
Will I be included in the Duterte/Cayetano promise to protect journalists? Or will you send in St Alphonsus to deal with me if I write a blog you find . . . um . . . uncomfortable?
The St Alphonsus form of intimidation tactic is common from Duterte backers, I have noticed. It is not that way even from Binay or Poe backers, and certainly not from that straight-arrow Roxas guy.
So I’m wondering why you and Mayor Duterte do not try to discipline your followers. Or why the Mayor’s spokesman felt it necessary to try to discipline the president of the Philippines so rudely with a “blood on your hands” remark after the tragic Cotabato confrontation. He sounded a lot like St Alphonsus to me.
Speaking of that incident, are the police seen as a part of the problem or a part of the solution? It seems to be set up by Mayor Duterte’s remarks that the police were the bad guys, but maybe I’m reading that wrong.
These things confuse me because it seems like discipline is something people other than Duterte/Cayetano supporters are supposed to do. The supporters’ job seems to be to levy discipline under rules they make up.
Would you be kind enough to explain this a little more clearly so that people know what to expect if they sign on to the “discipline” platform? I suppose I’d be happy with the simple statement that existing laws would be followed until they are changed.
That at least gives the people inputs into the development of the rules they are expected to obey, through the legislative process. You know, the way democracy works to develop, implement and enforce civility.
We are still talking about democracy, aren’t we? That, too, is a little unclear to me.
If you choose to clarify these matters for us, you may either send an e-mail to societyofhonor@gmail.com, and I’ll publish it, or you can just write your comment in the discussion forum below.
Thanks. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to read this, and any response that may be forthcoming.
Sincerely,
Joe America
Editor
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The Society of Honor by Joe America 
That’s what’s scary about these two: they are lawyers. They SHOULD know one of the fundamental rights – due process, but both speak as if it does not exist.
I wonder what happened to Cayetano. His father, Rene Cayetano, if I remember right, was a respected senator and lawyer.
What would the late daddy feel/think?
Yes, one wonders about lawyers these days. They are obviously smart, but the values . . .
I love your article and thank you so much for taking the initiative of writing this open letter.. Many are blinded of the reality, reality that this drastic actions of the two would mean more chaos in the country. The simple explanation is the “resistance to change” .. and yes, where are the values?
The Allegory of the Cave.
A few years ago, many Filipinos entered the cave
Thanks Che. More power to reason and good values.
Obsession with power transforms a perfectly reasonable lawyer to a bigot o demagogue, blurs his judgment, and becomes unhinged from moral and ethical moorings.
Yes, what happened to the principled guy fighting for right? Sold his soul to ambition. Getting old. Midlife crisis. Couldn’t face up to it.
You might be seeing the ‘inner Cayetano’ rebelling against the outer one, which looks very much like a nerd, if the photo you have here is a good representation of the man. The two of them look entirely odd side by side , like a couple of misfits thrown together by some fluke of nature. The nerd and the senseless.
I don’t know why the Philippines has to suffer through a parade of lousy people who call themselves leaders. O have to laugh or I might fall apart and cry at the cruelty of it all. Like a bad soap opera that goes on and on, the Filipino people continue to deal with destructive personalities who dare call themselves leaders.
Very vivid description.
Jake,
I seem to remember the late daddy was associated with the late dictator, Marcos. He, Enrile, Escudero, Ongpin, Cojuangco, Lucio Ang, Desini, et al….
After his 1984 election as an assemblyman to the Batasan Pambansa, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Administrator of the Export Processing Zone Authority (now Philippine Export Zone Authority).
Interesting. I’m not old so my memory of him is during the 90s. I need to research on that
I was informed by someone that MDS used to be a ghost writer for the Marcos regime. Many Marcosians, it seems, still got elected post 1986
That St. Alphonsus never realized that Mayor Duterte is the Trump of the Philippines. Not a real trump card at all. He is a “wild card.” And I don’t know why, in the photo, they are both holding guns. Perhaps they are fond of “The wild wild west” stories, playing injuns and cowboys. Well, they should realize we do have laws in this country. They cannot make the rules just like that. Currently, his followers have the makings of Mob rules, I should say. And this campaign period is the worst I have seen in my entire life. Several arsons already done, burning important buildings and materials, even mountains for that matter. And it looks red. Very RED.
They were attending a gun show, which is why they were both holding weapons. I recall the ridicule heaped on President Aquino for his gun shooting hobby. Does it seem to you that criticism hereabouts here is not consistent? That the “good” are criticized, but the “bad” are not? I wonder if discipline will also be applied selectively. That is, I wonder if there will be a higher risk to being “good”.
There will be a risk to going out in yellow shirt, especially at night.
Wearing Roxas- or Bam Aquino-style glasses might also be a risk. Harry Roque style glasses might still be OK, especially if one looks somewhat like him.
3-6 months they will eradicate criminality and drug problem in the Philippines? Senator Cayetano does need to go far. Taguig has its share of drug related problems. Taguig City has one of the biggest drug community and it’s been this way as far as I remember. My wife’s relatives live in Barangay Ususan, Taguig. At beginning of the street up to the opposite end you can see drug addicts either using or buying from a dealer. They have this system of get away and escape doors from roofs leading to the river, or jumping out of escape hatches during drug raids, (where cops use caught dealers as milking cows). How can Sen. Cayetano say they can solve this in 3-6 months? How would they solve it? Burn the towns to ground? Kill every freakin’ drug addict? They have to store more coffins if they would solve this problem via Punisher’s way.
Murder stats of Davao. Almost approsching Honduras?
http://m.philstar.com/414576/show/d708fbfe8ffe8b05d3f187c9f22eaabf/?
Also second to Quezon City in rape cases.
Safest city in the world indeed
Are you getting this slight suspicion that the Duterte camp has been filling the Philippines with a great deal of bullshit? I mean, Pope’s endorsement, Obama’s endorsement, Roxas was the cause of Cotabato? I’m rather offended that they have not claimed that JoeAm endorses them. I could use the PR to boost circulation.
If I may add, the laglag bala could be an inside job rather than plain corruption.
Also, the fires and the bomb threats as of late
I thought the Duterte fever will wane because I assumed people will get tired of his annoying antics…but IMO he and his followers seem scarier than Trump and Trump supporters.Trump supporters are vocal and aggressive but Duterte supporters, there seems to be a number of army of manipulators.
The Philippines might as well have Binay for president. At least we can impeach and throw him in jail. Duterte and his minions are likely to dissolve the other branches and do things PolPot or Hitler style – pick your poison.
What saddens and scares me is that his supporters are people with privilege, not the ones you give 500 pesos to and they will vote for you. They’re almost advocating a Philippine genocide or massacre.
I have seen statements of Duterte supporter similar to this:
good if the overpopulation of the Philippines is reduced…
those who don’t like it can go abroad with all their relatives…
Will they still say that if half of their relatives will be “liquidated”?
The privileged Pinoy might actually be dumber than the iskwater Pinoy
> The over-religious Pinoy might actually be dumber than the iskwater Pinoy
Fixed that for you, since most of his supporters are also very religious as the DAESH.
I agree, he and his followers are much scarier than Trump. The willingness to intrude . . . and discipline others . . . reflects a kind of absence of conscience.
He does have a lot of so-called intelligent supporters, and they are cemented against any reason. Several of my wife’s friends are in that camp, and she just sputters as to their nonsense. They quote lies and stories and wild promises as facts.
I have relatives and former colleagues who are rabidly for him.
Here is another thing that scratches my head: Filipino Americans. They can see what’s wrong with Trump but they see Duterte as a messiah. A lot of his supporters too seem to be people of faith.
I’m wondering if Philippine rice is mixed with Meth that Pinoys have lost basic reasoning.
Could be. It is for sure the strangest phenomenon I’ve ever witnessed, when bad deeds are seen as a strength and good performance is reviled.
This is the most weird presidential elections I have seen.
I remember Panfilo Lacson running as president. Despite the Kuratong Baleleng scandal and disappearances being linkex to him, he wasn’t like Duterte. I remember his ads being like Mahatir, Lee Kwan Yew and Thaksin being able to make their countries prosperous. Duterte is like “I will kill criminals”. Even the questionable Lacson did not get that low.
> I’m wondering if Philippine rice is mixed with Meth that Pinoys have lost basic reasoning.
Ever since it seems that most people were given a 15-minute pulpit in the form of social networking sites, they became smart but in the _wrong way_, by (re)quoting misinformation, disinformation, and believing in everything on Facebook is true.
In my free time, I am preparing contingency plans should this so-called messiah of the south sits in the most powerful seat in the country, and starts coming up with bizarre or violent executive orders.
The financial markets won’t put up with Dutarte. The Philippines would lose investment grade in 6 months if he is elected.
Yes, that’s the point of a forthcoming blog. Thursday.
They even pride themselves of the center for taking care of women, what with their statistics they badly need it. 😦
I believe that is termed bitter, wry humor. Point made, with exclamation mark.
Yeah, it seems to me they have been smoking something, for sure. The only way I figure they can do it is by shutting down mass media and social media so no reports of usage occur. You know, the China plan. Or just start shooting a lot of people and not bothering too much about guilt or innocence. In other words, the NPA plan.
I cannot quite get a grip of how Duterte’s camp can claim that he can eradicate criminality within 6 months. Duterte became the OIC of Davao in 1986. Davao was included in the list of the “safest cities” only in 2015. This didn’t happen in Davao within the same time frame and we are not even talking about a single city here! Basically, he is telling us to just trust him and that’s it. That shouldn’t be enough. The sad truth is, a lot did.
I will still vote for him. I also don’t think it will be eradicated within 6 months but his examples and work done is a good foundation to help build it. Heck, if there are other candidates with good track record like him with “better”, quoted for different opinions, personality, I would go for him/her.
Jaeyoun Kim once said “In order to grow out of this, we must love our country” and Duterte has shown this. It may be a ploy, scene, truth, conspiracy, whatever and It is a bit scary but this is the change we need. The only way for us to know what this discipline is, is by having him as our president. Nothing is certain before that. His words vs his actions.
How old are you Anony? How do you get your information? From social media, through mass media, or directly from the source (e.g., government web sites)?
My info filters give me a picture of a man whose word cannot be trusted (even you don’t trust it, saying he can’t deliver on the 6 month crime free promise), and whose actions I have to hide from my young son (cursing the pope, talking about killing people as if it were a virtue, and fondling or forcing himself on women in public). I rather think you have low expectations of the Philippines, to select such a leader.
Just because I have a different opinion, you are now trying to strawman argue me. What does my age have to do with my point? How did you come to judge me that I have low expectation of the Philippines?
I think you are trying to make everyone believe that your line of thinking is the best and is the irrefutable truth which is downright wrong. See my point? I’m sure you are going to defend what I just said.
I think no pro Duterte is allowed to voice his opinion here or they will get personally insulted rather than a discussion. Let me give you an advice, ask why they have that opinion and gather more information. It might surprise you than outright conclusion.
I’m done with this site.
I don’t know what a strawman argument is, in structure. I know it has something to do with logical fallacies. I just type my observations. I’m not being manipulative, as you evidently believe people who disagree with you must be.
I ask your age because it seems relevant. People who are old enough to have known the Marcos regime think very differently than the younger people. Surveys ask tespondents that point exactly because it is meaningful. If you don’t care to share, that is certainly your choice. Clearly you don’t trust me much and are not a regular follower of this blog and its 1000+ articles.
I’m older, north of 65. Like most people who have migrated their way through ups and downs and stresses and strains, I develop personal standards and hopes. One of them is integrity, another dignity. I don’t believe Duterte is a dignified representative of a modern state. It is a personal opinion. You don’t rise to MY standards, but you are entitled to your own.
I write what I think is best for the Philippines, and I argue when I have a point to argue. Many disagree with me, say so, and we are friends and respect one another. It isn’t a battle for wins or self esteem. It is being open minded enough to learn, and being gracious enough to teach. Those are the terms everyone who is a regular here participates on.
You are being given the right to speak. you did not call me a shit, like the people yesterday. You have presented your case and are welcome to continue to present it. Indeed, you are courageous for making your case. Opinions in the political arena at this stage are tense. Offense is regularly given and received, and it best to try to keep talking civilly.
I’d welcome information from you.
I’m sorry you feel so offended that you would refrain from further comment. I guess that courage I spoke of is a little tender.
This author asked the same question to another who commented who did not agree with his point of view, asking how old he/she was. As if trying to put down an opinion not aligned to his. Anony is right. This author instead of encouraging a healthy, intellectual &respectful discussion, shuts the voice of others who do not agree with his perspective. Won’t waste my time participating.
A week ago, about three posters tried to attack this blog with harsh language, and reasoning that is not of a learned person. I cannot post my opinions on Facebook because it has become a toxic, hostile environment. Speak a word against your candidate and his followers — the keyboard warriors — return with a vicious vengeance threatening with anything even going as far as to question one’s genitalia.
Since when is lack of due process and summary executions good foundation of civilized societies?
It actually is the opposite.
Those pro Duterte might as well go live in North Korea under the “disciplinarian” method of Kim Jong Eun
Sir Louis Atanacio good day to you and Joe America.
So my question to both of you is this ” Who among the five presidential candidates is capable of being the real leader?” who can bring my beloved country to peace and prosperity.
Mar Roxas for sure. Grace Poe might be able to, but with heavy policy aimed at taking care of her powerful backers. Roxas would assure the stability and confidence that investors want. Grace Poe may or may not bring that stability. Her work background is incredibly light for such a tough job, and it is reflected in the contradictions of her “platform” and the rash statements she makes. Binay and Duterte would be disasters. Investors would no longer have confidence in the Philippines. Miriam Santiago is too rash and her health would trouble investors.
If Duterte is elected the Philippines will have coup attempts within the year and lose investment grade. I expect the U.S. to intervene behind the scene before then. Instability is something they can’t tolerate with the military bases.
A pro-Duterte commenter once compared “HIM” to the type of traditional Filipino father who waits with his belt on the ready at the gate if you come home late, ready to give you a good whipping, and that is what Filipinos truly need because they cannot be disciplined by themselves…
https://joeam.com/2016/04/03/filipino-is-not-a-race/#comment-169669 – I guess most Duterte supporters lack “power of abstraction”… in fact most Filipinos who vote leaders as idols lack it.
Discipline as an abstract concept, as rules obeyed willingly by consensus, is a concept alien to both Duterte and Marcos supporters… and Duterte of course is an example of the mentality of lacking abstract capabilities, it is purely on-the-ground thinking, like a jeepney or tricycle driver or a Filipino mechanic, I mean the improvisational streetcorner kind… no need for algebra or programs just play it by ear and make things up as you go along like a banjo player… but that will not take you far on a national level, or why did Duterte not accept the DILG post several times?
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/257590/duterte-im-not-qualified-to-replace-robredo-as-dilg-chief – Inquirer Mindanao, August 25th, 2012
DAVAO CITY – Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he was not qualified to replace the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.
Duterte, a close ally of President Aquino, made the comment following reports he was among two Mindanao leaders short-listed for the post.
He said he had always rejected offers in the past for him to head the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) because of his lack of qualification.
Then president Fidel Ramos wanted to take in Duterte as DILG secretary but the latter rejected it. When Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became presidents, Duterte was offered the same post.
“I’m not qualified before, I am not qualified now,” he said.
I was watching the Golden State Warriors on television today (my wife is a rabid fan). One of the Warriors committed a bonehead play, fouling Portland’s star player with 0.8 seconds left on the clock. The announcer was very kind and said “that play was deficient in intelligence”, or something like that.
My wife muttered “what a stupid play!”
I don’t know why your comment reminded me of that.
“The announcer was very kind and said “that play was deficient in intelligence”, or something like that.”
Marcos Sr. allegedly once said: Imee is intelligent, Bongbong has good muscle coordination.
Hahahahaha . . . ’bout choked on my mango juice . . .
Ha ha ha! Made my day.
Hahahaa…need to pour mango juice on my brain…
Discipline also means, Directon, instruction, regulation and order. It is not all about punishment.
Yes, that would be definitions 1 and 2 as cited in the article. That’s why I’m seeking clarification. Do you work within the Duterte/Cayetano campaign, and can you certify that is what they mean? The problem with it is that I don’t see how they will get rid of drugs and crime without the punishment part. People make a lot of money dealing. Others are medically hooked. Going to school won’t do much for them.
Yes I can certify what he meant about discipline because we Davaoeños are disciplined and law abiding filipino citizen. We abide all the ordinances implemented here in Davao and that is the beauty of his leadership. As the Father of Davao City and we as sons and daughters of this City respect and obey him. This is the problem in our country, Laws are only optional and that is why these Druglords, Warlords, Corrupt Govt. Officials are massive. I will also include Drug pushers and Rapists. And these Crooks have evil minds who can kill innocent women and children. This just get worsen everyday because of a very lame and lenient leadership. That’s why people including Robin Padilla, Aiza Seguerra, Luke Mijares, Oyo Boy Sotto, Rafael Alunan, Tulfo brothers and many more are clamoring for CHANGE.
Now, ill ask you a simple question, if you are a law abiding citizen what will you be afraid of?
In answer to Anthony’s reply, I’ll direct you to an Inquirer article, but please click on the link to read the whole opinion to connect the dots and have a better grip of what happened in Davao. But this analogy best describes it.
The Ones Who Walk Away From Davao
I can’t help thinking of Omelas whenever I hear someone describing Davao City as a utopia. Omelas is the fictional city in Ursula Le Guin’s short story, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” which won the Hugo Award for best science fiction short story in 1974.
In the story, Le Guin describes a city so ideal that it might as well be from a fairy tale. So why would anyone walk away from such a perfect place, as the story’s title suggests?
Because for Omelas to remain peaceful and prosperous, the city requires that an innocent child be perpetually tortured in a locked room with no window. All the people of Omelas know it is there—the room, the torture, the child. They know that their health and happiness depend on the child’s misery.
Most who see the child for the first time go home in anger and agony. But after some time, they accept the terms of Omelas: happiness for thousands in exchange for the suffering of one.
But some don’t go home at all. They walk away from the torture room and keep walking away, alone, to a place that is not Omelas.
Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/94123/ones-walk-away-davao#ixzz44qFz103n
Sounds like a bit the Aztec human sacrifice
It’s akin to shutting your eyes to another evil just to gain your “peace.”
Have you read the whole article?
Yes. That is why I said it is like the Aztec human sacrifice. Not exactly to peace, but to their prosperity. They sacrifices humans (from their own and rival tribes) to maintain the favor of the sun-god so they may enjoy prosperity.
People who think like the trolls who visited here, who believe justice is found in their personal interpretation of right and wrong without due consideration given to facts or kindness or respect. Personal justice backed by intimidations and guns. Amplification of the culture of power and favor where the in crowd is ruthless. Legitimacy assigned to the NPA extortionist gangsters. Plus a collapsing economy as investors flee from a government they can’t understand and trust and know will be stable. Chaos. Starvation. Murder. Mayhem. A few things like that.
And frankly, I don’t want a swearing, brutal, womanizing thug to represent the modern Philippines in dealing with heads of state. I don’t think it is a nice look.
“Now, ill ask you a simple question, if you are a law abiding citizen what will you be afraid of?”
hmmmm.. a not-so-law-abiding-law-enforcer perhaps?
Seriously!
I hope Duterte requires camera surveillance in every house if he becomes president. Let’s see if they’ll still say the same stuff
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_to_hide_argument
It is an excuse used by police states to justify greater surveillance.
Now what if you, a law-abiding citizen, is *mistakenly apprehended* for an offense that you did not commit? Would this utopia you want might provide you a basic set of rights that would ensure that you will not be harmed? A lawyer who would be furnished by the government for your defense if you don’t have one? And make sure that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty?
I hope you might enjoy the world you want to live in. Until Big Brother comes in.
Is that why your city is #1 in murders and #2 rape
I guess murder and rape is part of your city laws then. That explains it all.
Hiyang hiya naman ang taga Basco Batanes sa inyo.
That when one man believes himself not only to be judge, jury, and executioner but that he is also Senate, Congress, and Supreme Court — in short, I’m afraid of a man who believes that he alone is the law.
I am a bit surprised at the way the Cayetanos are silent on the short cut method of Mayor Duterte in instilling discipline ( 3rd definition).Your questions deserve to be answered. And if the Cayetanos are supportive of the way Duterete said that one has to kill – his brand of justice -in order to be President, then this country will conflagrate within one year. I am also surprised at the meek response from the religious organizations ( thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not commit adultery) and even the silence from legal organizations. Is that Davao ” religious organization” supporting Duterte a genuine form of religion? Or is it a cult?
What Duterte is espousing is outright violation of the Constitution! If nothing is done now to correct this crooked trend, I am afraid this country is going to the dogs! The proposed Duterte solution could worsen the present state we are in – violence begets violence, a tooth for a toorh; people bringing their guns out just like the Wild wooly West, then marshall law will not be far from the horizon. I think people should start thinking and acting fast to counter this trend or else the country will implode and explode!
If his father were still alive, he would be embarrased. His father did not advocate vigilante justice but reforms in the judicial system
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Cayetano
Parang biglang nagayuma ang Pilipinas
I have always voted for the the Cayetano children not because of them but because of their father. I have a great admiration and respect for the late Senator and I feel disappointed that his children seem to have lost their moral compass. No more Cayetanos for me.
BTW, Taguig under their reign has degenerated to the point where the local pastime of the misguided youth there is to drop large rocks on cars passing under C-5.
I don’t think Senator Cayetano will respond. It’s the reason supporters go threatening, because there can be no dignified, rational way to explain how drugs and crime will be done away with.
Your point about the “silence of the churches” is very good. I may write to that point. THIS is moral stewardship? THIS is Pope Francis’ vision? THIS is the way of our Lord?
Thanks for the wake-up call, Hector.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/777436/pnp-chief-duterte-promise-just-words
“Even in the most advanced countries with the best police equipment… [illegal] drugs continue to [proliferate]. Crime will be a part of our lives,” Marquez, who has been in the police service for more than 40 years, said.
A comment by a Duterte supporter on the Learning Center FB page where I shared this… I still want my free 911 (facepalm)
For free 911, we sell the nation down the tubes. Incredible. Such depth of reasoning power, and character.
Besides, this is also among Duterte’s impossible dreams. Davao’s 911 was launched in 2002, around 16 yrs after Duterte became the OIC of Davao in 1986 and subsequently, its Mayor. Duterte’s followers are using this as a proof that Duterte can also implement this all throughout the Philippines. How can that be possible? Unless they plan to extend his presidency to more than the alloted 6 yrs. Trusting the guy to deliver is just not enough. They cannot use Davao as a proof because it just isn’t.
Yes, like Binay using Makati. “Hello!” The nation’s provinces are not populated by banks, malls, condos and rich people. The tax base is slightly different in the rice fields. The needs different.
I don’t understand this comment, Joe. Isn’t the Jej trying to lower taxes? And, not everyone in Makati are rich.
(Disclaimer: Binay supporter here)
Yep, not everyone in Makati are rich. But the rich there are truly rich – the businessmen, the residents of the gated subdivisions who contribute hundreds of millions of all kinds of taxes, licenses, permits and regulatory fees. These hundreds of millions are financing the hospital and social benefits initiated by the former mayor Nemesio Yabut which Binay is claiming credit for, all coming from the goodness of his heart.
Mr. Allan, Binay supporter – have you read the rappler (PCIJ, GMA News, Senate Sub-Committeen hearings, etc) investigative reports on Binay’s manipulations at Makati City Hall, Comembo, Ospital ng Makati, Alphaland scam which victimized the Boy Scouts of the Philippines – the reason why he never let go the BSP Presidency for decades and decades; the millions of illegal and immoral security deals @ Pag-ibig Fund? How they amassed billions that helped them perpetuate power in Makati with the help of the poor voters there who for 30 years have to be purposely maintained poor, so they will used over and over again, every 3 years, and even the innovative sister city scheme to install daughter Nancy in the Senate and him sa VP; Abigail, Elenita and Junjun in Makati forever and ever, one to sawa!!!
How long will you let yourself be a lemming, blind supporters of the plunderers who keep on insisting that he is not yet convicted of those charges just because he is immune from suits just because he is the VP? Wait for July 1 and he will be arrested, tried and convicted.
What Duterte is doing in Davao, Binay does too, in Makati, Enrile in Cagayan, Estrada in SJ and Manila. Same bulok style that you are supporting.
Jej lowering taxes? sure, he is pandering to businessmen who want to evade paying taxes, to get their campaign funds, he promised you of lower taxes, he promised the poor to expand the 4Ps to 5Ps – where will he get the funds to do that, from ghost employees like Duterte does? , he will bury FM to Libingan ng mga Bayani…anything for the votes to escape being jailed in July 1, 2016.
Give us a break.
Came back to replace ‘disclaimer’ with ‘disclosure’. I actually don’t know which is apt.
There’s no need for name-calling, @Mary Grace. No, I do not read Rappler. I haven’t for a while. What I do is walk around as many places as I can. I see the people living their lives. They don’t have much but they are happy.
May I ask which not-bulok style you are supporting? I’d like to hear your candidate’s platform/advocacy. This bashing of other people in lieu of having actual arguments has to stop.
Yes, you could use a break. Breathe a little.
Thanks for coming back. I will be writing to the point that I mentioned above (Thursday blog), that no way can Binay do for the nation what he has done in Makati. He was gifted a gold mine and he sat back and let his people dig. He became incredibly wealthy on a Mayor’s puny salary. He can’t do that for the nation.
The request for platforms over bashing is a good one. I wonder, though, are you really willing to sit through it? And are you willing to actually listen during the presentation, or are we just feeding into a closed mind that is going to resist information?
The UNA platform consists of broad generalities that are framed on failure to perform by President Aquino (which the Admin disagrees with). There really are no particulars that add up the math, even in major estimates, as to how the lavish promises will be funded. http://www.mb.com.ph/vp-binay-bares-unas-platform-to-battle-poverty/
I personally would love to see a legitimate, candid, reasonable, straightforward platform with associated funding from UNA. So can you provide what you are asking others to provide?
I’ll go back and read your post for sure. I’m basing my vote on hope that he can replicate what’s happening in Makati. I look at it as a test case that should now be rolled out.
re: close-mindedness. I can’t say. I believe that Mar is capable of continuing the economic growth of the country. More importantly, I believe in supporting whoever wins. I think that’s key to nation building.
re: UNA’s platform. I cannot. You are right. Everything is vague. I saw a funny infographic about catching smugglers and taxing those, if that counts.
re: corruption. I believe in due process.
I’m not very eloquent and place a high value on empirical data. I hope I cleared a few things, at least.
Thanks. The Binay/Makati post will be tomorrow.
Speaking of churches… here’s the latest
Search in FB using the keywords “duterte pope”, there’s supposed letter from Vatican sent to Duterte.
Basically the Pope says prayers are with him. I hope the pope meant prayers so that Satan will leave Duterte (what kind of reply were they actually expecting)
It’s the Philippines is under sorcery.
Rather than getting out of Plato’s cave, we are volunteering in living in the cave!
… the last few words are significant if one knows diplomat-speak… http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/128176-pope-francis-prayers-duterte-apology
as he invokes upon you the divine blessings of wisdom and peace
Yes, I’m busy writing an article about how so many Filipinos do not mind telling Jesus to get lost.
Maybe you can write also about your financial gain if the wrong president is chosen, your dollar retirement will go up because of the banking downgrades…..hehehe
But than again..you pay 2x more tax then Filipino’s, normal is vat and sin tax..you vat, fat (foreigner added tax), sin and skin tax….
🙂
You know, Sup, you’re right! I’m stupid. I should be arguing for Duterte. I bet my US dollar retirement portfolio goes up 20% or more. I’m not playing this the proper way, for self gain. And I don’t pay any fat at all. My wife buys everything. I live clean.
I must write another letter apologizing to Senator Cayetano for my rude questioning of his obviously pure motives.
That’s why you have so much time for typing…no shopping…lucky you are…..:-)
Hahaha, you got it right! Exactly. I provide funding. The wife does acquisitions. Perfect relationship.
I hope Cayetano replies. But my feeling is that he will not reply, a cost-benefit sort of thing:
– If he replies, it is likely he will not give a satisfactory reply or trip over himself and thus The Society’s vanguards can make him a fool or make the pair even more foolish than they currently are
– If he doesn’t reply The Society can still reasonably attack the pair — as it is doing now — but are not fuelled the more by the reply of Cayetano
– If he replies, the expected counter comments/ questions of The Society may need to be answered; if he does not reply to these counter questions, the situation may be worse of than he started with
– If he replies with some assurance, this becomes some sort of record, a pre-commitment and he may be asked if this his principal’s opinion, etc
– With only 35 days to go to May 9, Duterte/ Cayetano may likely think that their efforts and time is best used for the campaign proper than venturing into this “likely trap.”
Just my thoughts. BUT I DO WISH HE REPLIES! A lot here must be awaiting with bated breath. Hold on Mary.
🙂
Yep, well it is hard to justify that which cannot be justified. Best to hide.
I am, sir NH – with bated breath….hahaha!
I only hope we will not wait in vain until we are blue in the face. They will be very busy hoodwinking the gullible poor, rich, the dumb and intelligent alike all over our poor blighted nation.
Oh no mister herrera, you have cornered him to a no reply decision. … hahahaha
🙂
About the 3-6 months thing, I remember a tweet by Wency Cornejo, son of broadcaster Mel Tiangco, saying that a possible reason why Duterte is able to make these big pronouncements is that he’s probably already researched who and what to take out once he becomes President. And then going on to say, “Guess who in the family said this?”. So are we supposed to assume that his mom said it? And how should we react on the possibility that Duterte already has people “to take out” in mind? Has he been eyeing the presidency since Yolanda?
Sounds like his favorite punching bag
It’s not gonna be Binay the kurakot.
I hate to say this but if Poe nor Mar does not win, I hope it is Binay. Anyone BUT Duterte. Santiago is bearable but she is in the bottom of the race. This dude is crazier than the current Republican Party
And for those who don’t know, that is on the verge of lunatic.
Most presidential candidates (and not only in this election), particularly those who have not been responsible for implementing national laws and government programs, tend to recklessly propose populist but wildly unrealistic and unsustainable policies. The disadvantage of Mar is that, having been with the Executive branch of government under 3 presidents and directly involved in the implementation and execution of government policies, he cannot afford to be as reckless. Even his supporters will take him to task and say, “that’s not realistic…you SHOULD know better.”
OT: Does anyone know whom the INC will bloc vote for? Since they practice bloc voting, they can be pretty influential. I hope it is NOT Duterte.
Poe, in her usual way to get votes no matter what or how, reportedly went to INC for a “conversation” — not to ask for its vote. He he. So Duterte should do the same or ask Cayetano, with his glib, honeyed-mouth, to do this for him.
Is it conversation or conversion?
🙂
Quotes intended 😉
Inside info has indicated binay has bought…oh sorry…the leadership convinced he is the best candidate for them.
Most institutions and individuals who side with opportunity over principle go with Poe. Cojuangco, Estrada, Arroyo perhaps . . . so we will get a measure of the character of the church, I think. Much of the business community* is with Roxas, from all indications. *Excluding those funding and playing political favors.
Doubtful to be Duterte..
After all INC have their own ideology/theology to promote..And Duterte is a follower of that brand new, young, handsome, son of god, & god blessed, Mindanao ‘GURU’ fellow, with his own beautiful retreat center – created by pushing out the native Filipino mountain tribe…. I doubt that INC folks consider praying there..It’s heretical to them..
Joe America, there is no point engaging with Duterte supporters, and expect a well reasoned exchange of ideas or an edifying argument.
Ad hominem is the unifying thread of Duterte supporters. Just follow comments on Facebook and you know exactly the response that springs forth, so predictable. The best way to deal with them is to leave your comment and do not bother any follow up. Let them struggle with what you write e it just might tickle their minds at some unguarded moments and come to their senses.
Bigots and demagogues are best left to their own devices. We do not gain anything by being distracted with ad hominem and their emptiness.
We can only cry for Mahal Nating Pilipinas for we have to live with a dysfunctional democracy, a “government of politically ignorant people, by politically ignorant people, for politically ignorant people” and “government of corrupt politicians, by corrupt politicians, for corrupt politicians”.
The Framers of the Constitution, in their collective wisdom, forgot to provide for Universal Political Education of the Filipino people that would have enabled them to understand “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them”. It would have made democracy vibrant, responsive, relevant, and dynamic as intended by the Greek politicl thinkers and philosophers.
How come the intelligent backers can’t see what a scurrilous pack of low-value slugs and thugs they are enabling? Psychological neediness here must be HUGE.
The intelligent backers use the vulgarity to draw out the POLITICALLY IGNORANT to their side for the votes, and to wear down those who try to engage them civilly, rationally, reasonably. It is much like the ISIS recruiting technique, it legitimizes the gang they have been hankering for and Duterte is the ideal swaggering gang leader to them. Whack the enemy, don’t bother about due process and the laws, too tedious.
The politically ignorant Filipino do not need psychological medicines. These are only for folks who bother to reach out to them on the premise that thugs and low-value slugs are rational, but to their dismay.
The intelligent backers probably believe that order in society is best achieved Duterte-style, oblivious to democratic nuances and processes.
Only through Universal Political Education can we make democracy work as intended by Greek political thinkers and philosophers. The Filipino will be a more discerning politically.
Yes, for sure discriminating thought is missing.
The intelligent backers ain’t got money, the suwapangs do. That’s why false surveys proliferate. Mind control is the game, Hon 👜
Duterte discipline might look something like this…
0:50 onwards: “there is no discipline with the youth today… I try to set an example but it is difficult ah…”
If that would be the preview of things to come… We can say our Moody’s ratings goodbye if it happens.
Goodbye Call Centers and BPO – from what I notice, a lot of pro Dutertes work in the BPO industry (yknow Mar’s project)
Maybe, they are going to work in a Philipins gulag
You must read first so that you understand the word diceplain why DUCAY use this word diceplain
Read what? Gadzooks. What in the world are you talking about? diceplain = discipline? DUCAY = Duterte and Cayetano? I provided definitions in the article. If you have a different one, kindly explain . . . and get someone to help you with your dyslexia, please.
Pending further information to the contrary, I will presume this is Duterte/Cayetano Thug #3, and he hopes to impress by mysterious intimidations.
You’re right.
https://www.facebook.com/happy.sasam
@Irineo: BTW, CineEmotion Digital Films, which officially covers much of their pre-election sorties and PR… makes me too much of… the film company UFA then under Hitler.
I planted a bull and a shit in a pot then this article came out!
Okie dokie, here come the thugs. This is #1. This is known as the Duterte/Cayetano brand of discussion.
….and you are known as EPAL brand of Shit!
Okay, I’ve blocked Mr. Mar. You get the picture of what a class guy this Duterte/Cayetano supporter is, and what it would be like if he and his kind were empowered to act on behalf of their two pro-discipline idols.
Oh the Irony! They are very disciplined indeed.
Hahahaha. Yes, the irony is downright explosive.
How much did mar pay you to write this? Wag ka pilosopo. If you dont want duterte then dont vote for him. Para kang walang pinag aralan. Putang ina mo.
Here is Thug #2 who believes casting aspersions on a person’s character is rightful dialogue, and that one ought not speak, just vote. In other words, Duterte/Cayetano fans can say what they wish, but backers of other candidates cannot. This Ynna a. character likely does not buy into the Duterte/Cayetano camp’s promise to protect journalists. I for sure am not feeling a lot of love here, or even an ounce of respect. Therefore, the Duterte/Cayetano camp’s ability to do what it says it will do looks very suspicious. As if they cannot even discipline their ill-mannered followers much less get rid of crime.
This thug uses the line his idol used on the Pope too.
Hahaha. This blog is like sugar — drawing out these thugs like ants to the sugar.
Those keyboard warriors. No point arguing with them.
Another viral letter is circulating. With the way things are going, eveything that is being posted now is subject to scrutiny for its authenticity. Lots of memes, letters and articles are being spread only to find out they are all fake, made up by a certain group. So I wonder if this letter from this Gen. Poquiz is true.
http://www.jamesparmis.net/viral-open-letter-from-major-general-romeo-poquiz-for-adrian-sanchez-who-accused-duterte-of-being-a-traitor/
Fake.
Oh, their leaders talk about crime, peace and order yet their supporters and their propragandists don’t embody their battlecry. And they let them be. I shudder at the thought of his presidency (God forbid!).
Yes, the support reflects a need by many to BE somebody, to have the power of Duterte, to execute by words or declarations, to break free from the laws and poverty that have them trapped. It is scary. Duterte is a bigger threat to the idea that the Philippines is a nation of laws than was Marcos.
For me, Duterte is a “teachable moment” – about my fellow countrymen. As it turns out, there are a sizable portion of Filipinos who are would-be dictators, or would tolerate one.
Hard lesson.
Well, each time some 6-year-old girl is raped and murdered, or a shabu market is raided by PDEA, or that a teen with a Samsung Nexus is jumped on by a couple of determined cellphone robbers, all of that on primetime news, it’s often the average Filipino watching the news would exclaim, “that scum ought to be killed!”
It’s this kind of blood-mongering audience that Rody is seeking for, and what he is seeking is a rather unattainable puritanical-patriarchal police state.
https://mizmenzies.wordpress.com/cromwells-puritan-dictatorship/ – Oliver Cromwell was like Duterte a somewhat poorer member of the ruling classes…
On the 26th of December 1653 Cromwell was declared as Lord Protector. Cromwell proposed the title of Lord Protector in order to distance himself monarchy to which he stood against for. Ironically, by 1656, Cromwell was greeted as “your highness” and granted knighthood to his followers…
Cromwell was also known to have had a strong religious faith. During the war his faith was strengthened with the belief that God chose him and his troops to perform his (God) will. He displayed a religious hint to most of his political policies when he was Lord Protector in the 1650s. He made his people reform to his religion of Calvinism. His belief in “Godly Reformation” led him to ban drunkenness, and other things he considered sinful activities. He banned enjoyment such as sports, inns, theatres, etc. as he believed if you worked hard you go to Heaven. Furthermore, Cromwell believed women and girls should dress in a proper manner. He banned the use of make-up and colorful dresses so women would wear long black dress that covered her from neck to toes. Furthermore, he banned Christmas as he wanted it to be about the birth of Christ instead of eating and drinking.
Irineo, Cromwell for all his Calvinism was not a fascist.
And all the English speaking world owes him a debt of gratitude for making the English monarchy accountable to Parliament..via the execution of Charles the first…Basically the UK has had parliamentary government ever since the 1640’s…It was a pity that a civil was was needed to achieve this.But the divine right of kings in the UK was destroyed by Cromwell and his New Army raised by Parliament.
SA MGA AYAW SA PATAKARAN NI DUTERTE AT CAYETANO WALANG PUMIPILIT SA INYO, EH DI IBOTO NYO UNG GUSTO NYO KUNG MAS GUSTO NYO PAG-IISIP NILA! PARA NAMAN SA NAG-SULAT NG ARTICLE NA ITO SIGURO WALA KANG ALAM SA DINADANAS NG PILIPINAS NGAYON, SO MAGBASA KA NA LANG NG DICTIONARY.
Kapag tapos na kami rito sa diksyonaryo, algebra naman ang pag-aaralan namin.
Teddy replied and said “VERY GUD”. He is blocked, but if you believe you can have a civil conversation with him, I can unblock him.
Maybe allow some who have the tendency to be not only civil but civilized.
I would not only allow, but would appreciate their engagement. It is fairly simple to get a reading of civility from the way they speak. If someone shows up who is actually prepared to listen as well as sell, I would be amazed. The reason there are so many thugs is that they find reason does not work.
That is the fascist mentality Joe..All over the world
I wish Senator Cayetano will send Joe a letter that reads something like this:
“Dear Mr. Joe America,
You seem to have many admirers in your website The Society of Honor. Congratulations. Sometimes I wish I had been a blogger like you instead of a senator like me.
Talking about discipline, yes, my father was a rigid disciplinarian. You should have seen him when he was alive. Not a hair out of place with his pompadour haircut, greased just right. Impeccably dressed to the nines from head to foot. Always in a suit, shirt and tie. Florsheim shoes disappear in a shiny floor. I wish he were still here, so I could have a reason to quit Mayor Rody Duterte. My father would surely knock some sense into my head.
I write not to answer your question about discipline because I know your question is a trap. I invoke my right against self-incrimination.
I write rather to ask you or any of your intelligent followers like Irineo, Edgar, Lance, NHerrera, Mary Grace, Cha, Chempo, Juana, karlgarcia, Bill in Oz, Madlanglupa, Jean, Micha, to please send me by private message tips on how to extricate myself from the Duterte for President campaign. You see, it’s not me you are seeing in the photos with Mayor Duterte. I have already completely forgotten who I am, like I am in an out-of-body experience. The man is a loose cannon, and I regret the day when I conceived the plan to make him run for president.
This is a cry for help. I hope you will also write a letter to Senator Nene Pimentel. H-E-L-P!
Sincerely,
Senator Allan Peter Cayetano”
Yes, I’d bet he may even cry himself to sleep at night, thinking about the horror that is his to live, and justify. He is also punishing his sister who earns the role of hypocrite for supporting the Duterte/Cayetano style of relationships with women, whilst pretending to be an advocate for women’s rights.
The term depravity popped into my head. I think that is the quicksand, the morass, into which Senator Cayetano has slipped. He had an idea, a dream, and it turned into a nightmare.
That sounds like the movie Vanilla Sky…dream turned to be a nightmare
“Manila Sky” . . . look for it in 2030 or so, after the death and dust has settled, and movies return to the movie houses.
JOE AMERICA, DUN KA SA AMERICA MAG-OBSERVE HUWAG DITO SA PINAS HAHA! ISAMA MO NA DIN SI GRACE POE HUHU.
Okay, we will put Teddyboy down as Thug #4, who comes to my house and shouts all caps. I apologize for the deterioration in maturity and civility of the blog discussion, but it is instructional, is it not, as to what Duterte/Cayetano discipline really means?
Sir Joe America, please don’t block DuCay supporters in this Forum for you to more about their ideas and opinions. If you continue blocking them I may have doubt on you, what’s your difference to DuCay kind of discipline?
Big difference,he politely asks them to stop any wrong doing,Duterte from what he said he will do,I don’t think he won’t ask.
don’t think he will bother to ask.
Shoot first, talk later like the cowboys of old.
I have only blocked Duterte supporters who mistake insult for argument. Come in with respect and type away, on the issues. Write a guest blog if you wish to. But always always come with respect for the people you are speaking (writing) to.
As a blog editor, I have different responsibilities than a President. My responsibility is to produce a product that is of high quality, that welcomes a wide range of views, and that is mature, intelligent and respectful. That teaches and offers the opportunity for lessons.
If they offer up insult, they are trashing the blog and need to find a different place to express themselves.
Dictionaries may offer different takes on discipline, depending on how a sentence is structured, but one thing is clear: YOU CANNOT ESPOUSE DISCIPLINE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE IT YOURSELF. If your head and your soul is an empty bucket, there is nothing you can offer anyone else. Simply put, you cannot give what you do not have.
So Mr. Duterte and Mr. Cayetano, do the Fillipino people and your own selves a favor and cut the crap. Before you speak of discipline, have it in you first. Respect your country and the Filipino people and show positive examples, especially to the young. You have a responsibility that goes way beyond this election. Before you are a politician, you are a human being first. Show the country and the world that there is more to you than trash.
“Before you are a politician, you are a human being first.” Please tell me where that is stated in the Philippine 1987 Constitution. Natural-born, 10 years, 40 years minimum. Nothing about having to be a human being. Nothing about having to be healthy either. 😀
They can’t get the proper definition of an undergraduate (even being a real Wharton undergrad is already an accomplishment. Wharton, like many Ivy leagues, have low admission rates), we shouod expect them not to know what discipline means.
Kinda like how the Chinese government use English (not talking about Engrish)
Seems this way: If one is not accepted outright (from HS) into Wharton School (Business/Economics), then one goes to another B&E reputable college, excel there, then re-apply or transfer to Wharton for junior-senior undergrad degree. Mar was admitted to Wharton School outright from HS, then finished with undergrad Eco degree. Trump’s daughter went to Fordham first then transferred to Wharton School to finish her undergrad Eco degree. Manny Pangilinan, finished Ateneo w/ Eco undergrad degree (cum laude) then finished MBA from Wharton B-School. Just saying on the Wharton-Philippine connection. I don’t know where BBM fits in. Solita Monsod and Cesar Virata fit somewhere there also.
The strength to hold to good principles and consideration of others = discipline. Add that definition to what it OUGHT to be.
Joe, the comments directed at you have a Fascist feel to them..And the remarks that Duterte is reported as saying have a fascist flavor to them as well. Could the Philippines have generated it’s own style of this old ‘ideology’… After all Italy got a dose of fascism, and Spain and Argentina and Chile, and Peru and numerous other countries that were once part of the Spanish empire.
Has he said anything about how he will make the trains & buses run on time ? That would be the give away. 🙂
To the extent that fascist regimes arise on emotion detached from the self-constraints of reason and compassion, I’d say that, yes, the Philippine fields are ripe for the picking. No particulars of how have been provided on anything by Duterte/Cayetano. That’s essentially why I wrote the blog. “What really are we talking about here?”
Mayor Duterte is not the first to make DISCIPLINE as his battle cry. Ping Lacson ran on the same promise several years back. In fairness to him, his term as PNP Chief was marked by many businessmen in our place as a “golden age” for truckers. He somehow managed to eliminate kotong in the check points. So yes, he was able to instill discipline. Of course, reports of excessive “discipline” situations like the Kuratong Baleleng, Dacer-Corbito, etc remained in other people’s minds too. Given this mix, he had enough believers to make him win several senatorial terms but not the presidency. Alfredo Lim also ran for President I think with the same promise. Discipline and the eradication of drug pushers. I remember him leading several drug busts and arrests as NBI Chief, and engaging in a shame campaign, paint spraying the houses of known drug pushers to force them to leave Manila. However, he was also associated with some episodes of “excessive discipline” and was even branded “berdugo”. He had enough supporters to catapult him to a Senate Seat and the mayoralty of Manila but not the Presidency. So, Mayor Duterte is the third with the promise of discipline. But he is unique in the sense that his “excessive discipline” episodes are not viewed by people as negative but as a positive thing. Visit Davao and the taxi drivers proudly extol the killing of pushers by vigilantes. And he flaunts his role in the killings unlike Lim and Lacson. Makes me wonder how he has done this. Is the level of anger and frustration by the people of such depth that life is now cheap? He kills the “scum of the earth” and people cheer him on. But what happens when his people begin to train their guns on people they do not like and call it justice and discipline? It has happened before during Martial Law. Killing and arrests were done on mere suspicions by the military. People who merely disagreed were branded as subversives and communists. Where would the wrongly accused run? Because you see, I somehow still believe in the saying, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
They can’t get the proper definition of an undergraduate (even being a real Wharton undergrad is already an accomplishment. Wharton, like many Ivy leagues, have low admission rates), we shouod expect them not to know what discipline means.
Kinda like how the Chinese government use English (not talking about Engrish)
Duterte is Lacson and Lim on excessive anabolic steroids. He makes them look like Saints.
Interesting background on the three disciplinarians. Unnerving conclusion.
Dear Joeam
Actually, on teaching discipline what I meant to do was to promote personal discipline, to get people to listen to their inner voice and act consistently with what is lawful, morally correct, and civil. In other words, self-discipline. But He is the one hell bent on disciplining other people by ways that guarantee swift results, leaving nothing to my imagination. In our quieter moments I have earnestly tried my best to cajole him to promote self-discipline instead. I tried to placate him to see my ways over a couple of beers, but no women, I swear. He said I’m too soft and threatened to have me disciplined!. Maybe it was my mistake not to include the women… Anyway, that’s the reason why I can’t discuss ‘discipline’ now.
Will is right, I really need help to get out of this damn well I had fallen into. I used to be a respected senator, especially in the Binay inquiry. That’s why you probably saw me in the 2nd hearing of the RCBC inquiry. I’m trying to get some of that magic back, hopefully can get my old job back after s sure-loss election for me. I’m really in a very difficult position. He has a good chance for the top job as far as the polls go, but me, I’m a laggard in the VP polls. It’s a no-win situation for me. Damn Mar Roxas for not picking me as his running mate.
Regards
AC
Ok AC, nice of you to do a little bit of confessing. You may get your job back. That was another error in judgment — knowing him, you should have brought the women when trying to change his ways.
Lastly, if your Senadora colleague makes it rather than your boss, make sure you do not repeat the big error in judgment next time — that is, about aligning yourself with another like him, not another one who curses the Pope. You especially, being fond of quoting biblical verses in Senate hearings.
Your dirty-mouthed supporters have upset Joe and taking a walk to clear his mind. He asked me to say that he will be back and will answer your letter shortly.
🙂
Well, AC, I agree that the inner voice that gives us the strength to hold to good principles and compassionate behavior is important. Clearly, Rody can’t grasp the concept involved with personal discipline, the kind that would benefit the Philippines most. I feel for your predicament. Fortunately, time and good deeds can cure most anything. However, I must say that blaming Mar Roxas is not exactly good self discipline.
I wish you well. See Will for shovels.
JoeAm
Maybe AC if you have ”spare time” after election you could use that to help the supporters of Rodi how to use their cellphones properly..teach them how to use regular and caps….
🙂
I experienced how duterte and even the poe supporters treat a Roxas supporter. I follow Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo on FB and twitter. My friends who supports Roxas would often post updates of all their campaign sorties and I would comment. Remember the La Union sortie where a Duterte supporter claimed it was photoshopped? I was one of those Roxas supporters who defended the authenticity of the photo and even provided links and videos to support that. However, that was to no avail. They called us defenders ‘tanga, bayaran, bulag, and worst, even called Mar Roxas names; really in bad taste. And for one who is not used to using those words and even calling me those words in my years of living, nakaka-shock and nakakabastos talaga. Even those who supports Poe did not leave any stone unturned just to point out how shallow we are in supporting Mar. It hurts me to know that some Filipinos has forgotten their GMRC, their education (or the lack of it), would resort to dirty tactics (fake FB accounts, photos showing Mar with no audience at his Hong Kong campaign – the latest to come out). My stomach is turning each and everytime someone goes into the FB feed of Mar & Leni and be so awful and barbaric in their remarks. And the temerity, the audacity to stick it into our faces as Roxas supporters. Unbelievable. Truly comes election time, you will know who are the thinking and decent voters as compared to the gullible, closed-off minds, and violent ones. If only good manners can be bought, I will definitely be one of the firsts to fall in line and send in my donation.
The last thing I need are those kind of keyboard warriors who could be chosen to patrol the Internet if he is sworn in — to harass and bully people for thinking differently, or worse. No more different from the Chinese government-sponsored professional commenters or the store-smashing thugs employed by the Nazis.
Sorry. This is still Allan. Not sure why my cousin’s name (rnmalixi) keep popping up. (maybe JoeAm can delete that one?)
“That’s how I felt after reading the response to my comment :(“
It’s gone. Say hi to your cousin for us. 🙂
Sorry. Lurker here, but if I may–a few points that I wish to bring up:
DUTERTE’S GRASSROOT’S SUPPORT IS OVERWHELMING. According to the PCIJ, the Duterte-Cayetano tandem has spent less than one billion–a contrast to the Roxas-Robredo, Poe-Escudero and Binay-Honasan tandems. Actually, Duterte (for campaign spending credited to him alone) spent only roughly a bit more than half of what Robredo has (for campaign spending credited her alone) spent. Yet, the fervor of the Duterte-Cayetano campaign is outsized for its actual popularity–their supporters are highly involved, to the point where all online surveys swing to Duterte, to where the admittedly unscientific and Luzon-slanted 7-Eleven Cup Poll shows Duterte in the overwhelming lead. (Ha,
Granted, those aren’t as scientific as–say–SWS or Pulse Asia, but the overwhelming margins are too enormous to ignore. However, I think the above raises pretty interesting questions:
DOES DUTERTE REPRESENT SOMETHING DEEPER IN THE FILIPINO PSYCHE? My hunch is, yes. There is one thing that makes Duterte supporters more special than those who’ve supported Magsaysay, Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, Poe, Roxas etc. and that is this–they are a bottom-up, national, multi-class movement grounded on indigenous ideas. Bottom-up because it wasn’t an ambitious politician pleading for support from the masses, but the masses themselves pleading for their leader to run. National because it was not centered on Metro Manila alone and the campaign has federalism (and, in general, a redistribution of resources from the capital towards the provinces) as an undeniable pillar of the campaign. Multi-class because the support breaks through the A-B-C-D-E divisions. Indigenous because the ideas are not just merely nationalist–they are home-grown and do not come merely from the words of the prophets (from the academe, from the halls of power) but from the rank-and-file themselves; this sincere manifesto may strike some as unpolished and amateurish, but it came from the heart–with a democratic PROVENANCE that some might find either noble or ironic.
[ http://www.duterteforpresident.net/download-pdf/ ]
IF HE DOES, IS THIS A LONG-TERM TREND? My hunch is yes. I don’t think I have the authority or knowledge to call this–since I am just an amateur political junkie from a bubbled school, with English as my L1 and watching more Cartoon Network and CNN than ABS-CBN and GMA7–but my belief is that this is the ugly (to the Westernized sensibilities of the “old” middle class and upper classes) coming-of-age of Filipino POLITICAL nationalism. courtesy of an increasingly consolidated “new” middle class (birthed by the Zuckerberg Press as the middle classes of Europe were birthed by the Gutenberg Press) and a rising inspirational (not fully middle class, but with some traits) class. No doubt, there has been CULTURAL nationalism for a long time, but Filipinos honestly looking at themselves–at the very least–as COMMON “subject-citizens” (perhaps, in the Meiji/Pre-WW2 Japan sense) is pretty…interesting, to say the least.
IF THIS IS A LONG-TERM TREND, FAR GREATER THAN ANY ONE CANDIDATE, REFORMISTS SHOULD LOOK BEYOND MAY–AND TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE VALUES BEHIND THIS TREND. Duterte, a nationalist? I don’t know about the man, if he decides to change our China policy–but MORE THAN the man, it is about the people behind him. And they are nationalists.
Just not the nationalism that many Filipinos (or, I do not want to presume and offend, but I will be frank: “Old” Middle Class Filipinos) aren’t used to.
Perhaps we should consider the possibility that building “nationalism” (which isn’t moral, and neither good nor bad) is probably not going to be rainbows and kittens? That Filipino Nationalism will be more unlike Western Nationalism than we would like to admit? That it might not be democratic. That if it were democratic, it may be democratic like Japan–TRULY democratic, but WITHOUT some of the components or values THOUGHT necessary in a WESTERN Democracy. Dictatorship or Strong-Man leadership isn’t the only realm outside of Western Democracy…based on her beautiful language of Rights and the Individual…what is a Filipino Democracy anyway?
Maybe people aren’t “ignorant”…maybe they just think differently?
My hunch is, Americans will be able to weather a Trump presidency than the Philippines being able to weather a Duterte presidency.
I may missed it, but I have yet to hear Trump subtly or overtly promoting summary execution. He’s obsessed with his wall and the idea of banning Muslim refugees. But we all know despite having only two parties, there is a plurality on opinions in the US. Just look at both parties – the Republican party is very fractured, with the Dems we see Sanderistas and Clintonistas strongly disagreeing with each other. Trump also, hasn’t mentioned anything about abolishing the Congress. Duterte once did.
In the Philippines, there seems to be a strong Duterte Zombie-ism.
I don’t know. Things are far less partisan in the PH than in America, I think. There is a difference between “one group of fanboys (Duterte Supporters) versus several lethargic and semi-enthusiastic supporters (Everyone Else) in the PH and the whole polarized “Liberal-Conservative” situation in America, where there are multiple groups of “fanboys” going against each other, with a scary amount of resources to match.
Besides, PH Civil Society is strong. One of the most vibrant in the world. Filipino democracy may not look quite the same or be as effective at times, but it is deep; I have faith that it will hold.
You may be right about social changes. What I find interesting is that there are possibly several groups and types of Duterte supporters. There are Duterte-Leni supporters also, not only Duterte-BBM supporters and the former are part of highly frustrated civic society…
The thing about the Philippines is that it has had two major upheavals in its democracy – the Marcos thing and the February revolution – both pushed by different parts of the Filipino middle class that were rising up. This is documented by historians and others.
Even 1896 was about discontented new middle class groups from the first wave of urbanization especially in Manila – the problem being each time that anger at certain things was pinned to a figure of hope: Bonifacio, Marcos, Cory… but that Filipinos have yet to learn I think that the way to go is to organize themselves and not look for saviours – Leni embodies this spirit as she is one who actually has enormous civic group support. Emotionalism has often led Filipinos to charge without knowing the direction of the charge.
Sorry if the above comment is overly long and off-tangent. What I was meaning to say is that the near-fanatical support of Duterte is possibly like an iceberg: that there’s potentially a lot underneath the tip that we do see. That the frightening fanaticism and obsession towards “national discipline” is, perhaps, a symptom of something quite strange and complex.
If he really wins, I don’t think the Philippines can endure this. He seems more sinister than Marcos Sr.
Marcos’ deeds invigorated the democratic Filipinos. Dutertes words and manipulation bring out the fanaticism and facism in Filipinos.
I really thought his popularity would wane, kinda like how people like talking about Miriam but never really going for her as president but I was wrong.
A combination of deep religion, frustration with the distribution of wealth, personal security (the few campaign TV ads depicts the country as being under siege by cellphone snatchers, rapists, and drug dealers… as if primetime news isn’t enough), transportation woes, faltering government agencies with series of embarrassing incidents, and of course, corruption.
Judging from the highly-emotional vitriolic comments, I wonder if intimidation is a form of “discipline” this violent mass is aiming for, and he doesn’t even try to curb this disturbing behavior, instead using it as a weapon to silence his online critics.
I don’t enjoy envisioning this country all the sudden become a quasi-religious police state (in this case, his “police” are his personal army of religious fanatics).
Dutarte can’t intimidate the markets though.
Most interesting reading, Ben. Thanks. Ignorant in my definition is not an insult, but a description of the level of knowledge that people have about different things. I am ignorant about technology and car engines. But I can do mathematics okay, and read people and events fairly well. Most people are ignorant in the skills of writing poetry and literature; their words don’t add up right. The broad masses of Filipinos are ignorant about the achievements of their government, and have a form of experience based on great and long-lasting needs that leads to inside out values, of resentment of successful people (Roxas), compassion for those who suffer (Poe), and admiration for people who are tough and survivors like them (Duterte, Binay). These values are held by the educated and the uneducated. Emotions are more prominent than reason.
The most successful way to end the neediness that drives dysfunctional (self-harmful) behavior is to give people real hope, real jobs, real opportunity and a share of the wealth. May 9 will decide if the progression toward that goal will continue, or if the nation will go back to the caves.
Joe, your 2 paragraphs nicely encapsulate the whole political landscape of the Phils, but sadly, how many Filipinos, both the elites and the massa, really understand what you are saying.
About 300.
Hahaha.
300 = 300/55,000,000 = 0.0000055 of the registered voting population.
Is Cayetano included in the 300?
🙂
No, he’s in the other part. heh heh
I’d rather daresay that — except for outright poverty and humiliation by losses in the First World War — all smacks of nearly the same conditions which propelled Hitler to power, a disturbing combination of nationalism, socialism and fundamentalist religion.
Except unlike Hitler, he apparently has little support of the professional military, who, a beneficiary of this administration’s technological largesse in the form of ships and fighter planes, may balk at going back at the ugliness and brutality of Martial Law.
I have a feeling that Duterte administration will have a rough relationship with the police and the AFP, partly due to his closeness with the NPA, his impossible goal of eliminating crime in 6 months, and his reluctance to support modernization of the two. I would predict that within the first 100 days of his term, he will declare a truce between the government and the NPA, although it will not stop both from forcing him to take sides. NPA will hold the ‘peace in Davao’ hostage to counter AFP influence. There’s a high risk of armed coup happening.
On a different note, while I understand the clamor of his supporters, I cannot appreciate the rationale behind it. Criminality is a problem, it is not the cause. Making criminality a central issue of the presidency is like a doctor who focuses on countering the symptoms instead of addressing the cause. I once received a reply on this comment that ‘even good doctors perform amputations’. If Duterte is the doctor and Davao is the patient, I wonder what would be left of the poor patient after years of amputations..
Criminality is a symptom of a problem
This is what the Duterte warriors do not understand.
When the supposed miracle cure turns out it kills the patient rather than eradicating the very cause.
What about these men of cloth?
Thou shalt not kill?
Thou shall not commit adultery?
http://pinoytrendingnews.net/us-based-priests-make-duterte-fist-signifying-support-for-mayor-dutertes-message-of-change/
It’s a sensationalist news site no more different from a tabloid ala Remate, exploited by his supporters to disseminate views/news favorable to his position, and often quoted ad nauseam in Facebook.
Off topic : Vietnamese authorities sieze chinese boat that intruded into area of South China sea claimed by Viet Nam,..
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/04/vietnam-seizes-chinese-vessel-detains-crew
wow I like the picture..they could as well campaign in Arizona or Texas
Duterte’s son, the Vice Mayor is not even endorsing Cayetano and instead has chosen to go with Escudero. The father at first shrugged this off in a solo interview hours after the news broke out saying he cannot control his son who is already 47 years old. “He has his own politics”, he added.
Then in another interview much later with Cayetano beside him, he says, “Sino bang papakinggan ninyo yung Presidente o yung Vice Mayor lang?”
Someone is being played for a fool and it’s definitely not Escudero.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1291140167568729&id=100000182746682&_rdr
Here is the other interview with Cayetano beside him:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153918766785168&id=27254475167
I bookmarked this, just to know what are the warning signs:
http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm
Looks like most of the items are being fulfilled.
Has anyone watched Battle Royale? The sadistic proctor there looks like Duterte a lot!
Yes, I did. In the original novel, the faceless dictator uses this system to keep Japan’s teenagers in line.
In addition, the live-action version of The Man in the High Castle gives us a disturbing “what-if” should the Axis won the war.
I don’t know why so many are frightened about discipline. Obviously they are the ones who lack of it or never really wanted to be disciplined in the first place. Duterte already clarified that he will do it within the boundaries of law which means going through lawful procedures. Discipline is important and its about time Filipinos revere laws, rules, boundaries. Lets be honest, we are a people who do not honor rules and regulations and one can so easily observe this on daily trivial things that we do. Mainly because the government never really encouraged us so, never effectively implemented it, leaders never modeled it by example. Hope the author realizes that in life everything we do has consequences. That if you do something right and good, there will be a fruit of something right and good that you will get out of it. And if you do something wrong or bad, there is a corresponding fruit to that too. Consequences, whether you like it or not is part of life.
There is a huge difference between self-discipline (which takes a long time for that to develop to become a part of culture) and *forced* discipline worthy of an authoritarian regime. And his style of discipline includes forcibly shoving a cigarette into a smoker’s mouth.
I don’t enjoy the idea wherein his would-be regime even a jaywalking call center agent hurriedly trying to make it to work, or a litterbug from a distant province unable to find a decent trash can will have to be subject to great physical humiliation.
Are you a disciplined person, Oljgf? If not why not? If so, why do you presume others are not like you? It seems to me the ones who are undisciplined are the ones voting for Binay and Duterte. The disciplined ones are for Poe or Roxas. That is because disciplined people prize information, avoid thieves and people of little respect for human rights, and know the essential truth of how well the Philippines is doing. They don’t want death squads. So I fear that what you are saying may sound good and confident, but makes little sense.
Finally, may I ask how old you are?
Do you drive? If you do, do you diligently follow traffic rules or do you do the same things that people you complain about do? If not, do you get in and get off the PUV at the proper stops? When there is no trash bin, do you take your trash with you or do you just live it there?
This “need for discipline” is so parroted. Forceful discipline is expensive. It will not scare the most egoistic thugs. Just look at the most controversial police confrontations in the US.
If people want discipline, they will advocate for proper education and training over mass incarceration. The US jails a lot of drug addicts – from weed to heroine but has it solved the drug problem? No. The demand is growing and so does the supply which is why certain parts of Mexico and Central America is dangerous.
A few years ago, Mexico militarized the war on drugs. It did not scare the drug lords. People who believe Duterte’s discipline propaganda is DUMB. They don’t look at world events and places where there is “kamay na bakal”, and they are NOT peaceful
Hi Oljgf,
I love discipline. I do the right things, like letting a pedestrian pass when I drive, keeping my trash in my pocket or bag before I get to a trash can, not spray the toilet seat when I pee, be honest in dealings, to not steal, not kill. Oops. I was just thinking of ways to discipline oneself when “not kill” came up. How can Duterte discipline the nation without using his brand of instilling discipline? He talks of discipline, but is his tongue disciplined? Is his manhood disciplined? Are his urges disciplined? He is like a man who says he will light up the whole village but he lights one side and snuffs out the lights at the other side, and so on. Where is the consistency? It seems he just likes to confuse us.
Among the items in your post, this I subscribe:
Consequences, whether you like it or not is part of life.
Whether it be Roxas, Poe, Santiago, Binay or Duterte as President, there will be positive and negative consequences.
I firmly believe the negative consequence far outweighs the positive consequence with Duterte as President. And the blog article and most of the postings/ discussions here is all about this.
there is an ordinance in davao city prohibiting smoking in public places. digong was informed of a violation. the mayor confronted the violator, pointed a gun on the violator’s crotch and make him choose a) eat the cigarette butt b) or else? there is one less cigarette butt, so knew what the guy chose.
IS THAT THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LAW WE EXPECT?
pulling out a gun and pointing it to a person is a worse offense than smoking.
(source: gov. manny pinol facebook post)
It’s the use of possibly deadly weaponry to intimidate small-fry offenders that’s the most frightening and can leave one scarred for life. In addition, one wonders if he would do the same thing except the offender happens to be a powerful warlord of Ampatuan’s ilk smoking outside a nightclub.
Dear Senator,
Why are you impersonating the Untouchables, are you feeling untouchable?
Can you control the drugs and crime in Taguig?
Since he has a gun now he can….Duterte did teach him how to shoot….blanks……..
So kabarilan kabarkada siguro kainuman na din sila.
May I ask would you rather have someone who is incompetent, corrupt or inexperience to be the head of state? Nice? how about respect instead? What do you think other head of states think about our current government?
If Duterte is competent, why does Davao city have the higest murder rate and second highest RAPE cases?
The choice is people who are flawed but not criminals (Poe, Roxas, and Santiago), or people who are thieves or no respect for laws and human rights or decency (Binay, Duterte). This idea of “incompetence” is an easy slur to throw at people because things are troubled due to decades of neglect. Going back to Marcos-style autocratic rule and economic disaster will hardly cure the problem, but will simply repeat it. Other heads of state hold high respect for President Aquino, and the global rating indexes from economic health, transparency, reduced corruption, and so forth show the Philippines climbing faster than any other nation. Philippine economic growth is among the fastest in the world. The problem is that many don’t connect the hole the nation is being dug out of to Marcos or other plundering Presidents, but assign it to the current administration.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you expand your reading. I’d suggest you start with gov.ph to understand better what is going on. Clearly you are insulated from progress being made.
May I ask your age? Thanks.
@Mayluna
Re your last sentence, can you give evidence what other head of states think? Or is that just inside your head? Can you substantiate your claims?
She could be talking about Ma of Taiwan and that HK politician who tries to divert attention from their domestic scandals towards the Philippines
The reality is that President Aquino’s international outreach has been nothing short of spectacular, capped by his recent speech to the Japanese Diet, and the standing ovation that speech received.
Well, here’s part of what Obama, the US president, said last November when Aquino welcomed him to the Philippines for the APEC summit. Obama said he is grateful for his partnership with President Aquino, noted Aquino’s pursuit of reforms and good governance and acknowledged him as a valuable and trusted friend of the US.
From the US President’s Press Office :
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, thank you very much, President Aquino for your warm welcome. It is wonderful to be back in the Philippines. I have very fond memories of my state visit last year, and once again I can feel the friendship and hospitality of the Filipino people — Salamat.
We’re here as President Aquino and the Philippines host the APEC Summit. And this is a reflection of Filipino leadership. Mr. President, I especially want to commend you for the summit’s focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable, that helps lift up small businesses and empowers more women.
Of course, the Philippines and the United States are great allies, so this is an occasion for me to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the security and defense of the Philippines. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder — balikatan. I’m grateful for my partnership with President Aquino, who’s been a valuable and trusted friend to the United States.
Here in the Philippines, you’re pursuing reforms and good governance. Together, we support a rule-based order in the region, which is critical to regional security and the global economy.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/11/17/remarks-president-obama-and-president-aquino-republic-philippines-after
Now, your turn. Where is your proof that other country’s leaders do not resoect your government?
One hour late the Senate hearing…obviously the Senators have no watch, maybe Cayetano could supply one to all of them so they know the Filipino and real time?
We need some frickin’ discipline in that Senate.
Dear Senator Alan,
You were still a young senator when I first watched you being interviewed. I was so impressed then with your idealism, your high principled ideas and how your being a BA Christian somehow manifested in your responses to the questions thrown at you. That time, a very tiny remark troubled me greatly..can’t remember the exact words as it was so long ago now (you had more hair then and your face was still chiseled, with not a hint of a double chin) but I seemed to remember you saying that the longer you are in politics, it looked like the line between good and not so good are somewhat not that clear anymore. I felt anxious then, and prayed that the system, the bad one, I mean, will not succeed in taking hold of and swallowing you, I prayed that you will retain idealism and principles that impressed me so at that time.
Fast forward to the ensuing years….I took heart in the way you handled the many Senate investigations that you investigated. You are still the senator I admire , it seemed. But imagine my surprise and disappointment when you announced your tandem and support for Duterte. Whatever happened?
I see some semblance of the remaining idealism left you in the ads of Duterte when he said, in an effort to raise your survey standing and possible votes when he asked voters to vote for you and him together, and that if they will not vote for you, don’t vote for him either because he need you to tell him that he cannot do this, he cannot say that. It means you are trying to reign him in to the straight and narrow but the bitter truth is – he cannot help himself, you try to clean up his mess and the next time he opens his mouth, his real nature comes out, his dictatorial tendencies, his vigilante style of justice, his foul mouth which respects no venue nor person….haven’t you noticed it yet….. how can you baby sit him 24/7 for 6 years in the unfortunate event that he wins in May?
There is still time, please save your self and your soul.
Sincerely,
MGPG
ive been to other countries and libed there for long time…think you need to think outside the box… we follow rules since 1. penalties are for everyone ,either cash penalty or jail time which we do not want 2. once ur caught no ifs or buts , you get what is due so we should better follow the rules to avoid in tagalog terms “perwisyo”. we already have the rules and laws , only problem is it is not IMPLEMENTED properly that is why most ofws feel as a disicplinarian as Duterte is , we find him to be fit for this task… discipline does not mean harsh actions like killing etc..it is attained if people will act together to do that..Duterte is the only option now imo who is qualified to attract people’s support to follow.just my 2 cents…
*lived – sorryfor the typo
But they go through DUE PROCESS, not summarily executed as what Duterte has been doing and will most likely do.
Even in the US, traffic violation, you go and defend yourself to court.
Perhaps, you will only understand the importance of due process when Duterte DDS guns down an innocent person close to you
Ok Arnel, maybe that is really good, that people like you have finally found in Duterte someine that they are able to support and follow. But does the same apply to all Filipinos? What about the corrupt politicians who have stolen the money you pay in taxes? Why has he instead expressed willingness to accomodate the likes of Gloria Arroyo and Bong Revilla and give them special treatment? Is that the way to enforce discipline amongst erring public officials?
And how do you feel about his encouraging businessmen to just pay revolutionary taxes to the NPA? Is that how you expect your President to attain peace and order, by capitulating to the demands of those who defy your government? After having paid revolutionary taxes, what then? What does he do if the NPA attacks your soldiers and policemen? Pabayaan na lang ba sila para wala na lang gulo? How long do you think before the NPA thinks they can already take control of the government themselves then?
In the same vein, consider how he approached the Kidapawan incident. Instead of encouraging the rallyists to comply with the instructions issued by the mayor and governor to return to their barangays and collect their sacks of rice from there, he encouraged his own people to gather donations of rice to turn over to the rally organizers who refused to send the farmers home even when many have apparently already expressed their desire to do so. Is this how you expect your President to govern? For everytime any group of aggrieved Filipinos take to the streets and demands rice, maybe next time gasoline, or medicines, money or anything they can think of to ask, your President will just give what they ask for, maybe ask you to pitch in as well para na lang walang gulo. How long do you think the government can last under such circumstances?
So just think that through some more.there is nothing wrong in choosing a candidate that you want to follow but make sure he can make everyone else and not just you and his other supporters comply with the rules and that he is also able and willing to apply the same rules for everyone. Don’t sell yourself short. You deserve better.
https://www.facebook.com/AmaNgHimagsikan/posts/1627595007498306 – kung akala ni Duterte na rebolusyonaryo siya, napakababa ng antas ng kanyang pagiging rebolusyonaryo, maski mainit din ang ulo ni Bonificio heto ang naisulat niya (this is what Bonifacio wrote about women):
11. “Ang babae ay huwag mong tingnang isang bagay na libangan lamang, kundi isang katuwang at karamay (ng lalaki) sa mga kahirapan nitong buhay; gamitin mo nang buong pagpipitagan ang kanyang (pisikal na) kahinaan, at alalahanin ang inang pinagbuhatan at nag-iwi sa iyong kasanggulan.”
(Never regard a woman as an object for you to trifle with; rather you should consider her as a partner and a friend in times of need; Give proper considerations to a woman’s frailty and never forget that your own mother, who brought you forth and nurtured you from infancy, is herself such a person.)
As for discipline, many OFW Duterte supporters are those in Saudi and want a similar system. Why does one have to be SCARED of consequences to be disciplined? Some of the Arabs who come over her to Europe are like that and think they can do anything because no threats here…
Any really disciplined system relies on the majority being self-disciplined… then you have a disciplined police and justice system to deal with the minority that is not – like here in Germany. Lack of individual self-discipline leads either to a banana republic or a Sharia-style dictatorship.
Let us try to measure Duterte by the values of the Philippine revolution of 1896.
On infra spending… and I share a comment by a former high school classmate on this:
Filipinos have no satisfaction in any sense. Whoever sits on that throne will suffer the same fate. Whether you do good or bad you are still a bad President. Whether you do more or less, you are still worthless. I don’t know anymore if these were the effects of the 20 years of Marcos regime or the result of having a people power revolution. Pero ang malinaw ay hindi na siguro tayo makukuntento, and at the end tayo pa rin ang talo kasi imbes na tumulong, we tend to criticize.
and if Duterte comes to power, I wonder how many of his thugs will like to burn places like the UP faculty center which burned down recently – they hate learning just like Boko Haram and the Taliban is my impression…
Aquino administration is not perfect, but the positive things it did for the last 5 years will be the yardstick to gauge the performance of succeeding administrations.
http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2016/04/04/palace-welcomes-pulse-asia-survey-results-showing-majority-filipinos-approve-aquinos-performance/ … oh I’m sure this is paid yellow propanda, the only Filipino-Canadian newspaper needs money from Mar Roxas because they are so poor…
MANILA – Malacañang has welcomed the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing the public’s strong confidence in the performance of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said public confidence in President Aquino remains strong even as the Chief Executive nears the end of his term.
I am a Catholic, human rights activist, and a lawyer. Imagine my utter disappointment, frustration, and shame that the Catholic Church is not actively denouncing extrajudicial killings, that priests even support Duterte’s brand of Justice, that human rights activists are actively and enthusiastically supporting a reported human rights violator, that lawyers and law students are willing to forego due process and submit the Philippines to an iron hand, that the Bar is silent on this utter disregard of the law.
If there is anything that fuels this adulation, it is hate, regionalism, fundamentalism, prejudice, bigotry, class conflict, and discontent disguised as “change”, “federalism” and “discipline”.
We are so afraid of what to come. But we are living in the present time where law of the land is being ignored because no body is scared of the consequences of violating the law anymore. If it is necessary to correct somebody using the different definition of discipline so be it! If we truly care for our country I think everybody should follow the law of the land. I don’t see any problem with the two, what I see is their passion to help us change our country from the corrupt politician who kills more innocent people than this two person can kill criminals. Let the future take good care of itself. Let us do what we can today for tomorrow might not come to us with the present people leading our country. Just what I’m thinkin’
Maayos ka makipag-usap at magalang, hindi tulad ng iilang mga Dutertista. Kaya heto lang ang palagay ko. Bakit hindi bigyan ng pagkakataong ituloy ang paglaban sa mga tiwali na nasimulan ni Aquino, pati na rin iyong pag-ayos sa hustisya ni De Lima, pagreporma sa pulis ni Roxas? Ganyan na bang kadesperado ang Pilipino, na kinakailangang nilang magbakasakali sa isang “Dirty Harry” na hindi natin alam kung parang Ampatuan lang?
Malala na talaga ang mga sakit ng Pilipinas at hindi madaling gawaan ng paraan. Pero bakit ipapaubaya ito sa isang doktor na brutal? Baka mamatay pa ang pasyente. Ewan ko ba talaga. Desisyon iyan ng taongbayan pero walang sisihan kung mapunta sa disgrasya.
Problem is: the people who say he will discipline the nation and make them follow laws is breaking a core fundemental right that the governmebt must not and canjot take away: due process.
Who you want to be ruled by someone who breaks this core fundamental right? Eerily, those who break this are lawyers.
http://duterteforpresident2016.blogspot.de/2016/04/why-i-am-voting-for-duterte.html
I have a suspicion this was written by Edgar Lores who has been missing in action…
http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/128251-duterte-bohol-not-kill-npa
“Leftist ko, pero dili ko extreme left. Ari ko sa ilok,” he cracked a joke before a visibly excited crowd on Sunday, April 3. (I’m a leftist, but not on the extreme left. I’m closer to the armpit.)..
Duterte told the crowd that he tells criminals in Davao City, “When I say get out, get out. Or you’ll be killed. Pero wala’y apil ang NPA (NPA members are not included).”
So where willl the people go, those he will order to get out? To Pag-asa Island?
That is, if he gets to be elected President…
The fishes in the Manila Bay, Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea will get fat?
I have seen memes from Duterte supporters suggesting exactly that: Pag-Asa island.
But I seriously doubt he will send Binay and Enrile there or to man the BRP Sierra Madre.
Joe and readers:
This page might interest you. Used to be for Duterte, not for Mar. She sees the danger in Duterte
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=256833771320937&id=100009829477977
Discipline as Duterte expressed in his own words and actions, is not following a one-man-rule leadership. Removing algebra, playing with women, becoming trigger happy, swearing during public engagements, name-calling is ok. But writing blogs against him, defending our sovereign rights against China, protecting women’s rights, educating our children, upholding the law as what policemen did in Kidapawan is not. We better submit to his authority otherwise we can get shot by the likes of St Alphonsus. That is the answer to your question Mr. Joe. That is what a quarter of our population want. Welcome to the Philippines.
🙂 Thanks, Neil. Appreciate the welcome, and dark wry sense of humor.
He forgets that there are three other institutions which may blunt his attempts to use power the wrong way: the Supreme Court and the Legislature. And the military.
The last thing AFP needed is to regress back to the bad old days, and since they’ve been recently the beneficiary of this administration’s largesse in the form of ships and planes, they’ll balk at being asked to implement his idea of “discipline” — that of the leather belt.
Speaking of the military, the possibility of a civil war may erupt if Duterte wins. Duterte is showing signs of favoring the NPA and neglecting the AFP and possibly the PNP too.
If the AFP is not happy. They will try to overthrow him.
And the People.
Such a long read, but true. I’m planning to vote for Duterte (no VP still), but reading through this, I need to research more. The future depends on who we elect.
Hi, carla. Thanks for reading with an open mind. Good of you to visit the blog.
Fil Louie Labrado’s photo as shared by Badajosnon Macabaian
Salawahan. traidor. namamangka sa dalawang ilog. when you give support to the enemies of the state, in whatever form, you are a traitor. the gov’t is spending millions of people’s tax money to sustain the fight against the enemies of the state and maintain thousands of soldiers to defend itself and its peace-loving people, here is this pretender who is afraid to offend the other side, and even gives them people’s tax money for their own sustenance to fight the very source of those tax money, the tax-paying people, that’s the height of betrayal of the state and the people. he deserves to be shot at the plaza.
Mar to Rody: “Di ka nahihiya?” (“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”)
ROFLMAO. Somebody make this a bumper sticker!
http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/04/07/16/mar-hits-duterte-on-bayot-tag-di-ka-ba-nahihiya
I once told a “siga” type in a Munich bar who told me the same thing in German…
Filipino translation: “kahit siguro bayot ako, hindi rin kita papansinin dahil pangit ka”.
By his ‘fruit’ we can know Duterte..Her one woman reports in Rappler on how Duterte’s disciples are treating her on social media..Reprinted here for those who do not go to Rappler ..
Call her ‘pokpok’, hit her boobs: How they silence a woman
After actively campaigning against presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte, outspoken advocate, Renee Karunungan, reflects on the nature of online harassment aimed at silencing women
Renee Juliene Karunungan
Published 1:32 PM, April 08, 2016
Updated 1:32 PM, April 08, 2016
This is how they silence a woman: first they tell you to shut up — because you are a woman and have nothing important to say.
And if that doesn’t work, they call you names like pokpok (whore) and bitch, or call you out for the size of your breasts or the imperfections of your face — because you are nothing but your body.
They call you stupid, to remind you of your inferiority. And if still you relent, they threaten you with rape and then tell you it’s your fault, for speaking up, for causing drama, for seeking attention.
A brief background about me: I am an opinionated woman. I usually express my thoughts through writing. I have also been working in the development sector and thus, hold some things of high value — human rights, climate justice, freedom of expression, gender rights to name a few.
Because of these deeply held views, I have outspokenly campaigned against Rodrigo Duterte and the way he wants to govern the country; how he blatantly says he will kill people; how he goes on kissing sprees in his campaign sorties. (READ: Duterte: Kissing women on lips a ‘mistake’)
In return I have gotten thousands of comments and messages from his supporters, some of whom I have engaged in constructive discussions, but most have attacked me as a person and have used my womanhood against me. (READ: A leader of bullies)
ONLINE HARASSMENT. Renee Karunungan reflects on the nature of online bullying against women in the context of her experience with Duterte’s supporters. Image courtesy of Raffy de Guzman
ONLINE HARASSMENT. Renee Karunungan reflects on the nature of online bullying against women in the context of her experience with Duterte’s supporters. Image courtesy of Raffy de Guzman
‘One case too many’
A female friend who had the guts to reply to some of these comments have been called pokpok. She was also called out for the size of her breasts, saying her big breasts do not imply she also had big brains.
When this harassment was brought to a higher level of discourse, people tried to tone it down, saying it was an isolated case and that we should just let it pass. But violence is violence, and harassment is harassment. One case is one case too many.
Interestingly, another friend, who happens to be male, also posted against Duterte but was never told about how small or big his penis is, or was never called out for just causing drama or for seeking attention.
My point is this: we are in the 21st century, but we are still intimidated into silence when we speak out.
Blaming the victim
Last April 7, I posted an album of screenshots of messages I have received from these rabid supporters, hoping to make more people aware of what I have been going through for the past weeks.
These messages range from name-calling to grave threats. People have wished for me to be raped, and asked how much I cost for a one-night stand. (READ: ‘Sana ma-rape ka’: Netizens bully anti-Duterte voter)
If these weren’t disconcerting enough, some people still manage to say it was my fault, that maybe I had provoked these people to wish me harm, that I should have just kept silent.
I cannot comprehend this logic — that by expressing my opinion, threats to my life are justified. We often see this attitude and behavior towards women.
When we get cat-called, when we get harassed, when we get raped, it is always our fault. It is because we acted in some way or said something that provoked others, and so it is okay for them to harm us.
Some say these threats are also just people freely expressing themselves. But let’s make this clear: opinion is different from threat and harassment. The latter is punishable by law.
In addition to all these, I have been blocked by Facebook for “violating community standards.” I was the victim of harassment and by speaking up against it, I get to be silenced by a social media platform that claims to support free speech.
But the question is why?
Bigger problem
What we are seeing now is only a symptom of a bigger problem for women: we still have a culture of patriarchy where women are seen as inferior to men, where we can’t express ourselves unless we are told to do so, where our bodies and our sexuality are still used against us.
While this is becoming more obvious this election season, this is not just an issue of elections, we have to address the bigger problem that still allows for gender-based violence, sexual harassment, victim blaming, and deliberate silencing of women to continue.
Moreover, what concerns me most is how people can just wish to inflict you harm and say it so casually. Maybe it’s time to ask ourselves what we have become as a society that we need to be reminded to go back to our humanity.
As of writing, I have filed a police report against those who have made threats against me. An investigation will ensue if I decide to bring this to court.
This is how they silence a woman and they try to silence me. But I am a woman not to be silenced. – Rappler.com
Renee Juliene Karunungan is the Advocacy Director of Dakila. Dakila has been campaigning for climate justice since 2009. She is also a climate tracker for Adopt A Negotiator.
Sounds like ISIS, women as objects. Frightening. What woman in her right mind would vote to empower these people?
Oh, the irony. Digital Hitlerian thuggery in the name of the vague word “discipline”.
The title seem to imply that he might replace the PSG with his own elite private army.
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2016/04/rodrigo-duterte-guns-goons-presidency-160405095523899.html
you just saying those words bec. you are not in the phil… asshole… try to go back and see what other people feel to our govt. fuck off you are just one of those people who are happy seeing other people crying for their own rights… fuck off… damn you… you cant help also… i what to give you something 👊👊👊
I guess this is one of the Duterte backers the other supporter wanted me to let comment. So we could all be informed of the strengths of Duterte and what he will bring to office. His platform and credentials and ability to swear like a drunken sailor.
Imagine characters like this empowered by Duterte across the nation. Scary, the lack of civility.
I understand these creatures are prowling the internet imposing this very same special kind of Duterte discipline.
Joe thanks for letting us see what the thugs are like.In my country the likes of Khael would not be allowed anonymity. And would also be charged with threats of violence..To serve time in jail being taught how to be civil in society.
I didn’t view his comment as a threat, just anger that someone “not living” in the Philippines could take one of his favorites to task. I am also told to “go back to America” quite regularly so have gotten rather thick skinned about these thuggish, juvenile rants.
I wonder what one can do when threatened. I’ll have to dig up the Cybercrime Prevention Act, passed in 2012, and see who is responsible for such matters.
Re. Cybercrime Prevention Act: A quick reading seems to indicate that threats are not included in the various offenses cited, unless it is encapsulated under Revised Penal Code violations that occur via the internet, a general catchall that is cited (Chapter II, Sec 6). Enforcement is a joint responsibility of the NBI and PNP. I think I’d report a threat to the NBI myself. See if it got any traction.
http://www.gov.ph/2012/09/12/republic-act-no-10175/
As follow-up, DOST appears to manage the cybersecurity effort, and there is a rather bureaucratic decision chart (pdf) that shows how incidents are handled.
DOST cybersecurity effort: http://icto.dost.gov.ph/cybersecurity/
Event handling procedures: http://icto.dost.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Proposed-Draft-1_ISIRM-Key-Processes1.pdf
Here is the incident report form: http://icto.dost.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Report-Form_01-Draft-rev11.pdf
Here’s where I’d go to report a threat:
National Bureau of Investigation
Cybercrime Division
Taft Avenue, Manila
Tel: (632)523-8231 to 38 local 3454, 3455
Email: ccd@nbi.gov.ph
Continuing the delightful discussion I am having with myself, I would add that the Revised Penal Code discusses various threats and coercion in Sections 282 to 289, and that for “unjust vexations”, the charge is P5 to P200.
Maybe the Legislature would be well served to update this law, written in 1930 (and still referring to the United States). You think?
Hahahahaha, if we can get the politicking slugs out of their investigative hearings in aid of elections.
Joe I missed all this due to a dud laptop..I have had it repaired and now how it will hold up ..
wonder If COMELEC has a role as it does seem to take it’s task of supresing violence seriously.
Actually, COMELEC seems like a very moribund manager of things outside the very narrow confines of certain regulations. I don’t think they are concerned at all, as strange as that seems.
khael, is it ka el or khael? Man I feel sorry for you. For your world is full of hatred. I will stand up for Joeam, anytime you dig feel free to contact me. joe dot mary dot of dot jesus at gmail dot com. Let us see how brave and a thug you are.
Kael was Superman’s name as an infant I believe. Khael is a poor mimicry of that name. In reality it is none other than Stupidman in disguse, one of Digoys XXXmen known for their tendency to spew profanity in public. If you like Stupidman, you will definitely love Buttnan known for being a SuperAss***e. Sorry Joe but seriously Digoy should think of sending higher quality trolls instead of this online garbage.
I can’t imagine how they think they are helping Duterte. They might as well be Binay followers seeking to undermine Duterte.
Kal-El I think,I watched a teleserye called Juan dela Cruz and one of the contrabidas there was named kael.
The sheer number of Duterte supporters spouting the same copy-pasted chants seem to be from paid Facebook BPOs or those people in pyramid scams. Did you know you could have 1,000 likes for just 20 US dollars?
Watched a documentary once showing these specific kinds of agencies of Filipinos working in cubicles like a call center agent, with 8 cellphones and disposable prepaids, who are able to make an account in under 2 minutes and discard it as quickly on the 3rd. One commenter tallied the number of times a certain user spammed some pages and their name appears hundreds of times.
If the loud and selfish persons in the Philippines who support their Dear Leader wants a dictatorship then let them taste their sweet dreams and see for themselves the folly of their irrationality. You can see specifically the types of people who support such a man who takes back everything he says and promises the moon and stars. Surely it must be a feast for a psychologist to study and observe the Filipino people during thelse months. Pity the good-hearted folk, whether rich or poor, who see through the facade of the macho man, for a North Korea is about to happen and these supporters of Him bare their bodies in feverish excitement and an animalistic want for blood.
It is true, sadly. Rajah Rody is now very visible in media, so much I hope foreign press sees him differently as a rabble-rouser rather than the local coverage, where he is presented as a messiah.
I read one of those articles, and it wouldn’t be impossible for PDP-Laban’s PR division to pay for their spamming and bulk-like services, but since it seems the majority of the IT and BPO sector are rooting for him so that they might be able to drink their fashion-designer coffee or walk around with their expensive gadgets under Pax Duterta, of course they’re willing to do it pro bono just like pop stars such as Chito Miranda and Lolita Carbon did… in the name of “change”.
This election has given me a better understanding how it is to be JESUS CHRIST.. The people who fought hard to put Pnoy on the Presidency are the very same people crucifying him now. i dont understand why people with good intentions to take on PNoy’s responsibility are being mocked and being attacked.. My Philippines is suppose to be the Land of the Morning and the Cradle of Noble Heroes.. Now the younger generations’s minds are poisoned by too much memes and negative and twisted post about Mar Roxas.. i wonder how much these keyboard ninjas are earning from the lobbying bigots and demagogues ( to borrow JoeAm’s terms.. i am au naturel in cussing and cursing I will prolly earn a lot too… Lol…
Hahaha, yes, social media as vocabulary building. “Duterte speak!” I agree, there is a lot of really strange thinking going on across the land. I’ve drawn the parallel of the Philippines to an orphan child, and this child seeks self punishment to confirm her subconscious view that she is not worth anything. So perverse is the thinking, to accept a Duterte or Binay and then go to church to pray.
I’ve got a blog to that point on Tuesday.
I can’t wait for Tuesday sir Joe. If people start reading unbiased opinions and intellectual discussions from people who knows what they are talking about…people who know the history and have a better understanding of politics, I think they can get themselves educated. I am turning 36 this year And I must admit since I started reading posts from this blog I have become more aware about where this country is now going (south? Maybe.. Lol) I now have a better understanding about my history thank you to all the gentlemen here ( Sir Ireneo et al as I am bad with names) who all sounded like my gradfather and college professors in La Salle Bacolod ( sorry for promoting my university). Today I finally have the courage to post a comment because of thugs1 and 2..lol..
Haha, well, we owe thanks to thugs 1 and 2 then, and may their ways have similar affect on others, driving them to good works and good thinking instead of bad. Thanks for following the blog, and for enjoying the wonderful cast of characters contributing here, all united with one interest, the well-being of the PH.
Spoken like an Aztec warlord.
To say “No” would have cost him credibility with his running mate and his supporters. From what I can see, his answer doesn’t indicate any great courage but a frightening lack of it.
Dear Senator Cayetano,
Good job on BBM.
Prediction: four people neck and neck. Escudero on top. Robredo second. Marcos third. Cayetano very close to Marcos. No more than 6 points between 1st and 4th.
Good Prediction.
I’m of the opinion that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano attached himself to Mayor Duterte because he knew that Vice-President Binay would’ve hit him with the old “cacique” hammer over and over again if Cayetano chose to run for president. So he chose to team up with the only other presidential candidate who’s immune to Binay’s “cacique” attack in the hope that some of Duterte’s macho aura will rub off on him.
Makes very good sense.
Thank you, sir. In one of his political ads, Mayor Duterte says he needs Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to tell him when he might be going too far. If they both win the elections, won’t Cayetano be so indebted to Duterte for his victory that the senator won’t be able to speak up and speak out when circumstances demand it?
It is unfortunate that the Mayor overspeaks just about every time he opens his mouth. If it is not Cayetano, I wonder who will be his designated driver of the State’s affairs. It obviously can’t be him.
Every time I see Mayor Duterte on television, it reminds me of something I read in a novel about the late JImmy Hoffa: “Every time he opened his mouth to speak, his essential thuggishness came out.” The mayor appears to have been so used to lording it over Davao City that he can’t behave in any other way. Of course, his supporters say he’s just “being real”. Real what, I ask?
Yes, can you imagine this man representing the Philippines at APEC? “The horror! The horror!”