How does the President stop his slide? Propaganda, intimidation or good works?
Selling a silk purse: China, rude speech, intimidations, and blood in the streets. [Source: seriouseats.com]
By Joe America
A recent public survey gave President Duterte a 75% satisfaction rating. The result is typically characterized by the President’s spokesmen and much of the press as “very good”. Strong in relation to other presidents.
That is one way to look at it, for sure. That’s the political spin, that’s the propaganda.
Another way is to look at the trend is . . . that it is heading down.
This index joins that of the stock market and the weakening peso as signals that ought to be telling the Administration something. The question is, is anyone home? Is anyone listening?
Indeed, the Presidential response seems to be to send out the spokesmen and trolls (if there is a difference) with manipulative messages correcting people who see things wrongly. This suggests a certain deafness about things. The problematic deeds continue, crawling into bed with China, rude speech, insults to allies, and blood in the streets. It’s as if the Presidential thinking is that Mr. Duterte’s bravado, intimidations and words can overpower what the people want. The Admin thinks that he . . . and his propaganda technicians . . . can mold the peoples’ expectations. In 2017, they will spend about P 2 billion trying to do that.
A wise use of money, do you think?
The stark reality, in fact, is that people are turning against the Administration. That is the trend line and it would be folly for the Administration to ignore the evidence. The facts.
Investors. Allies. Citizens. Legislators. They are all speaking.
Well, perhaps President Duterte and his aides believe he can arrest the slide with threat, with troops in the street and imposition of restrictions on speech and intimidation of opponents like Senator De Lima.
But it is more likely that such acts will only add to the resistance. They might even make the down-slope steeper. Have you noticed how many people are speaking up these days? It is no longer quiet. Objection is everywhere.
If the President’s hard-nosed attitude continues, exhibited as propaganda and threat: 91%, now 75% ,will become 50% will become 35% will become . . . . failure.
It seems to me the only thing that can arrest this decline is earnest good works. Proper decisions, respectful speech and acts that reflect the will of the people. In an open society, propaganda can only sell an idea for a short while, and only to the gullible. Calling pigs ears a purse may work for a time, for some people. But soon, it becomes obvious.
These are pigs ears.
Evidence is pretty clear that the public will is not receptive to alliance with China in place of the United States. The public will is not receptive to rude speech. It is not receptive to blood in the streets. It is not receptive to intimidation of people of integrity who have no failing but disagreement with the widespread killing of Filipinos.
That’s what the 75% rating ought to be saying to the President and his men. Propaganda is a fool’s mission, and, in the Philippines, China, rude talk, threats, and blood in the streets are . . . and always will be . . . pigs ears.
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
My observation as well, in the community I live, in private discussions, with different class of people.
“The stark reality, in fact, is that people are turning against the Administration. That is the trend line and it would be folly for the Administration to ignore the evidence. The facts.”
Thanks for the validation, elkgrovelolo.
I really can’t figure out where the 75% satisfaction rating is coming from.
I am a Fil-Am residing in California and just came back from a 2-week vacation in Manila.
During my stay there, I’ve talked to many people (relatives and friends) and none of them have anything nice to say about DU30.
When I reported back to work, even my non-Filipino co-workers are commenting about how “CRAZY” the Philippine president is.
I jokingly replied that come November, the Americans may be on the same boat if Trump wins the election!!!
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/583973/news/nation/duterte-gains-very-good-satisfaction-rating-sws
I did watch that BBC documentary; one of those interviewed was a schoolteacher who also revealed to be very devout to the church and she strongly supported Duterte because she sees drug addiction as a social disease that must get rid of at all costs. Couple that often his supporters are also fervidly religious (the kind who often repost religious images with “amen” on Facebook) — and those who are scared of the poor or those longing for that false Marcosian paradise through rose-colored glasses — and you get that 75%.
The survey firm has been doing this for years, and I find it helpful to presume they are factually correct, and then go from there. The President still has widespread support, at least in my community. I take that as a truth. But it clearly is falling.
*******
SOME SIMPLE AND HARD ADVICE
15. Stop wearing DU30 t-shirts.
14. Never ever roll up your sleeves when wearing a barong Tagalog.
13. Start wearing suits more – with or without a tie.
12. Stop talking about your penis.
11. Stop making the limp fascist salute.
10. Fire Aguirre, Yasay and Andanar.
9. Stop persecuting De Lima.
8. Listen more to Leni.
7. Stop listening to Cayetano, Pimentel, and Bongbong.
6. Stop making foreign policy on the run.
5. Stop swearing – not to foreign presidents, unions, Filipinos, or anybody.
4. Think thrice – no, quintuple times — before opening your mouth.
3. Capture the drug lords and not just the users.
2. Stop the killings.
1. Have respect.
*****
The only powerful figures he manages to say sweetly to are Putin and Xi, and maybe Erdogan and Al-Assad too.
The big problem is that his personal aspirations I believe are very different than what the people want. It is a huge problem that can’t be fixed with propaganda. Now perhaps it can be bridged by having crime go away suddenly, or China vacate the PH EEZ. But the clash is huge.
Your advice is good. It is also hard.
In short:
*******
A hole? Or a–hole?
Works either way.
P.S. I must say you’re getting good at using Imgur. I hope you love the cats.
*****
Hahaha!
All of the above. 🙂
In the case of Trump,
… if you are a star you can do anything; grab a woman by the p — y,
is the hole that finally made the boat tilt and start to sink. Plugging that hole to right the boat is still the big IF in US of A.
I do not know yet what specific hole will do that to the Philippine President. It is probably the combination mentioned in the blog. But recovery is possible if only …
Trump and plugging holes? Yuck.
Oh oh I have started a descent into the maelstrom here, karl. But “yuck” it is.
joke lang manong.
I think they have started allocation from the 2B budget for 2017. With some intimidation or a promise of protection, it would be easy to persuade survey results.
Aside from the funding for their trolls, they would also be putting that huge money for use on something related to agriculture, that is the planting of evidence not only to the opposition but also to his critics.
Using govt funds to influence the SWS survey is a bit far fetched I think. I would say the survey results are likely skewed because there is already a fear factor in the country. People are wary of saying anything bad against the President in public. Brave are those who do so in social media. So if pollsters ask the respondents do you like the president, what do you expect the answer to be.
The sad part is that he was the one who was initiating the fights, not vice versa. That is why the Philippine allies in the EU ,US and the rest of the non-communist world will start trekking to the exits. He must study and review his history first before he cozies up with China and Russia, particularly Tibetan and Ukrainian history. Most recently China is abandoning Venezuela whom they have assisted for many years. History has taught many not to trust Russia and China. The US may have its share of the trust issue, but Americans are the most generous people and have always responded to any country needing help.
Yes, indeed. The China deal is a huge set of pig’s ears.
> He must study and review his history first
I wish. This man believes his own propaganda, unfortunately. He’ll not listen to anyone but to his family, Tulfo, Uson, his “yes” men or his closest cronies.
I sincerely doubt if Russia and China even completely trust one another.
It is important to keep in mind that the faith and trust the masses put in their popular political leaders takes a long time to erode inspite of unmet campaign promises and mounting evidence of how unfit they are for their jobs. VP Binay kept stratospheric trust ratings inspite of the public being continually bombarded by massive corruption scandals involving him and his family. Which is not to say that support for the administration is not waning or will not drop if disaffected followers do not see the kind and pace of changes they want. It will just take Duterte supporters and the public at large more time than dissenters or our liberal elite may desire. Moreover it would be pretty naive to presume that negative trust or approval ratings would make a significant difference in the administion’s priorities or how it conducts its affairs. More likely the government response is to go into self-denial and circle its wagons while tightening its strongman rule. It seems clear that drastic change is seen by the administration and the public as its key deliverable, with Duterte definingwhere the changes occur and the manner in which it is achieved. It is not likely that any public dissent or dissatisfaction will make it past the psychophants, opportunists, and lackeys who control access to Duterte.
.
I’m not so sure about your last line. His aides seem very sensitive to criticism, and the stock pull-back. Their response is to spin it. That approach will bring in a number around 50 to 55% in three months, I’d imagine. NHerrera and Edgar need to do their speculations.
That so-called spin on the peso or stockmarket decline is what I refer to as self-denial. That there was a decline was not spun or denied. What was denied was that Duterte’s erractic utterances and unpredictable behavior was factor in that fall. When stock exchange statistics show foreign investors sold their investments 22 out of 23 consecutive days and the peso performed the worst among Asian currencies, saying the decline was simply due to concerns about Fed Reserve acrions is disingenuous.
They forgot about risk aversion. There are limits to calculated risks,they know that, they just do not want to tell us.
Too early to judge? I heard that from Yuchenco,Jacinto and the Neda Deputy head.
I wonder if they have serious discussions among themselves, and then depart knowing that they are going to blow smoke up the public’s skirt. Such values, these are.
Maybe the best way to reach most of the 16M who voted for Mr. Duterte is to have an economist explain the situation to them in straight-to-the-point, laymanized Filipino, Ilocano, and Visayan. If you know one who can do such a thing and post it on FB or some blog, will gladly, gladly share it/them.
“the psychophants” = psychopathic syncophants? Like.
I wanted to comment that it reminded me of parekoy. Don’t ask whom he calls psychophants.
He might have once been referring to Rene, the purported resident lawyer who very early on was a Duterte advocate and constantly argued with me that justice is served when enough guilty drug suspects are eliminated even at the expense of a few innocents. A psychophantic lawyer no less.
Perhaps caliphman.Btw Rene was not kind to Irineo back then.Dismissing some of his anecdotes with condescenscion.Haven’t visited Raissa’s lately.
Neph, is this the ex-senator?
No Unc, not Rene Saguisag.Rene is a laywer who goes by the name Renato Capili,he comments at Raissa Robles’s blog.
Thanks for clarifying, Karl.
👍🏻 You are welcome,uncle Sonny!
I read at Irineo’s blog that you had your trip here at Pinas.Hope you had fun.😄
Neph, I wanted to meet up with you and at least have native original kakanin or Inasal & good ole Pale Pilsen. I was with my sibs on our last week prior to return on what turned out to be a very tight schedule. I’ll do better next time out for sure, Deo volente. (As I mentioned to Irineo, Manila traffic did not help at all).
Deo volente!Sayang next time,unc! I read your traffic horror stories.
Neph, yes. We will have much to talk about and catch up on. 🙂
hehehe. Syncophants is your coined term for what the president is in need of? Spokesmen and yes men who can credibly regurgitate for the public what the president says and thinks.
Coining Syncophants gives you a penny.
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Karl, make that 5 pennies. Singko-phants.
*****
Oo nga ano,I was supposed to say nickel.🙄
Here goes. (groan) How about schizo-phants?
Every dog has his day, but time catches up on him eventually which sadly means a financial disaster waiting to happen. At this time, they think they can rely on the adoration of the so-called 75 % of the population so they are prepared to twist and lie and play the mafia style of fear and intimidation of the supposed drug addicts to gain control of people’s minds. They are at this time making a play holding a handful of nothing.
As the saying goes: “It’s the economy, stupid!”
The key word is jobs.
Can Duterte give the PH jobs and at the same time: wage a bloody drug war, arrange peace (and therefore, agree to an old-school* socialist platform) with the CPP-NPA-NDF, radically alter the structure of government with Con-Ass Federalism care of Alfarez, AND pull off a foreign policy re-alignment.
And create (good) jobs at the same time.
The labor secretary is taking a cue from hs president stating that his personal opinion is not a matter of policy and he is only soeaking for himself.
The employers like Donald Dee is questioning the 125 Php across the board minimum wage hike that the left is asking for and the labor secretary agreeing ,then back tracks that to be just his opinion.
I am still wondering how they will make SM comply with no endo.
I am not sure what they plan with agriculture.
There was (and is) something similar to endo in Germany – the part-time 450€, 10 hour/week job. Ever since companies are forced to pay social security on that their costs are no longer €450,- but something over 600€ per part-timer, misuse is reduced.
Businessmen don’t really care about appeals, they care about their costs. An added benefit of a similar approach to endo would be more money coming into the moribund SSS system – the rationale of the Schröder-era laws on 450€ jobs was similar on both counts.
It was just last May, a Japanese company in Davao city closed shop to due impossible demands by the left,now he continues with his Quantitative Pleasing.
I cant wait for the end of January to feel how radically different will the people’s treatment of DU30 will be
He does get tiresome, I must confess. It is hard to summon up a line of support or justification for all the wild and irresponsible goings on. I do like the way he lectured the telecoms and threatened to start a government network if they don’t shape up. But a Chinese phone company? Every important conversation would be tapped in Shanghai.
Yup, props to his initial telcom moves. The SolGen took a position that the initial SMART-Globe-SMC deal was void, and then Duterte threatened about bringing in the Chinese.
But I question his motive, just as I question his motive when he threatened online gambling, when it seems the Aranetas/Marcoses benefited big time from the PhilWeb attack.
Color me paranoid, but I sense some GMA people already cooking up joint venture deals with Chinese telcom companies
NBN ZTE part 2.
Chinese buying land is next.That was also a plan during GMA’s time.
That is where the left comes in,or they will no longer stop it,because they will get what they want.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/64800/news/specialreports/newsbreak-gov-t-leases-1-10th-of-rp-agricultural-lands-to-china-firm
This was 2007,probably TROd to oblivion.Now they might revisit this leasing lands to chinese thing.
As for the telcos,lots of China telcos. China mobile ,etc, Huawei,ZTE
And I almost forgot,the railways.North Rail South Rail maybe expanded to go nation wide.
Online gambling may now be allowed again, with more restrictions…
but just a few days ago, it seems Araneta (Imee’s husband) bought many of Ongpin’s Philweb shares at bargain prices. Is it time to sound the crony alarm?
You do the honors Irineo.Sound the alarm.
This reminds of Bruce Lee’s antagonist in ENTER THE DRAGON. He had all kinds of hand-gloves to deliver his chops. hai!!
Irene Araneta you mean. Imee was married to Tommy Manotoc.
I only noticed this when I read your blog.
Joe has sounded the alarm in his latest blog piece,what happens next is up to us.
> North Rail South Rail
Don’t like the idea of a defective train going out of control.
There is a wiki page for Chinese Train accidents.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rail_accidents_in_China
> Color me paranoid, but I sense some GMA people already cooking up joint venture deals with Chinese telcom companies
That’s a lot of money involved. It would effectively make us a vassal state, something that Crichton once warned about uncontrolled expansion in the Rising Sun.
By utterly altering the constitution to their favor, asides from feudal… este, federalism and parliamentary system, they aim to change the ownership percentages as well as land ownership.
Joe,
The best answer to your question about how to stop his slide is: zip his mouth!!!!!!!
The weakening of peso or sliding of the stock market, is not related or doing of who President Duterte is to Pres. Obama but those manipulator in business. The businessman George Sorous, did the same to Malaysia in the early 2000 and the rest of the world. Staying neutral who passed a strong signal of reaping benefits in multiple fronts. Now, China is open for the Banana market and other exported natural resources with better control, avoiding manipulation. Argentina is also open for Agri market, including Russia. This doesn’t mean anti Americans but showing that intervention without proper investigation is interference without proper references. The country is in dire need of Rehab Center for those surrenderer’s, that the volume wasn’t expected to reach almost a million mark. Without much publicity, the Chinese govt. offered to build Rehab Center and it is now nearly completed at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Eceja, a 1500 dormitory type. Instead of threatening, those govt. who are critical of the EJK, should have had offered to help solve the problem instead of adding fire on it! Now with this development, the leadership of President Duterte will open other venues of opportunity, balancing the gap or vacuum left behind. This is so sad and hard destiny but itnis reality of today. Arise! Shine! Overcome! Bangon Pilipino! Bangon Pilipinas!
On Sunday, October 9, 2016, The Society of Honor: the Philippines wrote:
> The Society of Honor posted: ” By Joe America A recent public survey gave > President Duterte a 75% satisfaction rating. The result is typically > characterized by the President’s spokesmen and much of the press as “very > good”. Strong in relation to other presidents. That is one way ” >
Sieg Heil.
How do you type with your fist in the air? I can’t imagine doing that.
Mr. Duterte has harmed himself among a lot of people by not revealing his bank accounts or how he got his properties, confessing to murder, dissing the lands many people love and admire, cuddling up with a thief sitting in the Philippine EEZ. On and on. Never accepting accountability for his mouth. His own staff spend a lot of time correcting him or reshaping what he says. For me, he’d need to do two things before I got on his support team. Re-establish trust and do a lot of good deeds that don’t involve China. China is one huge big red flag of betrayal to what the PH ought to stand for. Fair dealing.
Thanks for having an answer to my queries about agriculture.
Fort Magsaysay was the relocation site for the NBP,it did not push through.
Instead of moving the bilibid out of Metro Manila,the govt opted to build a rehab center. good move.
Keep repeating that it was sans fanfare. It is like being proud to br humble.
I still say that he should not have thrown his allies under the bus.
Crossing rubicon,burn bridges behind him,whatever.
Who is doing the threatening?
What threatening the government are you talking about,if I may ask?
Sup,
Yes,we know he is From Davao and he is now based in Canada.
For us they are trolls,to them we are trolls.
I think for ”them” the name ”P-rolls” is more applicable since most of them have fake accounts and get payed?
🙂
P-Rolls ,good one.
P-Rolls ….Under a payroll system from the 2B budget of the OP under Intel.
Joe, is this Ramon from the other side. This comment is from a trollish template.
The reference to George Sorros is so half-baked. He did not bring the financial woes to Thailand Malaysia and Indonesia. The govt of those 3 countries mismanaged their economies that created the financial weaknesses which smart investors were quick to take advantage. That’s a lesson for this admin. Screw up the economy, be prepared for consequences. As Joe has written. With pesos down and capital flight for the last two months, the Executive is still burying their heads in the sand.
He is from Davao, middle name Dadole…Google a bit….You find him everywhere..
Ramon Dadole Naguita
One of his comments
”Ramon Dadole Naguita
January 23, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Salamat Guv Manny!
As election campaign period is approaching, we expect more demolition against Mayor Duterte is getting harder and deeper, therefore we must beall vigilant. The only chance of the Administration cnadidate to win is through manipulation of he PCOS machine and Comelec is prone to bribing by the highest bidder. They did it 2004 ( by bawas official ballots perprecint ) and did it again in 2010 with the altererations of the counting result and they will do it again with another form of massive cheating.
We will counter this through volunteers hi-tech experts who will counter this moves and lastly, we have to be ready for the worst case scenario.
Thank you Guv and A blessed Sunday to you and family.”
I have no doubt that he really wants a dictatorship so that he gets an Instant Singapore when it happens.
Thanks Sup for the info. I have nothing against Ramon personally. As a Davo resident its understandable he supports Du30. What I can’t stand is blindness to reality. And putting false info into their arguments. I’m calling him out on his juvenile reference to George Soros. In fact that line of argument can be turned around to hit his idol. But people like Ramon hit and run without staying for a discourse. They deliver the pigs ears and run . Such admirable traits of Davaonos.
There is no small irony in a drug rehabilitation center being built by the country that even Mr. Duterte says is the main source of the narcotics being sold in the Philippines.
Semi Off-Topic:
http://www.mb.com.ph/breakthroughs-reached-in-grp-ndf-marathon-sessions/
“Both parties managed to forge pivotal agreements on socio-economic reforms (SER), political and constitutional reforms (PCR), and end of hostilities-disposition of forces (EDH-DOF), which were never before reached in their more than 40 previous meetings in the last three decades.”
Emphasis mine.
Interesting. If this holds, what could this mean?
The Quantitative Pleasing begins.Maybe a good thing,let us see.
Tough anti-US rhetoric is to please the left in addition to pleasing the Chinese and Russians,no matter how you spin it.
Standing on own two feet is fine and dandy,but he thinks allies just something to be thrown even if you still need them.But I guess allies are more like training wheels, you also throw them after use,but you are already damn sure,you already know how to ride a bike before throwing them out.
The left still has an antiUS agenda,no matter how many leftists live in the states.
They aim for an anti neo lib economic policy.
They have many struggles and who is not to be glad,that finally it is about to end?
But if ths means peace at last for one faction.
We only have the Islamic factions to worry about.
Commendable achievement ,
But to piss of the international community to achieve peace with NDF,was that really necessary?
No worry on the South. Can’t help but think that peace with the Muslim/Moro rebels will be far easier for Duterte than peace with the Left—he’s “their” (Mindanaoan) man, after all. Federalism, handled right, probably already satisfies their most of their major policy goals.
As a left-leaning guy—I appreciate that the Duterte’s openness to the Left is making “socialism” a less dirty word in the mainstream, and I appreciate how this administration is (sort-of) going outside the neoliberal mindset. Nevertheless, I can’t help but have reservations that the guys who’ll be providing the framework are the old-school CPP-NPA-NDF.
I mean, for one thing, they’re as old or older than Duterte. I hate to be frank, but I’m not sure how a 21st century alternative to capitalism (or even any reform to alleviate its failings like the welfare state) can be constructed by a movement still led by people who probably still have their hearts in the 20th century. That, and their “instrumental” view of democracy is distressing; democracy shouldn’t just be means of greater equity, but the means AND end of greater equity.
If the MILF insists on BBL before federalism,then it is back to square one.
Then numerous factions kept mushrooming,there is no way that dealing with them would be easier than NDF.
They dealt with a less fragmented group.
Yes Jalandoni said it is time to pass the torch to the younger ones,what he meant was younger by just a few years.
The problem here is releasing not just political prisoners,but those with heavier criminal records than the HOR witnesses,the actual enemies of the state.
*******
And the greatest criminals have no records to speak of.
*****
Agreed.
Addenda:
Whatever good intentions Duterte had with his brand of “foreign policy” as it were—still does not excuse the blatant carelessness of it all.
You don’t praise somebody for running straight into a China (the fragile goods, is what I mean) shop. There are many other and more nuanced channels of achieving more independence [Quietly insist on technology transfer (in the boardroom: you put up your bases and you give us tech?) and silently build up your industries to be more than just appendages to more advanced economies; foster a bureaucracy that sees FDI as a way to get.a fishing rod and not an eternal source of fish; perhaps sell to the guys in Washington that, in this increasingly multi-polar and illiberal world, we’re better as strong (and democratic—no need for messy nation-building, buy one, take one!) equal partners ala Japan and EU than as wards]…
…and to do it this way (blustering away as if there was no tomorrow?) is—frankly—to put ego above national-interest. Making things unnecessarily hard not only for the admistration, but for the nation. Emphasis on “unecessarily”.
Thank you Francis. Are you really just in College?
We had Mami kawada lover before and he is just 19?
Equal partners is really better than a ward,a protogee,an understudy and what not.
Since equal is almost impossible,why not just partners?
Thank you. I definitely agree. I m glad people are now starting to speak out their negative sentiments.
Sent from my Samsung device
People are now starting to speak out…yes only to be subjected to mob troll bashing, threats and verbal abuse – like smelly vag…..a, addict, bayarang dilaw. Agot Isidro’s comment was deleted when she was bashed and humiliated.
Dr. Elizabeth Oropesa said, It’s a Duterte thing you wouldn’t understand and added that she is one of the 16M psychopaths.
Sen. De LIma is an example of one speaking out and got mobbed after the President said the word: You are so finished.
16M or 15M = 75% loudmouths, not all of them are into social media, but listen to drinking sessions or get together and you will find that cursing, cussing, swear words rule. They ignore world opinion, glad that their OFW kin are sending more because of the peso slide, and don’t care about capital flight.
I observe this anomaly – in a basketball TV coverage they shout son of a bitch (put..na) and then throw a fist in the air with a yess and a chuckle when their team scores and shouts the same when the opposing team did too with a variation put..na, that’s foul…!!!! Their president is mouthing what they normally speak and they feel one with him, they so love him. Respect is an alien word to these 75%.
Just look at Gordon with his melt down in the Committee hearing he chairs and then threatens Sen. de Lima with an ethics violation in the now revived Ethics Committee when the spunky Senator reacted to being mobbed by the Super Majority in the Senate and House.
When Joker was alive,he laughed at Gordon once for wearing A Coast guard Commodore’s uniform in the senate session hall,because he just came from a ceremony.
He went balllistic.
He could not go ballistic against Sandra Cam who out ballisticked Gordon.
Matagal na may murahan sa PBA at sa kanto.
Pero mas malala ata ngayon.
Dahil bihira ma MTRCB si PRD.
Before grade Five or six na nagmumura ang kabataan,ngayon Grade 1 pa lang.
They are finally waking up from the harsh reality of their dreams.
The everyday, practical orientation of most Filipinos is both a blessing and a curse.
Hope this experience, wherever it goes, cures many people from their lack of foresight.
and I hope too that we all learn from this. The problem with us is, sometimes we easily forget and the lessons of the past are here glaring at us.
not only foresight,but hindsight as well.
Following her controversial Facebook post in which she questioned President Rodrigo Duterte’s mental state and called him “a psychopath” in response to his statements daring the European Union and the United States to withdraw aid to the Philippines, actress Agot Isidro is showing no signs of backing down.
Agot’s post became a hot, trending topic on social media on Sunday and elicited cheers and jeers from those who agreed and disagreed with her stand. Most of the bashers, however, responded with ad hominem posts and memes attacking her personal life.
In response to the haters, Agot posted a link to an article called “Who Are You Calling a Psychopath?” that was posted on the website of the American magazine Psychology Today and wrote, “Ayan…Basahin [nang] mabuti ha.”
The article written by Susan Krauss Whitbourne pointed out that “an essential component of psychopathy is the quality they call fearless dominance, a tendency toward boldness that includes such traits as a desire to dominate social situations, charm, willingness to take physical risks, and an immunity to feelings of anxiety.”
Whitbourne went on to note that “a used metric to analyze the personalities of the first 42 U.S. Presidents in 2012 concluded that the most successful at their jobs were those high in fearless dominance.”
“One element of great leadership is the ability to make tough decisions, but for a leader to become a true hero (and not a criminal), that boldness must be tempered with the opposite of psychopathy—concern for others, the ability to anticipate the results of your actions, and remorse or sadness when the results turn out badly,” she concluded.
Not all those who took exception to Agot’s statements assaulted her character and questioned her credibility. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella issued a statement saying that while the actress is entitled to her own opinion, “it also reveals the kind of attitude that the President is addressing – dependency on foreign aid. He wants the Filipino people to gain true independence, economically, mentally and socially.”
On Facebook, fellow actress Elizabeth Oropesa seemed to take it in good humor.
A known Duterte supporter, La Oropesa responded to Agot by posting a photo of herself wearing a printed T-shirt that says, “It’s a Duterte thing you wouldn’t understand” and called herself “one of the 16 million psychopaths” in reference to those who voted for Duterte that Agot cited.
http://www.msn.com/en-ph/entertainment/celebrity/agot-isidro-responds-to-bashers-with-link-to-article-about-%e2%80%98psychopaths%e2%80%99/ar-BBxdqvT?li=BBr8Mkn&ocid=UE12DHP
There is no small irony in Mr. Abella saying that Mr. Duterte wants Filipinos to be truly independent economically, mentally, and socially when Duterte himself said that the Philippines would be dependent on China for a long time now that he’s severing ties with the U.S.
75% for now. No wonder — pigs ears are Pinoy’s favorite in sisig. But pigs ears every time? No, not for me.
There is still the cheek and the snout, manong. Just remove the pigs ears then you are good to go.
But it is the same pig. Hahaha!
May be those are the favorites of my favorite Senator Cayetano.
🙂
Hahaha
The country is “losing badly” because the government has not hit the ground running during the first 100 days of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, former President Fidel V. Ramos said.
“In the overall assessment by this writer, we find our Team Philippines losing in the first 100 days of Du30’s administration—and losing badly. This is a huge disappointment and let-down to many of us,” Ramos said in the first installment of a two-part column published in the Manila Bulletin on Saturday.
This assessment of Duterte’s first 100 days, he said, “is based simply on two concepts of primordial importance – LEADERSHIP and TEAMWORK – because that is where the obvious failures have emerged at this point in time.”
Ramos, who had been designated as Duterte’s emissary to China and tasked to initiate bilateral talks on the geopolitical issues affecting the two countries, said that much was expected of Duterte during this three-month period—principally in areas such as alleviating mass poverty, improving Filipinos’ quality of life, and enhancing public safety and security by addressing threats such as climate change, terrorism, hunger and disease.
“Of course, we are talking only of the first 100 days. We do not indicate here a wish-list of our highest aspirations to be achieved in the six years of the President’s term—but only what could have been do-able by P.Digong, if he had hit the ground running instead of being stuck in unending controversies about extra-judicial killings of drug suspects and in his ability at using cuss-words and insults instead of civilized language,” Ramos said.
The government’s war on drugs has gotten international attention, with the European Parliament, the United States, and the United Nations, among others, expressing concern over the rising number of deaths in the country.
Several foreign business groups have also voiced concern about the rise in killings.
“Certainly, the illegal drug menace is a serious threat in the Philippines, as it is in the US and elsewhere. However, the increased number of killings during the heightened anti-drug campaign is harming the country’s image, as portrayed by international media, and some investors are now asking whether this campaign reduced the rule of law,” the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has let loose a string of tirades in response to the criticism, cursing the European Union and saying that nobody has the right to lecture him.
Duterte also said he wanted to confront the UN, challenging them over their allegations of extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in the country.
On his 100th day in office on Friday, Duterte said he had already written to the three bodies inviting them to the country to investigate the extrajudicial killings attributed to the government.
Hitler quip
In his column, Ramos also slammed the President for his recent remarks, saying he was willing to do to drug addicts what Adolf Hitler did to the Jews.
Duterte has since apologized to the Jewish community for his remarks.
“In the case of his recent ‘Hitler quip’ no amount of apology could mollify the long-suffering Jews who have done well for the Philippines,” Ramos said, noting the “rich history” of the country in hosting international refugees, including Jews during World War II.
US-Philippine relations
Ramos also slammed Duterte’s”discombobulating” remarks hinting at the end of the country’s military partnership with the US.
Malacañang also said last week that Duterte might “break up” with the Philippines’ oldest ally in the future.
“So, what gives? Are we throwing away decades of military partnership, tactical proficiency, compatible weaponry, predictable logistics, and soldier-to-soldier camaraderie just like that?? On P.Du30’s say-so???” Ramos said.
For its part, the Philippine military said there is still no certainty that the war games with the US will end.
Still time to correct flaws
Ramos said there is still time to turn things around.
“Looking, however, at just the first year of P.Du30’s 6-year term, there is still enough to correct the most serious flaws in both our national leadership and national team so that in the end, the Filipino people and the republic of the Philippines as a competitive country in our part of the world might still regain its rightful reputation as a vigorous and rising competitor in the family of nations—as we used to be known for in earlier days,” he noted.
Ramos echoed statements of Senator Richard Gordon, who said that Duterte was “falling on his own sword” for being “too noisy.”
“Ours is not to heap more brickbats on P.Du30— because he has had more than enough already—but to help enable him to transform (thru his own efforts) from a mere provincial official to a capable international player at the head of 101,000,000 multiculture Filipinos,” Ramos said.
“The outcome aspired for by the majority of us is to insure the better future of our younger generations who, in due time—will assume the mantle of leadership over our nation’s political, security, cultural, economic, and other interests,” he added. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News
http://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/fvr-on-duterte%e2%80%99s-first-100-days-team-philippines-losing/ar-BBxcPyC?li=BBr8Mkn&ocid=UE12DHP
I agree with most the points the Former President said here.
But looking back, I wished he could have foreseen this as the former Davao Mayor clearly took no effort to hide his dirty mouth and his plans for EJKs while still campaigning and still he supported him. The fishes in Manila Bay will get fat, I wished I was the first in line in the gang rape of the Australian missionary because she was so pretty, his dictatorial tendency in Davao and his plans to do it nationwide, his warning to not make him president because blood will be spilled on the streets.
FVR supported him, and now look where we are…
We could have hit the ground running if only visionary politicians have supported Mar and Leni. If only FVT and Osmeña and others have supported a common, viable and the best candidate. I know, I know, it’s all water under the bridge, just sayin…
Most of those who supported PDU30 are still in denial, some like FVR are just realizing too late the folly of their decisions but hopes “to help enable him to transform (thru his own efforts) from a mere provincial official to a capable international player at the head of 101,000,000 multiculture Filipinos”.
“Ours is not to heap more brickbats on P.Du30— because he has had more than enough already—”
Hey, Mr. FVR, please. 75% of Filipinos are cheering and egging him on, what more do you want? Be thankful that 11% are speaking out, otherwise, we will appear to the whole world as 100% enabler of a cussing, violent and dictatorial president, who agree and are all glad of this outright trampling of the human rights of the poor and already downtrodden, but respecting the rights of politicians and foreign and local drug lord supporters.
Mary,
Thanks for that link on FVR’s timely comment. It seems that even friend FVR has recognized that there have been a lot of pigs ears being sold. That the Philippine’s welfare now and in the future is not all about pigs ears. That the Philippines deserves to be served with recipes other than sisig and pigs ears.
I see that most of us in the Society have noticed the change in the tide — among others, by people of consequence speaking out while before most were silent. Andanar, Abella and Panelo cannot simply finesse or sweep all of those under the rug so to speak.
FVR redeems himself a few notches up in my books with that statement. But it’s nevertheless sad that he is a poor judge of character. Nevertheless I commend him for calling the rock star out at this juncture.
What is clear is that influencers in the country are slowly coming out to protest about the pigs ears.
*******
Chemrock, Very generous of you.
In my book, FVR does not get a pass. He likes playing with fire — and playing God — too much. Marcos, Arroyo, and now Duterte.
He should have known about the truth of the DDS. He should have known of the shadow side of Duterte’s persona. And yet he encouraged and thereby foisted Duterte on the nation. FVR cannot undo the damage he has done by a few words of criticism now. The deed is done.
*****
Yes I agree with you. He does not pass in my books too. I just gave him a couple of credit points, that’s all.
He may end up as tragic a figure as Field Marshall Hindenburg.
A respected soldier of the old regime who thought he could control things…
http://opinion.inquirer.net/98073/socioeconomic-priority
Credit Rating would not be a priority but instead government should spend more?
How will you spend with out borrowing with low credit ratings, it would be costlier to borrow.
This is beyond burrying your head in the sand.
Chemrock and caliphman? Am I making sense?
Its more a case of sour grapes by one of Duterte’s chief economic minders. The most recent report cards by S&P and other credit rating agencies was not the consistently stellar grades awarded to the future prospects for the Philippines during the prior administration. They stated that while financial fundamentals still remain good warnings that the drastic and questionable changes by the new leadership cast uncertainty on any further upgrades or even maintenance of the country’s investment grade ratings. Its just more spin by Secretary Dominguez to soften the criticism and caution alerts put out by the rating agencies by saying that alleviating income inequality and poverty were more important priorities. Its like a school saying its okay for its pupils to get poor grades because the priority was improving its sports program…duh.
Yeah,Duh. 😳
There is nothing wrong with your train of thought. Whether one likes it or not, whether rating agencies judgement are questionable or not, credit ratings are a major guide to decision making by investors and international lenders. Credit ratings count significant in country risk assessments. It impacts both funds availability and cost of funds.
The Du30 admin has the advantage of cushion of funds left over from Pnoy admin so they have some leeway for 2017. But if they go on the same trajectory of managing the country so callously, be prepared for the return of the sick man towards the end of 2017. It is obvious they are on a fiscal expansionary path without regard to sources.
As it is, there are already reports of a slow down of FDI. This has a cascading effect. One corporate decision impacts other corporate decisions. Herd instincts will kick in.
Let me give an example of how Intl banks work. For each financial year they plan ahead on where they will allocate their resources. They place weightage across various risk factors like country, industry, products, etc. Their resources are finite. So they ask the question what makes Philippines attractive for them to place say 1% of their resources?
Many thanks Chemrock.
I’d like to see the sources for the reports for lower FDI, and compare it to ThinkingPinoy’s report that FDI has actually tripled under Duterte (photo can be found on his FB page). My area isn’t economics, but looking at what you say, and what TP says, it honestly feels off.
I know this is addressed to chemrock,but here from cnn.
http://cnnphilippines.com/business/2016/09/08/Philippines-foreign-investment-Vietnam.html
in the next comment box I will link a Philippine Star article saying FDI increased.
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/08/01/1608614/philippines-emerging-winner-fdi
This is the article from Philippine star which already included data for April 2016.
The CNN article was from a study by Standard Chartered,maybe covered only thr first quarter of the calendar year.
Since we are on the topic of selling silk purses as pig’s ears, how on earth can the Thinking Pinoy say FDI tripled under Duterte when the latest data was April 2016.
A clearer pucture from Trading Economics.com From NSCB
http://cdn.tradingeconomics.com/charts/philippines-foreign-direct-investment.png?s=philippinefordirinv&v=201610011524o
The graph covered the first semester, even the BSP covers only the first semester.
All Data is pre Duterte.
Third Quarter info is yet to be published,unless TP has real time info.
@ Uht
Short term comparatives are difficult to discern the effects of Dutertism on FDI. I think in July it was up. But that’s the month of implementation to something planned several years ahead during the promises of the Pnoy admin. You can see the impact of Dutertism on FDI mid 2017 onwards as a rough guide.
noun 1. something that has been badly or clumsily done; a botched job (esp in the phrase make a pig’s ear of (something))
Does anyone know why pig’s ear is used to mean something messy and useless?”
Very simply it refers to another old saying. You can’t make a silk purse of a pig’s ear. If you COULD that would be a wondrous accomplishment, indeed. The reverse would be making a pig’s ear out of a silk purse… which would be taking something elegant and turning it into something useless… hence “you’ve made a right pig’s ear of that!”
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/24208/why-is-a-disastrous-mess-called-a-pigs-ear
…Investment upgrade so business and government can avail of loans at lower cost. The previous admin had a series of investment upgrade from the top three debt watchers—Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s. Now there’s a possibility of a downgrade should the new administration fail to sustain the country’s fiscal and economic gains. Messy, botched jobs…pig’s ears. Why? It’s because business will have a higher cost, such cost to be shifted to the public, hence higher prices of foods and services, higher inflation rates.
…delayed infrastructure projects – were those purposely done by the previous admin or has the SC decision re DAP something to do with this delay? Problems of acquisition of properties for those projects – the right of eminent domain or the right of a government to take private property for a public purpose, usually with just compensation of the owner. And is this the result of the previous admin’s desire for upgrades, in other words, did the previous admin purposely delayed infrastructure projects and limit its spending so they can have those upgrades? or non sequitur? My lack of economic expertise shows, but I acknowledge this shortcoming, hence these questions.
…licenses and car plates continuing to be unavailable – the courts have disallowed the new and lower contracts…their interpretation of the GAA again?
Here is the Guardian’s article on Duterte based on what Filipinos wrote in the Guardian’s recent survey. It’s an interesting report with commenst from the whole political spectrum
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/08/rodrigo-duterte-first-100-days-philippines-president
Thanks – good in order to understand why 3/4 of Filipinos see him in a positive light. Possibly.. because their priorities are different from those of the other 1/4? Worth looking at..
Its not that the 1/4 do not want a leader who has the will to make changes and can think and outside the box to accomplish such changes. Its that they are more selective even if they differ on what changes are desireable or necessary, what character and fitness qualifications these leaders possess, and what ways are legally and ethically permissible in accomplishing such changes. I submit that the 3/4 are mostly so frustrated and feel they and the country is stuck in a rut because of how the government functions or malfunctions that it is sufficient that they can see movement happening in the first 100 days regardless of how these changes are being made or even if in the long run they are good or bad for the country. I make no apologies in being lumped with the 1/4 and perhaps being a bit more discerning than the masses that outvoted me due maybe to my opportunities of a better education and situation in society. But I suspect Duterte is likely to experience a slide in his trust and popularity as most of the masses realize that their lack of economic opportunities and other critical problems are being incompetently managed ir not being addressed at all.
Dutertistas accuse the prior administration not of doing things wrong but not doing anything at all. This was their leader offered, his supporters bought, and what he is trying to deliver regardless of whether his changes make sense or not.
Correct, but current DOTC secretary realizes that his predecessor was not that all wrong,in insisting on studying things first for the saie if hs successors,because that is what is doing now,studying all proposals and studying how to implement them.
On DPWH, Lacson’s senate inquiry on how to get rid of pork in DPWH,projects ,got the “testimonials” that all projects have to pass through the congressmen and if the congressman is angry with the mayor or the governor,nothing will happen.or projects that are not needed gets implemented.
If all true then it is still the same as before.
Emergency powers to skip the lawsuits of the losing bidders.If lawsuits and injunctions are the problem what happens after the emergency powers, more lawsuits,saying that emergency powers never gave them a chance to offer their services and goods????
I agree with the phases:
– the feeling of the 3/4 that the government is truly malfunctioning in favor always of the entitled but not for them
– this feeling of hitting back with the leader who talks like them, of hitting back in whatever form, that is, not necessarily on all the things they feel about because da boss has his own incomprehensible agenda of hitting back
– but comes a time, not too distant, when their lot is no more improved than the previous Admins they want to hit back on; the situation can even get worse as hints of that is already showing
– then what happens next is difficult to predict but it is not going to be to their and probably everyone else liking.
TO PARADISE OR OTHERWISE
Do we go below the “waterline”? May be not but wither do we go with the delinking from US/EU/UN and linking exclusively(?) with Russia/China?
From the last few sentences of the article.
“Filipinos may be divided in what they think of their president, but for the majority of the population he is seen as someone fighting for the dignity of the country and doing so with a can-do attitude. But what about what the rest of the world think? Father Joey Evangelista said: “The world did not care about the Philippines before. Why is it, all of a sudden, concerned about the Philippines now.””
——-
Fighting for our dignity,to fight for honor and respect.
If he wants the Filipinos to be respected, he must learn how to give respect.
He is not fighting for our dignity ,he is demanding the whole world to honor and respect us.
The last sentence: The world cared for us during the disasters, Filipinos are citizens of the world,the world cares,and it is not out of the blue.
I agree with VP Leni.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/146498/ph-intl-ties-not-only-beggar-donor-relationship-robredo
I read that and I feel uplifted. Thank heavens for the beautiful soul of Leni Robredo. She has the right stuff and mindset. May her tribe increase for the sake of PH and all Filipinos. Below is another article about her take on foreign aids and her poverty alleviation initiative:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/824080/robredo-program-about-poverty-solutions-receiving-aid/amp
Many thanks Juana.
Wishful thinking (?): I predict that President Robredo and Vice-President de Lima will have their hands full trying to repair all the damage wrought by Mr. Duterte.
Seems like that is all we have now-a-days. One can wish and dream, can’t she? Positive thinking still trumps all the negative propagandas…
*******
Father Joey Evangelista, MJ. A Catholic priest no less. Well, even Father Joel Tabora, SJ, is conflicted.
*****
Sounds about right: MJs, missionaries to the frontlines, SJs, missionaries at the ‘royal’ courts.
In order to fight for dignity, honor and respect, one has to be dignified, honorable and respectful. In short, karma-karma lang yan.
Im not sure if I want him gone. What Im sure of is that I want him to change his strategy… Another ousting means more burden for the country
I agree with your sentiment, jp BUT he already stated and restated that WYSIWYG, therefore, my read is: he is not willing to CHANGE for anything or anybody.
His decisions’ objective is to create and keep peace for the common Filipino (assuming he isnt secretly talking with with Jinping). If there’s any threat or better opportunity to reach that goal, then he switches lanes.
Creating havoc to keep peace is not logical. Throwing red meat at supporters creates a chaotic environment. Changing lanes without the constituencies’ say so is tin pot dictatorship. I reiterate, a democratic republic is a government of the people, for the people and by the people.
At this point, democracy under his rule is unrealistic. I highly doubt that a president who is bold enough to spit on major world powers is going to be threatened by protests -unless things become too violent… So Id rather choose to make do with what we have, than start a civil war. Not discounting other cheaper means, ofcourse
I think Duterte’s going around military and police camps is sort of a way to prevent coups.
So coups are seemingly controlled unless the military questions the throwing out of Americans,if ever that happens.
He controls congress maybe even judiciary-so impeachment is not an option.
You mentioned civil war- heaven forbid.
Let us go to a more familiar war-the keyboard war.
The ongoing internet keyboard wars makes me miss that Anti pinoy-grp vs Filipino Voices
Reyna elena and company vs Get Real, Get Real vs Cat and kittens, because life was simpler then.
Now it is out of control,all described in that article shared by JP about confessions of a troll.
What was intetesting in that article is when people you know start spreading stuff initiated by trolls,they become trolls themselves,or they will be TUI-typing under the influence(of trolls)
Sad but true.
The two JPs have linked an article about trolls.
“How does the president stop his slide? a) propaganda b) intimidation c) good-works?”
That is a trick question, Joe. 🙂 Every civil and freedom loving Filipino will no doubt choose C. They know that A and B did not work during the Martial Law years and are not working now.
For Duterte, it is an electric slide. Not the boogie-woogie-woogie kind but the “kuryente” style for his failing will be rooted in the personal values and beliefs he holds as facts.
Hmmm…interesting.
Lots of intellectuals 🙂
Lots of thinkers here. Excellent!
So much thought processes were put here especially in the comments. So much big thoughts!
Fantastic!
Oh! Now I get it.
“This blog is a collaboration by people interested in the well-being of the Philippines. It is a place to think and discuss, to teach and learn.”
Interest. Think. Learn.
I wish ‘Interest-Think-Learn’ is put into action for the well-being of the Philippines. Surely all of you CAN ACT for the well being of the Philippines.
Welcome to the Society, Maria. Most of us here walk our talk. We would love to hear what have you DONE for PH lately. Maybe we can pick some pointers from you.
Thank you Juana Pilipinas for the welcome.
Quite convenient I see. I must say however that I have a bit of doubt that you WALK your TALK in the context of “the well-being of the Philippines”. I do on the ither hand find it very doubtful that you speak for the most here at the Society. No need to prove. Because that is beside the point.
Your question to me should be really not for me. But if you will ask me again, then I will answer.
Your beautiful question is ironically for everyone here at the Society. Especially to the ones who think grandly. Honestly, I am delighted with the eloquence exhibited here. Surely Interest-Think-Learn delivered with sheer eloquence can be raised further.
The Philippines awaits your great minds transformed into concrete action.
You are new to the discussion, Maria, and have used a different IP address to get by the moderation check. You hold no moral authority to judge others here, whether to encourage, condemn, be mysterious or otherwise overlay righteous judgment. This is a forum to discuss issues, not weigh one another. I trust that your future comments will be to the issues raised in the blog articles, and not commentary on the people who contribute here, many of whom have been around for years.
Maria is on the troll list.
We have a tennis player here,doing the back handed compliment smash.
IS THIS SCENE FOREVER GONE?
This image caught my attention and seems relevant to the times:
An adult presumably talking at dusk to a listening young one, probably his son. This scene is becoming rare — more likely the adult and young one are both holding their smartphones and doing whatever it is they enjoy with the gadget.
Thank to beaches and parks with no internet connection or cell phone signal, there is still hope for this scene.
One more hindrance is traffic on weekends.If before you can walk along the boulevard,now you watch the sunset from inside your car.
THE INQUIRER
I have noticed the nice change in tone of the news handling and the crafting of its Editorials and opinion pieces of some of its critical thinking writers.
I find today’s articles worth reading:
EDITORIAL ON THE WAR ON POVERTY
http://opinion.inquirer.net/98098/what-about-war-on-poverty
ON THE PRESIDENT’S ABILITY TO LISTEN
http://opinion.inquirer.net/98096/duterte-know-listen
It’s terribly disappointing that he gives up the WPS and wants us to rely on China, which isn’t exactly a model of a good investor (and we’ve seen too many man-made disasters, too many toxic dumped goods produced by plutocrat-owned industries), all the while completely ignoring the fact that poverty drove many to a life of crime as a pusher or a mule.
http://creativity-online.com/work/vote-your-future-robert-de-niro/49397
Duterte has his Isidra Agot who is letting it all out and calling him out,unfazed by his vindictiveness and bullying. Well Trump now has his De Niro and much of his choice words would fit either character.
Caliphman,
Yes, Robert De Niro of “Taxi Driver” fame, a colorful character in the films he starred in.
While we are on the implied topic, may I ask you — viewed from your end, is Trump “kaput” or will it be down to the wires still?
I viewed this respondents poll numbers after that Second Debate from the link
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/10/10/cnnorc-post-debate-poll-has-good-news-for-both-candidates/
******
However, the poll had at least some good news for Trump with 63 percent of respondents indicating that Trump performed “better than expected” and only 21 percent responding that Trump performed “worse than expected” in the debate. This finding may help Trump at least right the ship and prevent future prominent Republican defections. Meanwhile, 39 percent of respondents indicated that Clinton performed “better than expected,” while 26 percent of respondents indicated that Clinton performed “worse than expected.”
In almost other metric Clinton was scored by respondents as a clear winner in the debate. Respondents found her to be the better candidate to handle the economy (56 percent to 42 percent), to handle terrorism (57 percent to 40 percent) and to deal with immigration (58 percent to 41 percent). Perhaps most damaging to Trump, poll respondents indicated that she seemed to be the stronger leader by a margin of 59 percent to 38 percent.
******
Of course, that is only from that link I viewed, others may have different views or numbers.
Trump did much better than in his first round fiasco and Clinton less so but I personally think the damage to his campaign from the crudity, lewdness, and sexism he inadvertently exposed in that CNN video is probably too much to be offset by his improved debate performance. The most recent poll taken after the video went viral but before the debate showed a huge drop in Trumps poll going from a near tie to 10 points behind Hillary. Short of a terrorist disaster or other event fueling the xenophobia which supports Trump’s agenda, this race is for Clinton to lose given time is so short and the small number of undecided voters.
Thanks.
I belatedly viewed the Second Debate I missed viewing live. I also read some of the commentaries in CNN, such as
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/10/opinions/clinton-trump-second-debate-roundup/index.html
I am impressed by the comments of the opinion writers in the following sense — while the comments end up concluding something for or against Trump or Clinton, they do a fair job of looking at the points for or against one or the other. In the present case, however, the concluding comments are generally against Trump in so far as election possibility is concerned.
This in contrast to many opinion writers here where from beginning to end one writes for or against the other in “pure form” — not acknowledging the other side of the coin so to speak. Or some does the lazy he says, she says narration without further analysis or comments.
Very sharp observation. The US also has it’s one-way political columnists, but the genuine news channels, such as CNN, indeed do parse both sides thoroughly. I normally don’t watch these pundits, but this year, because the campaign is so irregular, I find their assessments enlightening.
Would somebody know if this online magazine DW-TV3 reliable?
Is it affiliated with this? Deutsche Welle has been broadcasting since 1953. It is headquartered in Bonn, where its radio programmes are produced. Television broadcasts are produced almost entirely in Berlin. The responsibility for DW’s news website is shared between the two locations.
Around 3,000 people work for Deutsche Welle in over 60 countries. According to DW, its output reaches 100 million people worldwide every week. The broadcaster’s director general is Peter Limbourg.
*******
DW-TV3 is a very new site with an unknown reputation. It appears to be US-based but its real location is hidden. It has been known to report fake stories, such as the death in Germany of Africa’s richest man and of Canadian PM Trudeau sending a lovely message to Duterte.
http://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/dw-tv3.com
*****
thanks, sir edgar. I posted your comment and the accompanying link to TSM FB group to help friends out there re anti-Agot Isidro posts by PDU30 defenders.
I prefer a troll-free site
Before we only have Toll-Free calls and freeways.😊
This is about Isidro dating drug lords.
All others who spread it claim DW tv3 as the source.
The senate will now investigate Agot?
Thanks karl and madlanglupa. Also, I’m wondering what is their source of their claim that PDU30 is the best president in the whole solar system…hahaha!
Judging from Googling it, it’s about as base as the National Enquirer, The Sun or Remate. It’s clickbaity by posing as a legitimate subsidiary. Many pro-regime websites also do such deception.
As an aside, we should commend Mrs. Robles.
https://www.raissarobles.com/2016/10/11/my-acceptance-speech-for-the-excellence-in-journalism-award-from-the-international-christian-organisation-of-the-media-in-geneva/
*******
I just read Raissa’s acceptance speech. I think she is amazing. Alan, too, for being a chef.
*****
Interesting exchanges between one of my office mates (Ryan) and one of his FB friends (Tim)
Ryan Bartolome Suarez posted: Ayoko pong gamitin ang salitang DUTERTARD dahil may mga kaibigan din akong supporters ng Pangulo at below the belt yun. Naniniwala rin akong hindi sarado ang ilan sa kanilang pag-iisip sa mga mali ng gobyerno. Pero para sa mga panatiko at nabulag na o naging manhid. Baka pwedeng pagbigyan niyo na ang share photo ko ngayon grin emoticon:D Respetuhin na lang natin ang opinyon ni Ms. Agot Isidro. Kung ang Pangulo nga na mas bastos pa kaya niyong tiisin di ba? May kanya kanya tayong opinyon. Manindigan na lamang tayo.
Tim De Arce Macalintal reacted : We are all entitled to our own opinions so much as our opinion on Agot. Please don’t even say that we don’t use our brains when we voted for Duterte or that we’re brainwashed. I, quite personally, know him and it’s a very far cry from what you or others and especially the media portrays him to be. And how sure are you that we are the same people who regard Noynoy as such? Decades and decades of failures, flaws , and ills of the society have to be unlearned and undone and even 6 years is not enough to do it. A lot of human rights violations against lumads when they are displaced in Mindanao because of US presence there but no media ever dared to cover it because it’s not an article worthy of being sensationalized. How about the failed bombing of an American believed to be a CIA in Davao in 2002 where US didn’t provide til now an explanation and he was just whisked away without respect to the Phil govt. That’s one of the reasons why Obama didnt push through with the meeting with the President. PPRD wants them to be accountable. Evil didnt prevail when the bomb accidentally exploded and the only casualty was the American and fire in the hotel. I rather have a President with sick mouth who cares deeply for the poor Filipinos in the hemlines of the society. Why oh why nobody dared to fight and investigate drugs or did anything about it in the previous administrations? Gone are the days that we cower in fear of these druglords and criminals. Nobody thought of 911 for the entire country?! Kahit yun na lang. Basic services.
Ryan Bartolome Suarez answered: Everyone is seeking for good governance. Not only me, not only you but every Filipino. Being a Duterte is a tough job. I don’t question his sincerity, only his means. He is no longer the Mayor or just a local public official, he’s now the President. If you care for him, be his number 1 critic, number 1 adviser. But never tolerate his actions kahit na may magandang resulta. End cannot justify the means. We must reject unacceptable actions the reason we all need these internal and external critics. In the first place, was there a public consultation before raising all the issues to the national level? Yes he was voted by the 16M supporters but never forget the rest of the 80M citizens. He deserves our vote as a Filipino so never take all these remarks for granted. . . Thank you for your inputs. I know you will react 🙂 Peace!
Tim De Arce Macalintal : Well…we accepted him with his mouth during his campaigns and we knew what we’re getting into. If I were him, I would have thrown expletives myself. Yung mura ng bayan sya na gumagawa for us which is hailed from years and years of dissatisfaction. So those 80M actually do not belong yet to the voting public and mostly are poor and living in the most remote areas of the country where they cannot afford even transportation to go to the schools. We will always be divided but the main thing is, what do we do in our own little way to help?
Ryan Bartolome Suarez: Be loyal to the constitution, to the country not to any personality. Not even the President. . .
Tim De Arce Macalintal: I love my country and I’m loyal to the Philippines. The President just happened to articulate our dreams and frustrations from previous administrations. And we all believe that this country can stand up on its own. Can still be a great country without the mendicant mentality. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Haha..Trump/ Clinton Duet… 🙂
Haha ang galing ng pag ka gawa.
Kala ko kwento ni Marc Logan.
The debate moderator should have incapacitated Trump’s microphone to prevent him from frequently interrupting Clinton, both of them speaking at the same time. It reminded me of our own Presidential debates. Also why was he crowding the lady candidate, trying hard to intimidate her? Rude, sexist…reminds me of someone here.
Mary,
I suggest click the play button,just for laughs.And laughter IS the best medicine.
The parts are moving, the engine is roaring and the performance is now way past 100 days. The situation is like we are in a slippery slope and there is nothing to hang on to while we cascade downward in an unprecedented slide.
Hang on, people! 🙈
You already said that there is nothing to hang on,so prepare for impact.
MANUFACTURED TROLLS?
Interesting longitudinal study of “sock puppets” in PH social media.
“Some of these sock puppets, aptly named because they act according to how a puppeteer motions them, post in existing online forums on Facebook – political groups, hobbyists, buy-and-sell, and even OFW groups, Victorino observed. The infiltration is subtle, and the undiscerning could very well fall into the trap of interacting with and helping create activity within a group or discussion thread.
Victorino said some of the accounts he watched closely were created fairly recently, in the last quarter of 2015, in the lead up to the May 2016 elections. Those who were part of this nest shared common practices:
* They used profile photos of celebrities or other sexy-looking persons instead of their own
* They used cover photos like gardens and foreign sceneries that were shared among them and their supposed friends
* They had similar liked pages such as Okay Dito and Ask Philippines
* They had less than 50 friends”
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/148347-fake-accounts-manufactured-reality-social-media
This one is from August.
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/236403/confessions-of-a-troll/
Great article, jp. Thanaks for sharing.
From a factory of Goebbels, a lot of Junior Goebbels running around.
By the way, do you know that the designation of Goebbels in Hitler’s Reich is not Minister of Propaganda but Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda?
May be that is our problem, Juana, we are not enlightened enough. It may help if Andanar and Abella goes under a Department of Enlightenment. So too should the Junior Goebbels. Why should they go incognito? Since they are trying to enlighten, they should be in the light.
Yes, Manong. We need lots of enlightening in these sad days of uncertainty and confusion. The Junior Goebbels need lightning (strike).
Hahaha!
hahaha
Speaking of puppets, I’ve recently noticed that Mr. Aguirre from the DoJ moves like a ventriloquist’s dummy whenever he’s speaking to reporters. It could just be my imagination, of course, but the little motions that he makes with his head really reminds me of a wooden dummy.
Wooden dummy, what an apt description of most of the current administration’s appointees. 🙂
Top countries (excluding china) with the most executions from 2007-2012
https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/mar/29/death-penalty-countries-world
Total 3087
Executions during the current “drug war” since July
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/145814-numbers-statistics-philippines-war-drugs
Total 3844
Off topic
The forum on poverty and the House investigation on illegal drugs — is a “study in contrast” says Inquirer in today’s editorial.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/98127/study-in-contrast
VP Robredo, drawing the connection between extreme poverty and violence said:
“Each day of hopelessness kills our people just as surely as bullets do.”
House Justice Committee Chair Rep. Reynaldo Umali said:
“The committee is in a quandary on how to appreciate the testimonies of Jaybee Sebastian vis-à-vis Joenel Sanchez because the two are in total contradiction. One of them is lying.”
The latter, in my opinion, is a result of pampering and giving outright immunity to convicts (14 out of 22 witnesses) — of course they will “sing” but NOT when the song implicates themselves. Elementary Dr. Watson.
Here are more inconsistencies seen in testimonies in House inquiry into illegal drugs:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/824323/inconsistencies-seen-in-testimonies-in-house-inquiry-into-illegal-drugs
******
After four hearings totaling 47 hours, opposition congressmen assailed what they saw as inconsistencies in the testimonies of witnesses presented by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II that sought to link Sen. Leila de Lima to the illegal drug trade at New Bilibid Prison (NBP) when she was the justice secretary.
…
Siquijor Rep. Ramon Rocamora, a former prosecutor, described as “hearsay” 80 percent of the witnesses’ statements.
“The inconsistencies are so great that it really affects the weight of the evidence… They are still under detention. You know the culture at the penitentiary. They have nothing to lose but everything to gain if they will testify in accordance to what the administration wants. The element of quid pro quo it is still there. You cannot deny that, no matter how much (Aguirre) said that they were not forced or guided,” Rocamora told reporters.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said that with the convicts detained at NBP, technically under the control of the Bureau of Corrections and the Department of Justice, “they are forced, polluted witnesses” who could give testimonies under duress.
******
So back to the drawing board are we, Justice Aguirre?
Did you know that there are at least 460 synonyms for the word TROLL but only one antonym, which is FAIRY? Here is a tribute that is fitting to all fairies here at TSH:
“So lest we forget, we must thank our unsung heroes. To the brave patriots fighting the good fight online: Thank you for your service.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/98115/brave-patriots-online
That is very interesting. Much like there is Truth and many Un-truths; White and countless Shades of Gray — and we had a lot of those from the House of Representatives lately.
Thanks. I would like to be counted among the online patriots.
Sinabi mo pa, Manong. It is good though that more and more people are coming out of their caves and speaking truth to power.
I’m apologizing in advance for this — There are times I feel that the only way we Filipinos will wake up and understand the situation we’re in is by letting us ride the train to destruction that Duterte and the 16M have made for us.
*******
Fedelynn, you are not alone. The trouble is, it’s cyclic: Marcos, Erap, GMA, Duterte. Filipinos never learn,
Not to put a fine point to it, the world almost always never learns. Technology, yes. Morality, no. If it does, it’s very slow.
*****
Maybe we should insist on shorter, but intense education for our people? Like, in the old days, Grades 1-6 meant that you spoke well, read well, write and do arithmetic well, reason and understand History’s lessons. Inspire our entertainment people to come up with quality historical films every year. Forbid social media until we’re all getting nosebleeds from history lessons.
Couldn’t agree more. Education is the key to salvation. Though, if I could add one more thing:
Make Philosophy 1 a mandatory subject. As far as High School. Heck, familiarize them with the basic concepts in Elementary even.
Damn the costs in teaching the teachers necessary—get OFWs and jobless foreigners with dusty (that is, “unattractive to employers”) liberal arts degrees if you have to.
Teaching people how to question is teaching how to fish.
Ah. If I were President…
As a freshman professional I ‘tried’ to teach Logic & Epistemology to high school seniors. Sorry to say I got the better end of the bargain. (whew) The idea is sound and must be given to mature and able teachers. These years of transition to K-12 is an opportune time to integrate Philosophy 101 into syllabi.
I agree with both Francis and Sonny (forgot about Logical Reasoning). Thank you to the 2 and Mr. Lores.
Um, question—have you encountered or by any chance used Acuña’s Philosophical Analysis. We use it in our Philosophy 1 class and I must say, I am amazed by how straight-to-the-point and clear it is. I mean it doesn’t give you an in-depth history or appreciation of philosophy in all its facets but it teaches you stuff like what concepts are, how to formulate them and find their meaning, defining stuff—really practical stuff.
I mean, I suppose, that point isn’t to make people into philosophers but just to make them critical thinkers.
As a recent HS graduate who struggled with Math—the basics are far much easier than undetstanding High School Math. And I can’t help but think myself that HS Math would be a bit easier if I knew a bit of philosophy.
Alas, Francis, I would’ve loved to learn under the Acuna methodology as you described it. Rather my encounter with formal Philosophy (at 16) was via Scholasticism, the world of universals and particulars and ‘ancient’ forms of syllogisms. It fit my rote way of thinking. 🙂
Once Duterte gets control of the budget next year it will be light’s out. Time to get out of the Philippines, while you can. Look at all those people in Turkey who had their passports revoked.
We had another Steve who was a major contributor a year or so ago, and did a fine article about Mindanao. I would like readers to know that you are not the same Steve. As for reading the future, I agree that Duterte’s box, which is not unlike Pandora’s in many respects, is wide open.
TROUBLING. Found this on Twitter. This may be whye Duterte is arrogant towards the UN and CHR…
“Raising Fears of a Flight from International Criminal Court, Burundi Heads for Exit”
I think Burundian Andre Ndayizamba put it well and the Philippines is playing it out little by little, viz a variation on an old theme: “… gov’ts must know/learn to protect human rights”
How accurate JoeAm was.
The slide is on gaining momentum.
Thanks, Beatrix. It is speeding fast.