“Every Filipino for himself!!!”
The Philippines
By Joltin’ Joe America
I had to toss a blog the other day. The title was something like “Why the Philippines is the stupidest nation in the world.” It was too angry. It was like kicking the dog or putting a fist into the wall, expressing the dismay I personally feel about the direction the nation is taking. And more importantly, expressing my disgust at the values of powerful people who are complacent and compliant in assuring the nation’s headlong plunge into disaster.
My vivid imagination sees the recently built office towers standing as barren, empty shells throwing shadows over the bands of beggars haunting the crime-ridden streets below. Or they will be public housing for thousands of Chinese managers rushing into town to do the bidding of Chinese investors who will be granted the right to own 100% of everything.
That is kind of independence, I suppose. There is that freedom of the poor to sleep in the gutter and rummage through trash piles . . . Janis Joplin in Me and Bobby McGee: “freedom is nothing left to lose” . . . or the job opportunities Filipinos will have as second class citizens doing the hard labor in a nation that used to be their own.
The problem with people of low esteem is that they cast strong people as villains. The crab culture in which the Philippines works is, after all, a culture of low self-esteem that is not surprising considering how people have largely been pawns to greater interests from the Spanish, the Catholic Church, the Americans, the Japanese briefly, and forever by their overbearing, corrupt, me-first dynastic landlords, warlords and archaic autocrats devoid of any compassion toward people beyond their dining room tables.
The problem with people of low self esteem is that they don’t see themselves very well. They are in a daily state of delusional denial. They think they are smart, and normal.
So the President of the Philippines, who seems to me to be a degree beyond insecure and operating in a realm of applied vengeance, sees the US as a villain, laws as a villain, socio-economic health problems (drugs) as a villain, and any critic as a villain. Even if they make total sense and are of high character.
Meanwhile, the opposite bookend of the needy crab culture is the disgusting pile of power mongers who will sell their soul and nation to the devil if it benefits them, personally. Never in my life have I seen so many cowards operating in the guise of congressional privilege.
One main argument for Duterte is the idea that a rash, bold change artist such as him is needed to break through the crust of privilege and power and corruption that has handicapped the nation since Aguinaldo. Meanwhile, he does more of the same, granting handouts to those who favor him and punishing those who complain.
The new definition of inclusion means “you are included in my supporters or you are a worthless piece of shit.”
It’s a classy brand of governance, is it not?
Well, that is the stark side of it, and legislators line up to avoid being cast aside. They can’t stand on their own two feet. They need a benefactor to prop them up. They are not only needy, as are the poor, but they are cowards. The poor are just trapped, and often ignorant. The sycophant legislators are the real beggars of Philippine society. Scum.
As are businessmen, priests and professors who can’t conjure up a reason as to why it is nonsense to kill one’s own citizens as if they were of no higher value than bugs, or who look at China and the US as “either or”, as if the Filipino mind is incapable of crafting the kind of true independence that seeks a beneficial relationship with both.
These alleged people are allegedly smart, many having been schooled in America. Oh, the irony.
Backstabbing ingrates.
Hahaha.
So I’m glad I tempered my anger, you know?
My family and I . . . and a whole lot of others of means and principle . . . will be fine as soon as we get off this battered, careening, sinking ship that is being ground across the reefs by a grand and entertaining band of drunken, deranged sailors called a Legislature.
“Every Filipino for himself!!!”
That’s the new slogan I’m going to put on my blog to replace the hopeful old one, “O’ rise, ye land of happy fools.”
At the pace of things in this cess pit of cowardly self-involved toadies, the fools are unlikely to be happy.
Or rising.
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[…] Source: “Every Filipino for himself!!!” […]
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
There’s something about Joe, that thousands upon thousands of Filipinos see clear as the Manila sunset if you’re in love. Joe operates on a distinct radio station, newspaper editorial, website and person-to-person conversation. Is it surprising that a foreigner will have the eyes and ears of country-loving Filipinos, an outsider looking in, no, make that an insider looking in and beyond? All those books Joe read in college, his peripatetic wanderings in the ‘net, his footlooseness, has equipped him with ardor for his subject matter, a phenomenon not lost in his partners, followers, admirers. Exactly where is he coming from? He is not of the spiritual variety, so I hold back on heaven as source. Special problems need special solutions and am I glad that we have a Joe America shouting from the stands. Twenty years from now, when the war din and gunsmoke have cleared, we will probably say we had a prophet among us, like a John the Baptist perhaps, who is not one of us, living on the honey of family love (his son especially) and subsisting on loincloths of intermittent internet, but fighting and fighting to the very end. It’s not easy to dismiss every single word he types, I imagine on some state-of-the-art computer, dsl and router setup, and him typing feverishly like some mad scientist. Thank you, Joe. I pray for you and other democratic stalwarts, that you be safe and handsome, deserving the title crush ng bayan.
Well, we scribes need anchors, or ideals, or values, around which to wrap our keyboards, which reminds me, what did you do with that great photo of yourself with VP Robredo. I went hunting for it to post here, but my technological prowess seems to be coming up short.
*******
I had the thought this morning to post the photo on Will’s paean to Leni.
*****
Thanks, Edgar
That is Will, less the bush hat and his dog? I see a handsome full-haired jet-setting corporate exec with the VP. I see that guy going places in a not-too-distant future. Better keep on with blog JoeAm so he remembers our names here.
Joe, once again you’re coming through loud and clear; firing for effect for our sakes! Thank you!
Hi, sonny. That bizarre hearing featuring Senator De Lima was something straight out the Salem witch trials. I understand she is going to be filing cases, so the fun continues. But the legislature is hijacked for that nonsense rather than getting land use and revised penal code laws written. That’s basically what got me riled up.
Yes, Joe. I was just telling the missus that the current state of affairs has come near your goat and none too soon. I was already at the NAIA when the witch hunt vs Sen de Lima was revving up. With your infinite patience sounding a clarion call I was curious about the last straw (s). Be safe, ya hear?
Okay. Terrible to live in such a threatening world. That’s what we humans amount to? Seems we have underachieved somewhere along the line.
I have a piece of land in the boondocks with a retro Airstream on it. You got friends in low places, Joe.
hahahaha, I so want an Airstream, all slick and silver, glinting in the sunshine as we mosey down Interstate 70 heading either direction, doesn’t matter.
You and your family are welcome to it if my father-in-law is not pulling it to the NASCAR or Daytona races.
🙂
Juana,
Just a visual aid.
Wilfredo,
And in the end when — against all odds — some measure of triumph is achieved, can we do a Walt Whitman:
O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up–for you the flag is flung for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
There’s a campaign against bullying and yet our president, in his style, encourages it.
Certainly we have been cast into interesting times. The challenge is how to restore the dominance of reason over the fever to escape. Fevers are generally stabilized by imaginative responses to its various spikes.
Welcome to the dwindling, thinking deep Filipinos. Commiserations, but I am afraid that this is the sad reality of our country. It is going down to the dogs indeed and I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel myself.
This is sad,I am trying to see the positive,the sunny days that will sweep the clouds away (towards sesame street).But Joe is correct,it is no longer about happy fools rising.
But is it time yet to yell,
Abandon ship,every Filipino for himself,until the no longer happy fools will rise from the deep?
I was sure Jolted by Jolitin Joe America.
Damn keyboard. I miss Bert.
It is important to yell “fire” when the blaze is just beginning, in hopes that people of courage will go run and get some buckets of water mighty quick. Every day is a day of damage, it seems to me, where good people are threatened and are pulling out. Chinese missiles on Panatag in a year or two. “Hate Americans” the rallying cry of bullies everywhere. That gets my attention, so I thought I should strive for yours.
Yelling fire more often than not causes everyone to be alert,instead of panic, unlike,bomb!, gun! or abandon ship.
It will get our attention,Joe.
Thanks.
Joe,
Please continue to take care of your self and your family.I value our online friendship of more than seven years.
I will, thanks, Karl. And you as well. I also appreciate our friendship, which is aging like fine wine.
😄🍷
This nation is under the curse of Sisyphus,
*******
1. Ah, the gloves are off.
2. Allow me — just this once — to use the term “stupid.”
3. We have been observing political correctness for too long. Avoiding the term “bobotantes” but allowing them to use such pejorative terms as “yellowtards” and such euphemisms as “Death Under Investigation.”
4. There is a great relief in being able to call a spade a spade. The first steps to the resolution of a problem include (a) recognizing the problem by accurately naming and defining it; and (b) accepting the problem for what it is and not denying it in any way, shape, or form. From these two initial steps, analysis can proceed, options examined, and solutions devised.
5. So when I say the people who voted for Duterte are stupid, they are not wholly stupid. They are politically stupid.
5.1. And when I say the reps who are persecuting De Lima are stupid, they are not wholly stupid. They are criminally stupid.
5.2. And when I say the senators who do not criticize Duterte and who ousted De Lima are stupid, they are not wholly stupid. They are unprincipledly stupid.
5.3. And when I say Duterte is stupid, he is not wholly stupid. He is economic-wise stupid, foreign-relations-wise stupid, national-management-wise stupid, and crimes-against-humanity-wise stupid.
6. Stupid means “lacking intelligence.”
6.1. I know I have used the word accurately. Next time, I will resort to a euphemism like “an intellect to rival the Philippine Congress.”
*****
I literally snorted at that last line. Now I can’t stop laughing. The Congress is indeed representing stupid.
https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-e781884c3b99bceeab5b0c37f9ddaeef-c?convert_to_webp=true
oops sorry — ignore pls.
I did not ignore.
As John Adams said in the stageplay (and the movie) 1776: “I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress! And by God, I have had this Congress!” Or if you prefer *(from the same character and production): “A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere, or a cataclysmic earthquake, I’d accept with some despair. But no, you sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair?!”
Joe’s disgust is every thinking Filipino’s disgust. Mine? I go further: I shudder and balk each time I hear the Dutz’s voice, or see his smug smile on the screen or on a photo, or see a quotable quote from him talking about his concern for his instrument able to do nocturnal sensual pursuits. (He is probably still desiring a beautiful dead woman’s body).
I have been telling friends to keep their passports updated and handy, so when the “every man for himself” moment comes, they can up and leave and stay away.
As for the nationalistic ones who have nothing to lose, who have millions stashed away for a rainy day, who can still afford to send their children to exclusive schools, who can still bear the snail pace traffic, who are well-ensconced in their high end, narra laid offices, who can bribe their way through a concocted “investigation”, I pray you are okay with “this battered, careening, sinking ship that is being ground across the reefs by a grand and entertaining band of drunken, deranged sailors called a Legislature.”
What then you can suggest to the make up of this misfortune and misgiving? Open up yourself help solve the severity of the problem? If you’re concern for the existence of the next generation Filipinos! Arise! Shine! Overcome! Bangon Pilipino! Bangon Pilipinas!
On Tuesday, October 11, 2016, The Society of Honor: the Philippines wrote:
> The Society of Honor posted: ” By Joltin’ Joe America I had to toss a blog > the other day. The title was something like “Why the Philippines is the > stupidest nation in the world.” It was too angry. It was like kicking the > dog or putting a fist into the wall, expressing the dismay I p” >
Ramon,
If I may, plesase do not hit and run and reply to our replies to you.So we would know if it is still worth replying to you.
Thanks
Ha. You can talk, but he ain’t listening.
Yes Joe,sometimes we have to call a spade a spade and call Ramon a troll.
My uncharitable me: there seems to be template that these guys are using for the initial post; the reply or whether to reply at all. Seems an easy job. No wonder there are droves of them.
Yesterday,we had a judge,or was she a director,telling us how to act.
Nah,a troll!
@ramon naguita
What can I suggest? Hindi maganda ang feedback sa mga bansa sa Africa na nagbukas ng kanilang pinto sa Tsina. Pati na ang mga tagaTibet at Hongkong nagpoprotesta laban sa Tsina. Bakit sa Intsik pa tayo makikipag alyado?
As Joe said. We may talk,but he aint listening.
I have attached an article link below regarding your comment of China in Africa.
Ulysses wants to talk to you.
Re: China in Africa
Karl, great eye-opener on the Chinese history-model and the African continent, the last great frontier. The tanod is not asleep at his post!
Yes,I am not yet asleep,but I am about too. Good night from Pinas.
damned keyboard keeps on typing the wrong grammar,syntax and spelling.
Ha, you now have to blame it on that “stupid American keyboard”.
Nah,most keyboards are still Chinese.But manufacturers were about to move here because if high costs in China,now they might change their minds.
Hahaha. That is what the brand says on top. But look at the underside, usually in small print — Made in China. 🙂
but seriously,one must own his mistakes,and blame no one else.
Good of you, karl. How about — it is not me; it is my arthritic fingers? 🙂
I could do that ,especially when I run out of ginger tea and Flanax.
Throw out the Flanax, save the ginger tea and your kidney.
The blog and 13 responses to it have said it all. You guys have used up all the appropriate words. I can only add — AMEN.
And much thanks Joltin’ JoeAm.
I am particular about my fried eggs. You can stamp on it, do anything with it, but please don’t turn it over.
Same as the blog I love, Joe. You can smash it to bits, do anything with it, but please don’t change the slogan “O’ rise, ye land of happy fools.”
For “Every Filipino for himself!!!” has been a given from the time of Marcos, and only the likes of President Aquino, Roxas, etc and The Society have been insane enough to mightily try to change that, no matter how snail-pace the improvement.
And to round up my appeal for retention of the slogan, even some insanes in the Insane Asylum are happy. Happy Insanes. Happy Fools. Is there a difference?
I’m keeping the “fools” slogan. It was a literary device, that particular threat. I learned the technique from Duterte.
What happened to the “unifying President?” Isn’t that part of his first SONA? He said, “I would like to reach out my hands to my opponents. Let us begin the healing now.” So what is up with the Darth Vader’s, “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy” vibes now-a-days?
The PrCom department owns a kennel of pit bulls. They are sent out by the thousands to reshape mass impressions. A thing of beauty if you are into autocracy and tyranny.
I read that a lot of these pit bulls are manufactured holographic sock puppets. It is revealing to see Urban Dictionary’s definition of “hologram.” There are probably just a dozen of sock puppeteers inciting several million Filipinos. A very deceptive practice. A lot of his “real” supporters are not aware that they are being played?
Aah, you are referring to the Orwellian World with at least two Ministries I recall:
Minitrue — Ministry of Truth: the province of Duterte, Pimentel, Alvarez, Aguirre, Yasay, Andanar and Abella
Miniluv — Ministrue of Love: the special province of General Bato and his able PNP
Ministry of Love = Ministrue of Love. Darn this keyboard.
Thank you all commentors and Mr. Jolting Joe America, I had bouts of laughter with tears in my eyes in the end and it was good. Being in this sinking ship is not as bad when the company is as this unpredictable, wickedly humorous and good for the soul geniuses.
Welcome to the blog, Zen.
Yes, Manong. The internet has intensified propagandist power. Gullible people are being snared into groupthink by wily brainwashers.
Now I finally understand the phrase ‘ the more things change, the the more they stay the same ‘. Same-o,same-o as they say on this side of the Pacific pond.
Thank you JoeAm, for this breath of fresh air, a most welcome break from the daily dose of basura from TV, print, and social media.
Thanks Marilet.
*****
1. I am not the numbers man here but….
2. The PNP statistics as of October 10 as quoted by Rappler are:
o 3,844 – total killed since July 1
o 1,550 – (0.20%) killed in police operations
o 2,294 – (0.30%) killed by vigilantes
o 27,609 – (3.59%) drug personalities arrested
o 738,193 – (95.91%) drug personalities surrendered
o 769,646 (100%) total of drug personalities
3. Duterte has estimated the number of drug personalities to be 3 million. This means that so far Duterte has “achieved” 25.78% of this target.
4. Assuming the above breakdown, the total target estimates for the war on drugs, the remaining 74.22%, are:
o 6,042 – (0.20%) police operations target
o 8,942 – (0.30%) vigilante target
o 107,617 – (3.59) arrest target
o 2,877,399 – (95.91%) surrender target
o 3,000,000 – (100%) total target
5. Accordingly, the remaining estimates are:
o 4,492 – (0.20%) to be killed in police operations
o 6,648 – (0.30%) to be killed by vigilantes
o 80,008 – (3.59%) to be arrested
o 2,139,206 – (95.91%) to surrender
o 2,230,354 – (100%) total remaining.
6. The total to be killed is still… 11,140. Still.
6.1. The current average deaths per day appears to be 38. That’s 3,844 deaths in 102 days between July 1 – October 10.
6.2. Dividing 11,140 by 38, we calculate that Duterte needs 293+ days to accomplish his target. That’s 9.8 months. He asked for an extension of 6 months. That is not enough.
6.3. He needs to request for another extension… or increase his daily death rate.
6.4. He also needs an island penal colony to house the arrested and surrendered.
6.5. Or, as Agot Isidro suggests, he needs to see a psychiatrist.
6.6. Or Duterte may choose to perform his self-evident solution.
*****
edgar,
You are a numbers man, humble you. Only a slight note of interpretation of PRD asking for an extension of 6 months.
We have to “decode” him, you see. One decoding (among many decodes) — original 6 months plus an extension of 6 makes 12. Three (3) months already passed when he made the request for extension so 9 months to go (= 12 -3), still somewhat short.
But the best part of the solution is Item 6.5
🙂
You make me laugh when the other man is so serious ha ha ha. I mean good for the soul laugh.
*******
DECODING MYSELF
I did not want to clarify my arithmetic because I wanted to highlight the worst part:
6. The total to be killed is still… 11,140. Still.
Still to be stilled.
But, yes, the way I wrote it, it seems I am comparing 6 months to 9.8 months. Mea culpa.
What I actually had in mind:
o There are 2.66 months left to this year.
o Add 6 months of next year and we get 8.66 months.
o 8.66 months is less than the estimated 9.8 months.
But: That figure of 11,140 more deaths is not the worst that can happen. It is what should be expected on current form. But it can be worse… as Duterte seeks to imitate Hitler.
*****
Ah, here is another one, as long as we are thinking about a “final solution” kind of thinking a la idol Hitler. I recall having heard the man say that out of 3.7 million only about 600k-700k — the numbers may not be accurate from my recollection — are redeemable, and the rest are not, meaning a big number need to be “stilled.” And the sheer number requires a “final solution” method otherwise poor Genaral Bato will be overwhelmed with the task, even if that is the only thing he and his cohorts will do.
The big jump will be when he goes from drugs to enemies of the state. The slippery slope has no finite, defined end such as you suggest. There’s a veritable mountain of unnecessary people who can be judged to be in the way. It is best to think that just one is too many, done outside the court’s rendition. Stop the next one.
George Orwell’s equation:
1984 = 2016
Once and for all, let’s stop this nonsense reference to “vigilante killings”. There is no such thing. Vigilante refers to “members of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate”. There is no such thing in Philippines. Those killings are just pure, old-fashioned murders by both corrupt officials covering their tracks, or the supply chain rubbing out members who are considered likely to snitch on them.
What is the stats of PNP’s investigation into these murders? 000000000000000.01%?
Is the PNP receiving bonuses for these investigations, or for how many they kill in police operations?
*******
Chemrock,
Totally agree. In fact, let’s call all of them Extrajudicial Killings (EJKs).
*****
Was it Atty Trixie Angeles who said that as long as there is no death penalty,all killings are extra-judicial?
i call most… WITNESS CLEANSING, others collateral damage, some accidental deaths and a number of unneccessary deaths. i do agree that most finoys subscribe to ‘what is in it for me policy.’ to rock or not to rock the boat, which one will make it sink…let it sail, the hands may not be steady but with help it may reach its port. but how can we steady the ship and how can we help?
*******
Cruise, we can help by stopping the use of euphemisms.
The definition of extrajudicial killings describes the situation perfectly: “An extrajudicial killing is the killing of a person by governmental authorities without the sanction of any judicial proceeding or legal process.” – Wikipedia
*****
I have personally classified EJKs:
1) Those done by the police force who, instead of incapacitating the suspects are quick to the draw (for possible rewards or promotion)
2) Those done by individuals and.or groups who are also following the President’s orders addressed to the citizens to kill, kill – vigilantes
3) Those who were liquidating possible informers or snitchers or possible whistle blowers upon orders of drug lords and/or their rivals
4) Those done by enemies of anyone who uses the war on drugs as cover up for their murders.
executive secretary said Duterte was interested to know the “motive for the investigation, and why the focus is on the Philippines.”
“After all, the party charged is entitled to know the motive for the investigation, and why the focus is on the Philippines when there are other nations responsible for the death of innocent and defenseless individuals elsewhere in the world. Those are extrajudicial killings too, are they not?” he said.
—–
The ES said: Those are extra judicial killings too.
They are no longer denying EJK.
@ karl
Again, Duterte keeps on forgetting that those EJKs were not state sponsored or financed, even to the extent of guaranteeing pardon if ever killers are convicted. (how else can you call such when millions are offered for these murders? Mayors are following the President’s example by setting aside millions of their city budget for rewards for the supposed drug related kills.)
They keep on searching for justification, and resorted to DRUMS, as coined by analysts. Perfect example is the justification by Peter Laviña posting a picture of a 9-year old raped and killed by drug addicts, where such post which turned out to be of a Mexican girl was shared multiple thousand times and went viral, correction of which was ignored. We acknowledge the evils of this drug menace but we cannot correct a wrong deed by another wrong deed, as the Filipino saying goes – di mo maitatama ang isang mali gamit ang isa pang mali.
These DRUMS are the reason why the surveys made nationwide show a super majority of Filipinos agree on EJKs, the cussing/swearing and rudeness towards the US, UN, etc.
Mind conditioning, plain and simple.
– MGPG
Excerpts of Part 4 of Ms. Resa’s article on Propaganda War: Weaponizing the Internet:
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/148347-fake-accounts-manufactured-reality-social-media
What to do, given a virtual world of manufactured truth and reality?
• Spot and actively call out the fake accounts, the sock puppets, and the trolls.
• Gather evidence and report them.
• Don’t bother to engage them because it is a lost cause.
• Help clean up the social media space and restore it to what it used to be, or at least a semblance of what it used to be.
Abandoning social media and not challenging lies being peddled and spread is losing by default to the trolls and propagandists.
My friend,
I know that both of us have relatives and friends who are pro Duterte,do I commend you for your social media activeness even,under pain meds.
I have shared that from my mother side,our clan is having a family feud within the family.
Very very sad.
And also from what I shared about Aguirre and Trillanes.
I am training my self not to be a robot with no feelings,but to know the right place my heart will go,I am sure the brain will follow.
As far as the heart goes,MGPG,you are my role model.That is our antidote from mind conditioning.
@ karl
Thank you for the kind words, my friend.
To preserve relationships among Duterte fanatic relatives, I just don’t engage. I just share and share meaningful articles, post, comments. As Joe, said once, that’s akin to planting a seed.
Sharing in FB groups is more rewarding as I see feedback like reactions, comments and further sharing. Still I post in my own wall not expecting reactions, just to preserve what I share in other groups as those I share in other groups gets buried in just a few seconds. Even if no one reacts, those articles are worth gold. I usually save them in my personal computer, labeled according to subject matters for easy review when internet connections are MIA.
I wish those wealthy but patriotic groups would group themselves and fund a counter to this admin’s vast propaganda machine. They will serve their country well and provide honest employment to other less fortunate but patriotic groups. How do we fight lies? by truth and nothing but.
This war is no longer being fought in the street, it’s now in the social media. Duterte and Obama used this to their advantage and succeeded, Roxas by relying on LGU rallies alone and partially ignored social media failed. We all know that he advertised heavily in mainstream broadcast media compared to Duterte who rented condo units and office spaces all over the country with thousands of keyboard warriors working 24/7 and got himself elected through mind conditioning using this technique.
We need to wake up the apathetic, misinformed and mind conditioned Filipinos asap, before we find ourselves in a situation like Poland (in Hitler’s time), and currently, Russia China, North Korea and other communist countries – kinda like the story of a frog in a gradually boiling water.
Keep it up my friend.
Keep on trucking. ( As Joe,once told you)
#1- What happen to the law enforcement rule of shooting the suspects in the foot ( if they are unarmed so they cannot run) or on the arm (if they are armed so they cannot shoot)?
Lack of expert training, excessive fear of losing their lives or eyes focused on rewards for every killed drug pusher/addict – or a combination of all three.
FVR discussed this last night in an interview with Lynda Jumilla of ABS CBN. He said those policeman has forgotten the basic rule of just disabling a suspect so a proper investigation can be initiated. How can we question a suspect if he is killed by law enforcers?
Add the dead do not tattle-tale, to the three choices?
Yep, that makes it four…and that reminds me of the 2 high ranking officers (one of whom was just recently awarded a medal by PNP Chief dela Rosa), who masqueraded themselves to disguise them as the Riding In Tandem Killers to eliminate a leader of the Citizens Crime Watch, a woman. Just another trick to hide the fact that police officers are doing this killing in cold blood.
A heart wrenching letter from beyond….from the victim of the Riding in Tandem Killer cops, the woman leader of the Citizens Crime Watch?
Dear Anak,
Wag kang malungkot. Ngayong wala na ako, mas makakaluwag na kayo ng papa mo.
Pasensya ka na. Hindi ko alam kung paano nangyari, pero nung gabi na lumabas ako ng bahay, sabi ko naman sayo may hihintayin lang ako di ba. Kasama kasi sa trabaho iyon ni Nanay. Ako kasi yung tinig ng mga biktima ng krimen sa ating lugar. Kaya nga nung nagtext sa akin na may gusto daw lumapit para matulungan yung mga pamilyang namatayan dito sa atin nung mga nakaraang araw, hindi ako nagdalawang isip. Hindi natin maibabalik buhay nila, pero matatahimik ang pamilya nila kasi may magtuturo na kung sino ang may gawa.
May magtuturo na kung saan ang direksyon ng katarungan.
Anak, mahirap kasi trabaho ni Nanay. Sa bawat pagkakataon na nakikipag usap ako sa mga biktima, dinadala ko din yung hirap ng dala dala nila. Sa bawat pagkakataon nakikipag ugnayan ako sa kapulisan at gobyerno, pagod ang inaabot ng mga paa ko sa pagbalik balik paroon at parito. Mahirap talaga, anak. Kaya lang, kung walang gagawa nito, kung walang magiging boses ng mga namamatayan, darating ang araw na baka pati ang tinig ko mawala kung isa sa inyo ni Papa mo ang maging biktima. Kaya ginagawa ko ito, anak. Ito ang dapat.
Ito ang tama.
Ngayong wala na ako anak, baka may magsabi sayo na adik ako. O baka drug lord. O kaya drug pusher. Anak, wag kang maniwala sa kanila. Alam ko alam mo kung ano pinaglalaban ni Nanay. Sa mundo ngayon na kung saan ang pagiging adik ay kasingkahulugan ng kamatayan, sa isang bansa na pinapalakpakan ang kawalan ng proseso para sa mga taong maliliit na nadadamay sa isang gyerang walang katapusan, huwag ka na magtaka na may mga taong magsasalita ng ganun sayo. Pero manindigan ka, anak. Alam ko, nakakatakot. Ngunit kung takot ang paiiralin natin, darating ang panahon na ang takot na ang magpapatakbo sa ating buhay.
Wag kang magtanim ng galit sa mga kapulisan na gumawa sa akin nito, anak. Naiintindihan ko na hindi mo maiiwasan ang poot. Pero tandaan mo ang paninindigan ko, at ang pinaglalaban natin. Dahil kung galit lang ang mamayani, mauulit ng mauulit ang nangyari sa akin. Paulit ulit lang akong babarilin sa labas ng ating bahay. Walang puwang ang pansariling galit natin sa ganitong pagkakataon, dahil dapat ang galit na iyon ay dinadala ng ating gobyerno at ng ating Maykapal. Sila ang may kapangyarihang magbigay ng hustisya. Sila ang sisingil sa kasamaan. Sila ang gagamit ng proseso ng batas, para maitama at hindi na maulit ang nangyari sa akin.
Wag ka matakot anak. Mahal na mahal kita. Para sa iyo kaya lumaban ako. At para sa iyo kaya naupos ang kandila ng buhay ko. Kayong mga bata ang nasa isip ko, dahil hindi ko pwedeng iwan sa inyo ang isang mundong puno ng galit.
Isang mundong puno ng takot.
Anak, lahat ng ginawa ko ay para sayo. I am so sorry dahil hindi ko man lang nasabi sayo gaano kita kamahal, bago ako nawala. Pero hayaan mo na sa pagkawala ko, maging daan ang buhay ko para mas maging ligtas ang hinaharap mo. Iyon ang tanging magagawa ko dahil wala tayong yaman. Ang mayroon lang tayo, ang ating buhay.
At paninindigan.
Nagmamahal,
Nanay.
#walangabangdeathsquad
#justiceforejkvictims
#justiceforALL
#notoALLkillings
Every Filipino for Himself. Sounds like the unspoken national motto. Hasn’t that been around for years?
“So I’m glad I tempered my anger, you know?”
You do not sound angry at all. lol
Take it easy. High blood pressure is a silent killer, you know.
Well, I used to have my cousin Angry Maude around to do the emotionally heavy lifting, but she took off with a tour guide from Palawan, one of those jokesters driving the boats in the underground river, or a ferry boat operator, I’m not sure which. So now I have to do the emoting and calling out of scurrilous congressmen who are supposed to be writing responsible laws but are instead hosting kangaroo courts that the Secretary of Justice uses to keep his job by trying to do the impossible, jail a sharp, strong, innocent woman of earnest work and integrity. I hope he gets hemorrhoids from the effort.
Let me know if you have need for a good rant piece. lol
I have need for a good rant piece from someone south of 30.
Hmm, it would be interesting hearing what they have to say.
My current brain patterns can match your requirement. Kidding..well, at least every other day.
Good luck to all of us. I figure that we all ought to learn Mandarin soon.
I was just thinking that this morning, that my son ought to take up Mandarin.
Sickened by the thought of an entire generation adapting beijing’s corrupt culture.
Pray it doesn’t happen.
THE PHILIPPINE POLITICAL ICEBERG
The aggressive social media-influenced political events and environment reflected in the tip of the political iceberg or the part above the waterline, so to speak, seems to be at odds with the palpable undercurrents reflected in the iceberg below the waterline. No wonder the Palace does not crow much about the survey numbers of SWS’s and today, PA’s survey numbers.
THE TIP OR THE ICEBERG ABOVE THE WATERLINE
Survey numbers and the Presidential Communications Team’s statements, including the “War on Senator De Lima” seems to be doing fine if we go by the Admin statements and pro-Admin media, traditional and social-media.
THE ICEBERG BELOW THE WATERLINE
Their is an undercurrent implied in the statement of FVR about Team Philippines losing in the first 100 days because of the over concern about the illegal drugs war and the un-analyzed plan to pivot from US/EU to China/Russia. While the Palace cannot go hammer and tongs on FVR, CPP came to the rescue, saying that FVR is a top Amboy; and that it will be a reliable ally of Duterte.
The bold statement of Gordon for PRD to “shut-up” having before been so supportive of him to suggest that the writ of habeas corpus be suspended so the President can act decisively on the war on drugs; the strengthen boldness of Senator Trillanes; and the failed plan to put “finish” to la affaire De Lima — in fact my impression is that Matobato singlehandedly made a better impression compared to the tons of witnesses at the House, most of whom are convicts — all these seem to give the impression of a difficult to assess but palpable undercurrent.
The move to now formally invite the UN to probe drug killings seems a reversal to the previous bravado and insult directed at the UN.
There is also the Peso and stock exchange items to worry which occurs coincidentally with US Fed moves that exacerbate the situation.
The rallying of the businessmen to make positive statements seems also a non-coincidental thing.
Quite interesting too, is Senior Assoc Justice Carpio being a guest of honor at the closing ceremony of the Joint PH-US military exercise, where Carpio mentioned that certain planned moves relative to WPS is unconstitutional.
The Agot Isidro boldness is an item too.
There is the possible move to not hold the Miss Universe Pageant here. If that happens it adds one item after another on the undercurrent that the Palace must be uncomfortable about.
Indeed for a country with less resources, too many big ticket items to confront — with mostly the roar of a lion or a mouse, whichever, to go by.
IN SHORT
I am just giving vent to a feeling here. Whether of comfort or discomfort I cannot quite define.
(TECHNICAL NOTE: the weight of the iceberg below the waterline is about 90% of the total iceberg weight. In other words, beware of the unseen iceberg below the waterline. That is what sunk the unsinkable Titanic)
Manong NH,
You are better than CNN at parsing the issues.
Nah. We all do our bit here at Joltin’ JoeAm’s to shine some light on somethings even if below the political iceberg.
in the spirit of keeping fools in the motto of TSoH,and your mentioning of Gordon’s bold statement. Here it goes,pretend this is Gordon telling you know who to…..
NHerrera,
Based on the development in the other post. Thumbs down to Gordon.👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
And if I may add this item:
SEN DRILON QUESTIONS FINANCE SEC DOMINGUEZ DURING THE CONFIRMATION HEARING.
******
Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon on Wednesday raised concerns on President Rodrigo Duterte’s “insults” against the United States, fearing these could put in jeopardy the $3-billion official development assistance (ODA) fund the Philippines is getting from Western countries.
…
According to Dominguez, the total ODA received by the Philippines from the US and other Western countries amount to $3 billion in total.
“The question that is in everybody’s minds, in maintaining our independent foreign policy, do we have to insult our allies? And here you are talking about $3 billion in official development assistance,” Drilon said.
“Eh pag araw-araw iniinsulto natin ang atin mga kaibigan, hindi ba ito maiilagay sa alanganin yung $3 billion na ito?” the senator added.
Dominguez replied “that there might be a school of thought that would say it’s not advisbale to do that.”
Asked whether he belongs to that school of thought, the DOF chief said: “I’m not the Foreign Affairs minister.”
******
http://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/drilon-fears-dollar3-b-aid-from-west-put-in-jeopardy-over-duterte-%E2%80%98insults%E2%80%99/ar-BBxjyPQ?li=AAb280R&ocid=spartandhp
Whaat! Only the DFA sec can tell the president to tell that is not advisable to insult our allies,and the rest of them can just clap their hands.
B.A. Baracus has another message for the clapping brigade.
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
— Hamlet (1.4), Marcellus to Horatio
This line spoken by Marcellus (and not Hamlet as is commonly believed) is one of the most recognizable lines in all of Shakespeare’s works. Despite its fame, this line is left out of some productions of the play¹.
… (The quote in context)
Shortly before midnight, Hamlet meets Horatio on the battlements of the castle. They wait together in the darkness. From below they hear the sound of the men in the castle laughing and dancing riotously; the King draining his “draughts of Rhenish down”. Hamlet explains to Horatio his dislike of such behaviour. To Hamlet, drinking to excess has ruined the whole nation, which is known abroad as a land full of drunken swine.
Horatio spots the Ghost of Hamlet’s father approaching. Hamlet calls out to the Ghost and it beckons Hamlet to leave with it. Despite the pleadings of Horatio and Marcellus, who are afraid that the apparition might be an evil entity in disguise, Hamlet agrees to follow the Ghost and the two figures disappear into the dark.
Marcellus, shaken by the many recent disturbing events and no doubt angered (as is Hamlet) by Claudius’s mismanagement of the body politic, astutely notes that Denmark is festering with moral and political corruption. Horatio replies “Heaven will direct it” (91), meaning heaven will guide the state of Denmark to health and stability. …
Deja vu? Are we looking at Hamlet all over again? Who are our reality dramatis personae? Surely we know who the Ghost is.
Who will play Hamlet and ask to be or not to be? And who will play Agot Isidro,recommending a psychiatrist to stop Hamlet from contemplating suicide.
Place your bets!!!!!
Confronting Pichay, Barbers reiterated his remark that his colleague’s suggestion was “stupid” before hurling an expletive at Pichay, who, while still seated – also fired back with an expletive.
When Barber’s tried pointing a finger at Pichay, the latter parried Barber’s arm and stood up, ready to engage his fellow lawmaker. The two continued hurling expletives at each other, while people around them restrained them.
At this point, Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque Jr., who was also opposed to the voting, moved to adjourn the hearing.
Barber’s stormed out of the room, while Pichay remained in his seat. House committee chairman Rep. Roger Mercado first eventually decided to adjourn the hearing
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/584753/news/nation/house-fails-to-vote-on-cha-cha-after-barbers-pichay-nearly-came-to-blows
🙂
What if the subject matter is the reintegration if Surigao?
….and the clapping should be appreciatively thunderous….or else ???!!!!
Joe, I stared at my computer monitor for several minutes, acknowledging with a bleeding heart what you have written, expressing what I have wanted to write since the formation of the super majority at the Senate and at Congress, on to the level of poison that has been the daily offerings in the social media; and lastly upon reading the nauseous results of the 2 nationwide surveys on trust ratings of the current president.
I have spent the better part of my morning reading parts 1-4 of Maria Resa and company’s comprehensive report and analysis entitled “Propaganda war: Weaponizing the internet”. Connecting that to the hefty increase in the proposed budget of the Office of the President made me conclude that this administration is bent on copying what Russia’s Putin and the PROC’s propaganda machine aimed at controlling the hearts and minds of almost all the Filipino citizens with the exception of 11% critics they labeled as yellowtards, yellowturds or whatever.
Thank you for trying to open the eyes of my fellow Filipinos. I truly hope your efforts and ours will not be in vain.
I will understand if you decide to consider other options for your family. I am ashamed , really ashamed, at the same time I pity those who are so misinformed and those who readily swallowed the DRUMS (Rumors, Untruths, Myths and Smears) of the admin’s propaganda machine.
err, DRUMS (Disinformation, Rumors, Untruths, Myths and Smears)
Thank you, Mary Grace, for your compassionate heart.
The biggest worry I have for my motherland is, hindi maganda ang feedback sa mga bansa sa Africa na nagbukas ng kanilang pinto sa Tsina. Pati na ang mga tagaTibet at Hongkong nagpoprotesta laban sa Tsina. Bakit sa Intsik tayo makikipag alyado?
Here is an article to support your comment.
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21639554-china-has-become-big-africa-now-backlash-one-among-many
In the past Philippines is a real communist community not a democracy.
This is my question in what you said how about the US allied are the’y helping Philippines? to be strong in any other aspecs of life Iike call of nature in a disaster or in business or in military they not!. think about it?
It’s a god way what is happen today in my country Philippines.
US troops were first on scene at the Tacloban airport after Yolanda to clear it so emergency aid could get in. The US was the second largest donor after the UK to help the PH recover from the typhoon. Intelligence information from satellites and drones is presumably used to help stop terrorist incursions and bombings (recall threat against the Pope). The military standing by is a real factor in maintaining Filipino independence.
May I inquire as to your location, nationality and interest in the Philippines?
I agree. It’s God’s way what’s happening today in the Philippines. It’s God’s way of saying, “My children, you really never learn, do you?”
Unless, of course, you agree with what Leonardo DiCaprio’s character said in BLOOD DIAMOND about God leaving this place a long time ago.
I have not followed this discussion. But it is not just Filipinos who need to look after themselves. So do expats.Here is an ABC newstory about an Adelaide man named Damian Berg arrested for drug pushing in June. But the court found him not guilty after CCTV footage from his hotel showed that the PNP police seized him in his hotel room not on the street with drugs in his possession.
He is now safe in Australia with his pregnant Filipina fiance.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-12/cctv-frees-adelaide-man-framed-on-drugs-charges-in-philippines/7925200
Hi Joe, I’m concerned for your safety. I haven’t seen any evidence that Duterte would be concerned by public reaction if he had you eliminated. Stay safe.
Thanks for your concern, David. I don’t know why they would eliminate me when all they have to do is ask me to stop writing. Plus, I basically support President Duterte’s aim to control drugs, if not his method. I think his people are doing some constructive work on the pragmatics of moving people and he for sure can inspire the masses in ways that others have not. He also runs a powerful communications program. I just wish they could deal in facts and truth instead of selling us pigs ears. My main objections are EJK’s, China, propaganda and the aggressions emerging from young people, which I don’t think are healthy. I allow him a personality, which many do not.
That said, I suspect I am on a list somewhere.
That Filipinos sadly possess a culture for putting themselves first over their countrymen and country compared to other nationalities is not news. That our government institutions and public officials who have been entrusted to put the public’s interest and follow and uphold the nation’s laws are now only serving themselves or those powers who can advance their interests is unconscionable and unacceptable. I do not think Joe is advocating that Filipinos abandon their ship of state and give up on the government and their country though the blog title may sound like it. The existing chaos in our political leadership and their worsening neglect of their duty to serve the public underlies the need for decent Filipinos to demand changes in government behavior, and perhaps head off a need to change the government itself.
You are correct, as per usual, caliphman. The article castigates the Legislature for letting the people down, in a nutshell. I’d like to see more democratic reasoning and principles emerge to counterbalance the wild style of Executive.
Hi Joe,
I do not have the words to empathize with you, being a full-blooded Filipino who is just as disgusted as you are with the madness in my country. I can only say this, though: I hope you find peace and security very soon. I do not know where you will find it but I am sincerely hoping that you and your family do not get involved in the “drama” that my country is in. Now, this is not being non-patriotic of me. I just feel really bad for those expats who initially believed that they would somehow have better lives in the Philippines, only to find out one day that they were better off in their own countries.
Yes, it is a case of expectations not matching up very well to what is delivered. I expected security and economic well-being. I also thought the Philippine leadership was pro-democracy, which is obviously not the case, even within the Legislature.
it’s truly sad that expats have to experience these things… the Philippines says so many things about itself which are not even true when you finally start livng here and you see the realities… but i do hope that things will get better for my country in the long run.
i feel expats will still enjoy paradise finas if they will not get themselves involved in the dirty finas politics despite what is happening today. continue to be nice and friendly to the neighbors and there will be no problemo. ncr is not the whole philippines where most of the pleasant and the unpleasant exist…the rural setting is a great place kaya balik probinsiya ako.
hi cruise, o yes, i also like the province better. it just sucks that i’m stuck in the city right now. but you’re right, most of the dirty stuff happens in the NCR region
Joe Am I disagree with your blob. I think that it is too early in the game for you to make conclusions as to the direction the country is going to. You all must remember that our beloved President is just in the 100 days of service to the country and he has surpassed all the accomplishments that the old administration never accomplished in six years of shameful leadership. I am very thankful that we have a man with the leadership of a true compassionate person who is willing and able to commit himself to make this country great again. If there was no Duterte in our midst right now can you imagine the consequences of the drugs that De Lima and her cohorts are selling to our people? Go where ever you please Joe Am, I don’t really care. I will stay with the man whom I believe is true and honest in his quest for the betterment of the country.
Fred Escobar
Okay, Fred. Check back in now and then and update us on how well everything is going. Where are you, in the Philippines, if I might ask? I presume you are Filipino.
Judging from his opening sentence,Fred must have read your FB post about the blob.
Joe of course I am Filipino. I live in Canada though but I keep close tabs on what is happening in my country. I truly believe that our President deserves to be given time to prove to everybody that he is committed to making the country great again. Now is the time to have a man like Duterte who is passionate in his desire to help the poor, eliminate drugs and corruption in the government. The rest of the politicians that we have had in the last 50 years never had an intention to better the country in true honesty but instead they are full of rhetoric and corruption that put the country where it is now. They are only interested in enriching themselves and their cronies as have seen. Let us all support the true intentions of our new President who is trying his very best to better the lives of all Filipinos and the country as a whole. I am vigilant Joe and you and I will see for ourselves the fruitful results of an honest endeavor supported by the masses itself. Thanks for the privilege to say my two bits.
Fred Escobar
You keep on saying, “committed to making this country great again.” I guess if you are in the US you will be voting for Trump. You like them guys, huh? Please tell me why.
Okay. You will have to pardon me if I find your view pollyanna and distorted for the omissions, and it for sure does not reflect that of the relatives of the dead or those such as myself who figure every time we pick up a keyboard it will be our last light of day. But you have a great time there in Canada where the air is crystal clean and the sun sometimes shines so brightly off the snow that one can develop blindness.
Funny, Fred…the man you pin your hopes to accomplish your dreams has been quite open on his associations with the Marcos family who was listed as the top corrupt leaders of the whole world for a decade since his overthrow before he was relegated to just number 2 by Suharto. This family has spawned super corrupt cronies and oligarchs that helped him rape the country’s coffers. Another is the alleged plunderer GMA who helped China and their close buddy Razon to reap billions from the NGCP long term contract where capex and maintenance costs are shouldered by us Filipinos leaving here in the Philippines via Meralco bills which keep increasing so NGCP can maintain their billions in profit.
So what other projects are these groups contemplating to continue the plunder where the billionaires keep increasing their billions or is it trillions now, while the poor are struggling to pay for their electric bills, their food, their basic needs? I hear they are now into railroading the Charter Change to perhaps accomplish their glutinous schemes.
gluttonus schemes, aarrgh!
*******
“Glutinous” works as in sticky schemes. Money sticks.
*****
hahaha, sticky indeed. Their souls were equally stuck, they can’t seem to break away from thieving, they want more, more…their insatiable greed knows no bounds.
BTW, my correction isn’t even correct…another aaargh!
gluttonous excessively greedy. “a gluttonous, cigar-smoking capitalist”
synonyms: greedy, gourmandizing, voracious, insatiable, wolfish; informal piggish, piggy
“doesn’t anyone ever feed those gluttonous children?”
Philippines is GREAT. The current administration can make it even greater, however, at the moment I don’t see them making that happen. In fact, I fear the opposite of great is happening. And support “true” intentions of our new president? Of course. But how do you support intentions that are mostly vague. Just my two bits.
Sandpitter, like I said earlier, we have to be a bit tolerant. We have to give our President time to prove himself. Remember that he just walked in in our midst and not seated so to say; so lets give the guy a chance…??/
The tolerance stance makes sense for economic affairs and foreign policy. But there are tangible metrics for the number of killings outside of any judicial process, and it is indisputably in the thousands. For many, one death of an innocent would be too much. And the thousands of deaths are of innocents, a presumption granted all citizens of the Philippines prior to trial.
So the appeal for tolerance places the next death on your own head and such conscience as you may have, Fred, as surely as if you had pulled the trigger yourself.
Nailed it.
If I have a son,
– who curses her sister Duterte Style because her sister refuse to lend him money because he will just waste it on his gang of friends
– who disrespects her mother Duterte Style for asking him to clean his room
– who after a night of triumph with his team in a basketball game gets up rather late on Saturday to do the usual household chore on weekend
guess what is tolerable and what is not. Fred Escobar, do you have a sister? Of course, you have a mother.
Hey Sandpitter I think you are tolerant yourself and that is a good characteristic. I also believe that patience is a virtue…….
Mr. Escobar, Mr. Duterte didn’t just walk in and hasn’t seated himself, as you say. He wanted to walk in and now he is seated. Nobody pointed a gun to his head — unless he was pointing a gun loaded with hubris at himself.
Bondurant I’m sorry but your reply doesn’t make any sense at all.
Mr. Escobar, you’ll pardon me, I hope, when I say that I won’t be holding my breath (metaphorically speaking) while waiting those “fruitful results of an honest endeavor” that you say are inevitable.
We may wake up and do something about your master.
Plata o plomo?
The Lone Ranger has a supply of silver bullets, maybe he will use them for were wolves.When he runs out,then back to lead bullets.
I quite agree with you, Mr. Escobar. In less than a year, Mr. Duterte almost singlehandedly outdid Mr. Aquino. The nosedive the peso is taking is truly amazing.
I guess now we know who is the owner of the Davao plane.
”She said Huang met with President Rodrigo Duterte at least three times: twice before the former Davao mayor won the presidency in the May 2016 elections and once after he assumed his position”
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/12/16/n-ecija-mega-rehab-center-to-open-november-doh
Yes, I was reflecting back on that article and bit of research. Thanks for closing the loop, solving the mystery.
The question is: Why would they send the shabu AND pay for the rehab? They want more addicts, right?
It’s like the one selling the bullets also pay for the funerals…make’s no sense.
Maybe you can make this a subject in your writings?
Maybe I will. I am getting skilled at critical thinking, Duterte style. I stand on my head yoga style and it makes sense to we of upside down Western values.
Yes, that seems to be a fruitful thing. I didn’t have to stand on my head yoga style, but I did a little bit of that style of thinking and posted a note below. Note my thought on the Mossad (October 13, 2016 at 10:34 am).
That mega rehab center has its background during the Ex-pres. Pnoy administration.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/06/19/1594450/construction-p50-b-prison-nueva-ecija-push-through
How low can they go?
Thank you Sup for your detective work.
Thea,correct,the original plan was to move NBP to Nueva Ecija,but what will happen to their ongoing expose if they go on with that.
I don’t know why Atty Boy Aguirre is bitter,but may I share this,after the Corona hearing covering of ears incident,he had coffee with my dad and myself telling us in passing that he got the job at Clark Development,then after a few months in another meeting and a cup of coffee,he said he lost that job.(Maybe that added fuel to other issues).
I am just trying to connect the dots,and voice out my disappointment to one that I respect .
From the House of Rep we move to the senate.
In the senate side,I was really disappointed with the Trillanes bashing,because he is also close to us,and when he has time,he calls my dad and vents out all his frustrations and my dad’s role is to just listen and give a little guidance and moral support.
From my recollections the time Aguirre mentioned he lost the CDC vp and legal counsel post,was during the Mamasapano hearings,he has an axe to grind,if I may say so.He was the lawyer to his cousin General Napenas.(Aguirre’s mother’s maiden name is Napenas)
As another backgrounder,Aguire’s dad was a longtime LP member(per wiki,40 years as chair)Even Duterte was LP.
We know Duterte hated Delima for the DDS stuff, I am trying to understand why Aguirre is behaving this way aside from being a classmate of Duterte,being a lawyer to that Laud guy,etc.
CDC was under DOTC,maybe it was Abaya’s fault. joke.(as Irineo used to say,it was a half joke)
You love us,Joe, that is why you get angry when you see us throwing ourselves into deep abyss.
For who in these days will not feel the same? What is happening is like “bangungot” (nightmare is still a soft comparison) when one tries to awaken himself but couldn’t even move a finger. The feeling that there is a heavy object on top of one’s chest. Will he able to wake up? Or be found dead in the morning?
But then, I tell you, if he survives, he will sleep again tomorrow. He might even forget how it was for it will vanished into his subconscious. However, “bangungot” will leave him scared.
This is how I see us. We are scared but we do not take precautions to evade “bangungot”. We live a life not caring for ourselves. Stubborn and selfish.
And Joe, thank you for loving the good in us and feeling the pain in our imperfections.
Ironically, most of us see the imperfections of others,specially of your kind.
Joe,
Here is something for you. From the opinion piece of Philstar’s Federico D. Pascual Jr.today, he mentions of the paucity of statistics on how Filipinos regard mainland China, but there is no lack of statistics on how Filipinos in general regard the US of A:
“Ratings for China have slipped in France, Spain, India, Italy, the UK and Germany… 37 percent of Americans express a favorable opinion of China, essentially unchanged from last year’s 38 percent.” But there was no mention of Filipinos’ opinion of China and the Chinese.
As for Filipinos’ regard for Americans, we have Pew reporting in 2015 that 92 percent of Filipinos view the US favorably. The Philippines has consistently topped its surveys — leading to the arguable conclusion that Filipinos are the most pro-American people in the world.
The Pew survey was based on 45,435 face-to-face and telephone interviews in 40 countries. In the Philippines, 1,000 adults were interviewed in Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilonggo, Ilokano and Bicolano.
Now, I thought to myself: aah that must be because of a certain Joltin’ Joe that quite a few social media people I know — the balanced, better, kinder, thinking kind, that is — regard as more Filipino than many Filipinos and who, in his own way, fought and still fighting for the Philippine welfare; but who lately has been very disappointed about the state of affairs.
Have a nice day, Joe. Give my hello to your wife and son, who though different in age, I imagine as one of my grandsons. It is a overused but still gives me quite a lift when it comes to mind — “Happiness is being a grandparent.”
Happiness is being an older parent, except when one’s son makes fun of his gimpy walk, gained from one too many jaunts up and down the basketball court.
Thanks for the background data. I know that Chinese in Los Angeles are well regarded for being smart, studious and successful. I’m surprised that so many American Filipinos are not pro-democracy, in its finer sense. They respond emotionally to the trumps and duterte’s. I don’t think American Chinese are all that much into the well-being of China, proper, but are into their own successes. Much the same as with Filipino Chinese.
I think Duterte’s dance is for commercial gain, and I hope they inspect the train tracks and cars to see the quality of material and product.
DISCLAIMER: I believe you know from previous postings way back that I have Chinese ancestry and so do many Filipinos. I am one to say that the Chinese have a lot of good traits, among which are those you mentioned. The ruling mainland Chinese from the time of Mao is not really the mass of the Chinese, who like the mass of Filipinos aspire for the same things. Unfortunately the old Chinese tradition has changed by osmosis from the Politburo Think.
About the last line, I hope they do.
isn’t that what prdd is saying that he wants finas to forge an economic alliance with tsina? lim a hong and ling a yen gulf, does that not sound a twerp of the past?
> I think Duterte’s dance is for commercial gain, and I hope they inspect the train tracks and cars to see the quality of material and product.
Sir, I would respectfully choose Kawasaki instead, on the basis that their bullet trains have never got involved in an catastrophic accident for decades, that their railway cars are used by JR and New York’s MTA.
HIGHLY INFECTIOUS VIRUS
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/13/1633128/lawmakers-nearly-come-blows
Birds of the same feather.
Yeah both from Surigao and I think Mikey Arroyo(?) acted as referee because of their ties to GMA.
I cringed when I watched GMA actively participating in railroading the Charter amendment.
I fear for my country what with all these thieves conniving among themselves to further rape our country’s treasure. GMA and Erap cooperated with the Chinese in the rape of our EEZ, still not satisfied, they are now into welcoming them in the dry land part of our national territory through Charter Change so they and their foreign partners will continue to amass more wealth for themselves.
NGCP – National Grid Corporation of the Philippines….what is the real story part of the reason why a certain RickyRazon is among the list of Forbes list of billionaires.
Rafael Alunan III
23 February 2014 ·
A brief history of the NGCP especially Who’s Who:
Signed into law on December 1, 2008, Republic Act (R.A.) 9511 granted the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) the franchise to operate, manage, and expand the electric transmission business of the country. A product of the EPIRA law, the Franchise Law authorizes NGCP to handle the transmission grid for 25 years, renewable for another 25 years.
The franchise only covers the operations and management of the transmission facilities but the assets, including lines, substations, land, and structures, will remain with the Philippine government through the National Transmission Corporation or TransCo.
NGCP responsibility is to safely and reliably transmit electricity through the transmission backbones and improve / enhance the transmission system nationwide. The law also subjects NGCP to the regulation and policies of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in the conduct of its operations. Further, NGCP is expected to report regularly to the Congress of the Philippines to ensure the compliance with regulators and related laws.
In 2008, the consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation led by Enrique Razon, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation, and State Grid Corporation of China won the franchise to operate, maintain, and further expand the power grid in the biggest government auction conducted in efforts to reform the local power sector.
In March 2010, Henry Sy Jr.’s group, OneTaipan, bought out the 30-percent stake of Monte Oro Grid Resources, a unit of the Ricky Razon group for $350 million. Calaca High Power Corp. of the Coyiuto group, and the Chinese group’s State Grid Industry Development Ltd., retained their stakes of 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively.
He subsequently took over as president and chief executive of NGCP, replacing Rex F. Corpuz.
NGCP will prioritize the preparation of a long-term master plan to develop a contiguous National Grid that will connect all the major islands in the country with the assistance of the State Grid of China, as its foreign financial and technical partner.
The Board of Directors of NGCP has the crucial task of setting the direction and over-all strategy of the company. The members of the NGCP Board of Directors are the following:
Mr. Du Zhigang is presently the Vice-President and Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). Prior to this, he served SGCC as Chief Economist and Director General of Strategic Planning. He was also Deputy Director of the Dongying Electric Bureau and held various executive posts at Shandong Electric Power.
Mr. Henry Sy, Jr. is the Vice-Chairman of SM Investments Corporation, Vice-Chairman and CEO of SM Development Corporation and Vice-Chairman and President of Highlands Prime, Inc. and SM Land, Inc. He also sits as Director of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Banco de Oro Unibank, Inc.
Mr. Robert Coyiuto, Jr. currently holds the following positions: Chairman of the Board and CEO of Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc., Chairman of the Board of PGA Cars, Inc., Vice Chairman of First Life Financial Co., Inc., President of Oriental Petroleum & Minerals Corporation, Chairman of the Board and CEO of PGA Sompo Japan Insurance, Inc., Director of Canon (Philippines), Inc., and Director of Universal Robina Corporation.
Mr. Jose Pardo is the Chairman of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Electronic Commerce Payment Network, Inc. (ECPay), OOCC General Construction Corp., and Philippine Savings Bank. He also sits as a director for ZNN Radio Veritas, Bank of Commerce, JG Summit Holdings, Inc., and Bank of Commerce Investment Corporation. He is also a prominent figure in the public sector having held top posts at various agencies, most notably the Department of Finance and Department of Trade & Industry.
Dr. Francis Chua is the Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PCCI). He is also the President of DongFeng Automotive, Inc., and a member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Bank of Commerce. Dr. Chua is the Consul General (ad honorem) of the Honorary Consulate General of Peru in Manila since 2006.
Mr. Wen Bo is the Chief Technical Officer of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and concurrent Director General of the Philippine Office of State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). Prior to working for SGCC, he was Deputy President in charge of law, policy research, reform, corporation culture & responsibility, and interior affairs at Xinjiang Electric Power Company.
Mr. Ma Ruoxin is the Chief Executive Adviser and Assistant Chief Technical Officer for System Operations of NGCP. Before his assignment in the Philippines, he served as Planning Division Head of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and previously held various executive posts at Shandong Provincial Electric Power Co. before becoming its Deputy Director for Power Dispatching Center.
Mr. Liu Xinhua is the Chief Administrative Adviser and Chairman of the Board Audit Committee of NGCP. An engineer with a master’s degree, he was one of the topnotchers in the CPA Board Exam of China. His previous work experiences covered the areas of accounting, finance, and corporate administration.
Mr. Anthony Almeda is the Chairman and CEO of ALALMEDA Land, Inc. and Director of various corporations including Blue Ocean Acquisitions, Inc., CUTAD, Inc., BS Square Commercial, Inc., PACIFICA 21 Holdings, Inc., Leisure & Resort World, Inc., BIGBOX 21, Inc., and MIGUELUNDA Educational Corporation.
Atty. Paul Sagayo, Jr. is a partner at Sagayo Law Offices and is currently a professor at San Beda College of Law. He was previously connected with Dechavez Bugayong Concepcion & Sagayo Law Offices, Tacardon Sagayo & Yulo Law Offices, and Romero Lagman Valdecantos & Arreza Law Offices.
I personally believe that the Filipino side (Sy, Pardo, Coyuito, Chua, Almeda and Sagayo) are there purely for business, unaware in all probability at the time they joined the board, of the implications to national security that the State Grid Corp of China potentially poses. I prefer to think that with China’s increasingly hostile behavior toward the PH, the six (6) Filipino directors will do what is best and necessary for the national interest when the time comes, starting now.
That Mikey Arroyo refereeing was just speculation,their GMA ties did not stop Pichay to file an ethics complaint to Barbers.
I love it when you are on muckracking mode.
But yes,I hope that after all is said and done,the national interest will prevail.
Lito Villegas says: The real issue here is why did the Philippine Government sold a small electric grid (transco), so small to get a good revenue is to upped the price (kwh) to its maximum) in order for a private foreign consortium to heavily profit from it, the burden cost wise eventually goes to the Filipinos, remember also China state grid profits from the technology and equipment sold to the Philippines on a regular basis. It was also estimated by the FDC that in its 25year span – NGCP will heavily profit from the sale to the tune of P400 billion pesos as oppose to the measly acquisition cost of P160 billion, and, capital expenditure funding and repairs will mostly come from Meralco users and projected IPO. And what about shares.of stock, who is buying, selling and profiting? Transco year 2008 – $5 dollars ang share, how much is the share of NGCP now? Tubong lugaw and laway lang ang puhunan! Where is the sense of Patriotism here?
Every time Malampaya undergoes preventive maintenance, we suffer the high cost of electric supply. That demonstrates that Malampaya provides us with chief energy supply, and that supply located in West Philippine Sea is so close to the artificial islands built by the Chinese right in our backyard partly encroaching our territory. We cannot enforce the Hague rule and that is expected even before the final ruling was released, but with the help of the US and our other allies, we can safeguard our other territories, Malampaya included. But with the subservient attitude of our President right now (kinda like voluntary spreading legs waiting to be raped) I am deeply concerned.
Alphaland Corporation’s January 21 launch of its Southgate Tower and Mall in Makati City could have just been a typical gathering of supporters and well-wishers for the success of one of the newest, but certainly the most aggressive, real estate firm in the country. But the host and the attendees gave the event a different color. The host was Robert “Bobby” Ongpin Jr., the trade secretary of strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Mike Arroyo was around, as well as his buddy Enrique Razon, whose firm, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is in the business of acquiring, developing, managing and operating container ports and terminals (ICTSI Inc.) in emerging market countries that the Arroyos go out of their way to visit during their controversial foreign trips.
http://archives.newsbreak-knowledge.ph/2011/01/28/newsbreak-10-the-decade%E2%80%99s-juiciest-gossip/
Dec 7, 2015 – This site has a Google PageRank of 2/10. newsbreak-knowledge.ph is SAFE to browse. Maritess Danguilan Vitug contributes here.
Lito Villegas says: the problem with solar is that, China is already the largest manufacturer of cheap solar panels, to the point of causing financial woes to European companies producing labor/environment friendly solar panels.
Bong Altair Laurel says: China’s solar is not efficient. What they have is solar panel. There’s new innovation in solar that even Germany and other European countries were caught off guard.
Naunahan sila ng Australia.
Star 8 Solar introduces high efficiency solar roof tile, solar glass and the lightest flexi-solar. They also have 100% solar powered tuktuk. These kind of innovation is something we need to consider. It’s much cheaper than the solar panel we have here and is lighter pa. Ang panel ngayon na nakikita natin mabigat at pwedeng mabaksakan pa tayo pag nag collapse ang roof. Unlimited power from the sun and cannot be control by China…
https://www.star8.com.au/
Bong Altair Laurel further states: The solution is Solar power in every home and building and transport. No need to get power from the grid. China cannot control the sun. Let’s get our power straight from the sun. The key here is we have to make solar power generating technology applicable in every structures and make it affordable to everyone. The future is to go solar. If Cambodia can do it the more we can. Cambodia is opening, on feb28, the first ever completely 100% solar powered building in Phnom Pehn. The roof, the glass building walls and the parking cover generates 160KW of power. They are likewise be going to manufacture a 100% solar transportation. The technology is from Australia and was innovated by inventor scientist Jacob Maimon of Star 8 Solar.
Mary,
Thanks for those info on solar panel. You are getting to be quite a source of info on energy items.
My reading, as a supplement to your info, is that for specific cases, especially in remote areas and for small specific items, especially house items, and items you mentioned they can be significant sources of energy, but for bulk power needed by industry, we still need traditional sources of energy at the present time. I am pretty sure though that with further developments solar power can be a significant contributor to our and the worlds power requirement.
In addition, the poor in the remote areas can not afford to install and maintain a solar panel.
So that is why a grid is still important.
Rafael Alunan III says: what con men? I don’t think that is the right description. the Chinese company is state-owned and it participated in a bid as a member of the consortium put together by Enrique Razon in 2007 that won it in 2008. subsequently Razon’s share in the NGCP was purchased by Henry Sy Jr’s company. I will assume that these transactions were legit with no malice intended.
What was wrong in hindsight was including the state-owned firm in the consortium and ceding the actual operations and maintenance to it.
Duke Rhan asks: But why should they be at the upperhand?
23 February 2014
Rafael Alunan III responds: That is the point. The GMA administration made it happen and now it must be undone somehow for the sake of national security. The govt needs to revisit its rules for privatization and perhaps draw up a black list.
I used to admire Alunan.
yeahh, ditto for me.
I got this from an article of Timothy Stanley of CNN:
“Even if the Republicans took advantage of President Barack Obama’s space exploration program and bundled Trump into a rocket for Mars, they’d still be stuck with Trumpism as a cultural phenomenon. ”
A phenomenon indeed. But we don’t have to go out of country. I can see a local phenomenon being bundled into that rocket for Mars, but we will be stuck with an equivalent … ism as a cultural phenomenon. “
I am sure the Chinese space administration will remind Duterte and entourage that they assisted in rescuing Matt Damon,with their booster. And they will offer the entourage a trip to Mars,because they have a parallel Martian program.
One moment i thought i was reading Martial….
Maybe a Martian trip can prevent that (Martial law).
Hahaha! You guys. 🙂
@ NHerrera…this morning the director of Pulsa Asia was at heastart 9Karen Davila)
She asked him what questions did they ask in the last enquete…he would not say the exact sentence’s/questions….
I don’t believe the results…
I have not been able to wade into those numbers. My quick read is
– the trust rating (not the net, which is trust minus distrust) from PA is 86 against SWS’s 76
– SWS undertook the survey about a week before PA
– when one subtracts 3 from PA’s number and adds 3 to SWS number, considering the statistical range, one gets 83 versus 79; this does not statistically close the gap
– the difference in the period of the survey, the questions asked/ methodology are factors
– there is also the phenomenon of retention, i.e. when you love someone, you cannot quite forego loving him even if evidence stares you in the face?
I am playing psychologist in the last one; although I am not qualified to do so.
you are also a love guru,manong.
Nope, Wilfredo is. But we all should retain some good measure of love in our life. And that is my advice to the President. Which reminds me — I wonder how Pnoy is doing in that area. I hope he finds the love of his life. He deserves it.
The last news I read about Pnoy,was when Edgar linked an article about him a few days ago. He spent his time reading books and listening to his vinyl records,I hope he finds the love of his life too.
@sup,
I just want to add another note about “retention.” Recall that during the high-rolling Binay’s time, we were greatly puzzled about his high ratings for many survey cycles in spite of what was being revealed at the Senate Investigation. The same phenomenon may be at work with the added nuance of the Admin’s now incontrovertible army of keyboard warriors on the warpath.
One of the surveys was about TRUST, the other about APPROVAL.
Two very different quantities – trust is in fact even more important than love I think. You may disapprove of the things someone you trust or love does but still hope it will get better.
You trust and love someone and when you disapprove of their acts,you reprimand.
sabi ni Duterte,friends don’t reprimand.
DECODING THE BIG GAME PLAN
Sorry if it sounds like I am wasting precious blog space. But I believe one or our main discomforts on the country’s state of affairs is that we have not been able to clearly decode whether the big game plan is
– for the country’s good at he end (forgetting for the moment the contentious EJKs, inspired as it is, to be charitable, by good motives), or
– for selfish motives, puzzled as we all are on the Pivot from US/EU to China/Russia, discarding known helpful friends for the unknown.
My guess is that this puzzle has been solved or decoded by honest-to-goodness spies of Mossad, MI6, CIA, not to mention their counterparts in China and Russian. (Is it possible that Da Boss is most fearful of the Mossad, because its country is known to use unorthodox methods unlike the kindly others; hence the quick and profuse apology?)
It is after all a fertile season for spying hereabouts unlike any other time in our history? In the novels and films I love, it used to be Berlin — whether about the Germans or Russians, Berlin is the setting I love.
(Forgive this geriatric for extending the reel world to the real. For I am greatly confused now what is real. It is not helped by listening to the President making rambling speeches — always surrounded by the Armed Services, which somehow reminds me of images circa 1940-1945?)
NHerrera,
You started being an analyst at 3 years old,listening to Quezon and Laurel?
There are only 170,000 Jews in Israel but about 8 million Jews in America.
We do not want to lose Israel,though for their water desalination techniques,and agriculture know-how.Plus they can offer military ammo too.
He should also be wary of Mossad.
*******
Karl, only 170,000 Jews in Israel?
*****
I thought karl meant 1.7 mil another zero missing (keyboard finger lazy). 🙂
Yikes.it’s not me,it’s my arthritic fingers.
Totally messed up on that one.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Jews
more than 6 million Jews
This is where I got confused.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Jews
That is where I got the 170,000 figure.
It represented American Jews in Israel. My bad.
*******
That’s a strange statistic. Why keep track of the number of “American” Jews in Israel as opposed, say, to “French” Jews in Israel? Unless, they carry American passports and are not permanent residents.
*****
Yes Edgar,quite strange.
They are so difficult to count, they all look like each other…hahaahhaha 🙂
ahahaha
Karl,
More like reading too many spy versus spy thrillers. 🙂
Yes, I believe your calculus is quite correct: the Jews both in the homeland and the many in the US. You can demean Obama and Ban-ki-mon but a big no-no on the Jews. Hence the quick and profuse apology.
wow! the math professor said that my calculus is correct. Yahoo!
If anything, Da Boss must be watching RT and CCTV. Wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to watch Oliver “Tinfoil” StoneD’s Snowden.
Nora Aunor had a movie which she — her character was a young woman purported chosen by a supernatural deity to preach and heal followers) utters at the end, “Walang himala!” (“There’s no miracle!”), which somehow spells out just how religious belief is tied up with political leadership.
Every president, from the vantage point of a mis-educated Filipino who is also too devout, is seen as a messiah, a king, a miracle worker who could bring wonders upon his or her doorstep. They were promised more miracles, of a new age, a paradise where everyone could enjoy the comparable prosperity of Singapore (perhaps the most-overused yardstick of what Southeast Asian prosperity should be)… yet most of them fell short because of politicking and politicians’ personal interests, so by the end of their terms (save for late Magsaysay, whose dynamic continuity was cut short) most presidents are ballyhooed for their failure to deliver their promises.
They expect action, immediate, direct, and if needed be, cut to the chase and deal with it directly with blood and guts. This is why they voted in a man puffed up to be the “action man”, the alpha male, the king of kings… nevermind that his campaign was bankrolled by questionable oligarchs, crooks, and cronies who have bigger plans in mind — great profit with deals from a couple of burgeoning plutocracies.
“…22 If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. 23 At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.…”
Matt 24:23
*******
Perceptive. The two pre-martial law presidents we hold in high esteem seem to be Quezon and Magsaysay.
*****
You got it right bro. Godbless you.
Just to close a lingering thought on “decoding” from the above post.
THE BIG SMOKE SCREEN
Two big ticket items:
– the war on illegal drugs with its associated EJKs
– the Pivot from US/EU into the relative unknown China/Russia
Most of the attention have been made on the former because of the big emotional thing that it naturally attracts because of the killings — perfect for the under-the-water strategy
Less attention focused on the latter, as important or more important as the former, depending on one’s calculus
I believe the first is a BIG SMOKE SCREEN for the second. For what primary or ultimate motive, I have not been able to decode.
*******
There seem to be signs of big bucks — no, big renminbi — to be made.
o The huge delegation accompanying Duterte to China
o The speed train from Clark to Manila
o Mary’s mention of the NGCP
*****
You have just cleared quite a big cloud of smoke from the screen, edgar.
Sounds like gravy train to me.
I agree.
Pardon the length. If I may be blunt and frank:
Emotion is not the way to dialogue (debate) with the Dutertehearts. They will and always will have the high ground there. Liberals here are—frankly—part of the Establishment Intelligentsia. I suppose it is a rule of thumb around these parts that an academic is either a Liberal (from classical to Christian Democrat to social democrat) or a Leftist (from Democratic Socialist to Communist) and they’re all mostly not happy too. And journalists, for the most part, remember all too well what a state without restraint—and a willfull strongman—feels like; besides, their jobs are virtually impossible without the rights guranteed by a liberal and democratic republic.
With that in mind, to talk emotionally with Dutertehearts is akin to an East Coast Liberal in NYC fervently lecturing a jobless white guy in Detroit on why he should vote for Hillary rather than Trump. Actually—in tactically leveling the playing field of the debate—I think it is good to observe Hillary’s approach.
Of course, a disclosure: I lean a bit towards the left, and therefore I don’t like how she and her husband does things sometimes. But, I respect her good intentions—often it is forgotten, in many fits of self-righteousness, that Simouns were Crisostomos once and perhaps still are—but that is straying from and besides the point.
The point is: Hillary’s temperment, at least, is worth emulating. Walang Personalan. Trabaho Lang.
In terms of temperment, liberals must avoid the two follwing pitfalls:
-Going Emotional.
See above. Also, the Dutertehearts, like the Trumparts and Brexiters, view themselves as the or representing the “Real Filipinos” as opposed to the “Ivory Tower Academe, Land Cruiser NGO Crowd and All-Talk Mainstream Reformists” (their view: hence quotes) people. Hence, that slogan: “Sa Atin To Pre” of those pro-Duterte ballers during election time. Observe the reaction to Romney’s “The 48 Percent” and Hillary’s “Basket of Deplorables” remarks. Observe also the reaction to classing supporters of Duterte as trolls.
-Going (Unintentionally or Intentionally) Condescending:
I am talking about two kinds of condescending: the intentional and unintentional.
The intentional is obvious. It is when it is directly presumed that because people like Mocha Uson don’t have PHDs, their opinions are automatically given consideration or even regarded as outside of any relevant consideration. That is plain stupid. Just allows Dutertehearts to play the hip “rebel” card to the hilt. Gives them moral high ground even.
The unintentional is a bit more complex. It is a bit hard to describe; the best way I can describe it is it is like not seeing someone or something, despite them being there. And it’s at a subconcious level. Perhaps—what Isaacson described as Steve Job’s Reality Alteration Field. Yet, to illustrate this, I would like to point to the Rappler-Duterteheart conflict. It goes like this: R does not portray the President’s bloody policies well, DH calls foul and explains the President’s (their) side of whatever’s being portrayed by R, R releases a (thoughtful, if I may add) series of articles on how social media is negatively affecting the body politic, DH laughs it off.
Ask yourself. Having Rappler’s (right now: 2 out of 4 articles out) brillant ongoing series on social media and politics out there, why are people (30+% “annoyed” if you look at the moodmeters on the articles) are still not convinced.
Uhm—if I’m not mistaken as I am far from being the exercising, athletic type of guy—technical points in boxing are related to how many hits you can land on somebody. With this boxing analogy in mind, let us translate the above: R lands one solid hit, DH releases a flurry, R lands another solid hot, DH releases yet another flurry—DH wins by TECHNICAL KNOCK-OUT.
The rhetorical punches landed by Rappler are slow and few, but powerful: statistics and an explainer on the full and broad context of social media in politics. The rhetorical punches landed by the Dutertehearts, on the other hand, are fast and many: witty snark, constant 24/7 coverage of De Lima conspiracies, constant rebuttals of the “establishment” (i.e Rappler) by name among other things.
Add that, like oil to the flame, the fact that the Dutertehearts are the “rebels” of this game of very high stakes—and they are PLAYING, I cannot stress this enough, THAT CARD TO THE HILT. Why is that important? Because the Dutertehearts know their role (rebels) and have the perfect tactics (fast and nimble) to harness their strengths, while critics of the adminstration have tactics (slow and reactive) that get all the weaknesses and none of the strengths of their role—the center that must hold, the moderates, the good establishment.
Why does the Center not see—this is what I mean by “unintentional” condescension. Thoughts like:
“Outfits like TP, S.R.G and even GRP are just on “social media and therefore aren’t a serious threat. We don’t need to address them directly. We don’t need to rebut every fallacious point they have. Truth will win out in the end.”
Balderdash. Social media is, for better or worse, THE public square. Might as well be the noble who looked at the first newspapers and thought, my family shall reign until the grandchildren of my grandchildren. Where some see as a serious rebuttal that challenges the very context of social media in politics—most Filipinos will see a “pikon” Rappler being rightfully beaten by those “badass” rhetorical Robin Hoods.
Perhaps thinking:
“After all, did Rappler even rebut anything that my news sources on FB said? Did those fancy columnists with degrees on the Philippine Daily Inquirer even rebut the analysis that I’m getting from TP and S.R.G. ”
So, what’s the answer.
1. Take them seriously. EVERY opinion they have that is not rebutted (whether brillant or stupid—and DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT assume that most are the latter or that the former is rare) is TRUTH to the people. Rebut. Rebut. Rebut.
2. When engaged in dialogue, be deadma. No emotion. Just rebut the what is erroneous in the facts and fallacious in the arguments in a clinical, if politely detached, fashion. DON’T be baited into emotion. DON’T “condescend” and use—however it is justified—appeals to authority.
Just give the facts. Water those seeds with cold water. Calmly.
Hillary wins against Trump when she unabashedly embraces her technocratic professionalism—just the facts. I may disagree on quite a few things with her, but her attitude and temperment is worth emulating in this situation.
We live in complex world. This national debate that we’re in is not even black and white in simplicity. Yeah, there are trolls in the ranks of the Dutertehearts—but there are many genuine supporters in the rank-of-file who may get some of their ideas from some thought leaders who are not trolls, but genuine and intelligent supporters of Duterte—people, who are in many ways, akin to being the opposite numbers of people in this blog.
Hell, I am open to not all of the my arguments pertaining to my political stance not winning out. So long as the debate is level. So long as the debate isn’t between an uncertain establishment and a bunch of rebels wrapped up in triumphalist populism. A bad debate is a debate where two sides leave angrier and more convinced of themselvea. Not productive.
We ought to have a level and productive debate for the nation. Because stuff like boasting of FB popularity is absolutely juvenile and proves nothing
Addendum:
I consider the debate far from over because I have yet to see critics of the administration directly, head-on deconstruct pro-Duterte narratives in the same (“bara-bara”) way pro-Duterte commentators have relentlessly assaulted the credebility of the media.
I stand corrected.
Just read a post by someone from the Rappler social media team directly addressing one of those pro-Duterte bloggers. By name and—sa Filipino pa.
Francis,
Go to newspaper’s comment threads,how many times have you seen an author rebut his commentors,zero to a few.
We are lucky here,the author engages the commentors,most of the time.
I appeciate your plea to have a debate devoid of emotions,I would like that too,but we are all human.
Before, we do the react to a certain sentences or certain paragraphs,objectively,but how can you avoid subjectivity while interacting.
Good for you,that you say eveything in one or two comment boxes,but few people do that,nowadays.
What is lacking is not in comment rank-and-file to author-commentator dialogue but in pro-Duterte author-commentator to critical author-commentator dialogue.
You hear pro-Duterte author-commentators call out their equivalents in the mainstream press who are critical of the administration, but you don’t hear mainstream commentators in the press (preferring to adress them generally, i.e “trolls” or “in social media”) address them in an equally specific fashion.
That gives pro-Duterte voices based in social media the “illusion” of momentum. As if beating a guy who doesn’t fight (seriously) back is victory.
It is, I recognize, a matter of organization and I hope someone above us guppies recognizes that—but it’s also a matter of…a matter of…
…what grinds (reallu grinds me) me is how pro-Duterte commentators on social media can pull off such targeted “critques” (restraint in politeness) but they don’t have to get the same treatment dealt to them?
No, I’m not talking about trolling (that is, harassing) them. That’s not gonna help for reasons in my long post above. I’m talking about somebody taking down their claims and opinions with the rhetorical and logical force that they’ve been doing.
Someone who can answer their fact-based sassy punditry and with equal sass, panache and facts.
Every opinion that isn’t directly questioned will might as well be truth to millions of Filipinos. And I don’t think that’s what helps make a productive national debate. And a productive national debate is what all Filipinos, regardless of political colors, deserve.
To be clear, I’m not demanding anyone here to take up the cudgels or anything like that. Just needed to vent and take this off my chest. -_-
ok,no problem.
I vent too.
Sometimes I vent and rant, just to lessen the weight off my chest when I observe how my countrymen are happily approving and trusting this cussing Chief Executive of our now hapless land not realizing that happy days are here again for the Marcoses and the GMA families, two of his major campaign contributors.
Add to that is the thought of what would happen to our country under the hands of these thieves in cooperation with China. Cha Cha here it comes…it’s now being railroaded in the HOR, soon in the Senate and later the programming and conditioning of the minds of the majority of the voters to ratify whatever they are planning and scheming for.
Is this still democracy?
What an effective and financially supported propaganda machine in and out of the social media can do to condition the hearts and minds of the citizen!!
Are we all sitting in the gradually boiling water like the frog in that fable?
Jacuzis will sell like watusi if everybody notices this boiling frog phenomenon.
hahaha…!
New Year is creeping up on us…what will it usher in? I hope no more deaths.
Seriously, the boiling frog comparison is quite apt. Most of the Filipinos are enjoying life those who still can, that is… or coasting along, doing nothing and calls those sounding the alarm bells as doomsayers and mocks or ridicules us while they go on with their carefree lives.
I read everything you wrote, Francis, and I’m not sure who you are talking to or what you want people to do. They are just doing what they are doing now, I think. Different people have different roles to play. I consider my audience to be opinion makers who can formulate ideas based on what they read. Literary “emotion” can make the point sharper. As a guy on Twitter said, at some time people will declare me a genius for saying the obvious. Well, I say it sharper, sometimes with the emotion. I don’t write to Duterte supporters unless they want to read, which is why there are few trolls here.
You may, on the other hand, work the forums (fora) any way you choose, or do a guest blog the way you’d like to see one done. Or build your own audience of influence. I doubt that you can control much the way others participate or feel about things, though. They are where they are, doing what they do.
For sure, one advantage of the Duterte propaganda machine is its organization. It has content providers, wholesalers, worker bees, and bots. The opposition has zero organization. If you personally want to have a great influence on the dialogue, you will set out to organize the opposition. Or someone will. Not me. I’m a content provider.
Ah, sorry for the long rant above.
It wasn’t directed to you or to anyone in particular. Just a tired rant to get stuff off my chest…at how…outgunned…critics of the administration are.
I follow pro-administration voices for balance and to understand the other side…and it is just that this problem of being so out-gunned is as glaring that…I find it no surprise that so many people are convinced…
Sigh. -_-
The institutions are busted, corrupted as it were. The people have no leadership. They are speaking mainly to themselves. All the geniuses are devious I guess, or the opposition is lazy, glued to their keyboards pounding away and pretending that is the same as doing something bold. It’s not.
I agree. It is the behavior of a lot of chickens in the face of a bully (dog). A case of “you first, I will follow.” I once read an article which discussed this behavior rather well. That is why a bully with or without cohorts, especially with some but just a few can intimidate a lot. Numerically, we have about 300,000 Armed Group with about 150,000 PNP and of course the population is 103M. (And the whole armed groups I am sure are not about to slaughter on the say so of one who acts like a lunatic to start with.) A critical mass is needed and needs a good spark.
However we talk as chicken behavior of a lot, one cannot disagree with the toughness of our women folk like Sen De Lima. And lately the actress Agot Isidro.
Her words is a classic which I am sure will find itself in history:
“Unang-una, walang umaaway sa iyo. As a matter of fact, ikaw ang nang-aaway. Pangalawa, yung bansa kung saan ka inuluklok ng 16 million out of 100+ million people ay Third World.
“Kung makapagsalita ka parang superpower and Pilipinas eh. At excuse me, ayaw namin magutom. Mag-isa ka na lang. ‘Wag kang mandamay. Hindi na nga nakakain ang nakararami, gugutumin mo pa lalo. Pangatlo, may kilala along psychiatrist. Patingin ka. Hindi ka bipolar. You are a psychopath.”
Chemrock,
If you have the time can we have your views about what happens to the Philippine Peso and its associated economic-financial wake when the blowback to the Pivot or PHexit from US/EU to China/Russia becomes felt.
I checked the currency chart and got the following: from about 1.50 GBP/USD before the Brexit it is now about 1.20, and we are talking about Great Britain, not the Philippines.
Some locals — probably not to cause panic or most probably not to offend the Admin — is saying that the peso will be about 50PHP/USD by year-end or so. To me if it stays at that rather “benign” level (my non-economist take), we may be able to manage, but is this realistic when the worse of the PHexit happens, if PHexit really happens.
(Of course, when that does happen, it may be academic; we may be talking about Pesos/Renmimbi by then. Unfortunately, it seems Renmimbi itself is not very healthy — like comparing Cancer of the Lung/ Cancer of the Bone [pun intended].)
I wonder though if the cost of the pivot won’t be in the things that are immediately felt (like the exchange rate), but in the hidden costs, the things we don’t see. Definitely a lot of foreign aid will be lost—and let’s not ask the question of whether Russia and China can replace that.
The RMB thing is probably lost on deaf ears, though. Some people will point out how RMB is now included in the IMFs SDR basket—never mind that it doesn’t correlate to how powerful the RMB is as currency.
You are may be right. Or it may occur in phase with the problems you mentioned but with different magnitudes, at least in the beginning. As I said above I don’t know the dynamics involved not being an economist or a finance man.