Dear President Duterte: “Ummmm, any chance you could up your game?”
Building takes a lot of hard work. [Photo credit: Philippine Star]
By Joe America
Decisions have consequences, Mr. President. For example, if others see Filipinos as rude, OFWs have a harder time getting jobs. If the nation is considered a dangerous bastion of killer cops with no respect for international conventions, then investors don’t want to bring their money here.
I think you would agree that Filipinos from Mindanao to Batanes are wonderfully friendly and welcoming people. Take the loud and happy local fiestas. Fiestas represent the rich heritage of the nation’s tribal upbringing, and the open arms every Filipino extends to guests. Why would we want to project to other peoples that Filipinos are rude and crude rather than genuine and warm?
Now, it may be useful to you, I will give you that. Bad language and rash decisions may enable you to keep others off balance. That makes them easier to push around. You can open up new paths through the thick conventional woods. But, eventually, people tire of it, see through it, and start to turn away. Perhaps it is useful, in the short term, as a way to drive stakes through the heart of convention, but it cannot prevail as the way of the leadership of a dignified nation.
People DO want dignity, after all. They want to be thought of as modern, as being able to stand side by side with any other peoples on earth . . . and feel no shame.
You botched it big time by making improper remarks about Vice President Robredo in a public forum. Even the women who support you must certainly have found their respect for you shrinking just a little. Their own dignity as a woman in a man’s world was undermined.
It adds up, you know? Enthusiastic support becomes something else. FVR is a vivid illustration. It’s not opposition, exactly. People want you to succeed. But it’s disappointment, or dismay, and who knows where that leads.
As for the drug war, may I suggest that you have made your point already? Drugs are bad and the State has no patience, no room whatsoever, for them. We get it. Most agree with you. But I believe . . . for Filipinos here and around the world . . . you need to find a way to end the killings. They are inspiring too much damage, to families, to Filipino integrity, to local communities, to your own reputation and ability to lead, and to the nation in the eyes of those who could help make the Philippines stronger and richer.
The pace of killings is jaw-dropping. What, 40 per day or so? The guilty and innocent without checking, without proof.
You know that human rights laws represent an effort of the global community to guarantee that people around the world will be treated fairly. It is an effort to end the brutal ways of our inbred human unkindness, the physical or psychological harms fueled by bigotry, ignorance and emotional needs.
Human rights initiatives represent a global effort like the climate change initiatives, an entire world striving to better itself. What does it serve the Philippines to be seen working AGAINST global well-being? Against the best efforts of people to be kind and fair?
Declare a cease fire against drug users, peddlers and suppliers. Raise the fines for violations to high levels, and start building jails with the money. Put them to work at hard labor building something. Build a few rehab centers for those needing help.
But bodies in the street?
Not a good presentation at all.
Not good for you, or for Filipinos who have to explain the killings to their friends, their prospective employers, or their God.
You are an action man, I give you that. Lots of credit to you for that. You have shaken up the establishment royally.
Good.
We needed that.
Keep shaking things up, but remember there is a difference between construction and destruction, and at some point, the emphasis needs to get to the building part.
Take it on as a challenge maybe. That’s my suggestion. Are you a big enough man to INSPIRE allegiance? Or can you only get it by threat and violence? That’s the cheap way, and ultimately destructive way. I mean, these trolls on the internet casting their poisons in your name. Is that really YOU? What you want to be remembered for? THAT kind of thing? They are trying to force allegiance rather than earn it.
It never truly works except at a superficial level, for a short time.
The building way is to earn admiration, given willingly. That way lasts, and grows. It’s hard to do, yes, but it’s something your mother would understand, and be proud of. And so would the nation.
Perhaps you should challenge yourself more, eh? Rather than getting cheap praise from all the sycophants around you, maybe aim for something more difficult. Aim to gain the respect . . . not necessarily the agreement . . . of those who today are not on your side.
Aim to build the nation rather than carve it into pieces.
Any old yahoo can stoke divisions and anger and order people about. Trolls and pissants are a dime a dozen, blowhard malcontents who get their jollies by pissing people off.
It takes a truly big man to build the kind of unity and respect that people want to participate in. That honors them.
Honor the Filipino, eh, Mr. President?
That’s the main idea of this note. I’m sorry I babbled a bit to set the context.
Put honor for the Filipino at the core of all that you do, and you will . . . with your ability to get things done . . . awaken the Philippines from its eternal slumber and shoot her directly into global prominence.
Not the ignominy we see today, the shame so many feel.
Best wishes on crafting success, should you choose to do it the hard way. Success the easy way will inevitably lead to failure, so you might give that a thought or two. History tells us that over and over again, and I don’t think you are a slow learner.
Respectful regards,
Joe America
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
*******
I want to comment particularly on Duterte’s unbecoming remarks about Vice President Robredo.
Sexual harassment is defined as “any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behavior, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.”
Robredo has made her feelings clear. She has said: “Tasteless remarks and inappropriate advances against women should have no place in our society. We should expect that most of all from our leaders.”
Duterte’s lewd behavior is unconstitutional. The Constitution provides, “The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.”
It may also be illegal. Resolution 01-0940 of the Civil Service Commission may be the rulebook for cases of sexual harassment. I am not sure it applies as the resolution is intended for the workplace in the public sector. However, the rules apply to “all officials and employees in government.”
Under the classification of acts of sexual harassment, Duterte’s improper acts of ogling and lascivious language might be classified as Light Offenses. The penalties for such are:
o 1st offense – Reprimand
o 2nd offense – Fine or suspension not exceeding thirty (30) days
o 3rd offense – Dismissal
Duterte is committing various forms of violence (physical, emotional, psychological, cultural, verbal, and spiritual) against his countrymen. Not least in sexual harassment, he is committing sexual violence against women.
Perhaps, a test case by Robredo has a better chance of succeeding than the one by De Lima. Arguably, Nixon’s non-admission of prior knowledge of the Watergate burglary and Clinton’s non-admission of sexual relations with “that woman” are lesser offenses than Duterte’s open admission of misogynistic violence.
*****
I wonder if Delima will insert this on her test case (harassing Robredo)against Duterte in the Supreme Court.
In SC decisions dissenting opinions may not be part of law, but part of history, I am looking forward tinthe dissenting opinions because I am not expecting the SC to rule against Duterte.
VP Robredo is unlikely to file a case, I think, given her clear effort to remain principled but not an oppositional member of the cabinet. The lack of respect being show the Constitution by the President and his supporters in other branches of government is quite remarkable, considering that most of these people hold college degrees and many are lawyers who should have been taught at one time or another about the value of laws in building a civil nation. I can only conclude that these are uncivil people, in the composition of their character.
*******
1. The question raised is: Can Duterte up his game?
2. There are precedents. One is the great Indian emperor, Ashoka, underwent conversion “after witnessing the mass deaths of the Kalinga War, which he himself had waged out of a desire for conquest.” He turned to Buddhism after reflecting on the war which had resulted in around 200,000 deaths. He is revered as one of the greatest rulers in all of history.
3. So it is possible but, in my own opinion, not probable.
4. Duterte’s central source of power lies in his boundless brutishness that is unconfined by any social, political or diplomatic norm. Unprovoked, he will casually speak of raping and killing. Provoked, he brooks no limits to what he can and will say. He is only limited by what he can do because he has neither the capacity nor the tools to exercise absolute power.
4.1. His central source of power as a leader does not rest on any other quality such as integrity, insightfulness, rationality, communication, consistent decisiveness, wisdom or the ability to inspire people.
5. Were Duterte to limit or to lose this central source, he would become fair game to the likes of Lacson, Gordon, and Poe who even now sense the president is weakened by his self-inflicted wounds.
5.1. Duterte has a month and a half to fulfill his initial promise of ending criminality and corruption in 6 months. At this late point, he has raised the threat of suspending the writ of habeas corpus. This is a clear sign of expected failure.
*****
I agree that President Duterte does not seem to be a conceptual or reasoning person in the sense that a reasoning person would look at the damage being done by the EJK effort and conclude that this is really undermining PH civility and regard around the world. That, in turn, can’t help by hurt people and the economy as brutishness becomes an accepted form of behavior for those with a little power, and brains and productive people follow investors in their flight from the nation. His manner seems to be illusive or manipulative as to overall aim (it is easy to question whether or not he is truly interested in the enduring well-being of the nation, versus just power and control for the privileged), and his reactive, top-of-mind decision-making that changes daily is his personal style. It would be fun to watch, rather like Blazing Saddles with bean-farts around the cowboy campfire, but it hurts way too many people.
Thanks for your parsing of the feasibility of him becoming a constructive leader. My bookie Sal is long gone, but he would not put any money on it, I’m quite confident.
Edgar, a triviality —
Yes it was Ashoka The Great who spread the first wave of Buddhism.
Many years ago I was in the Jaffna area of Sri Lanka, that was before the Tigers and civil war. I stumbled onto a special outcrop of rocks, and at the top was a sacred little place. There was a footprint impressed onto the rock and locals believed it was Ashoka’s. By the size of the footprint Ashoka must have been a giant of a man.
Speaking of FVR. I often ask updates from my dad,because sometimes he meets with some FVR men, because once upon a time he was an assistant secretary of DND for a short time during the term of Ramos.
The last meeting he attended involved Alunan, who was once a heavy supporter of Duterte in Social media, but seemed to not disagree with the opinion of the people their like Renato DeVilla,Jaime Farolan that some one should talk to Duterte and that one should make him listen.
It seems to me the President is a very intimidating presence, striking awe, but not necessarily respect, both here and abroad. The more confrontational the tone, the less he listens, or the harder he strikes out. He is a hard person to reach, I suspect.
Sir; Greeting’s! Unsa ka perfecto sa imong komentaryo? Ang pagsaway maayo apan sa pammagi nga anindot ug maayo. Apan ayaw ug gamit ug linguahe nga naga assume nga Ikaw ra ang Insakto? Nganong moingon ka ang nga naa sa palibot ni Pres. Duterte MGA BUANG unya ang mga social media trolls baratohon ( worthy of a dime ); Ikaw diay Sir; pila imong kantidad? Nag suggest ka ug respeto! Are you worthy of it? Gikan sa paglingkod ni Pres. P’Noy puro ka appreciation, ka’y miyembro ka sa Elitista ug Oligarkiya! Bisan sa daghang anomaliya sa PDAP ug DAP, puro ka pagdayeg! Sir; Unsa kini nga senyales? Kauban nani sa plan B, C ug D? Naa man ka dinha sa America; unsa’y imong nakita? Walay pinatyanay dinha? Wow! Anindot diay! Mao usab ni akong naobserbahan sa imong blog. Daghang Salamat.
PCPM Toronto, On.Ca
On Sunday, November 13, 2016, The Society of Honor: the Philippines wrote:
> The Society of Honor posted: ” By Joe America Decisions have consequences, > Mr. President. For example, if others see Filipinos as rude, OFWs have a > harder time getting jobs. If the nation is considered a dangerous bastion > of killer cops with no respect for international conventions,” >
Well, Ramon, readers can judge for themselves whether my commentary has merit or not. Or whether yours does or not. It is not a political win/lose engagement we participate in, or a personal pissing contest, but an effort to find some essential truths, some new ideas, and write for the benefit of the nation. Not everyone can see it the same. Thanks for offering your point of view.
@ Ramon: I know your message is for TSH, you mentioned PDAP and DAP, what about it? English and/or Pilipino message will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
This is what Ramon wrote (approximately):”What is perfect in your comment? (your) The advice should be good and proper. Don’t ever say and assume that you are the only one who is right. Why do you say that the people around (sorrounding) Duterte are fools and that the social media trolls are cheap (worthy of a dime). How about you, Sir? How much are you worth? You suggested respect. Areyou worthy of it? Since President Pnoy became a President, you always appreciaate him because you are a member of Elite and Oligarchs. This inspite of the PDAF and DAF anomalies, you are always praise (to Pnoy). Sir, what does this signalize? Is this a part of the Plan B, C, D? How about in America, what doyou see? Don’t crime happen there too? Wow! How beautiful! This is what i observe in your Blog Thank you very much.
PCPM Toronto, On. Ca.
Ramon, you are a coward. Writing to an american in Cebuano when you can write that in english. many of us in the philipines can not even speak or understand Cebuano. Why are you accusing Joeam of saying that the social media trolls are cheap? He didn’t say that. Most of us did. and by writing that, you are admitting yourself that you belong to the trolls. I haven’t read joeam saying, mga buang ang mga tao sorrounding him. Well, not him probably but majority of the filipinos and people from other nations think so and not only the people sorrounding him, most of all, himself is. you only have to read the newspapers from here and abroad. they sometimes appear on line. and haven’t you read the same thing in Toronto, where you now live? you aren’t worth our salt too. Did you know that?
Thanks pelang for the translation. I thought this guy has something to share, something valuable…
He did share that if you are a cabinet member of Duterte you have to leave all your morale values behind and don’t give any personal thoughts anymore not to make the Boss angry…like the NPA’ers not speaking out against the Marcos burial not to anger their Boss………
His response to Joe’s very calm suggestion to the President is way way over the top, strangely too extreme.
The trolls, I observe, are so fond of Plan B, C, D…. do I conclude that they have persecution complex, or just super suspicious?
When they read criticisms on EJKs, their usual response is why, are there no crimes during the previous admin or are there no crimes in the countries who are so against EJKs?
Their responses are kinda like that of a livid, vicious creature with fire and smoke hissing from their noses, ears and other orifice…they simply could not take that any one dares to say something wrong about their beloved PDU30.
Well, my message to these trolls is this:
Please be reminded of this advise from the current Chief Executive: “Do not hesitate to attack me, criticize me if I do wrong in my job. It is your duty to your country.” — President Rodrigo Duterte tells Filipino media (September 10, 2016)”
ramon, why shoot the messenger? Why not try to see the real intention behind the words?Please find some will to modify your behavior so you can get away from personalizing the issues. The issues need objective critical examination, not the author. Daghang salamat.
@Ramon Naguita
Hush. See what your anger has caused you. Remarks here can’t be deleted nor edited. See? TSH is not even affected by your comment instead you put your name into this mess.
All Presidents commit mistakes. They are humans too like us. They are not robots nor from outer space. And we,as citizens in a democratic country can tell him he is making mistake. That’s all we can do. We can’t dictate him, only he can decide on what actions to be taken to correct this mistake. You see, unless someone is honest and sincere enough to tell him,”Sir,Mr. President, the Filipinos are now afraid of the killings. They feel unsafe than before. Is that what you intend? Mr. President, you care for the country,don’t you?” Who else should say this, other foreign media? No, they will surely fest on every failures that our president will say. They will never feel our feelings.
Ramon is like Andres I through 10,000. They back Duterte, and they have to play all kinds of tricks (like writing in Cebuano or arguing nonsense) to try to make their case, because it is a case that they cannot make by just being open, factual, reasonable, and considerate. I’ve found it helpful to look at the internet as a kind of video game where it seems real, but it is actually created in a high tech lab that takes real human thinking and twists the thinking into fakery and story-telling. One must strive to remain sane and civil in a totally fake and manipulated environment. One can ask, who is sane? Those who have adapted and become the story tellers, or those who strive to understand there are certain truths, and seek find them. Ramon and Andres find their sanity in winning arguments and telling stories to do so, not is seeking truths that will lead us to better lives.
Beautifully written. What most Filipinos wanted to say. Tama ka Mr. Joe America.
I’m glad you found the article meaningful, olivia. I’ve been struggling with how to be a participant in what is going on without descending into the venom that comes from all sides. I tried to set the President’s affront to my own personal values aside and just write to some ideas. It’s rather the way that President Obama has to be in the same room as Donald Trump, because it is his job, whereas they would never be in the same room for personal engagements.
Mr. Ramon should realize that not so many TSH readers are not Visayan speaking so he must have written his comments in direct English.
President Duterte is not a slow learner – he just doesn’t want to learn from his mistakes which are so many – and a good leader should have started to do that on the first mistake he committed.
He promised to end the drug war in 6 months but asked for an extension in less than 3 months which goes to show that he is but a trapo thru and thru. He promised again to kill 3 million but at the slow rate the killings had been going on, even a thousand a day could only reach to a total of 2, 160, 000.in 6 years.
He was so mad at the us when the firearms were not sold but it seems he did not remember that he spoke of separation from that country..
We have here an unmistakable case of a spoiled brat who happened to be so good at making threats when he could not get what he wants and the men around him are shaking in their boots whenever he throws his now famous temper tantrums.
At lalo na pag naglulupasay na sa lupa o sa damuhan!
‘sensiya na bay, mahina ako sa bisaya!!!
Very nicely written. Thank you.
Glad you liked it.
I can see nothing but anger and hatred on every word spoken by him. Is this the kind of culture that Mr Ramon wants to be the legacy of his leader or of this administration to the next generation?
Respect, that’s what TSH emphasized on this blog. We are not alone on this planet. This is home to people who realized their mistakes in waging war against each other and causing misery and destruction to so many who were longing to live in total peace and harmony with each other.
I do not want to see children or young people speaking to anyone they could see as inferior to them (like some who became suddenly famous on FB) in words that do not show respect because we were brought up by our elders to be, first and foremost, respectful of anybody regardless of status in life or color of the skin or gender. I have seen it as the normal way of life of indigenous people in.the remotest areas of the country .who were not educated by this so-called modern education but are the most respectful even to strangers who respect them in return.
Yes, it happens that along the way, there will be commenters on this blog who just write for the sake of argument without understanding the subject.
Pathetic!!!!
Joe America, call a spade a spade. There is no need to sound condescending and yet say it in such a rambling way.
Seriously, I think media should stop asking the president about drugs and the drug war. It only irritates him. Better to make him work a different angle. Maybe the Philippines can humbly ask him to report more about the economy and upcoming opportunities. I repeat that, HUMBLY ask him to report about other things. I mean, the people can be optimistic about other stuff that don’t involve body bags and the SOCO.
My 10-centavos of opinion leans towards this conclusion: PDut’s drug war is almost like PNoy’s anti-corruption crutch/ it’s always FPGMA’s fault crutch.
Strange when such a crutch is needed, when patriotic intent to serve one’s nation is quite a wholesome one. It is a crutch to justify illegal acts, I think, rather the way a thief justifies why it is okay to rob people’s homes. The human mind’s ability to rationalize is astounding.
As a non-fan of the current and past presidents, I’ll try to keep this very detached (hopefully, not too much from reality).
I used the term “crutch” for what it truly means, regardless of legality or rationality, as support.
Imho, take this as an example:
1. PDuts throws dictator burial issue to SC, even if no one really asked him to do so.
2. SC rules in favor for dictator.
3. Image of SC + PDuts takes a hit.
4. PDuts makes another statement on the drug war and that he needs help, even suggests to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if needed.
In Pinoy terms, that’s called PAAWA effect. — a crutch to support his image/ presidency.
*******
i think there is a distinction to be made between principled and unprincipled, and between crutches and spines.
*****
Idk, maybe at first you can take their crusades/talk as spines but once they get repeated once too many…
*******
So there is no goodness then? Just illusion?
*****
I too mentioned the too much blaming GMA,if I am not mistaken, until the last SONA,GMA was blamed.But nothing wrong with the anti-corruption drive, even though there was a lot he could not control.
I refuse to believe that corruption is here to stay for ever.
I still believe that values can be taught from individuals to institutions.
Ethics,morality,responsibility,accountability and the rest are the building blocks of individuals and institutions and nations.
*******
1. I have said Duterte possesses the quality of boundless brutishness and almost no other leadership quality. However, there is another quality he has that is worth reflecting on. This is magnanimity.
2. The Society praised President PNoy for his magnanimous handling of the INC protest rallies at the end of August last year. Just to remind us, magnanimity is “the virtue of being great of mind and heart.”
3. Duterte has shown magnanimity towards the following:
o Jose Marie Sison and the Leftists
o Nur Misuari and the MNLF
o The Abu Sayyaf Group
o The Marcoses
4. The crimes perpetrated by the above groups were — are — heinous. They include rebellion, banditry, plunder, the taking of hostages and decapitation, torture and other gross human rights violations.
5. This leads us to another observation. These crimes were committed largely against the State than against particular individuals. To be sure, particular individuals were victims but they were more incidental than intentional victims. The real objectives of the crimes were lucre and power, and the victims just happened to be in the way. Or, in the case of the Abu Sayyaf, the victims were the way. But in the scheme of things, they were mere collateral damage.
6. This leads us further to a sense of Duterte’s peculiar concept of justice. Crimes against the State which are committed on the raison d’êtres of social justice and the Darwinian struggle are acceptable. This is true for all the above groups — with the exception of the Marcoses. Although come to think of it, the Marcoses’ villainy may be classified as survival of the fittest.
6.1. Conversely, crimes that are largely against self – such as substance abuse and self-indulgent habits – are unacceptable. Thus in Duterte’s world, smoking is a greater offense than killing.
6.2. This brings us back to the fascist notion of the primacy of the group, that the collective is of far, far greater significance than the individual. To Duterte, the small molecule — that he says he is — is unworthy of attention.
*****
How can he be wrong in wanting peace?
Peace talks are good.
The not going to war is also good.
But we should not create enemies.
We should not perpetuate another war like this drug war, if war against npa and Islamic groups is already tiring, what more this war on drugs, another approach must be explored to end the war.
Karl, I’m sorry for being a grammar police, but please look up the dictionary for the distinction between “perpetuate” and “perpetrate”. I think you mean the latter. I see this as a common mistake among so many people.
Raul, Karl is our resident Yogi Berra and has full license to create new words to mean whatever he says they mean. 🙂
The psycophants immediately call non supporters of Duterte as haters. It would be grand if they are not all praises, and tell their president what is what they hate about him, it seems no one is doing that. not The DFA, not the DND, not the majority in congress,not the SC, only the so called haters.
Given the point that we are looking at multiple problems caused by decades of corruption and crime, with one administration after another failing to solve them, he will have to do more than that.
I deleted the rest of your comments, Monk. This is a discussion site and you basically spammed it. If you have something to say, write about it and let others respond. That is a respectful discussion.
How about this, Mr President. You have praised Lee Kuan Yew and credited him for lots of good things he did for his country. Many thought you could be the Lee of Philippines, me included long ago before I knew about the DDS.
Lee said : “Its only in the Philippines where a leader like Ferdinand Marcos who pillaged the country for 20 years, can be considered for national burial. Insignificant amount of stolen money has been recovered, and yet the wife and children are allowed to return and participate in politics.”
How about doing the right thing. Stop the burial in the heroes cemetery. For national healing, it’s better to heal the families of hundreds of thousands of families who suffered, than the pride and ego of one single family.
If you retract, there is no loss of face. Nobody is going to laugh at you. Your non-supporters will say, look, our president listens to the people. Just like Trump, he seems to be listening to better advises, he is retaining key features of Obamacare.
Of course there remains the pecuniary issue of Imee’s contribution to your election fund. Most probably you didnt take anything since Imee herself said she didn’t give you any. After all we believed Imee never has any billion $ offshore trust funds since she never admitted. We trust what she said.
Well, you have identified the gap between our desire for respect for the law and the President’s pragmatic engagement in giving and receiving favors without any moral basis other than the gains to be had. It is almost impossible to speak across the gap because our remarks are anchored in ethical or moral rules and his ears are only open to what benefits him.
Both you and I are angling to illustrate how it is to his benefit to follow the rules, but I think he disagrees because he is after something different than Philippine well-being. That is an even bigger gap.
Indeed Duterte is after something different than Philippine well-being. Red flags are all over the place. The secret agenda is not even secret but in plain sight. Fearful, I really am.
Talking of healing, its not only about the pride and ego of one single family. In every family that suffered in martial law, i could put 10x more families that still believe in Marcos. Look at what happen last May, the son almost won. And this after 30 years of avenging against the family Marcos and also after 2 Aquinos as president. Come to think of it, after calling the man as a dictator, a plunderer, a human right violator the people’s support is till there and that support is no joke.
It is no joke also to “retouch” history and make adobo into “nilaga”(boiled pork). The vinegary taste is still there with darker soup. This retouching targeted the 37% of the total electorate comprised of 18-37 years old, mostly unaware of what really happened during the Martial Law. Reviewing his garnered votes,BBM won the “Solid North” which is understandable. The “Laglag Bala” scam whether we like it or not, has affected the votes of the OFWs. It is still a wonder to me that this scam was blown-up big by pro-Duterte,Marcos FB accounts whose followers were mostly OFWs. These FB accounts proliferated two years before the 2016 election. First, posting as common “hugot” grounds for OFWs,then later became vindictive of the Aquinos. Conny is the surname of these accounts.
Given this hard work, still BBM is not the VP ,beaten by the unpopular Leni. What irony.
What healing and moving on. He refuses to apologize because one time he said sins of the father should nor be passed on, then changes tune to his father never did anything wrong, or something to that effect.
It is true Marcos has a lot if supporters, one of my doctors is a supporter, that is why I never mention Marcos during the elections after I sensed that she and her secretary is a supporter.
But they must not rewrite history.
And do not tell me that they do not have to return a single centavo to the national treasury.
This Inquirer editorial jibes with the articles of Chemrock on Marcos.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/99241/outsize-cost-and-risks
Speaking of writing history, if they leave behind the dissenting opinions of the SC decision, then I call it a white wash.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/152380-new-textbooks-include-marcos-burial
Andres
The return of the Marcos family to Philippines and their return to politics is often attributed to the forgiving culture of Filipinos. I think this is absolutely bullshit. There is no forgiving culture at work in the ejk going on right now. Many are cheering on the war on drugs, thus staining their hands.
To me, the return of the dictator’s family is an indictment of the Filipino laissez faire attitude towards crime and punishment. Take the recent SC judgement on the burial of Marcos. Had this been the US, there would have been demonstrations in the street, forcing Congress to do something.
Your 10:1 in favour of Marcos is a figment of your imagination. EDSA came about due tova spark, ironically, by his hatchet men. All it needs for a big uprising against this burial is just another spark. I don’t think it is over yet.
TRIVIA: The paragraph below uttered by PRD says a lot about him:
“When I’m threatened, I get scared but there is a certain point in my fear when, if I think that I may die or I’m at a disadvantage, that I’m being oppressed, I become wild,” he said. “I really lose the civility in me.”
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/05/asia-pacific/politics-diplomacy-asia-pacific/latest-speech-duterte-alludes-possibility-may-not-survive-six-years-president/#.WCkqFkvxWVE
His incivility is a defense mechanism. He is a person full of fear, insecurity and anxiety.
_____________________________________________________________________________
He recently threatened to suspend the writ of habeas corpus for the entire PH based on his perception that there’s widespread rebellion in Mindanao and there’s lawlessness in the entire country that impedes his drug war success.
Senators are speaking out. They are saying that there is no plausible reason to grant PRD his warrantless arrests wish.
My take, PRD needs to redirect his focus on the economy. It is quickly going to hell in a hand basket. (iShares MSCI Philippines (NYSE:EPHE); 1 month performance = -8.42 , 3 month performance = -18.57 ; Source: Finance.yahoo.com 11/11/2016).
Poverty and joblessness are the real issues in PH. The drug problem and crimes are products of the citizenry’s impoverished conditions due to lack of employment opportunity.
*******
“…I become wild.”
How can a man govern a nation, when he cannot govern himself?
*****
Still hoping that the office will make the man.
There is a Committee on Interpretation handling cases similar to this. Watch out, it may be different from yours,JP.
If Mocha Uson can fight for her freedom of speech, why can’t I? 🙂
Give me liberty or… Never mind. 🙂
I told you, JP. They are like “kunsintidors” of this old brat.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/588860/news/nation/sotto-duterte-not-serious-at-all-about-suspending-writ-of-habeas-corpus
I see that, Thea. Clear as day in the Marcos burial, GMA/Enrile corruption charges, Bato in Vegas and cops in Espino slay. How can one stop impunity and corruption when one indemnifies the powerful and punishes the powerless?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2016/11/13/rodrigo-duterte-flip-flops-again/#1f2136711f64
Duterte’s flip-flopping on many issues like the SCS and US divorce makes investors leave, no matter what the Financial authorities say.
That picture for the blog article about building. I am thinkng in the literal sense, After the criticism of sliw paced infrastructure development, it seems that this admin can not move without emergency powers. Asking for emergency powers is proof that it is really difficult to start building.
Yes, indeed.
‘Honor the Filipino, eh, Mr. President?’ as a child growing up during Marcos’ Martial Law, I knew what an “Honorable” usually was – a scumbag in a barong tagalog. Dishonoring the Honorable was another exposing the Emperor as naked – in no way could an Honorable ever dishonor himself.
By that vocabulary and by that moral universe which I am sure Edgar can describe much better than me, those who tell the international press about EJKs are dishonoring the Philippines, not those who do them. As long as the definition is like that, forget it – they might do you in for daring.
Indeed, values are inside out when killing is proper and criticizing them is not being a proper Filipino.
Your wish may be granted. He is going to up the game. He has threatened Bangkok Sentral. The last institution in Philippines with integrity, capabilty, and international esteem and he is going to swing his wracking ball at it. Pull this down, and the pack of cards will come toppling down, peso rate will hit the ceiling.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/588758/money/economy/duterte-warns-bsp-amlc-cooperate-or-i-will-go-to-you
But hold your horses, better to sack Panelo first for bad advice.
The issue of central bank independence is a crucial one. Most countries have legislated to ensure exactly this sort of situation do not occur – a crackpot executive interfering with the fiscal and monetary management of the country. And the Bangko Sentral Act precisely does that. The president can remove the Board members under well defined circumstances, and political kowtowing is not one of those.
Bangkok Sentral is an independent corporate entity. It is not under the president’s supervision.
Not an economist here. But it seems like a death wish by Aguirre, Panelo, et al for the Peso (already @P49.20 per USD with), the stock market, investor’s confidence and the economy.
Just when I thought the “beatings” have stopped, we have this. Is there no one of our “Honorable” Senators who can, if not investigate this, at least caution the Executive of this confluence of events that may just tip the economic cart beyond easy repair?
Chem, when a country’s leader channels Dada Idi Amin in running the government, personal vindictiveness and whimsy rules over the economic fortunes and welfare of the state. At least Marcos let his financial wizards alone but as you note, but this fool is likely to bring his people and the Philippines to its knees.
As I read this new rope este blog thread
A passing thought can be scattered neurons
That fittingly amounts to jewels of wisdom
Of passion for a people worthy of peace and justice.
Move your butts, start working, all of us
If we aren’t retired and had done service.
Parental we should leave for a while
Our spoiled brat alone to his tantrums
Leave for a long while we spoiled brats too
to our louder wiser tantrums.
Roll up our sleeves, move our butts
At home like OFWs overseas
For country and family give
Their tears, sweat and blood.
Instead of mouth and hollow voices
Use our muscles and tire our bones
Extend a hand flash a smile and be
A common working man.
No more press conferences for number one
Media should go to government departments
To measure what ‘s done and not done.
Heed a think from Ho Chi Minh
WORK, Live, sing, eat, sleep, and laugh with the people
Never mind Mao, Deng, Fidel, Che, or Salvador
Be nameless but with a smiling face
An accidental hero with no statue or monument
No more yakking and yakking. Follow and live
Their humble kind of democracy
With silent pride, shut up and wake up proud
With the Filipino soul of OFWs.
No more yakking and yakking. Follow and live
Their humble kind of democracy
With silent pride, shut up and wake up proud
With the Filipino soul of OFWs. and IMMIGRANTS.
In the wake of Trump’s election as US President, traditional and social media, have voiced their comparisons of Trump and Duterte.
On being told about his supporters harassing minorities — Latinos and Muslims, Trump said,
I am so saddened to hear that. And I say, ‘Stop it.’ If it — if it helps, I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: ‘Stop it.’
Our social media should include this as another item of difference.
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/13/politics/donald-trump-60-minutes-first-interview/index.html
I saw a video of his instruction to “stop it”. It was not a sincere expression, I think. In fact, I don’t know if he knows how to do a sincere expression about anything. Like his saying Hillary Clinton was a great public servant who deserved our gratitude, after she conceded. Just the opposite of what he has been saying for months with very vile personal attacks. I am not sure there is a real Donald Trump, that is, real in the sense of having compassion for people. He is another amoral operator, working the public as necessary for whatever ends are there, at the moment.
For the record, here is a proper statement holding the US to account, a letter provided by the brilliant if someone odd John Cleese, of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame: http://cogink.com/cleese/
Nice. 🙂
If The Queen can revoke the independence of USA, can USA revoke our independence too for the same reason? 🙂
Hmmmmmmm . . . 🙂
My favorite line in his commentary was the description of American beer.
Frozen Gnat’s urine.😜
hehehehe, I actually burst out laughing so loud that my son ran in from the next room to find out what was going on.
hahaha
No more letter z on our keyboards?
Convert all vehicles to left hand and start driving on the wrong side of the road.
Chempo is used to driving on the left side, In HK and Spore they drive on the left side. Wait, do the rest of the world drive on the left side too?
I think all ex commonwealth countries drive on the left. Driving on the right is so confusing to me. Even as a pedestrian, I have confusion, even after so many years.
Thanks Chem,
It made me pause for a while. Do you counterflow a lot by accident?
Once in a while. But it does cause some mental panic. Had to think it out at times. Roundabout is the worse. Also if driving manual, gear shifting with right hand is very uncomfortable for me.
More practice and more…..hypnotism?
Chempo is right about the brain panic. I remember driving out of Heathrow in a right-hand-drive car for the first time. It required a lot of focus. Kept on going to the passenger side too. 🙂
Here is world map of each country’s driving preference:
http://www.automoblog.net/2013/06/06/import-right-hand-drive-car/left-and-right-lane-driving/
😄👍
This is the list of countries driving on the right/left side.
http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/list-of-left-driving-countries/
Thanks Thea!
@ Chempo
On manual shifts, which foot operates clutch pedal? where is the gear-shift stick, left or right?
Sonny, if you’re referring to left driving, accelerator and brake on right leg, clutch on left leg, gear shit left hand.
*******
And don’t forget… right hand on steering wheel.
*****
Ok, Chempo. Thank you. Now it’s clear – I only have to adjust my driving w/ the shift stick on my left hand and the tougher part, driving on the other side as the normal side. 🙂
It will be much easier to edit Chempo’s articles. He writes Singaporean English, which contains British spellings.
Yep
Hahaha
Thanks for giving the appropriate nuance. Tries to be a “smoother” operator then. If he continues with that he may loss support from the TDS — Trump Diehard Supporters?
POLITICS IS GOOD never it is bad, I used to pontificate as trainor; but partisan politics makes it so. To be high falutin I add: it is partisan political ideologues who make politics badder or a crime of morals. That stirred vehemence of clashing opinions for those who disdain or politicians who practise it.
Then, sort of, detergent was applied to politics: ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR AND IN POLITICS. Seems uncertain but anarchy in judgment had created inroads to political correctness. So in politics ALL IS FAIR eh? Politicians are damned by the public if they do, damned too if they don’t by those who do. So again, I Google to know more about it that in the end I will probably know less. So here is the link of links, just pick one because of the scarcity of time amid the plenitude of interest.
:
https://www.bing.com/search?q=all+is+fair+in+love+and+war+and+in+politics&FORM=EDGENN
So again? I heeded my suggestion and open to read only the last link in page 1 . And lo and behold it read like a Republican novel about Democrats. didn’t finish ’cause must move on.
http://writerbeat.com/articles/1893-All-is-fair-in-Love-and-War-and-Politics
I was able to read some political platforms and views of Trump, and in my honest opinion, it is more pro-american compared to Hillary’s.
It is vastly BS. Trump is really just a good but amoral salesman.
well, its base on what he is saying, still he needs to prove it.
Like Duterte who keeps on backtracking,retracting and flip-flopping.
He is anti-immigrant,anti off shoring and all that, but he is a businessman. Let us see, he owes China and Russia money.
Andres
All the candidates from Bernie Sanders to Rick Perry – they are all pro- America. Who is more pro? This kind of question is silly. I think what you are saying is Trump is more nationalistic. I think he is more than that. He is an ultra nationalist. These are dangerous leaders. At the heart of all international conflicts in the world, there is almost always an ultra nationalist.
You may say he is pro America, but I think his Russian connection is the albatros around America’s neck. I am dead sure US intelligence is prying into this covertly. Putin may have his hand so deep inside Trump’s arse to demand anything in future, who knows.
This is not factual but cobwebbed anecdotal:
I was in high school in the mid-fifties
when the cold war was in its lowest temperature
by the Kelvin Scale heated by scares of a WW III
with Commies China and USSR really welded
in hot embrace with each other–
a formidable couple against the free world
when out of the blue came out a prophecy
by Nostradamus kuno for the free world
not to worry because Russia like in World War two
will fight with America again against China
the real enemy daw of world democracies;
But when and how in the future
Perhaps Nostradamus did not know.
So will Trump and Putin make it so?
Perhaps Nostradamus did not know
Probably Nostradamus really did know
He doesn’t have Google which I do
But it was very yeah, a very long read
Like a dissertation abstract I must grade
And so I faltered as I gathered what it said:
“The cataclysmic earthquake will trigger other earthquakes that will destroy large land areas. Famine and fighting will set in. Countries will fight with each other over surplus food; India and China will march to seize the corn and wheat fields of Russia and eastern Europe. Communications will break down. Religious leaders will lose credibility because of their inability to explain the earth changes. Christianity will falter.”
” The U.S., Canada, Russia, and later, northern Europe, will unite together. In particular, even though the Antichrist will have taken over all of Asia, after a period he no longer will be able to control Russia. Russia will break free and unite with the unconquered countries.”
In the end this is my belief:
If a prophesy has already happened
And told by Nostradamus who saw it happened
Then good business awaits him in Carriedo
Among fortune tellers in Plaza Miranda.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisrodley/dont-freak-out-but-nostradamus-predicted-donald-1j3p8?utm_term=.jyo6xA7jO#.rbzqmGa3r
Napoleon,Hitler………….Donald
Andanar is overdoing his psychophantics. I am with Pimentel on this one.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/844114/pimentel-tells-andanar-review-your-history
Does this Pimental stand on Marcos burial signal a rift in the president’s party?
I don’t think so. In the senate, the new allies voted against the resolution on Marcos burial, with Pimentel the lone PDP member voting for the resolution. If they want to make it an issue, then Cayetano might make his move.
Karlgarcia, in my both cataract operated eyes I see an after-the-fact TEST of the propriety of any burial to be made in Libingan Ng Mga Bayani. For internment of all dead, after the ceremonies of pomp with volleys of fire or none, no soldiers or security guards should be left behind to discourage ghouls and whatever to desecrate the tombs AFTERWARDS which must be like the tombs of all who had been buried there before.
Rizal’s monument in the Luneta is guarded by soldiers round the clock or some hours of the day, but it is a monument of respect and love of his people not a mere grave for a hero. Never fear or grumble; whatever decision is made on Marcos burial in LNMB, our respect for the dead must prevail over respect for the decision.
Decisions might be wrong but HISTORY never makes mistakes, wrongs can’t be UNWRONG in history. In the annals of patriots and great highway men–GO NAME THEM– history in the eyes of the world, was never wrong. History will never be BAD water under the bridge.
Thank you for that view Andy. Respect for all dead.
slightly off-topic
Neph, another cinema recommendation, HACKSAW RIDGE. This is a movie of also escapist nature, the true-life story of a WWII Congressional Medal of Honor – amidst horrendous violence, extreme bravery of the transforming kind. two thumbs up!
Will find time Unc!
nothing to do with duterte or trump but could be accidental entertainment as one of America’s quality of greatness in bucolic purity of its arts and the rural simplicity of its artists,
when a writer writes both plus and negative sides of finance in one piece: that smacks of objectivity without frothing in the mouth. this could be an example:
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/what-investors-can-learn-from-the-trump-of-the-east/ar-AAkbUlf?li=AAacUQk&ocid=spartandhp
The Marcoses are blaming FVR for the Martial law abuses.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/11/15/1644002/marcoses-blame-fvr-martial-law-abuses
What is up with the blame game in PH? PRD also blamed PNoy recently for PH drug problem. Why can’t we tell the truth and apologize to those we hurt to cleanse our souls and give closure to the victims and their families?
Joke of the master joker…?
The Office of the Ombudsman cannot investigate Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over free travel perks because it has no jurisdiction outside the Philippines, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said Tuesday. –
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/588949/news/nation/ombudsman-cannot-probe-dela-rosa-over-free-vegas-trip-sotto
Wow! What a mess. Morales is under fire with PRD enablers lately. Hope they do not “De Limize” her.
POLITICS IS GOOD never it is bad, I used to pontificate as trainor; but partisan politics makes it so. To be high falutin I add: it is partisan political ideologues who make politics badder or a crime of morals. That stirred vehemence of clashing opinions for those who disdain or politicians who practise it.
Then, sort of, detergent was applied to politics: ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR AND IN POLITICS. Seems uncertain but anarchy in judgment had created inroads to political correctness. So in politics ALL IS FAIR eh? Politicians are damned by the public if they do, damned too if they don’t by those who do.
So again, I Google to know more about it that in the end I will probably know less. So here is the link of links :
https://www.bing.com/search?q=all+is+fair+in+love+and+war+and+in+politics&FORM=EDGENN