The Ambivalent and Critical Political Atmosphere in the Philippines

The Ambivalent and Critical Political Atmosphere

In the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Politics is universally ambivalent and being such, nobody inside the political arena is a permanent ally and friend. In the Philippines, ambivalent politics is not just prevalent but literally, dirty. Proofs of these characteristics are turncoatism, vote buying with the use of drug money during elections, and slaying of opponents. A few of politicians who staunchly remain clean and idealistic pitifully lag behind during the election, while the rest of them who fortunately get elected, do not last long, as they are either murdered or become victims of image demolition scheme There are clear indications that the general desire of the dirty traditional politicians (trapos) to maintain their clout in the government at all cost is to recoup their expenses during the election, or simply stated, to amass a vast “return of investment” at the earliest possible time. There is a popular adage that says, “the shortest way to get rich is via politics”.

 

Currently, Duterte is a victim of the ambivalent dirty political system in the country. He got elected because Filipinos perceive in his person a “hope” that they have been wishing for, after the long decadence and downslide of the political system.  In his effort to merge with even the unfriendly elements aside from his political enemies, Duterte extended his hand to them. His effort seemed to have reaped success as peace talks have been undertaken with MILF, MNLF and NPA. Unfortunately, the NPA reneged from its promise to cooperate, proof that the said group is so splintered that its leadership has become inutile due to its inability to control their rank.

 

On the other hand, the relationship of Duterte with the MILF and MNLF seems stable despite the debacle at Marawi city which involved the initially taken-for-granted terroristic Maute Group. The Marawi debacle is the most acidic test of the Duterte administration as it has greatly affected the long-coveted federalization of the country. It has also diverted the attention of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from other urgent concerns.  The historic city and cultural seat of the Maranaos has impressed an ugly scar in the map of Mindanao that even the Islamic religious groups and elders have come out in the open to denounce the ruthless act of the Maute Group and their Christian recruits.

 

Meanwhile, politicians in Manila, have all eyes towards Duterte who is from Mindanao, not because they appreciate his effort, but because they view him as evil in his effort to suppress the drug menace. Many of them have not been to Mindanao, yet, they compete with the ageing Catholic bishops in filling the air with condemnations of the guy. That’s how it is with politics in the Philippines, the ambitious and the unthinking make noise to be noticed.

 

 

Ang Pulitika sa Pilipinas

Ang Pulitika sa Pilipinas

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Walang permanenteng kaibigan sa larangan ng pulitika. Sa larangang ito ay umiiral ang tinatawag sa Ingles na, “survival of the toughest”, o sa Tagalog ay “matira ang matibay” dahil sa makapal na mukha at matibay na sikmura. Ibig kong sabihin sa “makapal na mukha” ay matapang humarap kanino man, hindi nahihiya o nangingimi kung may pinaglalaban. Ang may matibay namang sikmura ay hindi nasusuka sa nakakasulasok na amoy sa loob ng larangang ito. Kung mahina ang fighting spirit mo, huwag kang sumabak sa pulitika. Kung wala kang financial machinery, ibig sabihin ay wala kang “financier” o “investor”, huwag ka nang pumil-ap ng candidacy form sa COMELEC. Sa kabila ng mga nabanggit ko, mayroon pa rin namang mga pulitikong pagkatapos manalo ay nagpapairal ng prinsipyo, subalit, iilan lang sila.

 

Hindi lang sa Pilipinas umiiral ang bilihan ng boto tuwing panahon ng eleksiyon. Matindi nga lang sa Pilipinas dahil sa tagal ng panahon na pag-iral ng ganitong gawi, nagkaugat na ng napakalalim sa kultura ng mga Pilipino. Tanga lang ang mag-iisip na ang mga sumasama sa mga rally at bumabatikos sa corruption ay “malinis”. Hindi magbibilad sa init at magpakapaos ang mga raleyista sa panahon ngayon kung wala silang natatanggap na benepisyo sa ano mang paraan mula sa ma pulitiko. Huwag nilang sabihing ipinaglalaban nila ang idealism at kapakanan ng bansa at mga Pilipino dahil ang iwinawagayway nila ay BANDILANG PULA o KULAY NG KANILANG FINANCIERS! Kaya malinaw na ginagamit sila ng mg taong naghahangad na hindi magkaroon ng katahimikan ang bansa.

 

Hindi lang karunungan at yaman ang namamana ngayon kundi pati na rin puwesto sa gobyerno. Okey lang sana ito kung matitino ang mga nagmamana tulad ng ilang mga kilala ko. Subalit karamihan sa mga napaluklok sa puwesto ay gahaman. Negosyo ang turing sa pulitika sa Pilipinas dahil marami ang namumuhunan upang makapasok sa larangang ito. Kapag nanalo, gusto nilang makuha agad ang “return of investment” nila o ROI at ang pinakamadaling paraan ay mangurakot.

 

Ang 10% na pabiro kung banggitin sa mga usapan, na komisyon daw ng ILANG mga pulitikong nakaupo sa puwesto ay “standard” at “tolerable” kung totoo man. Ang ibang sumisipsip, sa halip na pera ang ibigay sa mga pulitiko ay idinadaan sa regalo….standard practice din yan, maski saang bansa. Subalit ang hindi maganda ay kapag lumampas na sa 10% na umaabot kung minsan sa 70%! Ang malalaking komisyon ay gumimbal sa buong bansa nang isiwalat ni Napoles noong siya ay imbestigahan sa senado. Nasa kulungan na siya ngayon at may mga pulitikong nakakulong din…at kung maaabsuwelto sila, panahon lang at kung sinong presidenteng nakaupo ang makakapagsabi.

 

Ang nakakabahala ngayon, sa kabila ng katapangan ni Duterte ay napapalusutan pa rin siya ng mga tiwaling opisyal ng gobyerno na naiimpluwensiyahan pa rin ng mga pulitiko….silang mga naghihintay sa pagbagsak o pagbaba niya, kung alin man ang mauna. Dahil may lahi yata ng hunyango ang mga karamihang ungas na pulitiko, papalit-palit sila ng kulay upang umangkop sa kung sinong presidente ang nakaupo sa Malakanyang.

Sa uulitin….ang pulitika sa Pilipinas ay para lamang sa may makapal na mukha at matibay na sikmura.

The Ambivalent and Critical Political Situation in the Philippines

The Ambivalent and Critical Political Atmosphere

In the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Politics is universally ambivalent and being such, nobody inside the political arena is a permanent ally and friend. In the Philippines, ambivalent politics is not just prevalent but literally, dirty. Proofs of these characteristics are turncoatism, vote buying with the use of drug money during elections, and slaying of opponents. A few of politicians who staunchly remain clean and idealistic pitifully lag behind during the election, while the rest of them who fortunately get elected, do not last long, as they are either murdered or become victims of image demolition scheme There are clear indications that the general desire of the dirty traditional politicians (trapos) to maintain their clout in the government at all cost is to recoup their expenses during the election, or simply stated, to amass a vast “return of investment” at the earliest possible time. There is a popular adage that says, “the shortest way to get rich is via politics”.

 

Currently, Duterte is a victim of the ambivalent dirty political system in the country. He got elected because Filipinos perceive in his person a “hope” that they have been wishing for, after the long decadence and downslide of the political system.  In his effort to merge with even the unfriendly elements aside from his political enemies, Duterte extended his hand to them. His effort seemed to have reaped success as peace talks have been undertaken with MILF, MNLF and NPA. Unfortunately, the NPA reneged from its promise to cooperate, proof that the said group is so splintered that its leadership has become inutile due to its inability to control their rank.

 

On the other hand, the relationship of Duterte with the MILF and MNLF seems stable despite the debacle at Marawi city which involved the initially taken-for-granted terroristic Maute Group. The Marawi debacle is the most acidic test of the Duterte administration as it has greatly affected the long-coveted federalization of the country. It has also diverted the attention of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from other urgent concerns.  The historic city and cultural seat of the Maranaos has impressed an ugly scar in the map of Mindanao that even the Islamic religious groups and elders have come out in the open to denounce the ruthless act of the Maute Group and their Christian recruits.

 

Meanwhile, politicians in Manila, have all eyes towards Duterte who is from Mindanao, not because they appreciate his effort, but because they view him as evil in his effort to suppress the drug menace. Many of them have not been to Mindanao, yet, they compete with the ageing Catholic bishops in filling the air with condemnations of the guy. That’s how it is with politics in the Philippines, the ambitious and the unthinking make noise to be noticed.

 

 

Martial Law for Mindanao is Long Overdue

Martial Law for Mindanao is Long Overdue

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The gruesome killings in Marawi, the encounter at Bagumbayan (Sultan Kudarat), between the MILF and the Philippine military, the pockets of bombings in southern Mindanao are all indications that the sitting president, Rodrigo Duterte is being challenged as to how far he can bend backward without straining his spine. He has been tolerant for some time and he did it more than enough. It is high time that he should flex his muscles.

 

When he took over the land’s highest position from a lenient president, he did not lose time in calling for cooperation. But because of his obvious plan to rid the country and the government in particular, of crooks, practically, everybody with selfish motives became apprehensive. Turncoats and opportunists who thought Duterte is no different from the past presidents are shocked by his steadfast and feisty moves, so now, they are having second thoughts if they would still support him or finance his detractors which some are already doing.

 

How can Martial be not applicable to a country like the Philippines, especially, Mindanao where unrest is already brewing? How can “due process” be applied to the case of a terrorist caught red-handed while about to detonate a bomb? How can “due process” be applied in the case of  drug-deranged and useless citizens who rape innocent young women, and even elders, fit to be their grandmother? How can “due process” be applied in the case of drug lords who have constructed drug laboratories right under the very nose of conniving law-enforcement agencies? How can “due process” be applied in Marawi City where gruesome killings are being committed by the Maute Group? The supposedly “due process” has just created animosity among the victims of criminals due to delayed application of justice.

 

HIHINTAYIN PA BA NA KUMALAT ANG TERORISMO SA VISAYAS AT LUZON…LALO NA SA MAYNILA?

 

Clearly, there is a concerted effort to oust Duterte from his post. And, those who have conceived this evil design could be the concerned parties whose selfish interests have been railroaded.  Again, Martial Law for Mindanao is long overdue. Why worry if you are not guilty?

 

And, obviously, the terrorism in Mindanao is no longer hinged on religion but politics and money!

 

 

Common Sense is the Best Aid for Legislation…not the limelight-flooded hearings

COMMON SENSE IS THE BEST AID FOR LEGISLATION

…NOT THE LIMELIGHT-FLOODED HEARINGS

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

 

No amount of cover up can deny the ultimate objective of the legislators in conducting “hearing in aid of legislation”. The two Houses keep on denying that they are courts of justice, yet the way they conduct hearings run contrary to their allegation. Hearings drag unnecessarily and are kept on being conducted despite the accumulation of inputs enough to frame a law or laws. It seems that dragging is intentional as the longer the hearings are conducted, the longer they get covered by media…and that’s for free, yet!

 

On the other hand, the situations that they are investigating do not need costly hearings at all. All they need is conduct sensible and honest-to-goodness researches, for which task, they are supposed to have hired Consultants and Researchers. Expenses for these are supposed to be part of their operating budget that runs into millions of pesos!

 

In the case of drug trade inside the Bilibid, for instance, how can these lawmakers not know that such activity is not only proliferating, but has even taken root, too deep, to be budged? How can they not know that something is wrong with practically the whole system of the penitentiary which is under the DOJ, as obviously, too, despite its having an Operating Manual? How can they not give attention to the exposes made since the time of Marcos on the anomalies that began as petty ones? How can they not know that the Bilibid has become bigger than an urban barangay or even two combined, complete with luxurious facilities?

 

On the extrajudicial killings….how can the legislators not know that they are offshoots of double-timing transactions among drug suppliers and their cohorts? How can they not know about drugs being recycled by the police and has become a lucrative business among these rogues in uniform, known as, “police ninjas”? How can they not know that there are vigilantes who take the law into their hands after suffering from disappointments on how cases of their victimized loved ones are shoddily handled by corrupt judges, so called, “rogues in robe”? How can they not know that even remote barangays have been infiltrated by the drug menace, and that hideous crimes, such as rape with murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking, and many others related to it are being committed almost daily?

 

Law makers can better use their tax-paid time in reviewing old laws that need to be updated rather than come up with many more that are just shelved due to lack of funds needed for their implementation. But then, millions are filched by corrupt officials from the government coffer!

 

 

Mga Mahalagang Panawagan…

MGA MAHALAGANG PANAWAGAN…

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

1. SA MGA DRUG USERS……sana ay magbago na kayo dahil inuuto lang kayo ng mga drug lords na ang gusto lang ay kumita sa mga drogang pinapatulak nila sa mga galamay nila; kung naging adik na adik na kayo, mapipilitan na rin kayong magtulak upang matustusan ang bisyo ninyo.

 

2. SA MGA DRUG PUSHERS…sana ay magbago na rin kayo dahil itutumba lang kayo, kung hindi ng mga pulis na nilalabanan ninyo ay mismong kasama ninyo sa sindikato.

 

3. SA MGA DRUG LORDS….sana ay maging whistle blower na lang kayo tulad ni Espinosa ng Samar, kaya hayon…buhay pa siya, hindi tulad ng mag-asawang nabaril sa Caticlan. Kaya habang may panahon, magturuan na lang kayo. Yong mga dayuhang Intsik…uwi na kayo sa Tsina.

 

4. SA MGA PARI, AT IBA PANG GALIT KAY DUTERTE…sana ay ipagdasal na lang ninyo ang tagumpay ng kampanya laban sa droga. Nakakadagdag lang kayo ng sagabal sa ginagawa ng gobyerno dahil nilalabusaw ninyo ang pananaw ng mga tao na ang gusto ay katahimikan at ligtas na mga kalye, at walang adik na bigla na lang papasok sa bahay ng ibang tao upang mang-hostage dahil “hinahabol daw sila ng demonyo”; kung gusto ninyong maging isang Colombia ang Pilpinas sampung taon o higit pa mula ngayon tulad ng sabi ni Duterte, sige….kontrahin ninyo siya….bahala na ang Diyos ninyo sa inyo!

 

5. SA MGA OPISYAL NG GOBYERNONG GALIT KAY DUTERTE….bawasan ninyo ang effort upang mapansin kaya panay ang pa-interview upang ipaalam sa taong-bayan na ayaw ninyo ng mga karumal-dumal na patayan…ganoong ang pinapatay ay mga kriminal lang naman! Kung inaakala ninyong pang- media mileage ang “concern” na pinapakita ninyo dahil tatakbo pa kayo sa susunod na eleksiyon, nagkamali kayo ng diskarte.

 

6. SA MGA TRYING HARD NA NAMUMUNO NG AHENSIYA NA MAY KINALAMAN SA DROGA….tigilan na ninyo ang pagpa-interview dahil napapahiya kayo….nababalaho tuloy ang diskarte ng presidente; huwag agawan si presidente ng eksena sa pag-exert ng effort na dinadaan sa mga “sensational revelations”, sumasabog naman sa inyong mukha dahil sa pag-deny ng sinasabi ninyong “witnesses” laban kay de Lima; huwag saluhin ang mga statements ng presidente na bukod tanging siya lang ang nakaka-justify; hindi ninyo kaya ang “style” niya….kaya huwag nang mag-trying hard, please lang!

 

7. SA MGA NAMUMUNO NG MGA AHENSIYANG INAASAHANG MAGPAPASABOG NG PAGBABAGO…..wake up!…ano na ang nangyari sa inyong mga planong nasa diwa pa lang pala? Mauulit na naman ba ang mga “ningas-kugon” na mga programa ng mga nakaraang administrasyon?
8. SA BAGONG PINUNO NG PNP….we are in your behind, eheste!…we are behind you….sana ay hindi kayo mapaikutan ng mga palpak ninyong mga “commanders” at “chiefs” na inaasahan din ng mga taong “kumikilos talaga”….pero, ang iba ay hindi pa yata!

 

9. KAY PRESIDENTE DUTERTE….keep up the good work!…gusto ko ang style mo sa pag-deliver ng speech na “personalized” dahil ang feeling ng nakikinig maski sa radyo ay kinakausap mo sila ng personal dahil sa madalas mong paggamit ng “mo” sa halip na “ninyo” kahit sangkaterbang reporters na ang kaharap mo. Para ka lang nakikipag-usap sa bawa’t isa over lunch…. I like it. Pinagdadasal ko ang tagumpay ng effort mo na mabunot ng ugat ng salot na dulot droga sa bansa!

 

YAN ANG “LUCKY NINE” NA MGA PANAWAGAN KO…PARANG BUHAY NG PUSA – SIYAM, NA SANA AY MAGKAROON SI DUTERTE AT DE LA ROSA!

Dapat Tanggalin ang Sangguniang Kabataan at Bawasan ang mga Barangay Kagawad

DAPAT TANGGALIN ANG SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN

AT BAWASAN ANG MGA BARANGAY KAGAWAD

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

 

HINDI DAPAT MANGGALAITI SA INIS ANG MGA GRUPO AT TAONG DISMAYADO DAHIL SA BALITANG HINDI MATUTULOY ANG ELEKSIYON PARA SA MGA BARANGAY OPISYAL. ALAM NAMAN NILANG MAKAKAAPEKTA ANG ELEKSIYON SA MOMENTUM NG MGA HAKBANG NA GINAGAWA NG GOBYERNO LABAN SA DROGA. ANG PINAPAKITA NILA AY PARANG PAGPAPAHIWATIG TULOY NG KAWALAN NILA NG SUPORTA SA PAGSUGPO SA SALOT NA DULOT NITO.

 

KUNG MAY PROBLEMA SA MGA OPISYAL NG BARANGAY NA PALPAK ANG PERFORMANCE, PWEDE NAMAN NILANG IREKLAMO SA SANDIGANBAYAN. ALAM NAMAN SIGURO NG DILG KUNG ANO ANG GAGAWIN SAKALING MAUBOS ANG MGA OPISYAL NG MGA BARANGAY NA NAGSASABWATAN SA PAGGAWA NG KATIWALIAN.

 

SA GANANG AKIN, KUNG MATULOY ANG ELEKSIYON, SANA AY HUWAG NANG ISAMA ANG SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN (SK)  DAHIL HINDI NAMAN ITO EPEKTIBO. ANG MGA NABOBOTO, KALIMITAN AY ESTUDYANTE KAYA HINDI SULIT ANG SUWELDO SA KANILA DAHIL KAHIT WEEKEND AY HINDI NAGRI-REPORT PARA MAG-TRABAHO, KAHIT MAGWALIS SA PALIGID NG BARANGAY HALL MAN LANG. ANG IBA NAMAN AY MGA ANAK O KAPATID O KAMAG-ANAK NG MGA NAKAUPO SA BARANGAY. ANG MGA PROJECT NA GINAGAWA NILA AY KAYA NAMANG GAWIN NG KAHIT SINONG KAGAWAD, DAHIL ANG MGA ITO AY TUNGKOL LANG NAMAN SA PIYESTA AY SA PALIGA NG BASKETBALL.

 

HINDI DAPAT IDAHILAN ANG “PAGSASANAY” BILANG PAGHANDA SA MAS NAKATATAAS NA PUWESTO KAPAG SILA AY UMABOT NA SA TAMANG GULANG. BINIBIGYAN TULOY NG MASAMANG KAHULUGAN ITONG LAYUNIN, DAHIL  AYON SA IBA, BATA PA LANG AY SINASANAY NA SILANG MAGING KORAP. HINDI KO NILALAHAT ANG MGA BARANGAY DITO DAHIL MAY MGA BARANGAY NA ANG MGA OPISYAL AY MATITINO AT MASIGASIG.

 

KUNG PAKIKIPAG-UGNAYAN DIN LANG SA MGA KAPWA NILA KABATAAN ANG PINAPAGAWA SA SK, ITO AY PWEDE NAMANG I-ASSIGN SA ISANG KAGAWAD DAHIL NOON PA MANG WALA PANG SK, DATI NANG GINAGAWA ITO NG ISANG KAGAWAD. NAGKAROON LANG NG GANITO SIMULA NOONG PANAHON NI MARCOS UPANG ANG ANAK NIYANG SI IMEE AY MAGKAROON DIN NG BAHAGI SA GOBYERNO.

 

KAPAG TINANGGAL ANG SK, ANG BUDGET NA NAKALAAN DITO AY MAGAGAMIT NG BARANGAY SA MAS MAKABULUHANG PROYEKTO. AT, LALONG MADADAGDAGAN ANG BUDGET NG MALILIIT NA BARANGAY KUNG BAWASAN DIN ANG MGA BARANGAY KAGAWAD.

Duterte Has Become Synonymous to Drastic Transformation of the Philippines

Duterte Has Become Synonymous

to Drastic Transformation of the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The change under the administration of Duterte has to be drastic because some that need to be transformed even require a total 360-degree turnaround. The culture of the Filipino is the kind in which “everyone wants to have his own way”, and worst is that some don’t even want to lift a finger as his way of helping, yet, these are the ones who are overly dependent and judgmental. In this regard, the drastic change should start from within us, and the leader must show an equally steely resolve.

 

Filipinos should not only hope for a change, how drastic it may be, but contribute an effort in its realization. Understandably, hopelessness have stemmed from disappointments brought about by the failure of the past administrations. This time, something can be viewed as basis for the promised change – the transformation of Davao from where Duterte came. When the idea of Duterte running for president was floated to give way to a change, those in Manila were one in being apprehensive, as Davao is much different from Manila, much more, the whole country. As the campaign gained momentum, however, and the trending support was mounting, the feeling has become viral, changed into a supportive one, to give way to the popular clamor.

 

With Duterte very evidently sure to sit as the new president, there is a general acquiescence for whatever change he would want implemented, especially, those found effective in Davao. Even his choice for the new chief of the Philippine National Police who would bypass three layers of senior officers was accepted, unlike the past appointments that generated complaints and grumblings. The current PNP organization without even, yet, its new chief, has made pronouncements to support all plans of Duterte to prove their worth for the prioritized changes for the said agency, still viewed as drastic, one of which is the decentralization in the administration of benefits as they shall be distributed among the regional centers aside from the upgrade of wage.

 

Government agencies whose concerns are the “downtrodden” – the long suffering lowest rung of the Philippine society, are promised to be offered to the left wing and expected as one of these is the Department of Social Welfare. The left wing has been invited by Duterte to join him in steering the Philippines toward a new direction. This invitation is seen as a challenge if indeed, it can do something to improve the lot of the impoverished, as it has been too critical of the programs of the past administrations. This drastic change in the system could be seen as an acid test to the sincerity of the left wing in its promise to help the country for the better.

 

With the coming of the new hands-on president, expected too, is the drastic change in the system of the country’s prisons system, especially, the New Bilibid from where detained drug lords still operate their business. Along with this is the long-clamored  cleansing of the barangay level which observers claim, has become the breeding ground for future corrupt government officials, as well as, their being viewed as tools of the sitting corrupt government officials. There is a need that this lowest rung of the government hierarchy should be checked, a tough job for whoever will be appointed as the new secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

 

Finally, his move for a friendly relationship with China as regards the issue on the West Philippine Sea is also viewed as drastic, although, Duterte made it clear that he will maintain the claim of the country over the concerned territory. This is a practical move as since time immemorial, the Filipinos have been cordially dealing with the Chinese culturally and commercially. On the other hand, enforcing our rights militaristically is futile. His move will also indicate that we are not totally relying on the regular joint US-Philippines “Balikatan” military exercise which is America’s manifestation of her support for our defense against any aggression.

 

Some apprehensive Filipinos, this time, have just to fasten their seat belt for the impact that will be brought about the drastic changes…

After Giving Duterte Our Trust, It is Time to Give Him Our Support

After Giving Duterte Our Trust

It is Time to Give Him Our Support

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

A couple or more of years before the presidential election, due to too much disappointment and frustrations, many Filipinos floated the idea to have a drastic change and with it came up with a guy, who by all indications personify the image that the country needs…one with a steely personality – Duterte. For many, he is the only person viewed as having a firm conviction when it comes to decision-making, though, tempered with emotional compassion, the manifestation of which was seen later. But because of his habit to cuss, he was viewed as immoral, and many detractors whose vocabulary does not include the word “discipline”, even spread gossips about his womanizing, but which Duterete unabashedly admitted, adding that though, separated from his first wife, he still maintains a close friendship with her. Still, others who are not contented in bashing Duterte even insist that Davao is not Philippines…meaning, what he has done to make Davao peaceful is impossible to be done for the whole Philippines.

 

Despite all the badmouthing, the nation is bound to have a feisty, frank, honest, decisive, and a hands-on president. Contrary to what his detractors thought, majority of his supporters are women, and despite his being “immoral” as insisted by the non-believers in discipline, he was heartily endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo. Most especially, his peacekeeping and disciplinary programs in Davao are now being perceived by the Philippine National Police to be possible in Manila. This same view is being shared by many citizens who are tired of noisy China- made “single motorcycle”, drugs, destructive youth roaming the streets in the dead of the night, pickpockets, and wily taxi drivers. Practically, those who were not sold by his effort are now saying that they can be done in Manila and even throughout the country. I have to admit that I was among them but had a change of heart when I saw his determination at the start of the campaign. I made write-ups about his success in Davao City, but was apprehensive if he can duplicate them if he becomes president because he has to tackle yet, Congress and Senate, unlike a city like Davao with only the City Council to convince.

 

Although, as of this date, he is yet, referred to as, “presumptive President”, heads of many nations are already recognizing him as the duly chosen in place of Pnoy Aquino. If only to make sure that what we are expecting of him can be realized, we are bound to give him our all-out support. We should not abandon him after giving him a mountain of responsibility for the rehabilitation, though, not totally from the long-suffering or our nation…and then, blame him at the end. Personally, I hope that he will not commit mistakes in choosing the people who are eager to work with him, as they might spell his downfall despite the support of many Filipinos.

Rodgrigo Duterte: His Mind and Heart…unfairly misunderstood by some

Rodrigo Duterte: His Mind and Heart

…unfairly misunderstood by some

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

We love to quote, “do not judge a book by its cover”, but many do not seem to understand what it means, as they do not put into practice.

 

Rodrigo Duterte is one guy who has not been blessed with good looks and this misfortune is aggravated by his habit of venting his anger by mouthing cusses instead of banging his fist on table, punching a wall, etc. But, those who read about his cussing stop right there….at the time he lets out the unsavory statements as an effort perhaps, to prevent his anger from triggering palpitations. They just do not know the guy. And because they do not want to hear his unchristian- like cussing, they declare Duterte to be verrryyyyy bad!

 

His bad joke way back in 1989 triggered by the rape and death of a young missionary woman has been “exposed” supposedly by the Binay camp. But that was the time when Duterte had barely warmed up his seat as mayor of Davao City. Besides, apologies have been made…so what’s the issue there? Long before he took the stewardship of Davao City, he was already known as a “joker”. His friends can attest to that. But his being a joker has failed to cover up his strong paternal compassion for abandoned children and exploited women, especially, those who are raped and murdered, yet. That is the reason why, he is against drugs which cause the destruction of the youth’s future. Friends in Davao can also attest to that. Those in Davao who may have unkind words for Duterte are the ones who do not want reforms in their own bad lifestyle and in the city. He may have been a “victim” of a Catholic priest when he was a student, but the incident did not dissuade him from strengthening his Catholic faith, that is why, he did not hesitate to ask the help of the city bishopric about his habit of cussing when it came to a point that all his detractors are using it in their effort to demolish him.

 

Catholics or just plain Christians for that matter have been presidents of the Philippines, but it was also during their time that the country STARTED to suffer from corruption that gave birth to various sufferings of the Filipinos and the Philippines as a whole. These past presidents can be seen in photos in the company of the pope, bishops, priests, but their “graceful” images did not stop the proliferation of corruption in the country. Except for President Quezon who was known to cuss with “punyeta” as his favorite, they show very “godly” image, which in Pilipino can be described as, “hindi makabasag pinggan na ugali”…very kind, soft-spoken. But, what kind of a country do we have now?

 

The Bible is full of these hypocrites…all temple leaders and supposedly interpreters of God’s words. But, who pushed Jesus Christ towards his doom?….THEY!

 

Are we assured then, that with their kind words, these loud-mouthed hypocritically promising candidates who are condemning Duterte,  give justice to the exploited Filipinos, when they win?….assuming that they will all “do all possible ways” to win?