Duterte's Farce Drug Wars

The banner story of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today (17 July 2016) is about the bizarre encounter between Philippiine President Rodrigo Duterte and alleged drug lord Peter Lim in Davao City. According to the article, Lim surrendered to the police and requested for a meeting with the President, who had accused him of being a Triad member and big time drug personality. In their freakish interaction, Duterte told Lim to get his lawyer and gather evidence to clear himself, or he will be executed. He did boast on one occasion to have Lim killed if he steps foot on Philippine soil. That did not happen, even though Davao is still part of the Philippines. And, the alleged big fish was allowed to go free after the meeting.

The entire affair was nothing but a farce. To the 16+ million goofballs who voted for the President, it was glorious entertainment. But for the rest, the showcase was, again, the glaring incompetence of the present administration. While the unclaimed bodies of hundreds of suspected small-time drug peddlers continue to pile-up in mortuaries across the country, the alleged bluechip dealer was granted permission to abscond by the highest authority. Why wasn't he placed under arrest at least? Didn't he surrender to the authorities to begin with? That was the opportunity to show the entire nation what this war on drugs and criminality is all about. But like in other instances, this administration has no aptitude, nor the balls to act decisively on big issues.

Clearly, this nut-brained government doesn't have the goods on Lim. Or, is Lim good to this government? Therefore, the moro-moro? When Duterte announced on national TV the list of suspected major drug barons, he didn't have a face to go with the name of Peter Lim, aka Jaguar. In the meeting, the accused was instructed to come up with proof of his innocence or face summary execution. In an ideal setting, it is the accuser who is burdened to present cause of guilt, and not the other way around. It takes only the best and the brightest minds to come up with solid cases to pin down crime bosses, and successfully prosecute them. Tragically, with the likes of Vitaliano Aguirre and Jose Calida on board, the Duterte government pitifully lacks the intellectual competence to get the job done properly. That is the reason why there is a fantastic rise in theatrical shootouts between police and suspected criminal elements. Dead suspects can't be dragged to court, can they? Ineptitude and incompetence trickles down rapidly from the top to the lowest ranks.

The Ball Is In Your Side Of The Court, Mr. Duterte

The United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague has spoken; in a strong and resounding voice! Among other things, the five sitting judges ruled that the Nine Dash Line of China is nothing but a fantastic claim comparable to that of Diagon Alley; and several other tall tales we read to our children. It was also a thunderous recognition of the Republic of the Philippines' entitlement to several kilometers of water and islands on the West Philippine Sea. The world has hailed the landmark decision as a victory for freedom and the rule of law.

As expected, China has announced that it does not accept the ruling, and went as far as calling it illegal. With that, the best we can expect from Beijing would be sustained activities in the disputed sea. They have vowed to proceed with the same policies covering the issue that are already in place. In other words, change won't be coming. Their statement has been the strongest to be issued by any government on the subject; including that of the Philippines. While the international community ponders on what to do next, the communist squatters are clear on their intentions. They intend to carry-on with their illegal occupation of the West Philippine Sea!

Why So Sad, Pekto?

Perfecto Yasay is all smiles.

While millions of Filipinos were celebrating, a forlorn-looking Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay read a carefully worded statement a few minutes after the court issued the decision. The demeanor displayed by Yasay was a complete contrast to a photograph of his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua on 7 July 2016. Watching his body-language during the short press briefing, one would think he was on the losing side. The reaction from the department head was well within my expectations. Recent pronouncements by the secretary to Agence France Presse betrayed his predispositions on the matter. A mindset not welcome to the majority of Filipinos. From the statement, it was crystal that the present government officials composed of the "best and brightest" are clueless on what to do with the award that fell squarely on their laps. Did they really believe the PCA would rule in favor of a party that didn't participate in the process, and even mocked the court? Can anyone be that stupid? Who knows. The level of stupidity these days is quite overwhelming.

Now What?

By all means, let Malacanan's "best and brightest" experts study the text carefully before an official statement is issued. The sensitivity and importance of the circumstance calls for it. But please, every single Filipino expects nothing less than the protection of the interests of the country. President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to do so during the campaign. It is high-time he proves to the 62% who didn't vote for him that he can walk the talk. Otherwise, he will be exposed as a cowardly charlatan this early in his six-year term.

Peace In The Time Of Duterte

Any initiative that promotes peace between two sparring factions should be encouraged. Accords that seek to end hostilities among peoples need support from the citizens, and should be extolled. I have been a bitter critic of Rodrigo Duterte and his government. But, I encourage him to pursue the peace crusade with the various rebel and secessionist groups. Thousands of lives have been wasted in the decades long struggle between ideologies. Atrocities have left permanent scars in the hearts and minds of the survivors. It is high time the madness stops!

No Comfort Letters, Please

A year ago, I wrote a piece about the agreement between the previous government and that of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, I indicated that we should learn from the peace treaties of the past; especially the mistakes that were committed. The pursuit of reconciliation, justice should not take a back seat! The comfort letters issued by then Prime Minister, Tony Blair of the United Kingdom should be an ideal example of how not to proceed. His actions after the Good Friday peace agreement ensured that hundreds of Irish Republican Army criminals did not face prosecution for the atrocities they perpetrated during the troubles.

The Commie Bastards

In dealing with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the Duterte government should consider the past acts of the New People's Army. The NPA is composed of criminal bandits devoid of ideology. It has been involved in murder, extortion, and kidnapping. The group is categorized as a terrorist organization by the United States; and rightly so! Cadres who have participated in crimes against civilians should be brought to answer for their crimes.

And what of Jose Ma. Sison? President Duterte has hailed the communist bastard as his hero. But, that should not be an excuse for amnesty. Sison is listed as a person supporting terrorism. His deeds have resulted in mayhem and deaths to soldiers, policemen, and civilians over the years. If there is a specific individual who should not escape prosecution, it is the bastard Jose Ma. Sison!

Kill the Terrorists

It is universally accepted that no deals should be struck with terrorists. Therefore, peace with the Abu Sayyaf Group should not even be discussed. The ASG are neither rebels nor are they freedom fighters. They are a bunch of crooks who terrorize for profit. The barbarity they have exhibited rivals that of ISIS. The ASG should be hunted down and eliminated like Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

All pacts the government will agree to in the future should put the primacy to the interest of all peace-loving and law-abiding Filipinos. And not that of murderers and terrorists. Otherwise, it would just be another sell-out! A sham! And, the whole exercise would just result in more grievance, not unlike the ones it originally wanted to address.

Silence Is Never The Response

It was with great disappointment I read the statement issued by Archbishop Socrates Villegas, as a response to threats from president-elect, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City. Disappointed, because I would have preferred to hear more from the powerful organization he represents. Instead, he issues a mediocre reply. And, it took him several days to come up with it?

Silence accomplishes nothing. It will only encourage more mockery from the oppressor. It will embolden his ilk to act brazenly towards the achievement of their villainous ends. And what of the flock? Does a good shepherd indulge in silent meditation while tribulation lurks in close proximity? What good is the staff if the shepherd prefers indifference to confronting an abomination? Where will the sheep turn to when the tempest arrives? Another shepherd? These are but a few questions the good Archbishop of Lingayen needs to ponder on as he sulks in his quietude.

I don't claim to know the politics that transpire inside the nether crevices of the Philippine Catholic Church. But, I believe the monsignor was very careful with his words, and gingerly avoided any confrontation with other bishops. Laughable as it may seem, but the mayor does enjoy the admiration of a  lot of Catholic clergymen and its hierarchy. There should be an oxymoron to be found in that.

In the past, the Catholic Church has used silence as a weapon against oppressive secular powers. In the 1930s, the Nazi regime in Germany prospered using brutal methods. Thousands of people were killed or went missing in Argentina during the rule of the military junta. At around the same time in the 1970s, the equally malevolent dictator, Ferdinand Marcos waged a campaign of death and corruption in our own realm. Until Jaime Cardinal Sin heroically salvaged the situation. While the faithful suffered under the hands of tyranny, the princes of the Church insulated themselves in silence. We don't need silent shepherds. We need more cardinals named Sin!

Rape Is Not A Punchline!

The latest obscenities that came out of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's filthy mouth only reinforces the fact that the poor man is incredibly sick! What else could explain his scandalous revelations that he once fantasized on an Australian Christian missionary who was gang-raped, then murdered by jail inmates? It also proves that he and the criminals are not so unlike each other after all. And people want him to be President?

Rape is a crime most foul! So evil, no one dreams of having a loved one endure it. Countless lives have been altered and ruined as a direct consequence of this atrocity. Tyrants and dictators have been known to terrorize their opponents by sanctioning mass rape. Rape is not funny at all. People who find humour and pleasure in rape are subhuman. And, Duterte is definitely a sorry excuse for a human being. In contrast, Jacqueline Hamill surely was a beautiful creation. A selfless individual who dedicated her life to spread Christian love and charity. She didn't deserve to die in that manner. And she absolutely didn't warrant being the butt of a callous joke of the delusional animal from Davao City.

Almost three years ago, I criticised another dimwit who described the proper way of raping an overweight woman. I said it then, and I dare say it again: A sick person conceives rape in his/her mind. A totally demented one cracks jokes about it. Having fantasies of ravaging a dead crime victim's body is just mind-boggling. I thought only the most depraved necrophiliac mortician would have the audacity to conjure something like that in his head. I was dead wrong. Duterte has proven once more that he is a class above the most psychotic mind.

Rodrigo Duterte has not apologised for what he said. In fact, he has stood firm and even defended his crudeness. Here is a narcissistic fool with an over-inflated ego, and delusions of grandeur; a pathological liar; a coprophiliac; and now a necrophiliac. A person in denial that he truly needs help. Such a person does not deserve to be in Malacanan. He needs to be put in a straight-jacket and locked up in an institution. If only we had something like Arkham. There, he'd be normal.

When The Fishes Are Gone

The Cuaming Example

In the late 80's I had the pleasure of visiting a small island near Bohol called Cuaming. It wasn't Boracay, but I fell in love with its natural beauty. White sand, crystal clear water that stretched out forever. Just a few meters away from the beach, you would find coral reefs, and fishes you would only find in the gigantic aquarium at Oceanpark Hong Kong. The islanders' main source of income was fishing. And there was an abundance of it to sell and for personal consumption. The folks who lived there could afford to send their children to the universities of nearby Cebu with the income generated from their harvests. And, at that time, they didn't need to go far in order to have a plentiful catch.

But, Cuaming fishermen used illegal means in acquiring their produce. Most of them used dynamites and cyanide. They used these openly and even shared materials with each other. You would hear explosions from nearby fishing boats all day. Stories were casually shared of tragedies that resulted from mishandling of the bombs. The men of Cuaming harvested the sea using every means available to them; unmindful of the consequences of their actions. They never imagined that one day, there won't be any fish left to catch.

Now, the corals are all dead. Decimated by their poison. The fishes are gone. The new generation of fishermen from the island need to travel to distant waters to catch fish. With no fish to catch, they find it hard to survive the cost of daily living. They don't look back at their own follies though. They blame the government instead for their pitiful plight.

The SSS As Our Ocean

At first glance, the veto on HB 5842 seems callous. The bill proposes a two-thousand peso increase to the pension of some two million Filipinos. Yes, I agree it is quite disheartening to many; including my own parents. But, if we look a little closer, the action of President Noynoy Aquino actually makes sense. Especially, if you look at the timing of this whole episode.

We should put into perspective that 2016 is an election year. Almost all of the members of Congress are standing for elective posts. It is again the season when politicians love to play with populist agenda and legislation in the hope of gaining pogi points. It is a time for grandstanding! A time to give false hope to the masses! Our lawmakers were already made aware that this bill is not financially feasible in August.

They have been told that Social Security premiums need to be increased from the current 11% to 15% in order to make this a viable option. But, increasing the premium would anger the majority of workers; who are incidentally, voters. The president didn't offer false hope. It was the lawmakers who peddled this lie; not Aquino.

As a result of his actions, Mr. Aquino has drawn the ire of the beneficiaries. And I admire him for having the balls to do the right thing, however unpopular. That is political will! Signing the bill would have been the easiest thing to do, considering that his term will end in a few months. He could have approved it and let the next two administrations sort out the resulting mess. His chosen successor could also capitalize on this for his own campaign. But no! The president chose to look at the big picture. A future where present contributors to the SSS will have access to the benefits they deserve. This proves President Aquino is beyond politics. You wanted a straight path? That's your proof! It may be harsh to some, but that is the right thing to do!

It is in my best interest that the SSS survives beyond 2029. I am a stakeholder of the system. I too deserve to receive my monthly pensions when the time comes. I thank the president for looking after my future, and for not giving in to the myopic views of the selfish politicians. For making sure that there will still be fish to catch after 2029.

It Was, Is, And Will Always Be The Economy!

Several political and personal issues in the past few weeks have clouded what really is at stake in the coming general elections. I don't really give a hoot what the background of each presidential candidate is. I don't care if he or she was schooled from the best institution or not. Nor am I worried about the candidate's family background. These are all superficial issues compared to that of the economic health of the Philippines.

The specter of having Rodrigo Duterte gives me the creeps more than anything. This foul-mouthed sorry excuse for a human being has been topping polls conducted among voters across the country. He comes in as a fearless leader, determined to bring peace and order back at any cost. I shall discuss my rebuttal to refute such fantastic claims at another time. For now, I ask: What does Duterte plan to do with our economy? He's made several pronouncements, and none of them has touched on national money matters. But first, Let's take a peek at what's currently on the table.

Show Me The Money

In recent years, the Philippines has been performing quite well financially. Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch have all upgraded the country's credit rating - from near junk in 2009 - more than once. The Philippine Stock Exchange experienced record highs in the last few years because of this. Investor confidence in the Philippines has never been this optimistic.

The Bangko Sentral has also performed well in keeping the economy stable. The country weathered the Greek bailout crisis, the Shanghai Stock Exchange meltdown, and the US Fed rate adjustment. Also, the USD-PHP exchange rate has been stable, This is positive news to OFW families, exporters, and other businesses who earn green-money. As a result, he purchasing power of people who rely on monthly remittance from overseas has also stabilized.

The global futures market went down considerably in 2015. Commodities like precious metals and crude oil stubbornly stayed down. No one really foresaw oil to go down this low. Although the factors affecting the price of oil are global rather than local in nature, Filipinos are enjoying the results. Local and international travel became more affordable. Have a look at your friends' recent posts on Facebook and Instagram, and you'll see it's true. But, as petrol prices fell, it also resulted in heavy traffic jams in the big cities of the metropolis. And that is another story.

Critics of the present administration complain that wealth is not trickling down to the poor. Hollow criticisms at best. Consumer confidence remains high! The shopping malls are perpetually full. Andrew Tan was able to buy Fundador from all the Empi Lights purchased nationwide. And, have you seen the amount of firecrackers exploded in the developmental areas as 2015 came to a close? Or the average amount of alcohol consumed by its "indigent" residents during the holidays? I can assure you, my numbers would pale in comparison to theirs. In some cases,. the root of the problem is not poverty, but priority.

We are on the right path! Despite of all the acts of God that hit us, we are economically strong and stable!

Enter Duterte

The mayor of Davao City favors populist policies championed by local communists. Policies that excite the unthinking masses, but help drive away businesses who are looking to invest in a free market economy. It is no surprise, since he is a protege Jose Maria Sison. He reeks of communism; an ideology that has been proven to fail in the last century. He has announced his desire to give the reds three important seats in his cabinet, should he win. These are the departments of Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources, and Social Welfare and Development. What will stop him from giving them National Defense, and Interior and Local Government?

His pitch is anchored around the promise of no non-sense peace and order. He has threatened to dissolve congress and kill people if his wishes are defied. Peace based on threats of death and harassment?  International groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have already called our attention on Duterte's poor human rights record. He has cheekily exhibited despotic tendencies. And yet, his zealots don't mind or understand the consequences of a Duterte presidency.

Peace does not automatically equate to prosperity

We only need to look at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A country with zero crime rate. No drugs, no rape, no murder, etc. A tranquil land full of citizens who adore their leader, And yet, international investors stay away from it like the way one would avoid the crabs, or pubic lice. The ordinary North Korean suffers from malnutrition, physically and mentally. It has an economy rated next to rubbish! North Korea should be sufficient proof that a crazy leader with absolute power is not the answer to national woes.

Davao City boasts of being the most peaceful city in the entire planet (the info came from a crowd-sourcing website based in Serbia called Numbeo). And yet, investors still prefer to do business in the chaos of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. With all the propaganda promoting the city as a haven, people still look to the mayhem of the bigger cities to find work, prosperity, and business. The bitter truth is: Duterte has very little business sense, and is too arrogant to admit it. His punk-ass attitude is a big turn-off, and not an attraction. Political will is his biggest plus! But that is the only item he has in his meager arsenal. Everything else that comes after are blanks. And those are the reasons why after two decades in power, only a handful of big companies have setup shop in his locale.

Duterte Will Be A Bane

The international community is observing Duterte closely as May 2016 approaches. Recently, Citigroup asked him to unveil his economic platform. So far, the mayor has responded by saying he will abolish algebra and trigonometry from the school curriculum if he becomes president. Before that he expressed his plans to impose a 2 AM curfew nationwide. What does he plan to do with the economy? Silence... As you would expect from someone ill-equipped to lead a country. The economic climate is fast evolving. 2016 ushered in the birth of the ASEAN Economic Community. What will Duterte bring to the ASEAN table? Will he be taken seriously by other regional leaders? 

The popularity to Rodrigo Duterte has skyrocketed in the past few months. If the trend continues, he might as well be the next president of the Republic of the Philippines. That possibility scares me because I fear specifically for the future of my children, and the country in general.

We are, as a nation, on the verge of making an economic breakthrough. More than a handful of things need to be put in order after this administration leaves. But, I will state it again: We are, whether you like it or not, economically strong and stable!