Tag Archives: Rodrigo Duterte

Politics

Philippine Politics: The New And Improved Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Will the real Rodrigo Duterte please step forward?

Just like that famous commercial for a soap detergent, there is a new and improved presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte — prim and proper, no profanities and an image of a rebel standing up against the elite and the biased media.

In a speech at  his alma mater, the Lyceum of the Philippines, where he did not utter a single profanity, Duterte said he is actually taking “the posture of a radical” when speaking in a brutally frank manner. This is to challenge the ruling class and the public officials who seem to only care for the elite.

“I am testing the elite in this country because, historically, we are fundamentally a feudal country,” he said. “I am testing the waters of radicalism. (I act) as if I am irreverent, (but) it’s not really true. I pray to God always.

Duterte also took a swipe at Manila-based media, saying he does not have such a bad mouth in reality. He said he just uses foul language because he is fed up with journalists who twist his statements. “In this country, (the ruling class) wants everything to be prim and proper. They control the media, they control television and all, and they want to do governance in accordance with their interest. That’s how it is,” he said.

So, as an estimated 54 Million Filipinos troop to the voting booth on May 9th, they will be choosing between two Duterte’s: the foul-mouthed mayor and the God-fearing, prim and proper candidate for president.

Many will probably vote for both.

Stay tuned for The Adobo Chronicles’ extensive coverage of the 2016 Philippine presidential elections, brought to you by the new and improved Tide detergent.

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Government, Politics

IDIOTORIAL: Which Combination Will Emerge In The May 9 Philippine Elections?

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imageIDIOTORIAL: Take It Or Leave it

April 22, 2016

The countdown to the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections has begun: T minus 15 days! Assuming the absence of poll irregularities, it is the Filipino voters that would eventually decide who is going to be their next president and vice president.

The beauty (or stupidity, depending on your perspective) of Philippine election laws is that the voter is not obligated to stick to one and the same party when choosing the president and VP. One can vote for the presidential candidate of one party and the VP candidate of another. It’s mix and match. Like the Filipino halo-halo. Or pinakbet.

From all indications — other than the dreamworks of the Yellow party — the presidential race is down to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Grace Poe. Poll after poll has attested to that.

For VP, it is a contest between Leni Robredo and Bongbong Marcos.

The big question now is, which combination will end up victorious?

If opposites attract, then we predict a Duterte-Robredo win, or a Poe-Marcos tandem.

Both Duterte and Robredo pretty much lack the political experience — at least on a national level. Governing a city is very different from governing an entire country; and being the widow of a well-loved government official does not make one qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Similarly, experience separates Poe and Marcos. The former is relatively new to politics while the latter has been engaged in it for decades — directly or indirectly (and you know what we mean).

If Robredo becomes Duterte’s VP, what role will she play in the administration? One is an autocrat, the other a democrat. One’s vulgar, the other very prim and proper. And can Robredo stand up to the dictatorial ways of Duterte? Will she have the backing of the Filipino people should a clash occur between her and the mayor? Will she have the stamina to stay on, or will she eventually say, “that’s it, I give up?”

If Marcos becomes Poe’s VP, will he try to assert his ways? Will he use his political legacy from his father to try to scheme to amass greater power as VP, or eventually, as president? On the other hand, will Poe’s calm and charm overcome Marcos?

Well, the decision lies in the hands of the Filipino voters, whether they vote wisely, or blindly.

As for The Adobo Chronicles, we’re rooting for a different combination: Poe-Robredo.

We’ve had women presidents before and that didn’t go quite as well. But perhaps a woman tandem for president AND vice president will do the trick? After all, while the Philippines has largely been male-dominated in the halls of government, it has also historically been a very matriarchal society — where the woman has the last say in most every household. We’ve heard of the phrase, “Under the saya” so many times before (pertaining to husbands being subservient to their wives).

So, dear readers, which one is your “dream team?”

On May 9, 2016, may the best man win. Or the best women!

–The Adobo Chronicles

International, Politics

Donald Trump’s Response To Mayor Rod Duterte: ‘As President, I Will Deport All Filipinos’

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imageMIAMI, Florida (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte threatened to sever ties with the United States once he is elected on May 9 this year, and U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump is thanking him for it.

Duterte made the threat after U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg criticized the mayor for comments in a viral video in which he said he should have been first in line in the serial rape of murdered Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill. Duterte made the same threat to Australia whose ambassador also condemned the mayor’s comments.

Upon learning of Duterte’s threat, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Trump thanked Duterte for making his job as president much easier.

Trump has consistently said in his campaign that as president he will deport all undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

The real estate mogul said he will not only deport TNTs (the Filipino term for undocumented immigrants), but also revoke the naturalization papers of Filipino Americans.

Trump, however, said that he is open to U.S.-based Filipinos to apply for political asylym if they can prove that going back to the Philippines will subject them to persecution under a Duterte administration.

Latest census figures show that there are about 4 Million Filipinos now living in the United States.