Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Why I believe Rodrigo Duterte is copying Marcos’ moves to set up a dictatorship

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By Raïssa Robles

(I gave this brief speech when I was a discussant in Friday’s University of the Philippines forum, “Never Again, Never Forget: Martial Law, the Academe, and the Public”. Being neither a UP professor nor a state employee who is banned from expressing political opinion, I felt I was free to point out how one presidential candidate was closely mimicking what the Dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, did in 1972. My deep thanks to the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and the Department of History for inviting me to be part of their historic two-day Forum.)

USE THIS - 2016 Elections UPDATES June 8-15

In this election, Filipinos are faced with a tough choice: Do they want democracy, no matter how deeply flawed, or do they want a dictatorship, where they hand over all their civil and political rights and trust the dictator to do good by them.

When I wrote my first book on Elpidio Quirino, I made it a study on state corruption. My latest book, Marcos Martial Law: Never Again, is  a study of one-man rule, how Marcos set it up, how he used torture and atrocities to perpetuate it.

It’s a lesson the Filipino people have not been able to absorb, perhaps because there were few books written on the subject which zeroed in on the atrocities. Those who intimately knew about it could not write it because they were still emotionally broken by the experience or had things to hide.

Although the events took place over 35 years ago, the topic was also still a minefield for libel suits. I realized early on that my approach had to be partly historical, and partly investigative in a journalistic manner.

Fortunately, I had taken a course on Historiography under Professor Taylo, although I had to drop the subject due to work. And Professor Donata Taylo was a very demanding teacher. She wanted us to read the original documents in Spanish and my Spanish wasn’t that good.

Another person who taught me research for historical purposes was Dr. Ricardo Jose, who was even then gathering eyewitness accounts on World War II. I joined him in some of the interviews. Later, my husband, Alan, who is the editor of my book and who reads extensively on history edited my drafts teaching me me how to structure, source and write history in an engaging manner.

My aim for this book Marcos Martial Law: Never Again was simple. I wanted the reader to understand how a highly charismatic person could seize power with sweet promises of reforms and a better life and rule indefinitely.

Once written I hoped that even decades from now the text would resurface if a great, great, grandchild of Marcos would again paint a glowing picture of his ancestor the dictator and use that to campaign for the presidency.

Let me cite an example of how this works. In 2007, the Vatican announced that the Spanish priest Gabino Olaso Zabala was to be beatified a martyr who died for his faith in Spain.

Unfortunately for Zabala, one of his torture victims, Father Dacanay, had written about his ordeal in 1897. In 1982, American writer and Episcopalian missionary William Henry Scott included the priest’s narrative of his cruel torture, which he called the “bamboo foot”, in his book Cracks in the Parchment Curtain:

“The victim is made to squat down on his haunches. A thick bamboo is passed beneath both knees, and then his two wrists are tied together in front with a rope, with his arms under the bamboo on each side. In this position, the victim is nothing but a ball, for if he attempts to move, he is sure to roll over on the ground. … In this contorted and painful position, [the guards] struck me many blows on the shoulders with a thick bamboo they call “brute” every time I answered in the negative, leaving me horribly swollen and bruised.”

Augustinian priest Fernando Rojo, who had pushed for Father Zabala’s sainthood, conceded that the torture incident was not taken up during the vetting process since it was not known. Filipino theologian, Father Dionisio Miranda, cautioned that honoring a “former torturer will be sending a highly ambiguous message which will ill-serve the interests of the Church, Augustinians and the ‘Blessed Gabino Olaso’.” He added, though, that Olaso’s subsequent martyrdom “deserves to be considered as having washed away all his sins by dying for his faith”.

When I was finishing my book last December, I was startled to see Rodrigo Duterte copying from Marcos’ techniques in imposing his dictatorship. And people who should know better – the educated, the wealthy and the powerful – applauding him, idolizing him.

For instance, one of the first things that Marcos did was to expand the size of the military, especially those who were directly under his most faithful general Fabian Ver. Duterte told Reuters news service last December that he would form two new army divisions to tackle security threats. That’s more or less 8,000 men. Would these two divisions constitute an army within an army, which is basically what Marcos had with Gen. Ver?

More recently, Duterte modified his statement saying he would need only 3,000 men. Still, that strike anywhere force would be under his direct command or that of a trusted general.

Last October, Duterte told Rappler:

“It’s going to be a dictatorship. It’s the police and the military who will be the backbone. If they agree with you – if the right-thinking policemen and military men agree with you – then after 6 years, there will be a new set-up: maybe a federal type, less corruption, and a fresh air for the next generation.”

Duterte also announced that he would increase the pay of police and the military, which is what Marcos also did.

Duterte said he would execute drug traffickers. Which is what Marcos did with Lim Seng early on.

Duterte said he would send the Army to “smash” Congress if Congress opposes his moves to fight criminality, Which is also what Marcos did in 1972.

Duterte said this week that if the Senate tries to impeach him over allegations of hidden wealth, he would shut down Congress. Before Marcos had imposed Martial Law, calls were mounting to have Marcos investigated for his hidden wealth abroad.

Duterte said he would also muzzle the judiciary, if the judiciary tries to question him. And that’s what Marcos did.

There are so many indications even today that Duterte –  like Marcos –  intends to violate the Constitution and his oath (as President) to preserve and defend the Constitution.

Duterte recently told graduating students of Lyceum University that he intends to put up a “revolutionary government”. He told them “I’m left of center something, but I’m not really a hardcore anti-government.” He called the Communist Party of the Philippines “too far Left. I do not agree with the armed struggle and the killing of Filipinos,” he said.

And yet he intends to kill Filipinos whom he defines as criminals.

One thing that the Marcos period should have taught us is this. Without the checks and balances of other institutions like Congress, the Judiciary and the Media, a dictator is free to define who a criminal is, who can be arrested and who can be put to death.

It doesn’t have to be Duterte, it could be someone else in the future – once that person sets himself up as a one-man rule, that person will define what a crime is and who the criminals are.

That is what Marcos did. He expanded the crimes for which one could be arrested. Duterte says  only drug traffickers and kidnappers will be killed. But who is to say that if you offend him, you could also be put to death? At least two journalists who offended Duterte in Davao ended up dead.

A one-man rule, without Congress and with an emasculated Judiciary, will be making laws as the ruler pleases, just like what Marcos did.

And here’s the thing. To Duterte, Marcos is not a criminal. Duterte sees the plunderer, torturer, murderer and liar as a hero whose corpse should be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery). He also said he would grant former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appeal for house arrest.

What few people don’t know is that one of Arroyo’s most loyal allies – retired Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon – was among those who prodded Duterte to run for the presidency. Esperon was an intelligence man who told me during a one-on-one interview that he spied on the Marcos opposition who were abroad. I can therefore see General Esperon playing an advisory role to Duterte on security matters.

Those who would vote for Duterte would be making a leap into the unknown. While he has vowed to stamp out criminality in the first six months of office, he has not spelled out what he intends to do for the rest of his six-year term.

Unlike Marcos, however, Duterte seems to be winging his plan to establish a dictatorship. Marcos took seven years to lay out an elaborate plan. Duterte intends to do it in months. That, I believe, is a recipe for disaster.

Comments

  1. That is a possibilty. The tell-tale signs are manifesting on his words and actions. Most of all, he got the ruthless Administrator of Marcos Martial Law behind his back- FV Ramos. Absolute human power like dictator or one-man rule simply corrupts and abuses its power and society. The lessons are all over history. Filipinos must not forget their own lessons and bad experiences of Martial law and dictatorship of Marcos regime and the ruthless marcial law administration of Ramos.

  2. With Duterte’s presidency, martial law will protect and save the country and its people, that’s why huge majority of Filipinos are behind him; whereas during Marcos regime, it was to protect the regime’s and his cronies. Big difference!

      • IT WILL BE. There will be a big difference if you would only pay attention on what President Duterte wanted to do for the Country. With his genuine motives. Marcos did it to safeguard his ill-gotten wealth. What do you think the President Duterte’s motives are in doing so at this period? You quoted several statements of the President just to strengthen your argument of an impending Martial Law. What about his statements on the severity of the Filipinos living conditions at this time the reason why these actions are needed to be done? Pagod na kaming mga Pilipino. Hilahod na kaming magtrabaho tapos nanakawin lang ng mga siga at makakapal ang mukhang Politiko. You even quoted BB Marcos as calling some victims are fake due to their GREED? Hello! who is he calling GREEDY? Dahil sa mga taong katulad niyong mag-isip kaya the cycle of Filipinos like us are being oppressed by Filipinos like you continues and never ends. This is what we need right now. Why? Can you do better as a President?

        • I cannot begin to answer your so very twisted logic. So I won’t bother.

          The Marcos quote is directly from him. Peks man.

        • Really convenient! And your logic are not twisted just because you dig dip into the negativities? LOL

          Your article won’t help our country so it’s better for you to shut up.

          Well yeah, the message came from statement came directly from him and you quoted it.. it must mean that you shared the same thought or you’re just playing idiot.

          Perks man.

        • sa ngayon, kung totoo ang pagiging fanatic, ay mas nakakaawa sila..
          hindi kayang alamin kung anong klaseng martilyo ang ipinipukpok sa mga ulo nila.
          the least their idol can do to them is to declare them martyrs.

        • Read the history of Martial and you will understand why we are as you see it today. Duterte’s father was part of the Marcos regime. The ills of the Filipino people dates back to the time Marcos plundered the government coffers which we are paying up until the next generation. You complained of being ‘too tired to work only to be stolen by the people in government”. Who is the government. Are we the people? Change comes only when we the people is educated enough to understand how we are govern as people.

      • Cge ikaw na lang mag president tignan natin ang galing mo o magaling ka lng sa pamumuna.wag putak ng putak kung walang kakayahan sa gawa. Di lahat nakukuha sa talino.Ano ba gusto mo sa PInas bakit di ikaw ang tumakbo at lumutas ng mga problema wag mong daanin sa talino mo.

    • Can you give us a single proof that indeed huge majority of Filipinos are behind him?

      There are over a 100 million Filipinos now.

      Only 16 million voted for Duterte – not even 25%…

      only a measly 16%. So how can you say that the voice of 16 million is majority

      when there are 84 million and above who are not represented?

      • I think you have your numbers wrong, as the 100 million + you mentioned. includes those who are ineligible to vote!

        • Even then, the 16 million plus votes he received represented only about 37 % of the entire electorate and you call that majority? At most he njoys only a plurality of the voting population!.

  3. The Filipinos as a race is not one the moves as one. The Japanese moves as one. Filipinos do not love their country especially those in the position of power taking advantage of their fellow men and country and then disappear to some place far away. The poor being the majority also take advantage of the chance to get back some of the money their politicians stole. And the cycle of hopelessness perpetuates itself. And the politicians go back to stealing more money that they just gave away. Marcos came along and again, he looked the other way as his family piled up more stolen money. Duterte as reported is copying exactly how Marcos did it his way. I beg to disagree. Marcos was unable to control his greedy wife and even more corrupt generals. I am giving Duterte that benefit of doubt because he has lived his life as simple and at his age. he does not even need gazillions of money unlike the Marcoses who until today show no remorse. Marcos did not go against the power of organized crime like Duterte is doing today. The drug menace is the product of China though unofficially but 99 percent of illegal drugs come from China and it is inconceivable that the Chinese authorities did not know of tons of raw materials used to make shabu was not known to the government given this business is in the billions of US Dollars. Importantly, I fear for Duterte’s life. These criminal syndicate has the means to do him away as he is now making a huge dent on their illicit businesses in entire Asia. So, pray for the country. There are other reasons why he is allowing Marcos be buried at the Hero’s cemetery. Rumor has it that the Marcoses may have bank-rolled his campaign in exchange for the old man buried at that cemetery once and for all.

      • i agree wih what Raissa said, Duterte didn’t explain those money he has in BPI….if he really is an honest and up front person, he should have explained that one.

  4. Just like Marcos he has die hard followers that believes Digong can never do wrong and will defend him viciously even if they are not standing on solid grounds, LOL.

    If this one succeeds, we will see a more brutal regime with equally brutal followers ready to quell dissenters who will feel justified when they meet mob justice to those they see hampering their drive even if they are innocent as long as they got included in the dreaded list.

  5. Why Does Raisa fear Duterte soo much , she can do her research in Davao , i wonder where this fear is coming from ?. or is it directed by people behind her?

      • Funny how a journalist like you believe in such publication. They’re merely hearsay.. We here in Davao don’t fear the deathsquad (the law abiding and innocent citizens, atleast), and you don’t hear any complaints from us withe how the Dutertes run our city. Those reports that you’re trying to rub to our faces does not even come close to the reality that we are living here.. it’s peaceful and everyone is living quietly.. and Dutertes didn’t even threaten us to be law abiding citizens. You haven’t done your own homework and I believe you will refuse to because you’re simply doing your so called journalism to serve your master from the yellow party.

        Do us a favor, leave Davao City and its people alone. We don’t need the likes of you. We are co-existing with all other ethnicity peacefully, and there was never a time that we’ve had any big conflict that divided our opinions towards the Dutertes. It’s the people like you that’s giving us Dabawenyos a headache.

        • Yes. Davao city is relatively peaceful because the small time criminals were summarily killed.

        • Me thinks Ms. Raissa Robles, that you are a paid journalist in the payroll of the YELLOWGARCHS. YOU CAN IMPRESS PEOPLE, YES. WITH YOUR JOURNALISTIC SKILLS. BUT JOURNALISM is not necessarily a purveyor of truth but of Propaganda. YOU ARE IN MY BOOK, JUST A PROPAGANDIST. A PLEASANT WEDNESDAY EVENING, MADAMME!

        • You thinks?
          You don’t think.
          And you, Tony, are substituting name-calling for thinking.
          Try again.

        • And you Raissa is a plain CRITIC who, until now, is misguided and trying so hard to find his place.

          Think better.

        • No Raissa, I cannot ignore you because you educate us beyond what we know or think we know. Please continue to be vigilant, raise awareness and not be swayed by simpletons. More power!

        • that’s right. the bpi thing has become silent, swept under the rugs. why oh why>>>it is still unexplained. trillanes’ expose just was not timed right. where are the evidences? ano na ang papel ng FOI sa executive depatment,,, selective as pro digong??
          very dangerous pronouncements by digong. parang pagod na isip nya? hindi sya sanay sa national, davao lang ata????
          parang mesmerized mga pinoy kay digong? or shocked into inaction? or takot?
          or apathetic na?
          violence has enveloped our society. when will this stop, this anti-poor campaign. meron na bang malalaking isda na ganoon din ang ginawa? WALA! HALOS LAHAT URBAN POOR.
          simpleng pagbawal sa UV express sa edsa para maibsan ang traffic. sino ba ang sumasakay sa UV express, mga employees, workers. this is an anti-worker/employee move by tugade and ilk.
          maraming mga dotc-ltfrb pronouncements to solve daw edsa traffic problems na sinasali ang sa provincia na iba naman ang context ng traffic. dapat problem at area specific mga moves and actions ng mga tao ni digong.

        • I think I’m unfortunate to have friends from your city ‘who are not law abiding and innocent citizens’. You haven’t heard complaints how Duterte run your Davao? Because they are afraid of the death squad!!!

          And btw, I believe I am also unfortunate that in my last two visits to your city (the last was just last week) I happened to chance upon cab drivers ‘who are not law abiding citizens’ as well because they were complaining of drugs and killings in your city.

      • Oh yes Raissa. How convenient. An article that you posted on “South China Morning Post”?? Leave our President alone. What our President is doing will be for the betterment of our country.

        • You did not even bother to read what I wrote.

          It’s a speech. You know, a s-p-e-e-c-h.

          And I said that at the beginning.

          This just shows you are jerking off without reading. As for leaving “our President alone”, we still have the right to free speech. And he is as much my president as yours. And the President serves the people. And the people have the right to criticize him.

        • SPEECH: the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one’s thoughts and emotions by speech sounds and gesture … so what’s your point in saying that it’s a speech? What am commenting on is the content of your so called SPEECH … are you playing stupid?

          Exactly! I am expressing my right to free speech.. and so are you! with your biased, negative thoughts. LOL

          I did not read your ? lol .. even when your posted it at “South China Morning Post” … haha

          Well yeah, you can not do anything about that. He is your President because 16 million of us outnumbered your ill willed minds.

          I get you. You’re a CRITIC. Rather than concentrating on your individual frustration .. create something better of yourself that will help the country grow. Put your mind into something positive. believe me, you will feel better about yourself.

        • SPEECH: the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one’s thoughts and emotions by speech sounds and gesture .. so what’s your point in saying its a “SPEECH” .. What i am commenting on is the content of your so called “SPEECH”.. or your just playing stupid.

          Really? i did not even read it? Even when you posted it at “South China Morning Post”? LOL

          Surely you must know that what am doing here is exercising my freedom of expression. and yeah, so are you. Only with your biased, negative thoughts.. LOL

          Well yes. He is your President! because 16 million of us outnumbered your ill-willed minds.

          I get you. You’re a CRITIC. Rather than feeling your individual frustration, focus on something fruitful that will help our country positively grow. Think of creating a better you. Believe me, you will feel so much better about yourself.

        • Hello.

          This piece was never posted in South china Morning Post for one simple reason.

          It’s a speech.

          Idiot.

        • That’s all that you can answer?

          Like i said:

          I get you. You’re a CRITIC. Rather than feeling your individual frustration, focus on something fruitful that will help our country positively grow. Think of creating a better you. Believe me, you will feel so much better about yourself.

        • You are a perfect example of a person who acquired skills and using it to flounder STUPIDITY.

          Work on your individual frustration first. Then maybe, just maybe can find yourself and be better at what you’re doing.

          I pity you. STUPID!

        • You’re talking to yourself now?

          What are you, bipolar?

          Like Duterte? That’s what he said so himself.

        • If I may butt in –

          All the way @Dunes Echoed, would you rather have PDU30 declare a Martial Law?

          Using the A. illegal drug trade, B. graft & corruption and, C. ISIS (Islamic Caliphate) in the south as his cover to put the whole country under Martial Law, do you think he’d be a better Dictator than the last one? … or worse at the risk by vouching for using extra-judicial (’emergency’) powers?

          Reading your spiteful comments, it appears that you are so smitten by PDU30’s duplicitous crusade to annihilate A & B? Are you confident that he will be able to eradicate them 100%?

          Knowledge of History Why was the departed Dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. so enamored with having a Constitution, instead of not having one during his dictatorial reign?

    • did you try to research on your own about Duterte too? up to what extent? And what did you find? Did you read abput Davao Death Squad?

    • The fears of Raisa have factual basis. Reacting to a Duterte fanatic, this is what I said: “The comparison to Hitler as well as the death of democracy and utter disregard of due process is perfectly with basis in a Duterte presidency. Nostradamus predicted the rise of leaders who with their tongue shall seduce many people. We know in our history who those leaders came out to be (Hitler being one of them) and what great evil they brought to our world. Sadly, Duterte, capitalizing on the people’s fears and frustrations, has seduced many of our people by his vague promises of salvation from criminality, drugs and corruption. We are already witnesses to the fanaticism of his followers who despite Duterte’s actions and pronouncements which clearly show that he will become another tyrant, continue to support him. Many Filipinos have risked and even sacrificed their lives in fighting the much hated Marcos dictatorship. The EDSA uprising has restored our democracy, however limited or flawed it may be. We need drastic change indeed. But should this be at the expense of our freedoms, which is at great risk in a Duterte presidency, supported by his rabid fanatical followers? What would prevent Duterte who is ready to kill criminals from killing all who will oppose him? What will prevent Duterte from killing our democracy? He has in fact already spoken of padlocking Congress in the same way that Marcos did. We need drastric change but should this be to the extent of allowing darkness to again rule our land?

      • Your question “…What would prevent Duterte who is ready to kill crimminals from killing all who oppose him?” reminded me of a comment on the Phillipine Star Global web site made by a rabid fanatical supporter right before the election, the person said and I quote:

        “MALAPIT NA ANG MAY 9, 2016, SA mga anti-Duterte magtago na kayo! sigurado mga kriminal at durogista kayo na ayaw ng pag babago sa ating bansa! # DU30 will win!”

        My point is this, what this person is implying is that a person who oppose Duterte could be killed and the killing they could be justified by saying that the person killed is a crimminal or a drug addict.

    • What research in Davao. Here in Davao, drugs still abound. Smuggling of fuel is all over the place and remained unchecked. And many many more issues that are so too prevalent in other parts of the country. Davao is just the same category as Manila and Cebu. I dont see much difference. So what is the big deal.

      Perhaps, the next 60 days will telll where Digong will bring this country too. Is there any clear pattern?

  6. Off-topic a bit: do you folks find reading comments, much more keeping track their trail of thought, easier from bottom to top? Just asking on a readability standpoint.

    I guess I’m just used to reading from, say, top to bottom na oldest to newest.

    Anywho, I agree with the blog post re: Duterte. I would’ve voted for him if not for his stand about Marcos, much more about relations with other countries.

    Whatever message he intends to convey, he leaves much to be desired.

  7. Senator Chiz Escudero, the vice presidential bet of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, is desperately downplaying the increasing popularity of his most formidable opponent, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. According to Escudero, he opposes Bongbong to prevent a repetition of what he considers “the abusive regime” of Bongbong’s late father, President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.

    Escudero’s tactic is sheer political duplicity. In local political parlance, he is a balimbing—a super balimbing even.

    As discussed in this column last week, Escudero deliberately concealed from the voters that his late father Salvador Escudero was a devoted cabinet minister of President Marcos. Long after President Marcos passed away in 1989, the elder Escudero continued to publicly identify himself with the ex-president by sporting the colors of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), the martial law era political party of the late president, on his shirts.

    Therefore, if the martial law era was the “abusive regime” Escudero now wants to portray to the voters, then his attack against Bongbong is an admission that Escudero and his relatives were staunch supporters of the same “abusive regime.”

    The scheming and ambitious Escudero knows that if he admits to the voters his past ties to the martial law administration, his attacks against Bongbong will be empty rhetoric. That is why Escudero has been conveniently silent about his very close ties to the Marcos administration during the campaign.

    Correctly or incorrectly, Bongbong finds nothing objectionable about the martial law era. Bongbong admits, however, that he cannot disassociate himself from his father’s name and legacy. Unlike Bongbong, however, Escudero is silent about his ties to the martial law regime. This inevitably indicates that Escudero publicly detests the martial law administration not because it is detestable, but because Escudero hopes that his public criticism of the martial law regime will make voters assume that he was never a beneficiary of martial law, and that voters will not learn about a past he now prefers to forget.

    Speaking of martial law, Escudero’s political patron in the NPC, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., was another loyal ally of ex-President Marcos. Cojuangco was in charge of the KBL campaign machinery in Central Luzon. He joined the Marcos family abroad during the 1986 Edsa uprising, and returned to the country years later.

    In 1992, Cojuangco organized the NPC. Soon thereafter, almost every politician identified with the martial law regime found sanctuary in the NPC. One of them was the late Arturo Tolentino, an ex-KBL assemblyman and the vice presidential running mate of President Marcos in 1986.

    Another NPC stalwart is Estelito Mendoza, Marcos’ favored solicitor general who defended the martial law regime in the Supreme Court. Mendoza has been Cojuangco’s personal lawyer for decades now.

    Since very close ties exist between the NPC and many politicians linked to martial law, Escudero’s affiliation with the NPC and its martial law supporters deprives him of any moral authority to attack Bongbong and what Escudero duplicitously brands as “the abusive” martial law regime.

    Political observers associate Cojuangco with the controversial coconut levy funds, which currently involves billions of pesos. Early into the political campaign, however, Escudero and his running mate Grace Poe publicly cleared Cojuangco of any culpability. How they arrived at that conclusion objectively, considering their ties to Cojuangco, is a mystery.

    When Escudero got married a second time around recently, most of the principal sponsors of his wedding were big-time industrialists who own enterprises subject to strict regulation by government agencies directly under Malacañang. Can Escudero really turn down those wedding ninongs or ninangs in the event they run to him for help whenever their enterprises breach the law?

    Escudero’s television advertisements focus on poverty and the inability of the poor to get a college education.

    The advertisements suggest that if Escudero is elected vice president, that problem will be solved. Really? Under the Constitution, the sole role of the vice president is that of the president’s replacement. Escudero did nothing to stop poverty when he was senator. How then can he stop poverty as vice president? Escudero’s duplicity should not be rewarded with victory at the polls.

    Incidentally, the same may be said of the equally ambitious Leni Robredo, the Liberal Party’s candidate for vice president, who has made promises which a vice president, by himself, is powerless to deliver. Her recent surge in some surveys is statistically impossible, considering that she has not participated in any ground-breaking issue sufficient enough to improve her fourth place ranking which she consistently held for the past several months.
    …Victor Avecilla in Escudero, the super “balimbing”

    • God’s hands. We the silent majority prayed for it. Martial law victims probably did their bidding up there! :)

  8. I could have supported Duterte, but…

    I have some in common but more differences with Duterte!

    I am left leaning, but a capitalist that is fair to  workers!

    I like to lace my language  with profanities, but not limit myself with P.I.

    I support vigilante justice, but prioritize the big fishes!

    I believe in strong leadership, but with strong checks and balances!

    I am an atheist, but respect religious freedom!

    I love wearing slippers,  but never flip-flops!

    I love women, but love them one at a time!

    I am still virile, while Duterte is inutile!

    I like to think of grand ideas, but realistic grounded ones!

    I have a few million pesos, but hard earned and not ill-gotten!

    I love politics, but I hate most politicians!

    Few years ago, I thought Duterte was real, then I quickly realized that he is just another thug who just lusts for more power!

    I sometimes criticized the Catholic Church as well as many religions for their hypocrisy and I thought I had so many things in common with Duterte, but I realized I have not killed a petty criminal; never grope women without their permission; never have sick thoughts having sex with a dead woman; never stole money;  never abuse power; never acquired  ill-gotten wealth; and lastly, never a coward!

    I will surely not vote for Duterte!

    Political vigilante,

    Parekoy
    05-04-2015

  9. Du30: ‘A “little less” than P211 million.’

    by half-a-million. . . he has P210, 500,000.00!

    by a million. . . he has P210 million!

    ‘A LITTLE LESS’ . . . less less less.

    . . . either way of ‘a little less’ is less-che! Daming pera mo Meyor!

    Yaman mo. Sabi mo mahihirap ka lang. Hirap ba yun? Wala pa sa SALN mo yan! Bakit tinago mo itong less-che na yaman sa pera mo?

    Ano pa yun mga ibang ‘a little less’ ni Meyor?

    The less Meyor says it the more the Meyor has it.

    HA HA HA ! Onli in da ‘Pinas!

  10. marcos also made sure that his children will be able to succeed him. we have a digong family dynasty in davao.

  11. I can’t imagine the Philippines under the rule of Duterte. DDS will be nationwide, unless those diehard fans of his will think first of the country before self (Juan Luna’s “Bayan o sarili?”).

    Reading this article from Rodel Rodis will enlighten us what’s happening to Davao can happen to the Philippines.

    http://globalnation.inquirer.net/139204/139204

    To avoid this nightmare, vote for Roxas -Robredo
    Go Team RoRo!

    • RR = Rodel Rodis = RORO = Roxas-Robredo!

      The DDS don’t just IMAGINE they DDS = Du30’s Deaths Surely!

      Was the National Gov’t and DOJ in past Administration SLEEPING on this? Why? No investigations were conducted. . . by any AGENCIES – NBI PNP etc.?

      How is that Ma’m Alia. . . all your dead SONS? The TWO Davao Journalists?

      Investigation and prosecution on this DDS should be forthcoming by next Administration (except Du30’s).

      Rule of Law says Sen. Miriam.

      • now i understand why duts is so mad of leila d.
        they became tubig at langis.

    • The Davao Death Squad (DDS) is said to be consisting of former members of the NPA Sparrow unit.

  12. Who’s the presidentiable who is going to shake up the Philippines “rising tiger’s economy’?

    The Philippine election could shake up rising tiger’s economy
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-philippines-5308345e-110f-11e6-a9b5-bf703a5a7191-20160503-story.html

    “Once Asia’s “sick man,” the nation of 101 million people has earned World Bank praise as the continent’s “rising tiger” under outgoing leader Benigno Aquino III, posting average six-year growth of 6.2 percent, the fastest since the 1970s. Aquino can’t run again because of the nation’s six-year term limit.”

    • What I know is Duterte will send back the economy to the Stone Age, Binay will get some things done but at the price of corruption for his friends, Poe won’t even get anywhere because she wants to please everyone and says what her listener wants to hear only.

  13. Robredo overtakes Marcos in latest Pulse Asia VP poll

    Published May 4, 2016 12:27am

    Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo surged ahead of Sen. Bongbong Marcos in the latest vice presidential preference poll conducted by Pulse Asia on April 26 to 29. In the poll sponsored by ABS-CBN, Robredo scored a rating of 30 percent, two points ahead of Marcos in the poll, which sampled 4,000 registered voters with a margin of error of ±1.5% The two candidates, however, remain statistically tied. Robredo’s rating jumped four points from the previous Pulse Asia poll conducted on April 19 to 24, while Marcos dropped three points. –

    http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/564906/news/nation/robredo-overtakes-marcos-in-latest-pulse-asia-vp-poll

    RORO IS ROARING!

      • What is remarkable about this April 26-29 survey of Pulse Asia is the MOMENTUM of Robredo — Robredo’s effective surge over Marcos of 7 points RELATIVE to the April 19-24 survey result of Pulse Asia:

        – Robredo up 4 points from her previous 28 to the recent survey result of 30;

        – Marcos down 3 points from his previous 31 to the recent survey result of 28

        I believe Robredo is unstoppable now especially since the LP will pull out all stops as some sort of insurance in relation to some possible undesired element of the Big Picture.

        • Robredo up 4 points from her previous 28 to the recent survey result of 30 = Robredo up 4 points from her previous 26 to the recent survey result of 30

    • RORO your boat
      Quickly up the stream
      Merrily, merrily, merrily,
      RORO is not a dream

  14. Ang post kong ito ay bilang tugon sa mga tatlong posts ni “Gumising Ka Bayan” at “Sound of Silence” na inulit ko sa ibaba:
    39
    Why I believe Rodrigo Duterte is copying Marcos’ moves to set up a dictatorship
    Gumising Ka Bayan says:
    May 3, 2016 at 8:11 pm
    I am shocked with the developments in coming elections. Just when I thought there is a chance for a better life for Filipinos with Duterte in mind and then Sen Trillanes came out with a bomb of an expose. I was rooting campaigning and praying for this mayor until the news came out. With all the flip flopping about the account and with the challenge of clearing one’s name it was too obvious that Duterte is hiding something. If he was not guilty of having hundreds of millions if not billions in his bank accounts then he would seize the moment to show the Filipino people that he is innocent of such an accusation. Instead he is now hiding behind the bank secrecy law that he was once attacking. Duterte is guilty just like BINAY is guilty. Both of them does not deserve the trust of the Filipino people.
    =====
    Historic two-day conference on Martial Law in UP, Diliman starts tomorrow
    45.1.1.2
    Sound of Silence says:
    May 1, 2016 at 9:49 pm
    Dito sa Pilipinas kung pipili siguro tayo ng babae bilang Presidente, mas mainam na yong balo. Kasi sigurado ka na sa ano mang mga desisyon na gagawin niya, malamang desisyon lang niya iyon at hindi ng kanyang asawa.
    Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi natin kilala si Mr. Grace Poe. Handa ka bang sumugal kung makabubuti ba siya o makasasama sa kinabukasan natin at ng ating mga anak?

    Sound of Silence says:
    April 30, 2016 at 8:54 pm
    Kung si Benigno S. Aquino, Jesse Robredo at si Mar Roxas ay mga mahihinang klase ng leader at si Jejomar Binay at si Rodrigo Duterte ang mga malalakas, sa pagkakataong ito, sa mahinang leader na lang siguro ako dahil para sa akin, wala nang mas strong pa sa leader na walang takot na hindi inuuna ang pangsariling kapakanan kundi ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng kanyang mga boss na pinaglilingkuran.
    =====
    My premise question: Among QUEZON, MARCOS, ESTRADA and PNOY, who was/is the Philippine leader who is stronger in the “loins” (singit) than in the head or vice versa? Let me extrapolate.
    On QUEZON, Raissa wrote:
    http://raissarobles.com/2012/02/27/time-to-send-erring-high-state-officials-to-real-jail/

    “It was an archivist named Crispina Reyes who had told me this nugget from our history. She said: “A womanizer, he (Quezon) wanted a bridge built across a certain portion of [the] Pasig River because his paramour lived across the river’ from Malacañang Palace.” [To all those who know Cris, she needs your prayers. She is critically ill with cancer.]”

    Of Quezon, Romulo wrote:
    One cannot evaluate the Quezon charisma or his effect upon people without taking into account his frank and unself-conscious pursuit of women. He was a congenital womanizer with nature on his side….his idea of relaxation after a long day of sessions in the Assembly was to go to the cabarets to flirt with the ‘bailarinas’ as we called them then.

    Romulo disclosed that he wrote Quezon’s love letters for him even when the latter was already married.
    Once, Romulo said:

    “We were all in New York when election returns were coming in from Manila and Quezon’s orders to me were: ‘When the cables come in, bring them to me, no matter what time it is.’”
    “I arrived at his suite at The Waldorf towers at 5:00 am. and knocked.
    “Come in, come in,” I heard an impatient voice.”
    “I walked in, saluted smartly, then swallowed with embarrassment. They (Quezon and a Hollywood film star) were both nude and she was sitting on his lap, shaving him.”
    “Go on, read the cables,” snapped the President.
    “Blushing and uncomfortable, I did.”

    Romulo also explained that Quezon adhered to a code “of never-ending reciprocation of favors” observed by Filipino politicians.

    On MARCOS:
    (Rempel, William C. (2013-03-11). Diary of a Dictator — Ferdinand & Imelda: The Last Days of Camelot (Kindle Locations 1686-1688). William C. Rempel via Smashwords. Kindle Edition.)
    “Then, on the eve of her September departure for the United States, Marcos arrived with a Polaroid camera. He wanted his own set of souvenirs: a series of nude snapshots of Dovie Beams. And there was one additional souvenir – an odd request. Marcos wanted a lock of Dovie’s pubic hair. She resisted, but then agreed if Marcos would make the same sacrifice. She said they exchanged snips.”
    ‘Golden age’ of lovemaking?

    More on Marcos:
    One paragraph (The Loves of Marcos) in Chapter X of the book The Conjugal Dictatoship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos by Primitivo Mijares states:
    “Like any lothario, the President would like to lay every available beautiful woman. The big difference is that he has the vast resources of the presidency, restrained only by the somewhat weakened opposition of an Imelda Marcos rendered in estoppel by her own relationship with the President on matters of hymeneal concern. International beauty contestants, young movie actresses and prominent society matrons make up the sexual-therapeutic coterie available only to President Marcos in the Philippines.”
    An explanatory note embedded in the chapter explains Mijares’ use of initials of celebrities whom Marcos had ravished while Imelda, in the role of ambassador plenipotentiary was jet-setting around the world (e.g., attending with her entourage King of Nepal’s coronation, meeting with Mao Tse Tung, Kaddafy, Cuba’s Fidel Castro, attending funeral of Russia’s premier Chernenko, etc, etc.) says: “The woman-chasing propensity of Marcos is of universal knowledge. I have advisedly chosen to use only initials to identify the women in the more, notorious sexual adventures of Marcos out of a desire to save the women – definitely not Marcos – from public embarrassment.”
    The initials mentioned were H.K., M.R., G.C., and C.S.

    Marcos’ “woman-chasing propensity” was not only confined to the local scene; he did it internationally as well. It turned out he had a daughter with an Australian playboy model.
    Hunt for tyrant’s millions leads to former model’s home
    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/03/1088488200806.html
    Ferdinand Marcos’s Aussie daughter axed from Australian reality show
    http://www.pep.ph/news/28894/ferdinand-marcos39s-aussie-daughter-axed-from-australian-reality-show
    ‘Golden age’ of womanizing?

    On ESTRADA:
    “THE TRAIL of houses frequented or occupied by President Joseph Estrada and his mistresses leads to some of his closest friends such as businessmen Dante Tan, Mark Jimenez, Lucio Co and Jaime Dichaves. Other presidential friends such as Lucio Tan and Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco are also said to have made sure that the President’s women would be well provided for, and have even given them or members of their families either businesses or jobs that come with huge incomes.”
    http://pcij.org/stories/2000/houses3.html

    Lumalabas na hindi lang pala babae ang weakness ni Estrada, mahilig din siya sa magagarang bahay.
    “Wives and children live lavish style”
    https://www.publicintegrity.org/2000/11/15/3251/wives-and-children-live-lavish-lifestyle

    Ang slogan niya noong kumandito siya bilang president (una noong 1998 at pangalawa pagkatapos na ma-convict at ma-pardon siya — kamuntik pa siyang nanalo (Estrada’s popular vote = 9,487,837 as against Pnoy’s 15,208,678) — ay “Erap para sa mahirap”. Sa mga naniniwala pa sa slogan na ito, kailangan siguro masuri ang kanilang utak ng psychiatrist.

    Heto ang nakakahiya!
    Sa listahan ng “The World’s All-Time Most Corrupt Leaders”
    http://www.forbes.com/2004/03/25/cx_vc_corruptslide.html
    Pag nagkataon at minalas ang Pilipinas, ay baka pumasok pa si Binay at Duterte sa listahan nayan!

    On PNOY:
    Let’s give credit where credit is due. Matatapos na sa taong ito ang panunungkulan ni Pnoy at puede nating sabihin na walang pera ng gobyerno na sinayang siya para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ‘singit’ (loins) niya. Bagama’t may mga ‘kapalpakan’ (ayon kay Binay – si Pnoy mismo ang nagsabi na wala namang perpektong tao, minalas lang siya) siya, inuna niya ang mag-serbisyo sa mga bosses (people) niya.

    At nagbunga naman ang mgapagpupunyagi ni Pnoy:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/28/business/global/philippine-economy-set-to-become-asias-newest-bright-spot.html?_r=0

    Sabi ng Wall Street Journal:
    “Long the basket case of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is in relatively sound shape. Its banking system is sound, its consumers are spending, and foreign companies are investing.”
    http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB911765602342824500#:gDSQPRoP_tOkFA

    Ang magandang kinabukasan ng susunod na generasyon ng mga Pilipinos ay nakasalalaysa pagpili ng papalit kay Pnoy sa May 9. Huwag nating papayagang ma-disrupt ito ng kung ano-anong slogan (“Kay Binay, gaganda ang buhay”, “Galing at Puso”, “Gusto ko, maligaya ka”, “Hindi ako ang nakaraan”, “This nation can be great again” [Marcos’ 1965 inaugural speech
    http://www.gov.ph/1965/12/30/inaugural-address-of-president-marcos-december-30-1965/
    and Imelda’s Tacloban April 25, 2016 speech under news article “Imelda: My son will make PH great” http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/781473/imelda-my-son-will-make-ph-great

    Bagama’t mahalaga na ang katangian ng isang presidenteng papalit kay Pnoy ay kailangang mas malakas sa “ulo” kaysa sa “singit”, importante rin siguro na kilatisin ang laki (size) at luho o lifestyle ng pamilya na dadalhin niya sa Malacanang. Baka wawaldasin lang ng pamilya ng bagong presidente ang pera ng bayan para sa kanilang kakapritsuhan imbes na gamitin sa mga programang mag-aangat sa mga taong nasa “laylayan” ng lipunan.

    Dito na tayo sa sigurado: RO-RO tayo!

      • @vander, yes. Loin in English is ‘puson’ in Tagalog. I purposely used the ‘singit’, instead of ‘puson’, because it is where man’s ‘small head’ is located and evokes more figurative meaning. The word ‘singit’ is more appealing to ‘telenobela’ Filipino followers. In Quezon, Marcos & Estrada, their ‘small head’ is being led by their ‘big head’ in governing the country.

        • Sorry, should be … their ‘big head’ is being led by their ‘small head’ in governing the country.

    • It’s DIFFICULT or RISKY very risky to have only 1, 2, and 3 Bank Accounts. It will balloon rapidly and

      EXPLODE!

      The MORE bank accounts is SAFER and MERRIER. Matagal ma puno. Seventeen lang or more is more capable to fill in the MONIES!

      17 bank accounts lang? Baka 21? 31? 41? 51? 61? Or 71?

      Sleuth some more Sen. Trilla. 5 days to GO. . . :-)

      . . . and Show to ALL MEDIA! FaceBook Twitter ATBPA.

    • Ginagaya naman lang ni Duterte ang daming bank accounts ng mga Binays. Buti nga walang dummies si Duterte gaya ni Binay o hindi pa lang na kalkal ni Trillanes?

    • From what I heard, moneyed people want to spread their bank accounts to as many accounts as manageable, preferably in different bank companies,as a precaution because of the limit on the amount that each account is insured against bank insolvency, and as a hedge against the risks of banks going belly-up. It is also easier to keep track of the transactions as each account can be maintained for a specific purpose.

      • Tama! yvonne. . . TO KEEP TRACK by Du30:

        . . . Pass Book in Envelop 1 = for NPA;

        . . . Pass Book in Envelop 2 = for DDS;

        . . .Pass Book in Envelop 3 = My Office Staff;

        . . . Pass Book in Envelop 4 = My All Principal Local Leaders/Supporters in D.C.;

        and so on. . . as many as my monies keeps coming in. Single or Joint Accounts?

        These bank Pass Books must be hidden/kept somewhere: Shoe Box, Bank Vaults or sa sako.? Paper bags? Ilalim ng damit? Under the bed cushions? Under the Dog House? In the Ref freezer? Sa celling? Safety Vault in the house? Behind the walls? Saan kaya?

        Duts. . . saan?

      • Certainly makes sense, but in the case of Duterte and his sons/ daughters — and for that matter Binay, his wife and son/ daughers — there are most probably other creative explanations aside from reasons you cited

        As to my very small sum, perhaps two bank accounts may be sufficient? — after all, you said “moneyed people,” which I am not.

        BTW, I read bank accounts of the sons/ daughters from published reports number by the fifty-ish of millions — moneyed people indeed.

        • Fissshyyy!

          Imagine or analyze…the politicians-fathers at the ages of their children then didn’t most probably have so MUCH MONEY at the time!

          Now, his children have SOOO MUCH MONEY as their fathers and mothers when the latter two just have to keep on in politics…or keeping a DYNASTY.

          The saying goes: You want to get rich…get into politics!

          Now, it is: You want the CLAN to be rich. . . Keep those DYNASTIES!

          . . . and continue to SCAM the people and poor people.

          Du30 is NOT the man to GET RID of these politicians in Dynasties.

          But just go for ROXAS-ROBREDO ! on May 9th – MONDAY morning/afternoon!