Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Confirmed: Bongbong and Imee Marcos are guests at Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential inauguration

Share:
LinkedIn0
Pinterest0

It’s no wonder Vice-President Leni Robredo is excluded

By Raïssa Robles

The legally elected vice president isn’t welcome. But the children of the country’s worst political criminal will be honored guests.

The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ daughter Imee herself confirmed that she was going to Malacañang Palace tomorrow for the presidential inauguration. Earlier, I had voiced my suspicion that this was the real reason Robredo was left out in the cold. You can read my article here. 

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos also replied – upon questioning from ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol reporter Doris Bigornia during an ambush interview today – that her brother Ferdinand Bongbong Jr. is also a guest and they will both be there to represent their mother Imelda.

It must be a bittersweet trip for the siblings who called the palace home for 21 years. And who really thought that this year would see Bongbong being sworn in as the country’s vice-president.

By cold-shouldering Vice-President Leni Robredo, it is quite clear that President Rodrigo Duterte has not moved on and his call for the healing of the nation’s political rifts rings hollow.

For the first time in the country’s history, the President and the Vice-President will be sworn into office in separate locations underscoring the wide divide in the nation.

The inauguration of the president and the vice-president, which should have been the time for coming together as a nation, is instead the starting bell for more political division.

Personally, I view this and what is about to happen as more lessons for learning democracy. Many Filipinos seem to find democracy a concept difficult to understand and to value. The next few years will show Filipinos how democracy is like air – you can’t see it, but you’ll definitely miss it when you’re deprived of it.

Many Duterte supporters have asked me on Facebook and Twitter, why am I so foreboding? Why don’t I give Duterte a chance to make a difference?

The question presumes that I am a significant voice, which I assure you I am not. I’m just a kibitzer, an usisero.

As a journalist, I always look for the signs the way a fisherman looks at the sky for any coming storm.

This is one reason why, for me, it is very important for the independent media to be able to cover the presidential inauguration – not remotely via a monitor, but up close right in the crowds. So they can see who the guests are and talk to them. The media can be the eyes and ears of the public.

It is quite important for the media to watch closely who have access to the presidential palace. Because these are the people who can whisper into President Duterte’s ear and sway him to sign or shelve contracts, decide policies or appoint certain people to sensitive posts.

This early, we can see that the Marcos star is rising, despite Bongbong’s electoral defeat. By next year, Bongbong will be a cabinet secretary. This leads one to suspect that the Duterte administration was meant to pave the way for Bongbong Marcos’ rise to the top.

It would be quite interesting to see what President Duterte will do with the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) that is to this day pursuing the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

Many people have told me to “move on”. Stop obsessing on Marcos.

How can we as a nation move on when there has been no justice? No apologies and no remorse. It was Ferdinand Marcos who caused the death of thousands of our Muslim brothers during and after the Mindanao wars. It was Marcos who decimated the brightest of one entire generation. It was Marcos who bankrupted the nation. It was Marcos who left one out of every two Filipinos impoverished by the time he fled.

We are only now beginning to recover as a nation.

The Marcoses have never said sorry for what their father did. Instead, they have insisted that they have the right to inherit and use all that ill-gotten wealth that their father stole.

So for me, their presence in Malacañang Palace on the president’s inauguration day mocks the sacrifices that Muslims, Christians, communists, and moderates endured during Martial Law. And it’s a green light for future grafters of this country.

Comments

  1. Ok. With guarded optimism, Duterte can be given some latitude to do his job and succeed. He projects an image to be fair. His war on drug is full throttle. Can his family members be tested on drugs too?
    Let’s start with Baste. Rumours in Davao insinuate that Baste is a user. If what we hear is true, that cops act on some “report” or tips about drug users and that Baste has been a user, I hope he works fast to make himself safe from the target group. Take the drug test and establish the fact txt he is clean- so he will be left safe alive.

  2. The new SFA gives me jitters. May I re-post here the comments I received through email:

    It is now clear that Perfecto Yasay is not the right person to serve as Foreign Affairs Secretary. He should be replaced asap especially since the arbitration decision is set to be released on July 12! He has consistently behaved as if he was China’s lawyer. He has been vocal about withdrawing the arbitral case, engaging in bilateral negotiations with China (even if China requires the Philippines to recognize its sovereignty over the disputed area as a precondition), and making public statements that undermine our legal position. Then, he makes these statements not only publicly but contrary to our national interest. He advocates that we adopt a submissive position even if we win the case despite the fact that our allies are expecting us to take a stronger position since they have signaled they will help implement the decision. If we cannot assert a win, why would our allies support us? With Yasay as our Foreign Secretary, we may win the arbitration but lose everything because he is acting against us! He is either out of depth or is compromised. #ReplaceYasayNow!

    http://interaksyon.com/business/129599/cocktales–cuisia-balks-at-duterte-offer-of-term-extension-cites-yasay-as-problem

    http://thestandard.com.ph/opinion/columns/back-channel-by-alejandro-del-rosario/209595/imperfect-nominee.html

    • God help the Philippines if Yasay is appointed to represent the nation abroad. As a matter of course all newspapers published in the Philippines are examined daily by embassy staff. There is no way that the Intetnational community is not aware of Yasay’s background.
      Very sad indeed.

      • yasay representing us abroad is downgrading. when heads of states are attending international and intercontinental assemblies, we are represented somewhat by an appointed attaché new on the job and slow on the uptake, who can rarely make decision on his own without referring back home to the one still asleep until 1p.m. it’s no wonder then, if foreign investors will not take us seriously. in the coming assembly in europe, brexit will be on the agenda, business doors will close and another one opens. how we play our part and make connections, should not be left to chances.

        we ought to send a much stronger delegation, reinforced our status as emerging powerhouse in asia. and, when unclos give us moral and legal victory, we ought to capitalize on it. use it to spearhead our authority and call off china’s bluff of 9 dash line. be brave, not be cowardly. this is once in a lifetime opportunity, let us not squander it.

        takot yata si yasay to be on the frontline where his mind will be sorely tested, his head on the block, better for him to step back into his shell and play 2nd fiddle to china, safer for him too, but not safer for our nation. the price for yasay’s cowardice will be years of misery for us all where we’ll be forever downtrodden, lamenting not celebrating. eating crumbs when we could have eaten better.

        yasay does not seem to know what to do, who to turn too, how to handle victory. it’s very scary to take the road less travelled. seemingly, yasay is afraid of success, more comfortable with failure and doing less. backward looking instead of looking to the future where he can make leaps and progress.

        mukhang job mismatch ito, putting yasay on the lead. he’s a follower, not a doer. he’s likely to say all the good things that make duterte and china happy, but will our nation and its people be happy? I for one is deeply concerned.

        • Yasay has no previous experience in diplomacy except facing charges from the Central Bank for mismanagement of Banco Pilipino that caused its collapse (wikipedia)

        • Yup and Ambassador Cuisa had insinuated during his stint as PhilamLife president that he had problems with yasay when the latter was SEC chief.

    • You are so right.

      I watched with awe Carpio’s presentation at a symposium on this issue not too long ago.
      If my impression of him is correct, he will not put up with any nonsense from anyone!

      Let’s hope for the best.

    • Could it be possible that Yasay is only echoing Duterte’s stand on this issue?

      • And nobody even bothered to ask DUTERTE where did the money at BPI Jupiter Branch come from. As if it does not exist. Rumors of connection of the money in the questionable bank accounts and Duterte’s meetings with Chinese Envoys are to be hushed hushed?
        And now the obvious position of Yasay favoring backdoor negotiations with China despite an impending International Courts Adjudication? Whose interests are these guys advocating for?

        WOW WOW WOW

    • Its CHINA’s further unilateral actions violating Int’l laws that jitters. . . me and many others.

      Int’l laws on PEACE and ORDER worldwide is not up PAR. Many countries’ leaders violate it. USA was one. Now CHINA.

      Might is POWER. The STRONG is right.

      . . . that’s life.

  3. Another alleged drug pusher killed in a so called gun fight. The indiscriminate killing situation is getting out of hand. All of these victims were innocent until proven guilty.
    I think the time is long over due for all police raids to be video recorded. That way if a suspect retaliates and is killed there will be no doubt as to the reason.
    Go Pro cameras are cheap and come with a huge assortment of mounts to suit every likely scenario.
    Come on President Duterte. In the interest of transparency do the right thing, equip your killing teams with video cameras.

    • there’s a dilemna to using cameras – it would make it difficult to immediately eliminate the higher ups who will probably not shoot it out when they know there are cameras to protect them. but without cameras or other form of evidence, you will never know whether a kill is justified or not.

      • The only legal, honest and moral way is to video record.
        If he wants to establish some credibility.
        Otherwise Digong by name Digong by nature.
        At the moment he is blowing a very loud tune from his trumpet.
        Now let actions speak louder than words.

        • guys, this is the killing fields johnny lin been saying. abu sayyaf, npa, and now polis doing killings well. almost everyday at breakfast, we are fed with news and sights of those killed, nakabulagta sa kalsada. we are being made insensitive to pain and killing. this menu is meant to take attention off duterte who is happily sleeping until 1p.m. and then, receiving reports of how well the killing was done, how extensive, how merciless and how inhuman. duterte sleeps soundly while the nation cries.

          criminals kuno, recreational drug users found with only one packet of shabu in their person, patay kaagad. yet, there was no blood test to prove na talagang drug users sila. what if there is no drugs in their system? you’ll just have to take the polis at their words, else mapatay ka rin, suddenly drug user ka rin, suddenly there is shabu on your person. nagkakagulo ang taumbayan; all the while, duterte sleeps soundly and not attending flag raising ceremonies.

      • If there is any shooting/fatality, etc. involving a cop happens, is there an independent board that automatically reviews those incidents, just like in other countries?

        I agree with cameras–powerful “truth teller” tools to protect both parties.

        • agree, cameras should be used each time. I am getting mistrustful of police. they’re killing poor people instead of raiding and bombing drug labs. authorities should be stopping pharmacies and other outlets from selling large quantities of ingredients used in making illegal drugs. stop customs from importing container vans of illegal drugs. check deliveries and couriers from carting illegal drugs from city to city, towns to towns, etc. also, monitor internet and telecommunications for movements of drugs and shipments, instead of just concentrating on the lowly and the poor who can barely defend themselves.

          dead suspects tell no tales, but cameras’ unedited footage might.

        • One can easily be framed. Am I watching too many movies?

          They had some news before that indicated that they are acting on a list that floated around. It enumerates drug users and pushers. Who made that list? Who vetted them? Due process?

          Someone who has an axe to grind against any one may have concocted such a list. A political nemesis or a competitor for a certain position. Who knows. Do we simply trust our Intel force that whatever they have is the ultimate truth?

          I don’t condone drug users but many of them need help. One can easily slip into prescription drug addiction too.

          @moonie… I am with you. But if they have the tapes, what is the next step? Would anyone have the balls to do the right thing?

          These killings also seem to divert our attention from other big things that are happening.

          1). The move to give emergency power to Duterte to solve the traffic problem. Note that Arroyo is fast on the draw to facilitate that. I hope that Gatchalian gathers some support to get specifics first, strategies, etc. Mr and ms vigilance and due diligence, where art thou?

          2). The rush to federalism – are we limited to just veer towards federalism or are there other options that we have to consider.

          Raissa, how prophetic could you be? I dread the thought of what lies ahead. I hear good things from the “transformed” Duterte but under currents seem foreboding.

          Inasmuch as I’d like to believe that he protects the masa, the people who are dying in the ongoing blitz are the poor ones. Maybe if I see that he hits the big timers, I will change my thinking. But, a big time drug lord could have fortified his fortress with an army of thugs too.

          One thing is for sure now….the military is gaining the upper hand.

  4. I wonder why Digong is so much interested in changing our form of government not only into a federal one but into a parliamentary form as well.

    In the parliament the prime minister is voted in by the representatives/congressmen. The majority of the people do not have any say. So, an unpopular presidential contender has a better shot in gaining the top post by being elected as a local representative and then be shooed in as a prime minister. Who else fits the bill ? It is no less than Digong’s best friend and losing VP candidate Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.

    Philippines Beware Dark Elements are lurking just around the corner

    • Best way I think for them to eliminate Robrefo is go federalism…ngayon pa lang we have to identify those who caved in to du30’s federalism pressure and expose them as spineless representatives. Parang naunahan ng takot kay du30. Sabi nga sa article ni Bono Adaza malakas lang manduro si du30. Its his way of life. Just like any way to face a bully, best way is to stand your ground. Wala pa tayong nakikitang pumapalag sa kanya from our elected representatives. ..if this continues cowardice becomes a safe and convenient habit in responding to his anti freedom policies. Relevant talaga yung libra ni Raissa:Martial law never again!

  5. SHAME!!SHAME!!SHAME!! To President Duterte for not inviting the Vice President Leni Robredo duly elected, but have the son and daughter of the late President Marcos instead , the worst President and the most plunderer in Philippine Political history and in the World..
    I did not vote for Duterte but I respect the 16 million who voted for him…I hope he delivered on all his promises…
    Hindi pa naman cia nakakaupo kung ano ano na ang mga pinagsasabi nya na promises, it makes your eyes roll in disbelief and makes you wonder if he is a lunatic that badly needed a psychological evaluation.
    I am hoping I am wrong about him and ensure he do a good job for the benefits of Filipino people as a whole.

    • The “worst president” on day 4 of his assumption, is so far doing excellent job of reducing the menace of illegal drugs and the crime associated thereto, aside from reducing bureaucratic red tape. Pls reserve your premature judgment until Dec 31 of this year

      • there is strong possibility that chris might be right, duterte could well be the worst president in our history. indicators are already there, and escalating.

  6. Happy 70th Philipppine Independence Day! Also to the United States of America.

  7. Aktong Achtung!

    Like the rest of diehard film buffs,  I am one of those who lines up in the opening day weekend of an overhyped movie that promises full of actions, twists, explosions, blood and gore!

    DU30 did set the bar too high that his critics are just salivating to see him fail!

    I am a supporter of Leni Robredo but I will not take it against DU30 not giving her any portfolio. That is DU30’s prerogative and Leni’s opportunity to play to the hilt being ‘api’. In fact, Leni has the upperhand and the sympathy of the majority of the Filipinos for being professional about it. If DU30 fails, Leni is ready to takeover with majority support.

    Do I want DU30 to fail? Hell no! I want him to succeed on his promises, particularly his war against Criminality and Illegal Drugs. He is not particularly vocal against corruption in government, yet he promises to sign an executive order to implement the spirit of FOI! Is he truly a real life action hero or just a better action star than Erap and Da King?

    Let us see if Speaker Alvarez has the cojones like DU30 and proves that he can deliver FOI as a law!

    DU30 strikes me as odd for I thought he never listens to the pulse of the Filipino people. I am beginning to be proven wrong with his pronouncements of Oplan ‘Double-Barrel’! (There is an inside joke about the coined ‘Double-barrel’, in their naughty past, DU30 and Bato double-barreled a pretty hooker in Davao City and they high-fived each other during the switch!) He is  also now after the big fishes! Another one is FOI, which is an outcry of all Netizens, no matter their political colors!

    The Du30 movie has great reviews, but my verdict will be after I view the entire movie!

    Some Potential twists:

    1. Sotto will be unmasked and indicted for Drug related charges.

    2. Napoles will spill more ‘truthiness’ to the detriment of all corrupt Senators and Representathieves.

    3. The Bangladeshi heist mastermind will be arrested.

    4. Aquino and Abad will face DAP charges.

    5. Customs will have a sabbatical from their customary kotong.

    6. Federalism will be decided by the people thru referendum.

    7. Anti-Dynasty Law  will be thru referendum if the Legislative continues to block it.

    8. Marcoses will be summarily arrested and their cases tried in a special tribunal.

    9. Duterte will be assassinated for he made plenty of enemies from Duglords, Rightist Generals, Abu Sayaff, Corrupt Public Officials, to Political Rivals!

    10. Duterte survived and declares Martial Law!

    The last one has a great probabilty to happen. The groundwork is now being laid.

    DU30 loved and married a German. We never know if he is a fan of the Dear Fuhrer…

    I love blockbuster movies! In our case though it is real life… and death…

    Parekoy
    07-03-2016

    • @Parekoy…i am intrigued by your post about FOI. Do you think du30 is serious about implementing the bill considering his biases of the media in general?

      Or this might be one of his lip service as usual….

      Your 10 potential twists is more intriguing…interesting as well…

      • @aberato,

        Duterte is a man of contradictions!

        That is why we need to take his pronouncements with a grain of salt.

        DU30 dislikes the media who criticizes him but he wants his supporters to be loyal by giving them their desires, in this case FOI executive order.

        From what I gather, DU30 does not give a fuck about who will be unmasked and punished by the said transparency.

        The mainstream media is actually welcoming this EO to test DU30’s credibility and integrity.

        FOI EO is actually a gambit. It unravels the wrongdoungs of the past. DU30’s government does not have skeletons yet so primarily, this is a weapon against the incumbents and the kleptos are uneasy and will acquiesce to most of DU30’s controversial programs lest they would be in he order of battle.

        As I said before, there are only two Presidebtial Candidates who would bring real change: Roxas on a steady but orderly reforms and DU30 who will change our country revolutionary and dramatically in both good and bad!

        • On No. 1 – include the Pepsi Paloma case in addition to being an alleged drug lord
          No. 2 – Napoles has nothing to lose anymore and her first-hand knowledge/testimonies will include BBM, among many
          No. 3 – The anti-dynasty law will affect Sara and Paolo as the incumbent mayor and vice-mayor of Davao City, respectively
          No. 8 – The evil marcoses are protected by Du30 but may be lynched by the leftists and ML victims – Mussolini-style

    • Interesting reviews this Achtung and ‘some Potential Twists. . . Parekoy!

      As you said. . . ‘In our case though it is real life. . . and death,’ what ‘some’ coming on the ‘twists’? Please.

      Can you on No. 8 first? After which you can for the rest as more Aktong.

      . . . on Life and Death

  10. As a half outsider I see Filipinos in denial about what this guy means.

    His regionalist and secessionist tendencies, emotional instability, and love of violence, together with a precarious situation between two global powers, threaten to end the Philippines as a country.

    I mean the country could split apart if this guy goes unchecked for too long.

    There is already a “second capital” in Davao. It’s not a stretch to see Mindanao splitting if Duterte is forced out of power.

    • Sketchy is the invented lies of heroism.

      Btw, now that Pres. Duterte wants to install ‘telephone lines’ for receiving complaints from citizens/people,

      should he not, by modern tech nowadays, rather GIVE AWAY HIS E-MAIL ADDRESS either at Yahoo or G-mail? Telephone lines are somewhat OLD obsolete method.

      He can during many short free time for 6 years know by READING on the e-mails that ONLY he can access into. And print the worthy messages at that for his proof of the reported complaint. Of course, make it CONFIDENTIAL initially.

      Forget what the SC tried about trial judges having e -mails addresses. Many court salas do not have even electricity or e-mail Internet or even telephones.

      Just an idea to do well in governance.

      • mahirap yang old landlines, dahil kung busy and linya, hindi ka makaka-dial, and you maybe put on hold for hrs. why not post complaints on duterte’s webpage and let his people handle the querries? make it available to all, make it also transparent so people can read and refute complaints.

        people are warned about making fictitious complaints.

        agree ako sa email, though I doubt if duterte actually reads email messages, his press sec might and screen them.

        • sam, thanks for the link. I think, that ferdog marcos was compulsive liar, I really don’t think he’s true Ilocano, might be a traitorous mix breed of this and that. ferdog invented himself to be hero, thank the lord, all people are not as gullible as ferdog had hoped. there was confusion during the war, and ferdog took advantage of it, puffed himself up and made himself hero, a fictitious hero that existed only in his twisted mind. for a lawyer, ferdog was ultimate charlatan, failed to take into consideration that evidence and facts equals truth. pity about the generals who supported his fictitious claims. they were men of straws.

        • Magpasalamat lng tayo moonie na hinde naging abogado si bbm. Compulsion & other traits are genetically passed to the offspring and patterns as well.

          Btw, ina-idol lng talaga ni du30 yung ama nya na naging cab sec ni ferdog nuon kaya mi pagtanaw na utang-na-loob si du30 sa mga nabigay ni marcos sa pamilya na nuon.

          Straws dogs the movie…

        • but his wife is a lawyer whom he can ask for advice from. That maybe one of the reasons why he married a lawyer. His brain doesn’t match that of his father’s. alam na natin kung saan nagmana ang brain niya.

      • yes DU30 said he don’t want queuing, pag phone surely the caller will then have to wait until he/she gets cut off. Then if he/she tries to call again … hala busy na, Maiinis lang yon caller and no complain will be reported.

        • ganon pa rin, may pila. only this time, hindi sa service counter kundi sa telefono. maiinip ka rin sa kahihintay ng turn mo. at habang naghihintay ka, pinapaulanan ka ng kung ano-anong adverts, hanggang sa maubusan ka ng load. and while you’re waiting, no one can call you, dahil busy linya mo. and your incoming calls would just have to go to voice mail.

        • ganoon na nga … tapos ang background music yon si F. Aguilar singing yon favorite song ni DU30

        • Out of 100 million, let’s say 10 million altogether wants to CALL Pres. Duterte’s 10 assigned LINES. . .what happens? Tele-BAD!

          E-Mail na lang. It can be called DutzBook ! [ from Face Book]

          moonie?

      • @leona,
        agree to your “email address” suggestion.
        telephone lines or hotlines are normally burned lines.
        i am reminded of the owwa hot lines that i have never accessed for the nth times just to follow-up on reparation docs i filed to claim for losses in gulf war in 1990.
        it was only in year 2000 that i was able to talk to the right person courtesy of dzmm evening program, using my mobile phone that i have to hold the line for 20min or more waiting while driving along edsa. good that my handset’s battery charge didn’t drain..:)

        • as regards hotline, sometimes you talk to a machine that tells you to press this number and that number and sometimes recites you the menu of numbers you need to press in order to get connected to the right department. and on the way, paminsan, naliligaw ka, and ends up going back to the menu and starting again. ahhhh!

          and if you do talk to a person, take their names, so if you are given the run around, you have a name to quote and point of reference.

          those with hearing problems may not be able to use the phone readily.

        • How right [I can see the potential twist] you are about ‘Answering Machines!’

          . . . ‘if U want to speak to Accounting, cluk #1′
          . . . if U want to talk to service, cluk #1′
          . . . if U need someone to talk to, cluk #3′

          If you want the OPERATOR, fuck ZERO!’

          That’s a twisted potential for those 10 assigned Tele-BAD Lines. FORGET IT this IDEA!

    • wild comment lang …

      Maybe DU30 will include Sept 11 and remove Feb 22 as holidays (he don’t want to hurt the Marcos diba?)

  14. @parekoy,
    “Duterte might entertain netting the Biggest and Wiliest Criminal Family in the Country- The Marcoses!”
    that is my dream.
    and you put my thought into writing ahead of me.
    oh wow, you made my mind spin again, parekoy…

  15. Pulot Gata…

    I’m supporting Duterte’s opening move against Criminality and Illegal Drugs!

    Let us set aside first, Duterte’s special treatment of the Marcoses.

    For me, I support Duterte’s opening act and Bato’s tough stance against Criminality and Illegal Drugs and even threats against dirty cops and military personnels!

    We can see the fingerprints of Ramos and his gang on the hastily cobbled strategy to deliver results within six months. Duterte and Bato are using the same Blueprint that they used in Davao City but with a twist- Now they included the Druglords as well as their Military and Police General partners!

    This is a welcome opportunity and it seems Duterte’s ego and pride are at stake, that is why Duterte is now entertaining to go after the big fishes!

    In the grapevine, there is an ongoing divisions among the Generals who are Mistahs and they are currently contemplating whether to go with the flow and support Duterte or protect their brothers from PMA or PNPA!

    The Military Brass dislikes Duterte with regards to being so cozy with the NPA, MNLF,  MILF, and especially irked by Duterte giving wide latitude and understanding the plight of the Abu Sayaff.

    But Duterte made a bold move to buy off the majority of  Military and Police members by announcing that he is doubling their salaries!

    Psychologically,  Duterte is winning more support from all walks of life among the Filipino people and  Thomases and critics, like me, who are giving Duterte a chance if he can really pull it off!

    This coming weeks, there will be ‘accidents’ or gang war kuno in Bilibid and there will be casualties! The Chinese Druglords are paying-off their sponsors hundreds millions for protection and promised to stop playing Chefs. Unfortunately for most of them, they will meet Confucius this July.

    The three Drug Generals are ready to resign but they want to have a dignified exit. One of the Generals is even offering himself as consultant to Duterte’s fight against Illegal Drugs and Corruption by giving evidence against powerful Politicians who are Druglords  themselves or on the take with protection money from the Druglords!

    On Duterte’s special treatment of the Marcoses, this has to do with the political and financial support that was given by the Marcoses and also due to intercession by Tabako, who facilitated the return of the Marcoses during Cory’s time in the spirit of ‘reconciliation’.

    I just want to remind the readers that Duterte’s special relationship with the Marcoses is like one of the flavors of Magnolia IceCream, it is temporary! When push comes to shove, Duterte will divorce the Marcoses when Duterte’s political stock declines due to future scandals and unfulfilled promises.

    The Marcoses are praying that Duterte succeeds in his fight against Illegal Drugs but not against Corruption! It is obvious why, for if Duterte succeeds, Duterte might entertain netting the Biggest and Wiliest Criminal Family in the Country- The Marcoses!

    To celebrate Duterte’s inauguration as the President of The Republic, I can’t wait to see when he paints or country red, with blood of the Criminals,  Drug Lords, as well as Corrupt Officials!

    DU30, you have 98 days left of our ‘Pulot Gata’

    Parekoy
    07-02-2016

    PS

    If Duterte’s promises are fulfilled, the Filipinos win!

    If he fails, Leni will takeover, and still the Filipinos win!

    If your head is spinning, then there is a 50 percent chance that you win!

     Spin-a-Win

    • The impression I have is that the new President is having a honeymoon period not with the press but with the militant left.

      It is like after a night of drunken revelry and mad, passionate, fervid …holding hands (RATED GP lang tayo), the President and the left decided to get married impulsively.

      But since the undying dream and ambition of the left is nothing short of absolute power and control and since the President is actually no fool, sooner than later, disaffection and mutual distrust will set in followed ultimately by a nasty break up.

    • lee kwan yew has said that american style democracy is not applicable in asia. asian style democracy is such that we need a strong father figure who does not spare the rod when his children goes astray. in a typical filipino family, we have been taught not to talk back to our parents because the parents are the authority in the house. we look at singapore and malaysia with envy because aside from first world infrastructures, the citizens are somewhat more disciplined. Lee kwan yew and mahathir are models of strong father figures who live by example. they are known to punch in and out of the office just like the rest. duterte has started this approach with the media with the silent treatment just like your dad if he does not agree to what you’re saying or doing. call them benevolent dictators, but if this is what will make the philippines a better place to live in and work and will make the filipinos more disciplined, i think it’s more than ok. we’re luckier because we have a loving mother figure in leni.

      • @mainman
        Should be Lee Kuan Yew
        He had policies that were criticized for controlling some civil rights but that does not make him a dictator in a parliamentary government. Such policies had worked for Singapore and made them a 1st world country. By the way, it is not only him who are the forefathers who had developed the country.

        Still there are pros and cons, some Asian leaders try to emulate him, perhaps PDu30 might as well. Let’s wait and see.

        • Yew never encouraged vigilanteism, the murder of drug addicts, the murder of journalists, never swore and made vulgar jokes in public etc etc. Never backed corrupt cops.

          Also, Asians seem to do quite well in the West. So your argument is bunk anyway.

    • @parekoy
      Peace!

      Praise the Lord for healthy recovery
      Second is the best gift of life.

      Agree with you on role of Ramos on Marcoses. I believe that Marcos is the presidential idol of Fidel and Du30 being womanizers.
      He he he

    • I also support Duterte’s fight against criminality and illegal drugs. Narco politics has no room in a civilized society. Let’s give him a chance to prove himself. Kauupo pa lang naman.

      Duterte made it clear to all that FVR is on his side in this fight. He mentioned FVR many many times in his first few speeches. Former president Ramos is still highly respected by the military. He was instrumental why GMA stayed in power when he showed up in Malacanang thru JDV. Thru FVR, the military will not meddle with how civilian leader runs the govt. Smart move.

      • @Vhin AB

        There are people who do not share your high esteem for FVR.

        During the time of President Aquino he was not able to prevent the bloodiest coup that nearly toppled her regime.. It was General Biazon who saved the day while he was just so ready to surrender and negotiate with the rebels.

        When he became President he was not able to control a first lady wannabe who tried to wield clout on the basis of her closeness with him.

        We would have brought one Marcos to justice had he not allowed Imelda Marcos to get off the hook. Then he supported GMA who was about to resign for stealing the election.

        Then he almost got away with the scandalous PEA Amari Deal which would have gotten through had it not been exposed by Sen Ernesto Maceda.

        Looking back one is hard put to name a positive impact or influence he made while President yet we allow him to indulge in the fiction of his respectability and wisdom.

        Some people do so but maybe only out of politeness on account of his age.

        • During FVR stint as Defense Secretary and President is not the same and influential after stepping down. Here, I was not talking about what Ramos did during that time as u explained. Political survival and ambition should be taken into account before he assumed office as president of the republic. Naninimbang at kumokompromiso. But after FVR stepped down, he gained more power which is being maximized by Duterte.

        • If I may add, looking back during FVR time coming from an unstable democracy and economy, for me it was a positive impact. He was marketed outside our country and called as ‘Steady Eddie’. Was it true? Yes, maybe NO to you. Was he perfect under those circumstances? NO but by far the best person to handle the country that time.

          Do past presidents still enjoy some influence especially in the military? I think so especially FVR being a former soldier himself.

          if you ask me why did FVR allowed this and that about the Marcoses, then why Cory, GMA and PNoy failed to do a lot of those. Can I add the FOI which Noy promised? Presidents live and die in balancing their political agenda & survival during and after stepping down. But we’ll see if FVR is just a fiction at this stage.

      • Ramos is corrupt. Has querida becoming millionaire

        After martial law, Ramos built a 100 million peso house in aylabang out of govt salary

        Na bad karma sa anak pareho ni De Venezia

        Opportunist siya

        • In querida do you mean a wealthy Manila socialite who became wealthier dealing with military supplies after Edsa Uno?

          The Philippine Inquirer in 1993 reported that a certain Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas had a past intimate relationship with the then-Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (wikipedia)

      • It means the murder of 100’s of innocent people. Including people who have witnessed or suffered police abuse.

        Absolutely no one who has been killed has been proven guilty of anything.

        No country can survive that intact.