Inside Philippine politics & beyond

A challenge to President Duterte’s supporters

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Just my opinion

By Raïssa Robles

just-for-the-record-thumbThose who profess to support President Rodrigo Duterte and who are living in the US or enjoying US visas – especially the 10-year ones – should put their money where their mouths are.

They should publicly tear up their US visas. And while they are at it, they should tell their children they can’t study in the US. Study in China, by Gaaaaad.

For all the Filipino-Americans with dual citizenship who voted Duterte into office, drop your US citizenships.  Duterte has kept insulting your new-found leaders. What are you doing about it?

As for me, I have NEVER had any problems with US visas because I have NEVER in my life applied for one.

In Marcos Martial Law: Never Again book is a chapter on the atrocities committed by our three former colonial masters – the Spaniards, the Americans and the Japanese. Some of the torture methods they used were repeated by the Marcos dictatorship.

So I wonder, when President Duterte goes to Tokyo next week, will he also rake up the atrocities committed by the Japanese during the Second World War?

Probably not.

The Tokyo government has remained silent about his drug war.

I believe it is very important  to not forget that the colonizers abused the inhabitants of our islands.

Just as it is important to remember that Ferdinand Marcos was the first Philippine president to systematically abuse his own people. And his children have never ever acknowledged that their father resorted to such massive human rights abuses in order to keep himself in power.

Which is why I found it profoundly disturbing that Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos not only accompanied President Duterte on his state visit to China. Duterte even publicly acknowledged Bongbong as possibly the new vice-president should he win his election protest case against Leni Robredo.

Which tends to imply that Duterte believes Robredo cheated Marcos, whose family has a history of massive cheating not only in the 1986 elections but in elections held before and during Martial Law.

Going back to my challenge to Duterte supporters,  it is really high time you put your money where your mouths are. In short, you too should boycott the US which Duterte said has never really helped the Philippines.

Comments

  1. MY QUESTION TO THIS DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION.

    In worst case scenario the EU and the US and it’s allied counties dicided to withdraw and terminate all Filipino working in their country what help they will render to all displaced OFW. They must remember that the no.1 export of the Philippines is man power service kaya nyo kaya tapatan ang sahad na mawawala sa kanila.

    • Agree with you Cheng that the Phils # 1 export is manpower. It is an industry by itself.

      Phil manpower is renowned for its work ethic and back home, BPOs are very healthy because of Filipino talent.

      American and EU companies’ continued interest in hiring expats (Filipinos or others) and investing in other countries is driven by the quality/talent of the human resource and the cost benefit of establishing a factory/etc in the host country. Corporations, esp Corporate America, do not think like the “man on the street” (like us regular Joes or Juans) – their business decisions are driven by the bottom line and not by political aspirations or love for country.

      That’s why American companies moved their manufacturing to many Asian locations – not caring that American blue collar workers back Stateside lost jobs – its all about the Corporation maximising their profit.

      And guess what…for all the anti-China rhetoric of American Foreign Policy, American Big Business continue to trade with the Big Communist Country. The US and China are still the biggest trading partners $$$ wise.

      I do not see a need to worry that these companies (most of them) will start firing Filipinos because of their political views (either supporting or not supporting Du30) or simply because they have a President who is against US Foreign Policy…America pa! Di ba sabi natin sila ang showcase ng democracy…even Americans (natural born and immigrantgs) can criticise their OWN President and government – its part of democracy.

      The only time I saw political repercussion dumbing down to stupid levels was in Hong Kong a few years back when a renowned HK/Chinese journalist wrote an opinion piece calling to action all Chinese in HK to be mean to Filipino domestic helpers and even terminate them and send them home – simply the journalist is angry at the Phils for challenging China on the Spratlys.

      That is Dumb and thankfully that call to action was not taken seriously by level minded Hongkongese.

      That is why, similarly, I see not point in encouraging Pinoys to tear up US visas, renouncing US citizenship and pulling kids out from US schools if people are inclined to agree with Du30’s position on US Foreign Policy.

      There’s a mile of difference between criticising US Foreign Policy and hating American people and culture.,

      Those American corporate executives are not dumb to let emotions/hysteria run their business decisions.

      • Alam mo Boyet pag palaging Dumb,dumb,dumb ang mga word mo sa comment mo iisipin ng nagbabasa matalinong tao ka… the challenge is for FilAm. na maka Duterte na tuwang tuwa sa pagpapa- alis ni Duterte sa USA.( Economy Security Relations at iyung Edca.) pero sarap na sarap ang buhay dyan sa USA. ‘pls hindi nilalahat! yun lang po na mga FROGS.(maka Duterte). Kung isa ka doon dapat lumipat ka sa Netherland o umuwi ka na ng Pilipinas, kung BOTHWAYS ka tumahimik ka na lang, kasi magulo ang comment mo. Ang mga CPM ay hindi Anti USA sa pagkaintindi mo. Ang Idol nyo na si Duterte ang galit na galit sa US huwag mo kaming isama. Kinucomfuse mo ang mga magbabasa.

        • hindi naman Totong…iilan lang kayong confused kuno kasi cornered na kayo sa logic.

          criticism of american foreign policy is not equal to hatred for american people and culture. ganun lang kasimple. pag di mo maintindihan, ayaw mo lang intindihin.

          even natural born americans are free to criticise their govt’s foreign policy kung sa tingin nila mali.

          so kung tama ang logic mo – ibig sabihin dapat umalis na rin sa america ang natural born citizens nila dahil lang di sila agree sa american foreign policy ng gov’t nila?

          simple.

      • American Businesses will simply move their business elsewhere in Asia. BPO can be relocated in India or perhaps maybe Cuba if the agreements are right and ripe. The Criticism of Foreign policy is one thing, HATRED is another. Defending his hatred is what is coming across. His vile comments are being understood/ misconstrued as policy? Most people can’t distinguish between policy vs Culture as this is America biggest export- influence – Freedom of Expressions- Be able to speak up and not be be afraid to be punished for it— Its evident in Media, Social media, movies, music….Can you please tell me exactly what is US foreign policy that you and Duterte are critically, vehemently against that should be changed? Foreign businesses are looking for profits- where there is political stability,cheap labor, efficiency- schools, electricity infrastructure, red tape etc…DU30 said American are loud and discourteous-, isn’t that the people or Policy? So if you are truly pro Filipino – critical of US policy and support this independent approach don’t hide behind the blanket of comfort and security that a US visa or citizenship provides. Its not about American criticizing American govt policy in ASIA, or Businesses in relocating jobs abroad-They are AMERICANS not Pinoys or Fil- Ams whose culture and heritage are exactly alike. So, show and wear your true colours.. After all there are a number of Americans who renounced their citizenship and moved to Canada, Singapore & Europe? What about you?By the way, labor is mobile.. look at the cruise ships .. they can always hire people from India, Indonesia, Latin America.. as for BPO.. – India, and I am predicting Latin America.. so don’t be self assured that these companies will not fire Pinoys just because Pinoys are hardworking and talented, which I agree- there are other nationalities who work just as hard.. the difference that cuts it- Phils only Christian Nation in Asia that is fluent in English & embrace American culture – Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia etc.. But Latin Americans… they can get there and compete with us…Again pls enumerate the Foreign Policy that the US needs to change and that is detrimental to Filipinos, the economy …from where it all started… Thank you.

    • tama ang tanong mo @cheng,
      kaya nga nasabi ng marami na hindi nag-iisip ang bagong pinuno ng pnas.
      ang pinuno ng 16m o 8m ayon sa sagot sa ibaba.
      kaya rj, uwi-uwi ka na sa bayan mo, napakaganda na pala.

  2. TO: ALL Filipino-Americans (dual citizens) or Filipinos who voted for Rodrigo DUTERTE as President of the Philippines that also support the US & PHL economic cooperation, military alliances and Treaty obligations.

    First review the following controversial Duterte Speech, Qs & As in full before answering a flip-side challenge.

    1. Pres. Duterte before the Philippine-China Trade and Investment Forum (Speech) 10/20/2016
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kewxFaNifs

    2. Q & A portion, Arrival from Brunei and China (Speech) 10/21/2016
    youtuDOTbe/5ROWe051FC0?t=610

    If I may, if Raïssa’s challenge is not palatable to you, are you willing or prepared to withdraw or drop your support to Phils. President R Duterte in light of his policies revealed in the above video clips?

  3. Ms. Raissa, sorry but to put it bluntly, ASA KA PA! These Fil-Am die hard supporters of Duterte are like JoMa Sison living in the Netherlands, or those ISIS supporters and recruiters living in the UK. They want the best of both worlds and feel they are entitled to it. They profess their hatred to the system that guarantees them to be heard and yet are cowards to live the system they are espousing. Kaya nga tumakas yang mga yan! And then they egged on their Filipino counterparts to fight on yet they live a comfortable life, far from what we ordinary Filipino citizens who chose to stay in our homeland, had to endure. They are hypocrites. Kung talagang matatapang sila, umuwi sila dito. But I think tearing down their US visa to show their support to Dear Leader Duterte is not worth it. Pwede naman mag TNT yang mga yan. I think the more appropriate call is, if they strongly feel that Duterte is all knowing and correct with his pivot and love for China, then they should abandon their comfortable life in the US and instead be immigrants to China. And if additional funds allow it, mag hayahay sa North Korea. That way they would truly show and feel how logical is Duterte’s love for China is. To that FilAm Duterte supporter who commented below and said that they are walking the talk by contributing their taxes just like OFWs, I would like to talk to you in a language that you and your idol understands, pardon my French, Putang Ina Mo! Sa iyo na yang tax and remittance mo! Your taxes and remittance does not guarantee our comfort and prosperity, gago. We dont owe you anything, you owe it to your motherland. You are not better than us because you chose to leave. We are also paying our dues, and worse, we have to put up with the system you left and we have to endure it. We are the ones who now have to walk the streets of our country with the fear that anytime we and our love ones can be collateral damages of law enforcers empowered by a psychopath whom you idolize and have put into power. Tatakpan na lang kami ng dyaryo, samantalang kayo babasahin na lang kami sa dyaryo, pakuya kuyakoy na lang dyan. We and a million plus others are now the ones who have to worry if we and our love ones have to say goodbye to our livelihood and source of income because your idol have rattled and antagonized American companies and investors. Tang ina nyo, go to hell!

  4. Congratulations on the rhetorical power of your post, Raissa! The most significant shortcoming among Du30 supporters is critical thinking. (In some cases, the “critical” part, but in others, even just *thinking*) As he pours out his political capital like water, the monolithic support of his early days is rapidly eroding. The art of cogitation may soon see a renaissance in the Philippines–we can hope (& pray, if so inclined). The recent event at the US Embassy is instructive of how chaos–the stock in trade of all demagogues–can get out of control: 2 sets of Du30 tutas trying to kill each other (with, as usual, the poor IPs lured into another crossfire.)

    Du30’s remarks about a Bong Bong vice-presidency were particularly egregious. That brings me to the slightly off-topic issue of Cha-cha. The House just recently passed its Cha-cha bill (by an unsurprising majority of about a million to 2), That puts the question of Con-Ass vs. Con-Con in the lap of the Senate–where a mere 7 votes can make all the difference. Unless some backroom fix is already in, I expect pressure, persecution & attempted prosecution of non-Con-Ass subscribers to escalate in the Senate.

    The magnitude of the House majority points to one of the main features of our recent regime change: the abandonment of development politics & the return to dynastic patronage politics as usual. Most of the people in government never really embraced anti-corruption…they simply bided their time–many, inconvenienced by having to keep their noses somewhat clean in order to play the game. Now, the Du30/Marcos Cha-cha strategy seems to be: Marcos gets to be king (and/or queen) of the North & Du30 gets to be king of the South–and the rest of the country’s fiefdoms are up for grabs to anybody who procures a seat at the table during the Con-Ass. Representatives are falling all over themselves to see who can be the most Du30-supporting, in hopes of a better seat at the table when the nation gets carved up into fiefdoms. That leaves the Senate as a last hope. SEVEN no votes & Con-Ass must become Con-Con (if there is to be any Cha-cha at all. I actually support Cha-cha, but believe that this is the *worst* possible time for it).

    I was greatly heartened by the “buzz” your post provoked. The illusion that one old man who’s never been anything but a small city mayor can–based only on his gut feelings–possibly be the right person to lead an emerging nation of 100 million is beginning to fade a bit. (Hooray!) Words matter. The idea that major decisions can be made (or go unmade) with the entire cabinet having to constantly play catch-up because no one dares suggest to the king what he should of shouldn’t say, is nothing more or less than a sellout to Du30’s insane belief that he’s miraculously qualified to make our decisions for us without benefit of data or advice. Data, of course, is the hateful tool of “stinkin’ thinkin'” development politics, but advice is another matter.

    As we watch the cabinet in constant flux between damage control & “translation” of whatever Du30 might have “really” meant when he said whatever, makes me wonder if he ever even *talks* to his support staff–has any idea what they think–*if* they think…& *if* they would dare speak their thoughts. That he seems to be running the entire country “off-the-cuff,” would probably be a symptom of insanity is one thing. The worse thing would be that he *is* getting advice…from unknown sources & with a complete lack of transparency.

    International criticism of the state sanctioned EJKs has driven many Du30 supporters into their bunkers. Rhetoric such as you raised in this post *may* help draw some of them out of their bunkers. Thank you.

  5. Para sa mga Fil Am. at mga bumuto Kay Duterte. Sabi ng Idol nyo paulit ulit.– napanot at nawala na ang bundok unti unting inu-ubos ng mga foreign company at kailangan matigil na dahil pinabayaan daw ng dating administration ititigil daw ang pagbibigay ng permit sa mga ito. Nakita ito ng Idol nyo sa nakatagong liblib ng kabundukan ang pagmimina ng mga dayuhan in patriotic way. na may kasamang panlulumo. Pero ang mga iyon ay may permit concession legal contract. eto ang di nakita ni Idol nyo… Ang mga kumpanya na iyan ay legal…kung iyan ay nagkapermit through bribery corruption iyan. isa pa yung ibang mabuting kumpanya ay nadaramay sa mga Extortionist na communist NPA na pumapatay sa mga nagguguwardya sa kanilang kumpanya. Nakita ni Duterte ang legal pero ang illegal na patagin ang bundok at hakutin ang mga lupa bato at buhangin ng ating kabundukan at itambak sa ating baybayin dagat at gawing Island at sabihin ng China na pag-aari nila ito… Walang say ang idol nyo. Nakabulaga sa kanya ang illegal doing ng China kitang kita. wag na nating pag usapan ang mabahong pananalita nya. ang kayabangan ang mga namatay sa EJK. Sabi nyo bigyan ng pagkakataon si Duterte para ano pa. WEST PHIL SEA is gone. That is a well planned Strategy concocted by your Communist Idol and China. that was a LUTONG MACAO.

  6. May tanong ako, ano bang masama sa “little brown brother” na laging binabanggit ni Yasay. Kasi para sa akin totoo naman na ang Pilipino ay maliit kumpara sa mga white people, at saka ang kulay natin ay brown. I am very proud of who I am. Si Yasay lang naman yata ang nagdi-discriminate sa sarili niya at sa mga Pilipinos. Feeling inferior yata lagi yang si Yasay pag mga American na ang kausap niya. Hindi ba niya alam, among Filipinos, ang discrimination ay mas serious pa.

    Isa pa, ano ba ibig sabihin ng pino-promote ni Duterte and his goons na ‘independent foreign policy’ kuno. Diba they are promoting a foreign policy that is dependent on China. Independent ba ito?

    • hindi kaya ang sarili mismo ni yasay ang tinutukoy niyang “little brown”.
      nandadamay lang yata to get attention at ina-associate niya ito sa lahat ng pinoys.
      paano naman yung mga pinoy na proud sa kulay at kaliitan?
      mag-isa ka na lang yasay.
      wa say na lang ako kung bakit ka ganyan…

      • I like what you said…hahaha. Yes, wag na si Yasay mandamay. Hypocrite, may mga kapamilya nga yata siya na todo enjoy sa Amerika.

    • nakakahiya si duterts, ikinokompara niya ang Pinas sa China at Russia. Kasing powerful na ba tayo sa China at Russia? Isama niya na ang North Korea, tayo pa rin ang pinakamaliit. Ni wala tayong sandata. Yabang niya lang. For the benefit of Russian and Chinese ears lang ang sinabi niya.

  8. sa mga kababayan na gustong tumulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, paki ugnayan o paki padala nalang sa VERITAS. cardinal tagle is the international president of veritas maraming salamat po.

  9. Those American Pinoys who have been very vocal in social media about their support for all that Duterte says and does… They have non-Filipino friends, neighbors, & co-workers who may have been reading their posts. They better be careful. They could be wearing out their welcome.

  10. Do Dirty also have forgot to mention how filipinos treated Chinese in the Philippines. We the common Chinese are called “tsekwak” we are being bullied and at times being treated as like we are the lowest of the lowest. Our family has been a direct victim of being bullied not only by ordinary pinoy but with some municipal official. Ask around the chinese community and they too will say, that they too have experienced such treatments. I am sure even Chinese in Dabao is not exempted from this.

    • @Sam

      I agree with what you said. But I think discrimination and prejudice is a function of ignorance. I hope in the future we Filipinos can have a better appreciation of our Chinese heritage that helped shaped our nation. Many Filipinos – me included- have Chinese roots and growing up I also witnessed school bullying of my friend who is as Filipino as I am but only closer to the stereotype. Decades later, having done well in life, he had his revenge: kindness.

  11. Baaaad girl, Raissa. (And, I mean that in a good way.) Daming nag-react. After you shook their shell, I wonder how they feel now. Do they shift a bit or dig in, but just not go public. Or, feeling proud and unaffected. Many of them, far removed” do not have to experience nor witness the brutal killings.

    While I respect their freedom to vote for Duterte, either sa totoong buhay or sa pangarap, the only thing that concerns me is how his perceived base of support inspires and emboldens Duterte to go further

  12. Like most Filipinos, I was baffled with PDU30’s pivot to China. But remembering that he still thinks of Davao as his country, I’m convinced thay his move is repayment for his Davao businessmen friends (remember the PHP 75 M from Floirendo, the banana magnate?). Fruit exports to China from Davao stopped in 2012 because of our protests against China’s enroachment in the WPS Imagine the lost earnings of the Davao businessmen! This also explains why the wooing of China was done quickly. Now the export ban has been lifted, and all is well for the businessmen. Makes sense to me. Sad that all the current divisiveness is just patronage politics and superb acting by PDU30.

  13. Agree with Raissa. Put your money where your mouth is!!!!
    PANGUNAHAN NG PAMILYA AT MGA KAMAGANAK NI DUTERTE, CABINET MEMBERS, SENATORS, CONGRESSMEN AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS FOLLOWED BY ALL HIS SUPPORTERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WHO HAVE US VISAS. SABAY SABAY NYONG PUNITIN MGA US VISA NYO!!!

  14. Here’s a funny way to interpret Duterte from a Chinese analyst:

    His “separation” from the US is like the new social phenomenon in China where people file fake divorces in order to get around regulations and secure a second housing loan.

    aha ha ha ha

    • @andrewlim8 you got it right!
      hindi naniniwala ang mga insek sa flowery words ni du30. another malaking kahihiyan ang binigay nya sa kanyang pagkatao. talagang ang ganda ng kanyang pagsayaw sa china.
      sige pa sayaw du30 sayaw. ang galing clap clap clap. now i think people here can identified who are pulling the strings of the puppet called du30. imagine the marcos siblins even join the entourage to view the greatest opera in china.

      so, du30 applied a fake us divorce in order to bring usa billion dollars soft loans in order to make good in the face of his supporters as soos as he arrives home.

      While Beijing laid out full honors for Duterte, in a reception seldom accorded to regional leaders, Chinese media and officials have been silent on his effusive praise of the Chinese and his declaration of separation from the US.

      Chinese netizens, displaying some skepticism, said he was making these remarks to extract benefits from China, such as soft loans.

      http://globalnation.inquirer.net/147513/beijing-under-no-illusion-manila-will-pivot-away-from-washington#ixzz4NnazuJaG

      • I bet, it bites hard at the chinese, foul mouthed digong has chinese lineage, they’re of the same blood! how could one with chinese blood not as wise as confucious? mabunganga and always chewing like a goat? yes, he was still chewing like a goat while in china, or maybe, his lips were moving dahil he was talking to himself. or maybe, talking to his imaginary twin.

        • he, he, he, maybe digong has blood of chinese barbarians, the ones china’s great wall tried to exclude. only now, rubbing shoulders with chinese president and eating at his table.

        • Nakakahiya Kay Genghis, kasi siya may vision, though puro killings then, at builder. Whereas, Duterte, parang si Nero.

  15. One thing the DDS -Duterte Diehard supporters do not seem to get – there is a difference between asserting independence with an independent foreign policy and unnecessarily insulting and picking a fight with an ally. Both demand a different response.

    But the DDS seemed to have gone beyond logic and reason, talking to them is futile. Talking to them is useless. They can only understand the language of consequences. Better to leave them alone and talk to the offended party. The US based DDS may not want to give up their visas but the visa giver may want to do something about it.

    For Pinoys who get a kick at international notice in whatever form, a little good news. “Kapalmuks” may just make it into the English vocabulary courtesy of the Pinoys who cheer on Duterte while he insults the nation whose hospitality they feast on.

    By the way, I support the War on Drugs and Criminality, I support an independent foreign policy, I support having a better relation with China, I support a genuine peace process. But after one, two, three months and counting, I don’t believe Duterte is the right man for this job. And in not asserting our sovereignty on parts of our country invaded by China he has committed treason.

    I join the call for him to resign.