A Brave Forcast For Philippine Economy Under Duterte

The resiliency of the Philippines economy is already a fact. Blessed with the election of Duterte as President, the country now has a leader that can truly transform it into economic maturity.

The Philippines economy was indeed already primed for phenomenal take-off at the end of Arroyo's Presidency. The rise was only stalled by the indecisiveness of the Aquino Presidency to implement programmed mega infrastructure projects, institute reforms and to eradicate corruption. A strong leader with sincere political will like Duterte as President can make the difference.

Barely less than three months as President, Duterte has undertaken a no nonsense campaigns against corruption in government, criminality, illegal drugs and favor seeking oligarchy. He instituted reforms in the bureaucracy to fight smuggling, illegal mining and fishing and to hasten transactions with government agencies. He called for immediate implementation of long stalled infrastructure projects including in finding a solution to the worsening traffic problems in Metro Manila. He is modernizing the AFP and PNP to strengthen both internal and external security. And many more.

Now consider that the Philippines is expected to register exports of around $50billion and imports of nearly $60billion in 2016. Put into the picture too the estimated OFW earnings of around $26billion and BPO industry income of not less than $26billion this year and readily a net foreign exchange surplus of a little less than $40billion can be attained! This in layman's view is equivalent to having earned that much in exporting A BILLION BARRELS OF OIL at current prices this year alone. And such doesn't include yet possible foreign exchange earnings from tourism and multi-national casinos that are newly opened. Surely there will be strong economic fundamentals, even without discussing other relevant factors, to support a boom in the country's economy.

Everything bodes well for the Philippines, and most Filipinos love President Duterte for displaying a leadership prowess and tenacity reminiscent of Lee Kwan Yew. While declaring an independent foreign policy, allied nations must not look upon it as a threat to existing security arrangements. It must instead be viewed as an attempt by Duterte to make the Philippines able to stand alone economically prosperous and externally secured, that in turn will further strengthen existing alliances. The bottom line is there's no other possibility for the Philippines but to rise wonderfully as a nation under Duterte.

American Genocide in the Philippines, the Western Press and Filipino Values

Washington and the American press had it coming. Their unproven claims of extra judicial killings by the Duterte Administration pushed the Philippines President against the wall. No amount of clarification from the Philippines side could match the clout of the western press in presenting the true events in the Philippines, and Duterte could only afford to strike back. At the end of the Asean Summits, instead of sticking on to a prepared speech, he presented to the world a picture representing a sample of American atrocities committed in the Philippines.

The Bu Dajo masaccre was committed by American soldiers during the pacification campaign in Mindanao in the 1900s. Thousands of Moros in the Philippines, including women and children, were killed by American occupation forces for rejecting American rule. The Philippines was kept muted about this event (and many more like the Balangiga massacre in Samar) to foster an enduring relationship with the US. But power seems to make people feel so unblemished and forthright even to the point of unfairly destroying other peoples' values.

The western press is so used to impose their preconceived sentiments in their reporting. So much so that Duterte's pronouncements were immediately given print space and broadcast time in a very negative way since he became President. Yet when he presented the appalling picture at the Asean summit, everyone in the west  kept silent and mum to this day. Ashamed of the dirt on their faces brought about by the disclosure of just an incident that the Philippines kept unpublished to the world, for the sake of US-Philippines diplomacy and friendship?

Most Filipinos still value friendship with the US. All that they want this time is for everyone to give their President a chance to lead their country in accordance with their sovereign will, because the people truly foresee a stronger and a more prosperous country under their new President. The Philippines now simply needs more support than meddling in charting its destiny. When given, such will go  a long way in truly preserving a rock solid US-Philippines alliance.

Duterte and the Rebirth of Nationalism in the Philippines

The die is cast. In his appearances during the presidential election campaign, what was very noticeable was the Philippine flag proudly displayed on the stage, his supporters' shirts, party logos and campaign materials.Without saying a word, it unconsciously imparted love of country to onlookers. This was a complete turnaround from the visual fatigue brought about by the fascist yellow ribbon insignia that was made famous by the EDSA Revolt, and worn by the Aquinos and their subordinates even during official government functions. Showing the Philippine flag was also a step ahead by Duterte from the 'I don't care about the flag' attitude or 'I simply missed it' stance of other candidates. Such display of nationalism helped Duterte gain massive followers. The election result, an overwhelming victory over the closest opponent of the now Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, was the undeniable proof of acceptance by Filipinos of his election platform that projected a great deal of nationalistic fervor.

Barely more than 2 months into his Presidency, a great sense of nationalism is taking root among Filipinos who are inspired by their tough talking yet politically sincere President. As results, peace deals with the major rebel groups are on the works, the West Philippine Sea dispute with China is now being handled with priority to Philippine interests, a bigger budget for modernizing the armed forces (AFP) and police (PNP) was earmarked, there is more attention to the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, anti-corruption and criminality campaigns are launched, and many more. Sadly, the anti-illegal drugs campaign which as of to date has more than 700 fatalities resulting from police operations, became an issue with human rights groups and some western media and political units due to their expressed claim that extra judicial killings are being undertaken by the Duterte government. This prejudgement did not augur well with the Duterte government whose image in the international community is being unjustly smeared. With limited resources, the Philippine government found it difficult to reason out against the clout of western media that almost always find it easy to report unfairly about underdeveloped countries. Thus was Duterte pushed to what he strongly believed in...my country first.

The pronouncement by the US State Department that Obama intended to take up human rights issues with Duterte during their scheduled bilateral meeting at ASEAN Summit in Laos was the last blow that the latter could take to finally cry foul. The said public announcement insinuated a prejudgement akin to those said by the UN rapporteurs, that in reaction, Duterte lambasted. As President, Duterte took it already

as an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines.

Backed by the outpouring of strong Filipino nationalistic sentiment expressed in social media, Duterte is seemingly hardening his nationalistic posture. There is no question that this could work well for the Philippines. Yet, his recent discourse with the Obama government, while surely will not harm the solid US-Philippine alliance in the long run, calls for the Americans to take a second look or policy review in treating a 'little brother'.

Social Media Against Western Media's Cliche Portrayal of the Philippines

Extra Judicial Killings in the Philippines and Human Rights

There is no death penalty under Philippine laws. Technically therefore, all murders and homicides committed in the country can be termed 'extra judicial', a reference which human rights advocates across the globe now use to bash the Duterte administration.

In almost 2 months of the Duterte presidency, more than 1,000 incidents of death under investigation (DUIs-murders and homicides) were recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and this immediately leads to questionable human rights censure of the Philippines leadership in its anti illegal drugs and criminality campaigns. I say questionable censure because in the first 6 months alone of 2015 under the Aquino administration, more than 7,000 murders and more than 6,000 homicide cases, or a total of more than 13,000 deaths under investigation (DUIs) were registered by the PNP, and yet, the human rights advocates never raise a voice.

Under Duterte, out of the more than 1,000 DUIs, only more than 700 deaths of criminal suspects resulted from police operations from which more than 250 cases so far were cleared by the PNP Internal Affairs as legitimate violent encounters arising from

resistance to arrests, while the rests are still under review.

Considering the above circumstances then, is it fair for human rights advocates (including news outfits and political units) around the globe to OUTRIGHT condemn the Philippines leadeship?

For sure, most of the Filipinos now believe that there is an orchestrated effort from an 'interest group' to defame the popular Philippine President and weaken his leadership for ulterior political motives. Come what may, Duterte's adversaries must not underestimate his support from the vast majority of the populace.

The Philippines At A Crossroads

Upon the election of President Duterte, the Philippines took a more independent course in foreign and domestic policies. Rather than follow the desire of some powerful interests locally and in the West, President Duterte is now directing the country truly in accordance with his pre-election platform that reeks of a very strong sense of nationalism and love of country.

This does not sit well with geopolitical agenda of the above mentioned interests, and as a result President Duterte is now besieged with concerted tirades to defame his presidency. With the  support and trust of 91%  of Filipinos, these interests are trying to weaken Duterte's popularity in order to create a space for their hidden agenda.

President duterte is deemed the strongest president the Philippines ever had since Marcos. The vast majority of Filipinos are pinning their hope on this for real change ie. political, economic, social, institutional, etc. in the Philippines. The pressures are great but with his strong political will, the fruits are starting to come-up.

The Philippines is now at a crossroads for change. On this, it is the will of the people that must prevail, so much so, that now is the most crucial time for Filipinos to show love of country and support the President. God bless the Philippines.