View Full Version : Philippine politics and economics
Maybe, however having worked pretty much throughout the world in developing countries, I've not seen the same sort of mentality so prolifically displayed.
GE your Inbox is full. You need to empty it out.
Asian Rain
10-26-16, 13:53
But why, among all of the major ASEAN countries does this seem to be the only one incapable of envisioning, planning for and implementing its own development strategies? Thailand--with a level of corruption at least equal to this place--managed, on its own, to build a new airport, construct god knows how many elevated highways, building a monorail urban transport system and build a subway, and all within the space of 10-15 years.<SNIP>Having lived in several of the countries you mentioned, including Philippines and Thailand, my view is pretty simple. The strengths of the Filipinos are their greatest weaknesses. The positive and servile nature and English speaking ability makes them prime candidates to become OFWs. First it was the uneducated class, but the growth in OFWs has been driven in recent years by educated classes. In my visit to Dubai I NEVER met a local except for the guy who stamped my passport. Otherwise everyone was a Filipino from the greeter at the airplane to the driver to the hotel clerk to the girl behind the counter at McDo to everything. So the middle class and lower middle class is going overseas to work. And for many of the upper middle class, they will take the first chance to emigrate. At my own company, I had no less than 10 people I knew emigrate to Australia, Canada and USA while I was in the Philippines.
When the middle classes leave, it has numerous effects. They typically exercise their political rights less. It causes a drain on talent and human capital. And perhaps most interestingly, the demand for middle class-focused infrastructure, like subways and airports, decreases.
Now compare that to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, where comparatively a fraction of the middle class is going abroad to work. Especially in Thailand, Thais for the most part abhor the idea of leaving Thailand. In my company, the number of Thais working as international assignees and short-term assignments is dwarfed by Filipinos, who take the first chance out they can get. For Thailand, there is the added advantage that there is a substantial domestic production of cars, machines, white goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, etc. That act as a manufacturing base that supports a very robust middle class and lower middle class structure. So there is a nice "closed loop" where the investment, talent and growth is created in country and stays in country. The same can be said for Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam in differing degrees as well. Add to the fact in Thailand that they have access to a massive pool of cheap labor coming from Myanmar. It is not Thais building Thailand anymore, it is Burmese increasingly doing all the dirty, dangerous and hard work.
I agree with all your observations. Having visited Manila in 1999, it was way ahead of Bangkok, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, etc. When I went to live in Manila in 2012 it was like a time capsule. The same places in the same condition in old Manila. Only some gentrification of shopping malls and cheap condos in the center. Otherwise, the same same shithouse surrounding it. On the other hand, BKK and Jakarta exploded in development. Here in BKK the subway never takes more than 5 min to arrive. A 3 G signal is better than the best 4 G in Manila. I can drive a scooter on the road without being accosted by beggars at every stop light. Electricity is much cheaper. There are a billion restaurants to try and the food choice is endless. I can get Japanese brand appliances. People, especially ladies (and even many bar girls), dress fashionably. I could go on and on about the merits. But for all of that I would still rather be in Manila. That is the subject for another post. Enjoy the Philippines, AsianRain.
Wicked Roger
10-26-16, 16:42
It seems to me the one and only reason posters are upset with President Dutere is the EJK. So upset that they can not give him proper credit for other advances.
On my recent trip to RP no Filipino has expressed any displeasure over EJK or any other Dutere initiatives or accomplishments. Most Filipinos are more hopeful than ever before.
Maybe as a diversion from failed policies and human rights in other areas.Or maybe some people are scared silly and / or have something to hide hence lots of complaints about and nothing about the previous admin. I have asked why before and recommended the person (s) leave. But they remain and continue too be posting all negative stuff.
As I keep repeating myself. We have no say, the locals seems happy, many OFWs I meet all happy, so if you don't like it where you are go somewhere else.
Delighted to read your post, Red. As nice as it is in California I am excited to continue planning retirement in PI, probably Dumaguete area. Cheers.
I am perfectly comfortable living where I do. For me, life is good, and I cannot see any greener grass on the other side of any nearby fences..
GoodEnough
10-26-16, 22:08
GE your Inbox is full. You need to empty it out.Sorry about that. I've made room.
GE.
They are back on the streets again. Numbers appear bigger. Everything is totally fine of course.
Keen Eye Joe
10-27-16, 09:07
They are back on the streets again. Numbers appear bigger. Everything is totally fine of course.Earlier this week I sat next to an well-spoken Filipino business owner on a flight from BKK to MNL. We discussed the USA Embassy protest debacle that happened last week. He was of the opinion that most left-wing protests in the Philippines are funded by Chinese interests. The money gets filtered down through local organizers where every link in the chain obtains a cut of the funding. He says the protesters are being compensated with transportation, food, and a stipend, which in Manila is around 300 pesos per day.
It's not my place to question the ideology of Philippine protesters. But I've lived here long enough to realize that most people won't lift a finger to do anything that involves effort without being paid for it.
Asian Rain
10-27-16, 11:45
<SNIP>He was of the opinion that most left-wing protests in the Philippines are funded by Chinese interests. The money gets filtered down through local organizers where every link in the chain obtains a cut of the funding. He says the protesters are being compensated with transportation, food, and a stipend, which in Manila is around 300 pesos per day.
It's not my place to question the ideology of Philippine protesters. But I've lived here long enough to realize that most people won't lift a finger to do anything that involves effort without being paid for it.It would be more accurate to refer to them as "paid protesters" than professionals. In order to be professionals, they would have to have some sense of what they are actually doing. Just one look and you know they have been picked off the streets of Tondo or wherever the flip flop wearing masses congregate, where a day of free transpo, food and stipend is a godsend. For a free Jollibee spaghetti it would not matter if it was a protest over imperialism, communism, feudalism, cynicism, alcoholism, etc.
I was in Manila when they were doing the People Power XX (lost count) in Makati. I walked from the Mandarin to the Peninsula and observed the neatly parked rows of jeepneys which had trucked in the protesters. It was a remarkably efficient protest machine. The press reported it as a "genuine movement", however. Given that most journalists have the same sense when presented with a free Jollibee spaghetti, I expect the Western news outlets to pick up this latest event as complete fact and stir it up accordingly. Don't watch the show, try to see what is going on behind the curtain. Enjoy the Philippines, AsianRain.
GoodEnough
10-27-16, 11:56
I have no problem considering that the protesters might have been paid; could be by the Chinese, or by local interests, or a combination of the two. Things here are often not what they seem, and almost never as they are reported, so who knows? I do hope there's no need for me to go to the Embassy soon as I don't think I'd much like to run the gauntlet, but aside from the incident during the first protest, the demonstrators appear relatively peaceful.
I'm a bit more concerned about the growing anti-Western imperialism crap I'm starting to see on Facebook. I realize it's hardly a scientific sample, but I'm seeing some hostility that I've never seen (or perhaps never noticed) prior to the Duterte presidency: anger of the "gall" of the US to want to keep it's troops stationed in Mindanao for more than 2 more years; anger at having been sold "used" see 130 transports, and other minor rants the content of which I forget. This is a country in which polls alleged prior to Duterte, that approximately 92% of the population viewed the US favorably.
The bottom line for me is I remain somewhat concerned but not panicked.
GE.
Wicked Roger
10-27-16, 14:43
I'm a bit more concerned about the growing anti-Western imperialism crap I'm starting to see on Facebook. I realize it's hardly a scientific sample, but I'm seeing some hostility that I've never seen (or perhaps never noticed) prior to the Duterte presidency: anger of the "gall" of the US to want to keep it's troops stationed in Mindanao for more than 2 more years; anger at having been sold "used" see 130 transports, and other minor rants the content of which I forget. This is a country in which polls alleged prior to Duterte, that approximately 92% of the population viewed the US favorably.
The bottom line for me is I remain somewhat concerned but not panicked.
GE.When those who tell me they don't want the USA in town I point out the Chinese can come but that would a new set of rules they likely would not like LOL.
Facebook is purely silly stuff as a lot of pro D30 postings also, many also slamming the old guard LP for the state of affairs, for drugs. Some are articulate but not that many IMHO.
USA will be around for a long time IMHO, as will China, is how you play them off and keep everyone happy. Now once jobs are created etc maybe then some will quieten down. I read today they want to improve doing business in the country and cut out some of the rubbish everyone (incl GE I think goes through) but won't let go of the land ownership issues regardless.
The net widens to gambling.
So, anybody want to take bets on how long it will be before President Death gets real righteous about the poon industry? My bet, not long.
"Fifty-eight foreigners were arrested last night in Makati City for alleged involvement in online gambling and illegal drug use. ".
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-27/news/58-foreigners-nabbed-for-drugs-gambling/172772?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter
Earlier this week I sat next to an well-spoken Filipino business owner on a flight from BKK to MNL. We discussed the USA Embassy protest debacle that happened last week. He was of the opinion that most left-wing protests in the Philippines are funded by Chinese interests. The money gets filtered down through local organizers where every link in the chain obtains a cut of the funding. He says the protesters are being compensated with transportation, food, and a stipend, which in Manila is around 300 pesos per day.
It's not my place to question the ideology of Philippine protesters. But I've lived here long enough to realize that most people won't lift a finger to do anything that involves effort without being paid for it.With respect, I think you invalidated your own comment. Sure, the people are dirt poor, inducements are the norm. Even elections are conducted with money being, quite literally, thrown to the crowds. So putting that distraction aside, the fact remains anti western protests are recurring and apparently in larger number. This begs the question, who is is behind this and will it continue to escalate?
Jack Burton
10-28-16, 00:55
Let's not forget that, pending the outcomes of the November elections, the US Congress is dominated by right wing, quasi-nationalistic politicians and there are already rumblings of retaliation for the Philippines ostensible "defection. " It's not beyond the limits of possibility that part of that retaliation could involve strictly limiting the number of Filipino OFWs permitted into the country. Depending on the extent of the reduction, if it occurs, that would be devastating to this fragile economy and to the amount of foreign exchange pouring in here from the US. If the US Government decided to get really nasty, it could also put pressure on its allies in the EU and Saudi to impose similar restrictions. This may not be likely, but it is plausible and some members of the Senate a seriously pissed off.
As to contingency plans, I don't think it's time to panic quite yet though I am planning to make a quick trip to Bangkok next month to see if the waters look any more welcoming there.
GE.The USA Congress is dominated by Rep and Dem sock puppets who would let Hillarity set her own (Neocon / war) agenda, and would fight Trump tooth and nail over any decrease in spending. Wall Street and the rest of the FIREM (financial, insurance, real estate, media) back hrc about 98-2, so the oligarchs of the USA are more in lockstep than even the Russians under Putin. D30 power base is among middle class and poor and in Mindanao, where the Muslim minority has a multi-century memory or the USA, unlike the attention span of most Filipinos and Americans.
Since the majority of OFW are Catholics, the USA tilt towards both Saudi Arabia and Iran will likely put quotas on Filipina OFW. Nurses have already been impacted, leading to people of nursing home age migrating to the Philippines in search of affordable health care, or any health care (century old shortage of nurses in the USA). China, USA and EU all have severe and growing demographic issues reminiscent of legendary Jewish growth in Egypt vs natives 3000 years ago. This will end badly, demographically. Philippines may end up being a safe haven, as Russia and USA are on target for a nuclear exchange over Syria and Ukraine. Check out ship movements and civil defense drills in Russia. As I currently live within the blast range of the #1 Russia target (central USA communications hub), I am living as poor as possible to fund migration ASAP. I'm confident I can afford to live in a bed spacer long enough to outlast the next President or two.
Jack Burton
10-28-16, 01:08
I think that is a very reasonable proposition R99. I wouldn't take issue with your analysis under normal circumstances. Current economic datum are presently based on Aquino government historically. Inflation figures hint at already slowing economy pre Duterte. External factors are at play additionally. Not a great time to start pissing off trade partners all in all. I'm guessing the political picture will deteriorate quicker than the available economic data.Correct me if I am wrong: before the election, it was unclear who would win, and the Philippines do not have a runoff system, so in a crowded field, Duterte needed well under 50% to win. Similar to Trump in the USA Primaries. Since this was no primary, but a general election, a lot of people were stunned by the outcome of Duterte with an easy win.
Jack Burton
10-28-16, 01:25
They are back on the streets again. Numbers appear bigger. Everything is totally fine of course.Don't they know the rules? Protest signs are supposed to be in English. Like "Baby Milk Factory" or "Yankee go Home".
GoodEnough
10-28-16, 02:29
This may be the first time since the overthrow of Marcos, or perhaps the first time ever that a "New York Times" Editorial has focused on the Philippines. If Duterte has accomplished nothing else, he's surely taken the country from the realm of the irrelevant--where it's languished for decades--and brought it squarely into the consciousness of people in the US. Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/opinion/president-dutertes-confusing-behavior.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region.
By chance, today I ran into a couple from Davao who live in the same village that I do. She's a Filipina and her husband is, I think German. She told me that though Duterte is a friend of her family, and she knows him, she's got no idea what to make of his recent behavior.
GE.
Don't they know the rules? Protest signs are supposed to be in English. Like "Baby Milk Factory" or "Yankee go Home".Ha! Ha! I'll pay that one JB 😄.
You can't make this shit up.
While flying home, he said he was looking at the sky while everyone was sound asleep, some snoring, and he heard a voice that said "'if you don't stop epithets, I will bring this plane down now. ".
"And I said, 'Who is this?' So, of course, 'it's God, he said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/28/1638212/duterte-says-god-told-him-stop-cursing
Correct me if I am wrong: before the election, it was unclear who would win, and the Philippines do not have a runoff system, so in a crowded field, Duterte needed well under 50% to win. Similar to Trump in the USA Primaries. Since this was no primary, but a general election, a lot of people were stunned by the outcome of Duterte with an easy win.Here's the numbers.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/05/27/1587569/duterte-robredo-win-final-official-tally
This may be the first time since the overthrow of Marcos, or perhaps the first time ever that a "New York Times" Editorial has focused on the Philippines. If Duterte has accomplished nothing else, he's surely taken the country from the realm of the irrelevant--where it's languished for decades--and brought it squarely into the consciousness of people in the US. Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/opinion/president-dutertes-confusing-behavior.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region.
By chance, today I ran into a couple from Davao who live in the same village that I do. She's a Filipina and her husband is, I think German. She told me that though Duterte is a friend of her family, and she knows him, she's got no idea what to make of his recent behavior.
GE.Thanks for the link GE. We are all asking the same questions. See my post 'Duterte talks to God'. Dementia? Brain Tumour? Syphylis? Florid personality disorder?
I think AR nailed it describing him as Asia's answer to Mussolini.
The net widens to gambling.
So, anybody want to take bets on how long it will be before President Death gets real righteous about the poon industry? My bet, not long.
"Fifty-eight foreigners were arrested last night in Makati City for alleged involvement in online gambling and illegal drug use. ".
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-27/news/58-foreigners-nabbed-for-drugs-gambling/172772?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletterI was fubuing a mainland Chinese girl (UK uni educated) who worked for one of these online casinos. Her office was in RCBC Tower, and there was a lot of money involved because all the expat Chinese staff (mainland, Taiwanese, and Singaporean) were provided decent condos, good wages, etc. I'm surprised to read of shabu because she and her colleagues were too fearful of crime (in Makati???) to venture outside their residences except to go to work, and the employer provided transport "to keep them safe". A few months ago PAGCOR started a crackdown on all the legal online operators. Over 100 (of about 600) had their licences revoked and PAGCOR promised to not renew the others' licences. An odd crackdown because the government takes about $1 B annually from online operators, but of course there was a lot scams happening with online licensing. And then last month PAGCOR announced new offshore gaming licences.
Edit: oversight of many of online operators was largely handled by the First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corp (CEO Jose Mari Ponce, nephew of Enrile) the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, and now it's being transferred to PAGCOR
First it was the uneducated class, but the growth in OFWs has been driven in recent years by educated classes.I think it may have been a mixed bag that included a lot of educated people. When I first learnt of OFWs in the 80's I thought they were all from the poorly educated menial labourer class. I learnt differently. Many of the maids who moved to HK in the 80's and 90's were university educated and credentialed teachers. I know some Koreans who worked in the ME during the 70's construction boom, and they told me at first the Koreans were the labourers and the Filipinos were the foremen. Now the Koreans are the engineers, project managers, architects, and company owners, the South Asians are the labourers, and the Filipinos are still the foremen. Nursing home and assisted-living careers were often nurses. Filipino doctors worked as nurses at US hospitals.
The numbers of OFWs have grown because of more wealth in the ME and Asia; the set asides that guarantee employment for many GCC nationals and also cultural practices that make it impossible to fire those employed in the private sector; and the aging populations in the West.
Asian Rain
10-28-16, 11:59
This may be the first time since the overthrow of Marcos, or perhaps the first time ever that a "New York Times" Editorial has focused on the Philippines. If Duterte has accomplished nothing else, he's surely taken the country from the realm of the irrelevant--where it's languished for decades--and brought it squarely into the consciousness of people in the US. Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/opinion/president-dutertes-confusing-behavior.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region.As expected the press picked up on this to fan the flame, but what is more significant is that the New York Times has picked this up in OpEd. As the main media outlet of the Establishment and Council on Foreign Relations, it is open code when they write "What we don't know is how far he intends to push his vision of a more independent foreign policy that is not tied to the strategic objectives of his country's most important ally". This will ramp up the other media outlets accordingly with the "this guy is not toeing our line theme". There may not be a laser point on his forehead yet, but this is a much stronger indication of the direction the response will take. Enjoy the Philippines, AsianRain.
Member #4698
10-28-16, 13:16
The latest headline from the WSJ: "Philippine Police Gun Down Mayor in Antidrug Campaign. " Perhaps we underestimated Duterte and he is really serious about his war on drugs.
Here is a link to the report. http://www.wsj.com/articles/philippine-police-gun-down-mayor-in-antidrug-campaign-1477643054.
Wicked Roger
10-28-16, 13:25
Here's the numbers.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/05/27/1587569/duterte-robredo-win-final-official-tallyWhat Amavida fails to pint out that this is the same in UK so why not post UK and Aussie stats for that matter. Happens all over the world.
So again Amavida. What is the purpose of the link, he got more than the LP (and likely your) favorite and the OFWs I spoke to today all love him. So what is the point of the link unless you add another that points to his 89% approval rating.
The US goes to the elections soon with a total wombat and a lady who has a negative trust / favorable rating as candidates. Will you be posting your comments on the USA board about this indignity of Americans having to choose between those 2 candidates? Unlikely.
Wicked Roger
10-28-16, 13:30
With respect, I think you invalidated your own comment. Sure, the people are dirt poor, inducements are the norm. Even elections are conducted with money being, quite literally, thrown to the crowds. So putting that distraction aside, the fact remains anti western protests are recurring and apparently in larger number. This begs the question, who is is behind this and will it continue to escalate?Don't go to Manila as clearly your heart won't take the stress.
Clearly you missed the point entirely Amavida. The issue is they are paid so they do what the paymasters want and is not necessarily their views but 1000 pesos is better than nothing (or whatever they are paid). Don't see you moaning about the payments to voters in the last elections including no doubt the bags of rice and Pepsi? Why not as that is far worse IMHO than this as that clearly distorts democracy.
Didn't see you complain about rampant corruption during the last administration or the plentiful street protests. Or the disgrace of the deaths of the SAF44 or the journos killed 6 years ago who still have no justice. Many my friends talk about this not street demos (as they also think is it staged).
So please comment on this to give a balanced view not one from a scared shrimp sitting in the CR.
Wicked Roger
10-28-16, 13:37
The net widens to gambling.
So, anybody want to take bets on how long it will be before President Death gets real righteous about the poon industry? My bet, not long.
"Fifty-eight foreigners were arrested last night in Makati City for alleged involvement in online gambling and illegal drug use. ".
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-27/news/58-foreigners-nabbed-for-drugs-gambling/172772?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletterD30 has made it clear he will close down many illegal online gambling places. He did recently with a prominent businessman. You did not mention this Amavida to balance you negative views.
Drugs. They deserve whatever they get is many views including mine.
Gambling is worse than drugs IMHO and I have seen families destroyed by it. Not just pinoy but those from the west (one in my immediate family). I know people who secretly go to GA also. This is bad and ruins people but seem think that is acceptable from your FRs.
I would put a stop to it also wouldn't you?
Or do you prefer rampant drugs and gambling? Please let us all know as your views on both are not known but we all know you hate D30 (but clearly loved PNoy and the gang).
D30 as if you did not know like the ladies, had 2 wives etc, flirted with a reported a while back. He may curtail this by the alcohol ban etc but I can't see him stopping what every pinoy likes (well most).
Asian Rain
10-28-16, 18:43
The USA Congress is dominated by Rep and Dem sock puppets who would let Hillary set her own (Neocon / war) agenda, and would fight Trump tooth and nail over any decrease in spending. Wall Street and the rest of the FIREM (financial, insurance, real estate, media) back hrc about 98-2, so the oligarchs of the USA are more in lockstep than even the Russians under Putin.Bingo. Bush-Obama-Hillary, it will all be the same outcome. We are in the process of retaking every city in Iraq that was taken 8 years ago and the media has not mentioned one word to remind the American public that they had paid for this all before. War Is Good, especially in the Middle East, and this cycle will be an enduring operation meant to be sustained, never won. Enjoy, AR.
Scarborough Shoal now accessible to PH fishermen.
One of President Live accomplishment without a shot fired.
D30 has made it clear he will close down many illegal online gambling places. He did recently with a prominent businessman. You did not mention this Amavida to balance you negative views.
Drugs. They deserve whatever they get is many views including mine.
Gambling is worse than drugs IMHO and I have seen families destroyed by it. Not just pinoy but those from the west (one in my immediate family). I know people who secretly go to GA also. This is bad and ruins people but seem think that is acceptable from your FRs.
I would put a stop to it also wouldn't you?
Or do you prefer rampant drugs and gambling? Please let us all know as your views on both are not known but we all know you hate D30 (but clearly loved PNoy and the gang).
D30 as if you did not know like the ladies, had 2 wives etc, flirted with a reported a while back. He may curtail this by the alcohol ban etc but I can't see him stopping what every pinoy likes (well most).My guess is Amavida is a well connected, to the old Nonoy reqime, Pinoy lawyer. Has had his toes stepped on and is nervous.
Employs the lawyerly device of not directly addressing any argument he is uncomfortable with, such as "is rampant use of Meth and its institutional systemic sanctioning by powerful members of society a good or bad thing?" Perhaps he views it as a red herring, wildy overblown by the uncouth, profane Visayan usurper. The corruption is normal to him, someone addressing it in his country shocks his well bred sensibilities.
Amavida of course your friends rule of the country and denial of its ills heaped upon the masses have given to the rise of Duterte. It was inevitable.
Why upper class Filipinos like yourself cannot even acknowledge these simple facts is baffling to me and it is why your country will never develop.
Own up to it. Address it.
New York Times.
Mr. Duterte told reporters after a flight home from Japan on Thursday that he had heard a voice commanding him to ease up on the cuss words, or else the plane would crash.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/10/29/world/asia/president-duterte-says-god-told-him-to-swear-off-the-curse-words.html?_r=0&referer=
Reuters.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to stop swearing, saying God spoke to him on a flight from Japan on Thursday, warning him the plane would crash if he kept using bad language.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN12S0UX
The Express.
OUTSPOKEN Philippino president Rodrigo Duterte has claimed God threatened to crash his plane if he didn't stop swearing.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/726497/rodrigo-duterte-swearing-god-japan-plane-obama?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-news-showbiz+%28 Daily+Express+%3 A%3 A+News+%2 F+Showbiz+Feed%29.
Fox.
The foul-mouthed Philippine president, who once called the pope a "son of a *****" and told Barack Obama to "go to hell," says he has promised to God he won't spew expletives again.
http://foxbaltimore.com/news/offbeat/philippine-leader-duterte-says-god-told-him-to-stop-cursing
The USA Congress is dominated by Rep and Dem sock puppets who would let Hillarity set her own (Neocon / war) agenda, and would fight Trump tooth and nail over any decrease in spending.Trump advocates increases in defense spending. Not sure where the fight is.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/06/politics/donald-trump-defense-spending-sequester/
Wall Street and the rest of the FIREM (financial, insurance, real estate, media) back hrc about 98-2, so the oligarchs of the USA are more in lockstep than even the Russians under Putin. D30 power base is among middle class and poor and in Mindanao, where the Muslim minority has a multi-century memory or the USA, unlike the attention span of most Filipinos and Americans.Let's see the voters decide. Not sure if the college educated, women and minorities are considered oligarchs.
Since the majority of OFW are Catholics, the USA tilt towards both Saudi Arabia and Iran will likely put quotas on Filipina OFW. Nurses have already been impacted, leading to people of nursing home age migrating to the Philippines in search of affordable health care, or any health care (century old shortage of nurses in the USA).Seems like you made up this theory? LOL, good joke though about USA demonizing the Catholics and putting in laws that discriminate them.
China, USA and EU all have severe and growing demographic issues reminiscent of legendary Jewish growth in Egypt vs natives 3000 years ago. This will end badly, demographically.We are in much better shape than China / EU. The built in advantage for the US is. Wait for it, immigrants. The much maligned group has helped out age demographics.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/01/immigration-is-the-only-reason-the-us-doesnt-have-an-aging-crisis/283474/
Philippines may end up being a safe haven, as Russia and USA are on target for a nuclear exchange over Syria and Ukraine. Check out ship movements and civil defense drills in Russia. As I currently live within the blast range of the #1 Russia target (central USA communications hub), I am living as poor as possible to fund migration ASAP. I'm confident I can afford to live in a bed spacer long enough to outlast the next President or two. (no comment)
Fox.
The foul-mouthed Philippine president, who once called the pope a "son of a *****" and told Barack Obama to "go to hell," says he has promised to God he won't spew expletives again.
http://foxbaltimore.com/news/offbeat/philippine-leader-duterte-says-god-told-him-to-stop-cursingDude. Umm, did you need to flood it with multiple posts? Could you just consolidate into one post?
The latest headline from the WSJ: "Philippine Police Gun Down Mayor in Antidrug Campaign. " Perhaps we underestimated Duterte and he is really serious about his war on drugs.
Here is a link to the report. http://www.wsj.com/articles/philippine-police-gun-down-mayor-in-antidrug-campaign-1477643054.Seemed a little fishy, but who knows. 10 guys in 2 different vehicles and they only had 13 baggies of shabu. (and all 10 guys died, but no Police were injured.) Ok, maybe they were the worst criminals ever. Too stupid to just throw out the 13 baggies before the checkpoint. Too dumb to be able to fire a gun properly and / or take cover behind their vehicles.
Seemed a little fishy, but who knows. 10 guys in 2 different vehicles and they only had 13 baggies of shabu. (and all 10 guys died, but no Police were injured.) Ok, maybe they were the worst criminals ever. Too stupid to just throw out the 13 baggies before the checkpoint. Too dumb to be able to fire a gun properly and / or take cover behind their vehicles.Your cynicism is well placed. Look at the pics of the scene. All vehicles sprayed with rounds. This was a hit.
Dude. Umm, did you need to flood it with multiple posts? Could you just consolidate into one post?Yeah.
I did.
I feel better now. . 😜
This whole dirty mess is far from the noble cause some would have it -.
The "war against drugs" is now being used as a convenient excuse by the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to undertake illegal arrests against citizens. – Cristina Palabay, secretary general, Karapatan.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2016/10/28/tell-it-sunstar-war-against-drugs-ruse-506348
Ms Account
10-29-16, 12:06
This whole dirty mess is far from the noble cause some would have it -.
The "war against drugs" is now being used as a convenient excuse by the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to undertake illegal arrests against citizens. Cristina Palabay, secretary general, Karapatan.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2016/10/28/tell-it-sunstar-war-against-drugs-ruse-506348I have a long term chatmate whose father had previously (pre Duterte) spent time in jail for drug usage. My chatmate friend assures me he stopped drugs after he got out. During the week police swooped on him as he was walking to work and arrested him finding drugs on him. Fortunately there was no threats to his life. They are demanding 11 k to release him and not prosecute. Now my chatmate friend could be creating the story to scam me (unlikely I have known her too long) or maybe the father is lying to his kids about drug usage (unlikely they see him every day). It is naive to think that you can give law enforcement / government carte blanche to ignore the rule of law to achieve one specific goal and not have blowback and undesirable results beyond that one goal. Now maybe this corruption within the police was occurring before anyway and maybe one isolated example does not create a theme. But I can't help but think the cat has been let out of the bag and it will be very hard to catch the cat even when all the mice are dead.
Wicked Roger
10-29-16, 17:22
I have a long term chatmate whose father had previously (pre Duterte) spent time in jail for drug usage. My chatmate friend assures me he stopped drugs after he got out. During the week police swooped on him as he was walking to work and arrested him finding drugs on him. Fortunately there was no threats to his life. They are demanding 11 k to release him and not prosecute. Now my chatmate friend could be creating the story to scam me (unlikely I have known her too long) or maybe the father is lying to his kids about drug usage (unlikely they see him every day). It is naive to think that you can give law enforcement / government carte blanche to ignore the rule of law to achieve one specific goal and not have blowback and undesirable results beyond that one goal. Now maybe this corruption within the police was occurring before anyway and maybe one isolated example does not create a theme. But I can't help but think the cat has been let out of the bag and it will be very hard to catch the cat even when all the mice are dead.PNP and corruption is nothing new and I can provide simialr examples pre D30. I can tell about the corrupt traffic police in Burgos who tried to scam an friend who has lived in Manila for 25 years. The police reaction to his reaction was amusing especially when he called the chief of police LOL.
Unfortunately this is the Philippines, too many examples to write about and is yet another issue the new administration has to try and resolve as nothing was done under the previous ones and some could say it was left to flourish as they would not give the police a decent salary. Many examples of police rubbing out others (was one about 2-3 years ago), police holding up a car on EDSA in what people thought was an arrest but turned out to be a shake down (again roughly 2 years ago).
Too many to mention and anyone who says this is only happening now has had his head in the sand or is called Amavida.
11 k seems a small amount IMHO but who I am to judge. There are undesirables in all walks of life just IMHO many more in the police, judiciary and political elite in this country than say many other countries I know of.
If you know her well maybe was not a scam but I have some ask cash for odd reasons even though I knew / know her well. One recently wanted a passport renewal so asked for 10 k until I pointed out the fees (I already know them) on places like a web site (official) and facebook.
So it is your judgement MA.
Jack Burton
10-29-16, 23:06
Trump advocates increases in defense spending. Not sure where the fight is.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/06/politics/donald-trump-defense-spending-sequester/
Let's see the voters decide. Not sure if the college educated, women and minorities are considered oligarchs. The built in advantage for the US is. Wait for it, immigrants. The much maligned group has helped out age demographics.
(no comment)We (in the USA) are behind on the demo curve, and that is a great thing. Philippines are too far behind, not so good. I am helping that by moving. Soros, Gates, Buffett, Damon, heads of ABC / CBS / NBC / Comcast / Fox are white male oligarchs, last I checked. Government jobs (best paying regular jobs) run 20% white male. Lot of college degreed over 60 white males doing fun things like greeting at Walmart, or asking if you'd like fries with that. So Asia looks like a land of opportunity, teaching English to eager learners. Beats teaching in an urban USA School. Oh, I don't support Trump. Just another wannabe oligarch.
Jack Burton
10-29-16, 23:08
Your cynicism is well placed. Look at the pics of the scene. All vehicles sprayed with rounds. This was a hit.Maybe the cops in Philippines don't have throwdown guns. Or maybe it is as it appears.
This is HK but it's a chilling reminder to those who believe they have nothing to be concerned about here.
Man acquitted of drug trafficking sues Hong Kong police for more than HK $3. 9 m over 'planted evidence'.
Writ says computer technician Lam Wai-IP, 51, who was detained for over a year, had no pockets on him the day police claimed they found drugs in his pockets.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2041253/man-acquitted-drug-trafficking-sues-hong-kong-police-more?utm_content=bufferfb84d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
I have a long term chatmate whose father had previously (pre Duterte) spent time in jail for drug usage. My chatmate friend assures me he stopped drugs after he got out. During the week police swooped on him as he was walking to work and arrested him finding drugs on him. Fortunately there was no threats to his life. They are demanding 11 k to release him and not prosecute. Now my chatmate friend could be creating the story to scam me (unlikely I have known her too long) or maybe the father is lying to his kids about drug usage (unlikely they see him every day). It is naive to think that you can give law enforcement / government carte blanche to ignore the rule of law to achieve one specific goal and not have blowback and undesirable results beyond that one goal. Now maybe this corruption within the police was occurring before anyway and maybe one isolated example does not create a theme. But I can't help but think the cat has been let out of the bag and it will be very hard to catch the cat even when all the mice are dead.Agreed, every day this madness is allowed to continue the job of closing Pandora's box becomes less likely. So sad to see this beautiful country being trashed. Not my fight. I'm out of here.
Maybe the cops in Philippines don't have throwdown guns. Or maybe it is as it appears.They don't need to. AFP & PNP are officially above the law now.
GoodEnough
10-30-16, 02:36
Agreed, every day this madness is allowed to continue the job of closing Pandora's box becomes less likely. So sad to see this beautiful country being trashed. Not my fight. I'm out of here.Though you've made the reasoning leading to your decision clear, I think it's based on a series of unproven assumptions, the most questionnable of which is that the street-level instability will increase to the point where you and other expats will be in danger. I don't think this will be the case though it is within the realm of possibility. The more I listen to educated, rational Filipinos, the more I agree with RK's prior statement which I've adopted to some extent: I'll continue to be wary, but for the moment I'm not panicking or packing my bags.
You speak of "this beautiful country" as if to suggest that prior to the ascension of Duterte, the place was somehow Edenic; the fact however is that it was a corruption-ridden kleptocracy kept afloat by continuous exploitation of the poor, and falling rapidly to the bottom of the ASEAN barrel. It's my opinion that a significant segment of the population saw Duterte as a means of finally changing the status quo that developed literally over more than three centuries. I also think it's much to early to know whether he will be successsful and to know how this will all play out.
I've now lived in Davao for about 14 years, and Duterte--aside from a brief stint when his daughter was in charge--was the Mayor for all of that time. It occurs to me that if his reign in Davao provides any clue to his term as the president, then I'll be quite safe.
I can always exercise the option of leaving, and that will remain available to me. For the present however, I'm staying put.
GE.
Interesting follow up:
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu expressed doubts over police claims of a shootout with Dimaukom and nine of his men.
Mangudadatu told a television interview he doubted the police claim that Dimaukom was an illegal drug suspect.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/30/1638651/governor-doubts-police-version-mayors-killing
Wicked Roger
10-30-16, 08:10
This is HK but it's a chilling reminder to those who believe they have nothing to be concerned about here.
Man acquitted of drug trafficking sues Hong Kong police for more than HK $3. 9 m over 'planted evidence'.
Writ says computer technician Lam Wai-IP, 51, who was detained for over a year, had no pockets on him the day police claimed they found drugs in his pockets.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2041253/man-acquitted-drug-trafficking-sues-hong-kong-police-more?utm_content=bufferfb84d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=bufferGE and I and posted earlier about an Aussie in Red Planet Makati, but this happened every day before D30 was president so why not comment on that. Plenty examples but you only now blame 1 person when really the corruption is endemic IMHO.
Look to YouTube find "Big Trouble in Thaliand" and read the Thai police complaints and see it happens there also (so it is alledged). Happened in Australia long time ago for sure (I think was NSW police).
But then I did not see complain one iota about those incidences. So why now? Nothing new and people should be vigilant wherever in the world they not just PI. Yes?
Eyewitness accounts like this tend to indicate that PNP are operating as death squads. Much of what has been attributed to vigilantism may in fact be perpetrated by police and military.
"Like most casualties in President Duterte's four-month-old war on drugs, Cruz was recorded as a suspect who resisted arrest and tried to fight back with a. 38-cal. Pistol.
Both Cruz's widow Rita and his mother Policarpia insisted that though he used drugs, he was never a pusher. Neither was he a gun owner nor a troublemaker in the community.
If Cruz's killing was counted as a legitimate police operation, how come his family members and neighbors found "a piece of cardboard" at the living room, near the spot where he was shot?
They said they found the brown cardboard as they were cleaning the bloodstained section of the floor near the altar. Written on the cardboard was the message: “Pusher at Adik Wag Tularan (Don’t be a pusher and an addict like him).”
“The police said they killed him. But isn’t [a cardboard like that] a trademark of people who carry out summary executions?” said one of Cruz’s close friends.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/835846/a-poem-a-placard-a-phantom
Though you've made the reasoning leading to your decision clear, I think it's based on a series of unproven assumptions, the most questionnable of which is that the street-level instability will increase to the point where you and other expats will be in danger. I don't think this will be the case though it is within the realm of possibility. The more I listen to educated, rational Filipinos, the more I agree with RK's prior statement which I've adopted to some extent: I'll continue to be wary, but for the moment I'm not panicking or packing my bags.
You speak of "this beautiful country" as if to suggest that prior to the ascension of Duterte, the place was somehow Edenic; the fact however is that it was a corruption-ridden kleptocracy kept afloat by continuous exploitation of the poor, and falling rapidly to the bottom of the ASEAN barrel. It's my opinion that a significant segment of the population saw Duterte as a means of finally changing the status quo that developed literally over more than three centuries. I also think it's much to early to know whether he will be successsful and to know how this will all play out.
I've now lived in Davao for about 14 years, and Duterte--aside from a brief stint when his daughter was in charge--was the Mayor for all of that time. It occurs to me that if his reign in Davao provides any clue to his term as the president, then I'll be quite safe.
I can always exercise the option of leaving, and that will remain available to me. For the present however, I'm staying put.
GE.Thats entirely your perogative GE. Nobody is telling you what to think or what to do. I know expats who lived in Davao, the city of bombings and death squads, the city with the highest murder rate and second highest rate of sexual assault and said they felt safe. It's all about perception.
When I booted my asawa out 10 years ago I was left to raise two beautiful children single handedly. My son is a straight A student and his young sister is closing fast on him. I'm very proud of them. I'm all they have and I am acutely aware that they are vicariously learning from the world around them. I don't want my kids to grow up in a society where death squads are the norm and the thought of one of them getting to university only to be killed or maimed by a frat boy with a grenade fills me with dread.
5 years ago I closed down my operations in Manila with a view to moving us OS but the inertia of schooling and other things resulted in some procrastination. So in a sense our move now is a continuation of that process given renewed impetus by current events. While we take a break from school at our holiday house in Zam final arrangements have been made for a good international school In Thailand. I'll have to jump for the start of the new semester and just fly back and forth winding things up here. Unwinding the work of 10 years will take some time.
A year or two in Thailand will be interesting. Hopefully the political situation will not blow up. It's certainly a variable.
So you see it's not panic, just a choice. There are many things to love about the Phils despite its pitfalls and drawbacks. Leaving with a sense of regret over what could have been.
Some heavy criticism of Duterte's alleged deals done in China and astonishing repudiation of US aid by Duterte. People with an open mind may want to read this. Head in the sand types, please ignore.
DAVAO CITY – If President Duterte can have his way, he prefers aid or official development assistance (ODA) that will not require a counterpart from the government.
"I really cannot understand why there is a need to put up a counterpart when you are supposed to help the poor," Duterte said during the launch of the Comprehensive Reform and Development Agenda (CRDA) program of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Cotabato City yesterday.
Rody to US: Withdraw aid.
Duterte told the US anew yesterday that it could withdraw all the aid it intended for the Philippines, saying the country can survive now that he has reached out to China, Japan and Russia.
"You can have your aid, we can survive. Maghanap na lang kayo ng bayan na makakasikmura ng insulto niyo, kaming mga Pilipino hindi naman kami patay-gutom (Go look for other countries who can stomach your insults, we Filipinos are not as poor as you think)," the President said.
Promises.
Duterte brought home promises from his trip to China last week and not consummated deals worth $24 billion as his spokesmen claimed, an opposition congressman said yesterday.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin made the statement in the wake of the clarification issued by Palace officials that many of the agreements signed in Beijing were just MOUs.
"In the fewest words possible, this deals stink. This does not sound like a partnership, much less an independent foreign policy. It is the Chinese government baiting us into million-dollar deals that they will finance through loans while they continue to exploit our natural resources, including Panatag Shoal and beyond," he said.
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-30/news/rody-wants-oda-without-counterpart-funds/173132?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter
GE and I and posted earlier about an Aussie in Red Planet Makati, but this happened every day before D30 was president so why not comment on that. Plenty examples but you only now blame 1 person when really the corruption is endemic IMHO.
Look to YouTube find "Big Trouble in Thaliand" and read the Thai police complaints and see it happens there also (so it is alledged). Happened in Australia long time ago for sure (I think was NSW police).
But then I did not see complain one iota about those incidences. So why now? Nothing new and people should be vigilant wherever in the world they not just PI. Yes?Only the Philippines has state sanctioned under and death squads. We ain't in Kansas now toto.
GoodEnough
10-30-16, 23:43
Some heavy criticism of Duterte's alleged deals done in China and astonishing repudiation of US aid by Duterte. People with an open mind may want to read this. Head in the sand types, please ignore.
DAVAO CITY If President Duterte can have his way, he prefers aid or official development assistance (ODA) that will not require a counterpart from the government.
"I really cannot understand why there is a need to put up a counterpart when you are supposed to help the poor," Duterte said during the launch of the Comprehensive Reform and Development Agenda (CRDA) program of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Cotabato City yesterday.
Rody to US: Withdraw aid.
Duterte told the US anew yesterday that it could withdraw all the aid it intended for the Philippines, saying the country can survive now that he has reached out to China, Japan and Russia.
"You can have your aid, we can survive. Maghanap na lang kayo ng bayan na makakasikmura ng insulto niyo, kaming mga Pilipino hindi naman kami patay-gutom (Go look for other countries who can stomach your insults, we Filipinos are not as poor as you think)," the President said.
Promises.
Duterte brought home promises from his trip to China last week and not consummated deals worth $24 billion as his spokesmen claimed, an opposition congressman said yesterday.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin made the statement in the wake of the clarification issued by Palace officials that many of the agreements signed in Beijing were just MOUs.
"In the fewest words possible, this deals stink. This does not sound like a partnership, much less an independent foreign policy. It is the Chinese government baiting us into million-dollar deals that they will finance through loans while they continue to exploit our natural resources, including Panatag Shoal and beyond," he said.
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-30/news/rody-wants-oda-without-counterpart-funds/173132?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletterThe quotes attributed to Duterte don't make sense to me, since bilateral ODA from the US, Australia and Japan typically do not require any counterpart funding. They're straight-out grants for specific programs offered without funding conditions on the part of the Philippines. Typically, ADB or World Bank "aid" consists of concessionary loans, and projects so funded do often require counterpart funding. Some countries, such as Japan also offer loans at concessionary rates, and these too do require some counterpart funding to cover part of the cost.
About 4 years ago, USAID somewhat changed its funding priorities here, and to my knowledge no longer funds much in the way of infrastructure, though it did just complete a large infrastructure recovery project in the Yolanda-devastated areas. This was, I believe, its last scheduled infrastructure project.
As far as I know, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), must approve all ODA projects from any source. Surely it's well aware of the conditionalities associated with all grants and loans, and just as surely, it would inform the president of same.
USAID focuses these days on "soft" projects, designed to "enhance capacity" or "encourage transparency," and such projects are, in my opinion, largely fluff in that that don't culminate in any tangible benefits to the receipients and really do not correspond in large to Philippine Government priorities. Duterte might have a problem with that and, if so, it would be understandable in my view. I'd have a problem with it as well.
As is the case with most bilateral aid agencies, USAID typically hires, through competition, a US development company to implement its projects. Though project staff typically include more Filipinos than Americans, the top posts are typically reserved for Americans who know very little about the country and who, though often well-intentioned, don't bother to listen to the locals on the staff. Thus there's often little congruence between project activities and local needs, with the inevitable result that after millions of dollars have been expended, there's often no enduring result associated with the projects.
In my opinion, Duterte could easily reject all future USAID projects without incurring any harm to his country. A better course for him might be to insist that the Americans, and all other bilateral donors, work with NEDA to develop projects more closely aligned to local priorities and designed to produce measurable, sustainable benefits.
GE.
Interesting follow up:
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu expressed doubts over police claims of a shootout with Dimaukom and nine of his men.
Mangudadatu told a television interview he doubted the police claim that Dimaukom was an illegal drug suspect.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/30/1638651/governor-doubts-police-version-mayors-killingYou have to be joking on this one.
Maguindanao is possibly the most corrupt narco region of the entire country.
Does anyone remember the massacre of 2009 of 40+ unarmed journalists and bystanders. The leaders of that horrific place were so brazen that they just bulldozed the dead into mass graves. It happened under Glorias watch and Nonoy convicted exactly zero as nobody was held accountabe.
Is that the beautiful country you wistfully miss? That was the rule of law of you are defending?
Your defense of the deeply entrenched pinoy mafia that has ruled your country for decades is mind blowing. What is your investment in the status quo?
At least now that narco Ampatuan clan would not have the ablitity to pull off that kind of kind of horriible massacre of innocents with impunity under the current climate.
The chickens have come home to roost for at least some your fellow elites who prey on the weaknesses of the poor and vulnerable.
Was that 2009 massacre a myth also? You think that Mayor was some innocent lamb? They are part of the same clan. Of course they have no meth on them, they are the financiers not the sellers and personal manufacturers. You must only travel in some echo chamber of the comfortable who benefit from that mad system and are insulated from its consequences on the hopeless streets to defend such depravity.
Sorry I don't have any links to post. For those of you who don't remember it just google it.
I am just glad to see finally some Amputuan finally took a bullet. That was one of the darkest chapters in post Marcos Phils. I hope more of that human garbage is taken out soon.
FreebieFan
10-31-16, 01:44
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2040922/dutertes-foul-mouthed-rants-mask-real-issues-and-reflect
Wicked Roger
10-31-16, 03:31
Only the Philippines has state sanctioned under and death squads. We ain't in Kansas now toto.As I said, show the link to prove that statement or modify with intelligence. Hitler and the Nazia was certainly state sponsored genocide, you could say the same about the Tutsi / Hutus in Africa plus the former Yugoslavia. There is plenty of support for the comment you made in those countries but not the Philippines to date.
But once again you rant without support and once again others call you out or pint put where you are incorrect.
What has Kansas got to do with it?
And why can't you reply to the many questions asked of your position on drugs and gambling etc in the country as your response is just negativity which has only happened since d30 was in town not your favorite LP buddies which is highly suspicious.
Wicked Roger
10-31-16, 03:46
You have to be joking on this one.
Maguindanao is possibly the most corrupt narco region of the entire country.
Does anyone remember the massacre of 2009 of 40+ unarmed journalists and bystanders. The leaders of that horrific place were so brazen that they just bulldozed the dead into mass graves. It happened under Glorias watch and Nonoy convicted exactly zero as nobody was held accountabe.
Is that the beautiful country you wistfully miss?.Well said Pantot.
Amavida has been asked if he support drugs in the Philippines or thinks it should be stopped etc. He has refused to reply to direct questions hence your assessment is what one can assume.
He conveniently forgets past rub outs etc. See the links below and the massacre you noted. Rub outs happen as there is a corrupt system and something d30 will strugglee to resolve quickly IMHO.
http://www.philstar.com/metro/2015/07/18/1478271/4-5-cops-rubout-surrender
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maguindanao_massacre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNWKq9gPSrM
http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/cry-for-justice-the-ampatuan-massacre-20141027-11cipi.html
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/456979/pnp-starts-probe-of-22-cops-in-quezon-rubout
When these 2 rub out examples were news known plus the horrendous massacre, Amavida was silent. Look at FR history. These all happened under the LP / PNoy watch and has anyone been brought to justice? In jail serving time?
Amavida. Please enlighten us delusional simple people with your views on the 3 incidents noted by me and Pantot. You agree these are dreadful and should be punished? You believe these happened? Or are you an LP apologist as you made no mention of them a the time unlike many others.
Or as Panto infers, you are too well connected as an expat Aussie (maybe pinoy with Aussie passport but I doubt that) to notice what your friends do but when they are not in power you now rant and rave every day. This is inconsistent behavior and poor form IMHO as clearly you are scared someone will catch up with you before you can sell your assets and escape (you did say in an earlier FR "I am out of here".
If that is the case, I will offer you a fair 'firesale' price for you AC and Dipolog properties to help you on your way as quickly as possible if that's what you must do?
Wicked Roger
10-31-16, 03:54
This is HK but it's a chilling reminder to those who believe they have nothing to be concerned about here.
Man acquitted of drug trafficking sues Hong Kong police for more than HK $3. 9 m over 'planted evidence'.
Writ says computer technician Lam Wai-IP, 51, who was detained for over a year, had no pockets on him the day police claimed they found drugs in his pockets.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2041253/man-acquitted-drug-trafficking-sues-hong-kong-police-more?utm_content=bufferfb84d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=bufferPost this in HK thread and make the comments and see the feedback. This happens in this country a lot am sure and happened before d30 - I know someone this happened to so please stop lecturing us on matters when the person I know was fitted up 2 years ago. Now free but takes a long time to sort the mess in dreadfully bad judicial system.
Also GE and I posted a link about an Aussie guy 'arrested' in the Red Planet in Makati. Again under the PNoy / LP watch not d30.
So what has this link got top do with anything in the Philippines? We have posted more pertinent links 2 months ago but you made no comment then as is was before d30. Now you try and link a HK false arrest to this country?
Why? Please post it in HK and we will see the comments or maybe you won't so maybe someone else will?
GoodEnough
10-31-16, 04:40
You have to be joking on this one.
Maguindanao is possibly the most corrupt narco region of the entire country.
Does anyone remember the massacre of 2009 of 40+ unarmed journalists and bystanders. The leaders of that horrific place were so brazen that they just bulldozed the dead into mass graves. It happened under Glorias watch and Nonoy convicted exactly zero as nobody was held accountabe.
Is that the beautiful country you wistfully miss? That was the rule of law of you are defending?
Your defense of the deeply entrenched pinoy mafia that has ruled your country for decades is mind blowing. What is your investment in the status quo?
At least now that narco Ampatuan clan would not have the ablitity to pull off that kind of kind of horriible massacre of innocents with impunity under the current climate.
The chickens have come home to roost for at least some your fellow elites who prey on the weaknesses of the poor and vulnerable.
Was that 2009 massacre a myth also? You think that Mayor was some innocent lamb? They are part of the same clan. Of course they have no meth on them, they are the financiers not the sellers and personal manufacturers. You must only travel in some echo chamber of the comfortable who benefit from that mad system and are insulated from its consequences on the hopeless streets to defend such depravity.
Sorry I don't have any links to post. For those of you who don't remember it just google it.
I am just glad to see finally some Amputuan finally took a bullet. That was one of the darkest chapters in post Marcos Phils. I hope more of that human garbage is taken out soon.You are speaking of the Ampatuan clan that ruled Maguindanao for years, and eventually the ARMM once Zaldy Ampatuan was installed as its Governor. Their depreadations were fine with Gloria as they delivered 100% of the votes to her whenever required, and as a quid pro quo, she left them alone to steal as much as they possibly could. However, once they massacred 40+ journalists, they could no longer be ignored, and the whole clan was put in jail, and though they've never been tried (and likely never will be) they are still incarcerated and I doubt they will ever be free given the snail's pace of criminal justice here.
Again, if you accept Duterte's assumption that national, provincial and local government officials, aided and abetted by police and armed forces senior officers virtually control the lucrative drug trade, and you accept the self-evident assumption that there's no functional justice system, then what alternative to drastic action is there for one committed to breaking the military-political cartel? Obviously putting them in jail, where they would be free to continue managing their activities isn't the answer, so there's no viable alternative. Is it pretty? No. But again, what's the alternative?
Just to add a bit of fuel to the debate fire, Duterte is the only Philippines president I can remember who has tried, and who continues to try to reach a peaceful accommodation with the NPA, the MILF and other Islamic insurrectionists. I've no idea, and neither does anyone else writing here, whether he will be successful in his attempts to create peace, but given the past twenty-five years or so of armed conflict, it should be reasonably clear that the AFP alone isn't going to solve the problem. So again, what's the alternative to discussions? More fruitless armed conflict? The creation of more internal refugees? The continued disruption of the lives of poor farmers who are forced to flee as conflict erupts? I believe that Duterte is taking the only reasonable path open to him, and it's a path that's never been trodden before.
Longing for a return to the status quo ante, as Amavida and others seem to advocate, would be to return the country to the same kleptocracy and oligarchy that has oppressed so many for so long.
GE.
GoodEnough
10-31-16, 04:50
You have to be joking on this one.
Maguindanao is possibly the most corrupt narco region of the entire country.
Does anyone remember the massacre of 2009 of 40+ unarmed journalists and bystanders. The leaders of that horrific place were so brazen that they just bulldozed the dead into mass graves. It happened under Glorias watch and Nonoy convicted exactly zero as nobody was held accountabe.
Is that the beautiful country you wistfully miss? That was the rule of law of you are defending?
Your defense of the deeply entrenched pinoy mafia that has ruled your country for decades is mind blowing. What is your investment in the status quo?
At least now that narco Ampatuan clan would not have the ablitity to pull off that kind of kind of horriible massacre of innocents with impunity under the current climate.
The chickens have come home to roost for at least some your fellow elites who prey on the weaknesses of the poor and vulnerable.
Was that 2009 massacre a myth also? You think that Mayor was some innocent lamb? They are part of the same clan. Of course they have no meth on them, they are the financiers not the sellers and personal manufacturers. You must only travel in some echo chamber of the comfortable who benefit from that mad system and are insulated from its consequences on the hopeless streets to defend such depravity.
Sorry I don't have any links to post. For those of you who don't remember it just google it.
I am just glad to see finally some Amputuan finally took a bullet. That was one of the darkest chapters in post Marcos Phils. I hope more of that human garbage is taken out soon.Has anyone noticed that the deceased Mayor drove around in a pink Humvee that likely cost about $100,000. Does anyone ask how he could have afforded such a vehicle on a Mayor's salary of less than $1,000 a month? As Pantot has correctly pointed out, Maguindanao has long been one of the most corrupt, and most depressed areas of the entire country. It's ruled by warlords, riven by ridos (clan feuds), has among the lowest percentage of high school completers in the country, and among the lowest per capita incomes.
The problem for the president, and for local residents will be how to replace the slain Mayor with someone who is less corrupt, and to find people who actually give a damn about clean governance to run the town. Otherwise, the killing of the Mayor will not help the constituents, and his successor will perpetuate the same old crap that's held this province down for decades.
GE.
Soapy Smith
10-31-16, 05:15
Longing for a return to the status quo ante, as Amavida and others seem to advocate, would be to return the country to the same kleptocracy and oligarchy that has oppressed so many for so long. GE.And so the underlying logic is what, killing our way to rule of law? I'm reminded of an old Vietnam War protest slogan: "fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity."
GoodEnough
10-31-16, 05:26
And so the underlying logic is what, killing our way to rule of law? I'm reminded of an old Vietnam War protest slogan: "fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity."Not a great analogy, but please share with us your view of the alternatives given: an entrenched, politically and militarily powerful narco-cartel; a closed economy that ensures that the rich retain full control over the financial resources of the country; broken democratic institutions including a justice system that doesn't work; one of the poorest systems of public education in Asia; a clear mandate to change the status quo and thereby make life better for the vast majority. And even though it's redundant to keep bringing up the point, killing--to establish political dominance, to destroy economic rivals, to preserve clan hegemony--has been a recurring theme of this country since it's been a country.
GE.
The problem for the president, and for local residents will be how to replace the slain Mayor with someone who is less corrupt, and to find people who actually give a damn about clean governance to run the town. Otherwise, the killing of the Mayor will not help the constituents, and his successor will perpetuate the same old crap that's held this province down for decades.
GE.LOL, his wife is vice-mayor and will taking his place in office.
FreebieFan
10-31-16, 06:43
The problem for the president, and for local residents will be how to replace the slain Mayor with someone who is less corrupt, and to find people who actually give a damn about clean governance to run the town. Otherwise, the killing of the Mayor will not help the constituents, and his successor will perpetuate the same old crap that's held this province down for decades.
GE.Wel all know that many do give a damn but they will never be the ones elected. The ones that will be elected are those that can afford the campaign costs, or can " borrow " the costs of a campaign on the basis that will pay back post election in cash or in amending laws that help those who helped.
It happens in every election there and indeed the reason why many want to enter politics ("I want to be in the government to help the people " LOL LOL LOL). And so the corruption starts at election time (sardines anyones?) and continues at all levels of government.
The only times of trouble is when a richer opponent surfaces and a more well connected opponent or a guy who has more rice and sardines than you do surfaces. Hence the cost of getting elected increases, hence the need to get more payback. And once the sweet fruit of being elected is tasted, well, a pink Hummer isn't too far over the horizon.
Wicked Roger
10-31-16, 18:13
And so the underlying logic is what, killing our way to rule of law? I'm reminded of an old Vietnam War protest slogan: "fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity."Soapy,
Read GE FR and answer as you sound like Amavida, full of criticism with no solutions. Not sure if you live or visit PI but surely you have sent the pandemic off corruption etc.
Speak to any OFW (I do a lot) and all support what he does as all realize how they have been truly screwed and will continue to be screwed unless someone tries to right centuries of wrongs (hard task IMHO).
The mayor with Humvee is one example, another mayor and family accused by D30 turned up to protest their innocence in Burberry scarfs, high end fashion clothes and cars. How can they afford that from the provinces.
So before you mouth of please think about the dynamics of the country that you criticize and see it from their perspective.
You clearly don't as do others. It may not be pretty but the status quo ante is definitely worse for the majority of people IMHO and the majority of those I chat with / meet all love the president and what he is doing.
Ever heard of the phrase "wind your neck in"?
However, once they massacred 40+ journalists, they could no longer be ignored, and the whole clan was put in jail, and though they've never been tried (and likely never will be) they are still incarcerated and I doubt they will ever be free given the snail's pace of criminal justice here.Thats news to me. How many of the clan is presently incarcerated? I am shocked to know its the 'whole' clan. I know the aging patriarch died awaiting trial.
Who is maintaining the the fleet of bullet proof SUV's?
I am not much of a Phils news web surfer I admit. Most of what I pick up is from when I'm there, I'm just a frequent monger not a resident or businessman like most of the frequent posters here.
Wicked Roger
11-01-16, 04:31
Thats news to me. How many of the clan is presently incarcerated? I am shocked to know its the 'whole' clan. I know the aging patriarch died awaiting trial.
Who is maintaining the the fleet of bullet proof SUV's?
I am not much of a Phils news web surfer I admit. Most of what I pick up is from when I'm there, I'm just a frequent monger not a resident or businessman like most of the frequent posters here.I read the press daily Pantot as as some have noted the standard of reporting (and English) is varied and that is being nice LOL. Same story, different view depending on the likely political bias of the reporter / newspaper or is just the reporter is incompetent and can't articulate the facts correctly.
That said with regard to the clan you may not have realized that 1 member was allowed out on bail (PHP 11.6 million. Calculated based on PHP200,000 for each person dead so each person was not worth much! The reason for his release was even though he was in the room when the clan discussed killing everyone he did not say anything!! Amazing but true. Many netziens speculated that more than 11 million was paid to allow that sort of unusual judicial thinking. The same judge allowed 16 policemen to post bail of PHP 200 k each for the same incident! See the links below.
And he ran for Mayor under Binay's party in the recent elections!
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/449181/news/nation/massacre-suspect-sajid-ampatuan-released-on-p11-6-m-bond
http://www.rappler.com/nation/86230-ampatuan-massacre-suspect-released
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/663802/sajid-islam-ampatuan-granted-bail
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/04/07/1570329/massacre-suspect-running-maguindanao-mayor-under-una
So that gentlemen is around around the area looking after business am sure.
And where was Amavida when this happened, where was his FRs of righteous indignation about the 'beautiful country' being ruined. He was silent which goes to your comments about his connections and real motives for posting now and not then.
Read the loacl press Pantot it is always amusing and helps me understand what is going on but also shows me why that even if you live in the country you are always a visitor.
Soapy Smith
11-01-16, 04:47
So before you mouth of please think about the dynamics of the country that you criticize and see it from their perspective.
You clearly don't as do others. It may not be pretty but the status quo ante is definitely worse for the majority of people IMHO and the majority of those I chat with / meet all love the president and what he is doing.
Ever heard of the phrase "wind your neck in"?I am pretty sure we are not talking to the same Filipinos, so why do you presume the opinions of those you talk to are superior to those I talk to? I did not know the phrase "wind your neck in," so I looked it up in an urban dictionary. Have you ever heard of the expression, "the pot calling the kettle black"?
Wicked Roger
11-01-16, 05:12
I am pretty sure we are not talking to the same Filipinos, so why do you presume the opinions of those you talk to are superior to those I talk to? I did not know the phrase "wind your neck in," so I looked it up in an urban dictionary. Have you ever heard of the expression, "the pot calling the kettle black"?Possibly Sopay but those you speak to are not OFWs, ordinary pinoys so it seems. You have your head with the elite crowd who as GE eloquently noted earlier, have run the country as a private piggy bank and did not care for the rule of law (on themselves that is).
I don't assume superiority. Am just stating what I hear all the time. And if you are speaking to the rich persons ask them for a solution to the drugs etc and why the previous admin appears to have let it flourish, did little to help the common man, and kept poverty at around 26%, plus did no infrastructure projects to create employment etc. Even the much much vaunted PPP was pretty hopeless IMHO. Am sure your 'friends' can provide an articulate reply that you can somehow para phrase here so we all know. I have asked Amavida but he has no ideas how to solve a cancer like this (you agree it is a very bad pandemic situation? Or not?
If you did not know the first expression then that tells me a lot.
GoodEnough
11-01-16, 05:27
Thats news to me. How many of the clan is presently incarcerated? I am shocked to know its the 'whole' clan. I know the aging patriarch died awaiting trial.
Who is maintaining the the fleet of bullet proof SUV's?
I am not much of a Phils news web surfer I admit. Most of what I pick up is from when I'm there, I'm just a frequent monger not a resident or businessman like most of the frequent posters here.I am not sure how many clan members were arrested aside from the patriarch, who died in prison, and Zaldy, the son and ex-Governor of Maguindanao and then the ARMM. I believe several militia / bodyguards were arrested as well, but as to the rest, I do not know. I think I recall that several of the clan's houses were seized, together with a substntantial supply of weaponry. Unsurprisingly, the money which is alleged to have been found, somehow disappeared I think. It's difficult to know how the whole thing will eventuate given that it happened years ago and has still not been resolve in the courts. Evidently witnesses keep dying, the proceedings keep getting postponed and I have no idea whether life in Maguindanao is any better under the rule of the Ampatuan's political rival (whose wife was among the slaughtered) of continues much as it had before. The story seems to have vanished from the media's radar.
GE.
Soapy Smith
11-01-16, 06:04
Not a great analogy, but please share with us your view of the alternatives given: an entrenched, politically and militarily powerful narco-cartel; a closed economy that ensures that the rich retain full control over the financial resources of the country; broken democratic institutions including a justice system that doesn't work; one of the poorest systems of public education in Asia; a clear mandate to change the status quo and thereby make life better for the vast majority. And even though it's redundant to keep bringing up the point, killing--to establish political dominance, to destroy economic rivals, to preserve clan hegemony--has been a recurring theme of this country since it's been a country. GE.
I would like to see the evidence for the militarily controlled narco-cartel, although it is not clear whose evidence--or public proclamations--we should believe. I read such claims, but I have not seen the smoking gun. I am not in country as you are, so I could be wrong.
Other than that I agree with your description of the Philippine condition. But despite your dislike of my fucking for chastity analogy, you really did not respond to my basic point: how can killing thousands of druggies possibly move the Philippines toward some semblance of rule of law?
I don't want to misstate his point, but I believe Hutsori has suggested a few times that some countries may just need to fight out a bloodbath to resolve their basic inequalities before the law. Perhaps this process is characteristic of the progression toward democracy, but I would sooner believe that violent force begets coercive systems, which in turn get overthrown from other violent actors.
There are various examples of other less violent progressions to democracy.
In 1988 Chileans forced a vote in which they turned out the dictator Augusto Pinochet in favor of a democratically elected President. Yes, lots of violent oppression under Pinochet, but his eviction was not fundamentally violent.
In 1987 South Korean students--triggered by the torture of a Seoul National University student--promulgated a democracy movement which led to General Chun Doo-Hwan being turned out in favor of a democratically elected President.
In Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek and his Nationalist Kuomintang party ran roughshod over all democratic protest from the late 40's (after exodus from mainland China) into the early 1970's. But over time protesters leveraged a series of reforms, primarily after his son succeeded him as dictator, leading to a largely democratic government from the early 1990's to the present.
There are other illustrative examples, but none of them feature a President imposing a carte-blanche order for police or vigilantes to kill at will some group of crime offenders. I do not disagree about the horrific underlying power and corruption dynamics of the Philippines, but please just explain an underlying logic to me for how you believe Duterte's approach is going to solve these problems. If there is not a plausible logic to his strategy, why defend it?
I don't have an alternative. I'm the first to admit it. But I refuse to give up hope for a better way. The Philippines' dynamics sometimes border on incomprehensibility, but Chile, Korea, Taiwan, and other countries are not flukes.
Blue collar crime aka drugs makes a big PR splash, but white collar crime has the same or more impact on everyone's lives. Corruption? Incompetence? Probably a combination of both that caused / continues to plague electricity rates in PH.
(the study was done by Meralco, so I'm sure the rates are even higher making PH worse, haha.).
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/11/01/1639146/high-power-cost-weighs-down-philippine-competitiveness
GoodEnough
11-01-16, 08:03
I would like to see the evidence for the militarily controlled narco-cartel, although it is not clear whose evidence--or public proclamations--we should believe. I read such claims, but I have not seen the smoking gun. I am not in country as you are, so I could be wrong.
Other than that I agree with your description of the Philippine condition. But despite your dislike of my fucking for chastity analogy, you really did not respond to my basic point: how can killing thousands of druggies possibly move the Philippines toward some semblance of rule of law?
I don't want to misstate his point, but I believe Hutsori has suggested a few times that some countries may just need to fight out a bloodbath to resolve their basic inequalities before the law. Perhaps this process is characteristic of the progression toward democracy, but I would sooner believe that violent force begets coercive systems, which in turn get overthrown from other violent actors.
There are various examples of other less violent progressions to democracy.
In 1988 Chileans forced a vote in which they turned out the dictator Augusto Pinochet in favor of a democratically elected President. Yes, lots of violent oppression under Pinochet, but his eviction was not fundamentally violent.
In 1987 South Korean students--triggered by the torture of a Seoul National University student--promulgated a democracy movement which led to General Chun Doo-Hwan being turned out in favor of a democratically elected President.
In Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek and his Nationalist Kuomintang party ran roughshod over all democratic protest from the late 40's (after exodus from mainland China) into the early 1970's. But over time protesters leveraged a series of reforms, primarily after his son succeeded him as dictator, leading to a largely democratic government from the early 1990's to the present.
There are other illustrative examples, but none of them feature a President imposing a carte-blanche order for police or vigilantes to kill at will some group of crime offenders. I do not disagree about the horrific underlying power and corruption dynamics of the Philippines, but please just explain an underlying logic to me for how you believe Duterte's approach is going to solve these problems. If there is not a plausible logic to his strategy, why defend it?
I don't have an alternative. I'm the first to admit it. But I refuse to give up hope for a better way. The Philippines' dynamics sometimes border on incomprehensibility, but Chile, Korea, Taiwan, and other countries are not flukes.I wish I could provide some plausible answer as to how the killing of alleged drug users and distributors will lead to a more egalitarian society, but I cannot as I'm as much in the dark as you are. Duterte's rationale appears to be that the nation has 4 million drug addicts which represent 4 million potentially violent criminals, and they must be eradicated or any hope for stability will evaporate. Whether this makes any sense absent a true justice system, I have no idea and I have no alternatives to offer.
I, like you, cannot cite any proof of the links between politicians, high-ranking military and police and drug trafficking. The allegations have been promulgated for a long time but Duterte's "lists" of high-level offenders is somewhat reminiscent of the Macarthy era in the United States. The bottom line for me is that I've got no idea of their credibility. Nor can I state with any certainty what Duterte's long game--if there is one--may be. Whether he's sincere, a potential autocrat, a true Federalist, or merely someone who acts on impulse is beyond my knowledge. And the fact is, I do not believe anyone really knows.
You're better grounded in the history of emergent democracies in S. America and Asia that I am, and I accept the accuracy of your descriptions. However, to my knowledge, none of the countries you cited as exemplars had the history of factionalized feudalism--or wardlordism if you like--that characterizes this place. There's an old adage here that government control stops at the border of Metro Manila and to a large extent that's true. Mayors and Governors here have been running their cities / regions like individual satrapies for a hell of a long time, and are unlikely to go quietly into that good night. Then too, clan, ethnic and tribal loyalties, the ubiquitous presence of private armies, the multiplicity of languages and indigenous cultures vitiate the probability of creating some sort of transcendent nationalism that would be a likely prerequisite of truly democratic institutions. In these respects, I imagine this country is closer to Afghanistan than to other Asian or S. American countries; more like the Middle East than the rest of Asia. My point here is that, within the regions and municipalities, citizens tend to be more generally loyal to their datus, or trapos than to the national government, making spontaneous democracy initiatives unlikely as what happens in Manila is largely irrelevant to people in Ozamis, of Jolo, or Dumageute or Zamboanga.
Various local Sociologists, largely associated with Ateneo in Manila, have pointed out over the years, that this country has never been successful in creating a true Filipino identity; that people identify with and feel stronger obligations to clans, tribes, municipalities and regions than they do to a vague national government in far-away Manila. It's difficult then for me to imagine how such a geographically dispersed and culturally diverse country could cohere for a long enough period to peacefully and spontaneously change the country. Duterte may be, for many Filipinos who live outside of Metro Manila, the first national leader with whom they can truly identify.
Finally, I am not defending Duterte. My perspective is that millions of Filipinos came together to elect a president who was largely detested by the ruling elite. I interpret this as a groundswell (though not a majority) of desire for radical change. Given the factors I've described above, I don't believe that the possibility for wrenching peaceful change is possible, though I wish it weren't so. As I've said many times before, I don't know how all of this will culminate: whether the country will eventually emerge as a vibrant, more egalitarian democracy, whether it will revert to the status quo ante, or whether it will become yet another tinpot autocracy maintaining only a pretext of democratic institutions. I would argue that, at this point, no one else knows either.
GE.
Soapy Smith
11-01-16, 18:00
I wish I could provide some plausible answer as to how the killing of alleged drug users and distributors will lead to a more egalitarian society, but I cannot as I'm as much in the dark as you are. Duterte's rationale appears to be that the nation has 4 million drug addicts which represent 4 million potentially violent criminals, and they must be eradicated or any hope for stability will evaporate. Whether this makes any sense absent a true justice system, I have no idea and I have no alternatives to offer.GE.Lots to think about here. I don't disagree with anything you've written. Thanks for caring enough to sketch out your thoughts in this way.
Keen Eye Joe
11-02-16, 00:26
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/587120/news/nation/lawmaker-backs-phl-visa-for-americans-says-move-to-generate-p6b-annual-income
The only reason I'm posting this article is to provide more evidence that it's not just Mister Duterte and Harry Roque who are vocal with spouting anti-American sentiments. I have little doubt the president of this budding autocracy could make this happen in a very short period of time. I just have the feeling his hatred for America would trump the heat he would receive from Fil-Ams and the business community.
The Philippines can implement whatever immigration policies it wishes. But of course all highly-developed countries outside of ASEAN place onerous restrictions on Philippine visitors for obvious reasons. Even their new BFF China makes Filipinos jump through a lot of hoops to receive visas. I'd admire this guy's balls if he had supported the inclusion of Canada, western Europe, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand in his message.
FreebieFan
11-02-16, 01:33
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/587120/news/nation/lawmaker-backs-phl-visa-for-americans-says-move-to-generate-p6b-annual-income
The only reason I'm posting this article is to provide more evidence that it's not just Mister Duterte and Harry Roque who are vocal with spouting anti-American sentiments. I have little doubt the president of this budding autocracy could make this happen in a very short period of time. I just have the feeling his hatred for America would trump the heat he would receive from Fil-Ams and the business community.
The Philippines can implement whatever immigration policies it wishes. But of course all highly-developed countries outside of ASEAN place onerous restrictions on Philippine visitors for obvious reasons. Even their new BFF China makes Filipinos jump through a lot of hoops to receive visas. I'd admire this guy's balls if he had supported the inclusion of Canada, western Europe, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand in his message.Funny article. Pay US $ 160 for a visa for Philippines. As if! LOL.
FreebieFan
11-02-16, 01:55
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/148483/duterte-on-ramos-hes-a-graduate-of-west-point-i-am-just-a-local-boy
Could be yet another case of poor journalism / reporting or it could be Pres the mixed up his aid with his aids, or it could be that Pres the is really really really subtle (ya think??) and said one thing, whilst trying to actually say something something else.
Either way its a heck of a funny quote by the current loudmouthed fellow.
GoodEnough
11-02-16, 02:50
Funny article. Pay US $ 160 for a visa for Philippines. As if! LOL.I wonder how much, on average, a typical US tourist spends in this country. I'm guessing it's a hell of a lot more than $160. Now if you deduct from the total amount realized from US tourism by the inevitable fall in the number of US tourists, I'm pretty sure the math would not work in favor of the Philippines. So, this is idiotic on the face of it.
Keen Eye Joe
11-02-16, 03:25
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/148483/duterte-on-ramos-hes-a-graduate-of-west-point-i-am-just-a-local-boy
Could be yet another case of poor journalism / reporting or it could be Pres the mixed up his aid with his aids, or it could be that Pres the is really really really subtle (ya think??) and said one thing, whilst trying to actually say something something else.
Either way its a heck of a funny quote by the current loudmouthed fellow.In return for the USA giving the Philippines aids, maybe the Phils can reciprocate by granting big spending American punters a "Horndog Invitational Visa", or HIV. This would be contingent on each recipient providing proof they had given a minimum of $160 in the past year for ladies' replacement stolen / lost / broken cell phones, mother's hospital bills, sick carabao treatments, phone loads, and webcam shows.
I wonder how much, on average, a typical US tourist spends in this country. I'm guessing it's a hell of a lot more than $160. Now if you deduct from the total amount realized from US tourism by the inevitable fall in the number of US tourists, I'm pretty sure the math would not work in favor of the Philippines. So, this is idiotic on the face of it.There isn't any country that can ever replace lost tourism $$s! Not even China. I admire DU30 for pushing the USA visa issue as I would like to see more tourist visas with an easier process and approval rate.
DU30 may be able to replace American tourist with Chinese tourist but highly unlikely with the same $$ Already the world casinos have seen the fall off of Chinese gamblers. So I would expect Chinese discretionary income has dropped too. But then again there are a billion plus Chinese within a few hours of flight time to Philippines!
GE, I agree with you, on the surface this is idiotic. Hopefully DU30 is playing a great hand and can get some revisions done.
BTW, isn't the $160 just for the visa application and interview? I understand 70% of the applications are denied. I also understand 1/3 of the approved visa / tourists jump ship and don't return.
Some great dialogue going on here in the forum. Frantically busy here. Poor old Ramos is spitting chips.
FORMER president Fidel Ramos is not explicitly saying he was sorry he had pushed President Duterte to run in the last May elections. But his quitting as special ambassador to China speaks a lot.
FVR said the Duterte Government was "losing badly" in its first 100 days. Later, he said it was a "sinking ship. " Last Monday, he slammed Duterte again on the president's refusal to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, saying it's "obviously wrong and full of sh*t. " "he is shooting himself in the mouth, and also all of us 101.5 million Filipinos. ".
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/11/01/bzzzzz-fvr-calls-duterte-policy-full-sht-506997
GoodEnough
11-02-16, 05:35
GE, I agree with you, on the surface this is idiotic. Hopefully DU30 is playing a great hand and can get some revisions done.
BTW, isn't the $160 just for the visa application and interview? I understand 70% of the applications are denied. I also understand 1/3 of the approved visa / tourists jump ship and don't return.A few year ago, a national poll was undertaken by some reputable polling organization, asking Filipinos if they would leave the country if given the opportunity to do so. Well over half replied in the affirmative. Assuming for the moment that the poll results remain accurate in today's climate, can you imagine what would happen if the US were suddenly to offer visa-free access to Filipinos? I wonder how many would remain in-country. Conversely, I seriously doubt that more than a negligible percentage of Americans are here illegally. Of course Duterte knows this full well, but his hatred of the US colors all of his pronouncements about the relationship between that country and his. Notice he's not mention that virtually every non-ASEAN country requires Filipinos to apply for visas; only the US has been singled out, so I'm guessing Canadians, Europeans and most of the rest of you are safe.
GE.
A few year ago, a national poll was undertaken by some reputable polling organization, asking Filipinos if they would leave the country if given the opportunity to do so. Well over half replied in the affirmative. Assuming for the moment that the poll results remain accurate in today's climate, can you imagine what would happen if the US were suddenly to offer visa-free access to Filipinos? I wonder how many would remain in-country. Conversely, I seriously doubt that more than a negligible percentage of Americans are here illegally. Of course Duterte knows this full well, but his hatred of the US colors all of his pronouncements about the relationship between that country and his. Notice he's not mention that virtually every non-ASEAN country requires Filipinos to apply for visas; only the US has been singled out, so I'm guessing Canadians, Europeans and most of the rest of you are safe.
GE.Off course over half would go abroad for better opportunity to feed their family. Presently 12% are OFW. Why did the Chinese end up all over the world? To find jobs to feed their families.
No doubt Dutere has a hair up his butt about US. At the same time Obama got his feelings hurt too and is looking for payback. Problem is both countries citizens will end up as the losers for Presidential egos.
Soapy Smith
11-02-16, 06:09
Could be yet another case of poor journalism / reporting or it could be Pres the mixed up his aid with his aids, or it could be that Pres the is really really really subtle (ya think??) and said one thing, whilst trying to actually say something something else.Or perhaps he's just been drinking a little too much of his own kool-aid.
FreebieFan
11-02-16, 06:35
A few year ago, a national poll was undertaken by some reputable polling organization, asking Filipinos if they would leave the country if given the opportunity to do so. Well over half replied in the affirmative. Assuming for the moment that the poll results remain accurate in today's climate, can you imagine what would happen if the US were suddenly to offer visa-free access to Filipinos? I wonder how many would remain in-country. Conversely, I seriously doubt that more than a negligible percentage of Americans are here illegally. Of course Duterte knows this full well, but his hatred of the US colors all of his pronouncements about the relationship between that country and his. Notice he's not mention that virtually every non-ASEAN country requires Filipinos to apply for visas; only the US has been singled out, so I'm guessing Canadians, Europeans and most of the rest of you are safe.
GE.Imagine, maybe 50 years ago a young Duterte rocks up to the US Embassy happily hoping to go to US with his " nurse " friend. Having been given a somewhat gilded upbringing compared to many, hes full of confidence and zest for life. He waits his turn, smiles at his " nurse friend " and knows all will be well.
He presents his passport, and the reply is " Denied! ". Next!
Young Duterte slinks out the embassy, puts this rejection is his deepest heart and lets it sit there, simmering, brewing, fomenting.
Young Duterte grows up, and still the rejection sits there, waiting, hiding, surfacing from time to time. Me denied?
Eventually he becomes President and he can finally vent his ire and let loose the injustice that was done upon him.
Meanwhile in a quiet corner of Minnesota is an old fella in his rocking chair, enjoying his dotage. His friend visits and says " Bert, remember back when we were in the US Embassy denying all those pinoy guys, well it seems one of them took it a bit personal ".
Wicked Roger
11-02-16, 06:42
I wonder how much, on average, a typical US tourist spends in this country. I'm guessing it's a hell of a lot more than $160. Now if you deduct from the total amount realized from US tourism by the inevitable fall in the number of US tourists, I'm pretty sure the math would not work in favor of the Philippines. So, this is idiotic on the face of it.These are some interesting statistical links showing the US proportion of tourism spending (Korea is on top by miles).
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/pages/industryperformance.aspx
http://www.ibtimes.ph/dot-ph-tourism-contributes-82-economy-spending-doubles-p306-b-5-years-2692
https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic%20impact%20research/countries%202015/philippines2015.pdf
What all this shows is that tourism is an important sector in GDP and employment so pushing a relatively important segment of that market to get a visa may impact this. However, as many profess to love pinay pussy and have 'yellow fever' am sure for some the visa fee would be an issue LOL and would raise funds for the government.
Wicked Roger
11-02-16, 06:51
A few year ago, a national poll was undertaken by some reputable polling organization, asking Filipinos if they would leave the country if given the opportunity to do so. Well over half replied in the affirmative. Assuming for the moment that the poll results remain accurate in today's climate, can you imagine what would happen if the US were suddenly to offer visa-free access to Filipinos? I wonder how many would remain in-country. Conversely, I seriously doubt that more than a negligible percentage of Americans are here illegally. Of course Duterte knows this full well, but his hatred of the US colors all of his pronouncements about the relationship between that country and his. Notice he's not mention that virtually every non-ASEAN country requires Filipinos to apply for visas; only the US has been singled out, so I'm guessing Canadians, Europeans and most of the rest of you are safe.
GE.You have a point GE. Speaking to friends of ine in the diplomatic sector some hint that Pinoys are 'economic migrants' and that a minority give the majority a hard time and thus refusal of visa is more likely than agreement.
Case in point example is there was around 50-70 pinoys went to Spain to see the previous Pope but only about 30 returned the rest disappeared into the ether.
Theses facts and examples are well known and cloud any judgement for Pinoys unfortunately.
Was also told that 95% of applicants to the US Embassy in Manila are rejected. No idea of this is true but there maybe some truth in it. I know one cutie refused despite having proper salaried work, flew to Manila, showed lot of photos of her and the boyfriend (with his kids also in some of them), plus a letter from the guy saying is a short holiday and he pays everything and she had cash in bank but refused all the same. Reason was she earns a small salary. People all round very unhappy.
I agree is likely just the US so means he allows the Brits, Europeans, Canadians and Aussies free range to enjoy themselves LOL (time to get a another passport for some maybe LOL).
Wicked Roger
11-02-16, 06:59
In case some forget this case this was in today's press. PNoy said conviction in his term but clearly he was delusional as nothing was done to speed up the judiciary process and also put an end to the countless rebuttals the lawyers use to delay a trial. Now it is says "within D30 time".
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/11/02/1639683/judge-maguindanao-massacre-seeks-promotion
If this judge is promted then what? This was a dark side in the country's history (also SAFF44) - both happened under PNoy admin. And GE noted some fact on this massacre earlier in his FRs. However, some on this board seem fit to only be negative about one person not mentioning the atrocities and lack of action to help the drug menace, corruption etc in "this beautiful country" .
He's doing such a great job.
The last time the Philippine peso neared 50 to the dollar, the global financial system was melting down and the central bank raised interest rates to defend it. This time, it has been driven by the president cursing his trading partners and his finance chief accepting the declines.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-01/duterte-seen-talking-peso-beyond-50-level-reached-in-2008-crisis?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social
And so the underlying logic is what, killing our way to rule of law? I'm reminded of an old Vietnam War protest slogan: "fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity."This will studiously ignored by the Duterte defenders league LOL! 😂.
Logic is not a strong point with them.
Blue collar crime aka drugs makes a big PR splash, but white collar crime has the same or more impact on everyone's lives. Corruption? Incompetence? Probably a combination of both that caused / continues to plague electricity rates in PH.
(the study was done by Meralco, so I'm sure the rates are even higher making PH worse, haha.).
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/11/01/1639146/high-power-cost-weighs-down-philippine-competitivenessThe humorous thing about this populist nonsense currently sweeping RP is that Duterte is one of the elite despite painting himself as an outsider and the poor are the very folk feeling the full force of his murderous policies.
Possibly Sopay but those you speak to are not OFWs, ordinary pinoys so it seems. You have your head with the elite crowd who as GE eloquently noted earlier, have run the country as a private piggy bank and did not care for the rule of law (on themselves that is).
I don't assume superiority. Am just stating what I hear all the time. And if you are speaking to the rich persons ask them for a solution to the drugs etc and why the previous admin appears to have let it flourish, did little to help the common man, and kept poverty at around 26%, plus did no infrastructure projects to create employment etc. Even the much much vaunted PPP was pretty hopeless IMHO. Am sure your 'friends' can provide an articulate reply that you can somehow para phrase here so we all know. I have asked Amavida but he has no ideas how to solve a cancer like this (you agree it is a very bad pandemic situation? Or not?
If you did not know the first expression then that tells me a lot.Oh god, here we go again. 'RODY is a good man' because a trike driver told me so and if you disagree with me you're a commie pinko pooh pooh head elite etc etc.
Thanks for your deep political analysis.
Just to add a bit of fuel to the debate fire, Duterte is the only Philippines president I can remember who has tried, and who continues to try to reach a peaceful accommodation with the NPA, the MILF and other Islamic insurrectionists. I've no idea, and neither does anyone else writing here, whether he will be successful in his attempts to create peace, but given the past twenty-five years or so of armed conflict, it should be reasonably clear that the AFP alone isn't going to solve the problem. So again, what's the alternative to discussions? More fruitless armed conflict? The creation of more internal refugees? The continued disruption of the lives of poor farmers who are forced to flee as conflict erupts? I believe that Duterte is taking the only reasonable path open to him, and it's a path that's never been trodden before.
I applaud Duterte's policy direction in this regard.
Longing for a return to the status quo ante, as Amavida and others seem to advocate, would be to return the country to the same kleptocracy and oligarchy that has oppressed so many for so long.
GE.Please don't put words into my mouth GE.
I fully sympathize with the lot of the Filipino people under the heel of the oligarchy here. Most foreigners, including myself, agree that eventuality this society will have to undergo change or collapse. We have long speculated what form that change would take and when it would happen. I doubt any of us saw a fascist dictatorship in the tea leaves but que sera, sera.
For the record, I am not in any way involved in drugs.
I'll leave you and WR to continue to defend Il Duce. I'm getting my children the hell out of here. See you in Thailand sometime. PM me on the board over there.
GoodEnough
11-02-16, 08:14
I applaud Duterte's policy direction in this regard.
Please don't put words into my mouth GE.
I fully sympathize with the lot of the Filipino people under the heel of the oligarchy here. Most foreigners, including myself, agree that eventuality this society will have to undergo change or collapse. We have long speculated what form that change would take and when it would happen. I doubt any of us saw a fascist dictatorship in the tea leaves but que sera, sera.
For the record, I am not in any way involved in drugs.
I'll leave you and WR to continue to defend Il Duce. I'm getting my children the hell out of here. See you in Thailand sometime. PM me on the board over there.Sorry AV. I didn't intend to speak for you; I just thought that you believed the pre-Duterte era was somehow preferable to the current state of affairs. As to Thailand, sure. I should be there in a couple of weeks in the Bangkok area.
You may be correct that a fascist dictatorship is in the offing, but I don't think that's by any means a certainty. I've given up trying to discern how this whole thing is going to play out and I'm pretty sure that no one else--Filipino or foreigner--knows either. I'm guessing that the phrase "May you live in interesting times," applies pretty well here.
Good luck to you in Thailand, and I look forward to following your posts there.
GE.
I wonder how much, on average, a typical US tourist spends in this country. I'm guessing it's a hell of a lot more than $160. Now if you deduct from the total amount realized from US tourism by the inevitable fall in the number of US tourists, I'm pretty sure the math would not work in favor of the Philippines. So, this is idiotic on the face of it.Yes, the western tourist here in injecting money into the economy. Let's keep in mind Brazil, a country that received about 1.5m more tourists than the Philippines in 2014, requires the US and some other nations to obtain an expensive tourist visa. I have no objection to reciprocity (or even vengeance in some cases), but one thing that is often ignored is the overstay rate by third-world nationals in advanced nations. Unlike a western tourist in the third world, these Filipinos and others end up working and repatriating funds home. Even when the embassy screens the applicants to determine their likelihood to return home, which removes many of the likely violators, the overstay rate is much higher than other visitors such as the Japanese, Koreans, and Europeans who are granted visa on arrival. It's a privilege and not a right. Implement visa-on-arrival for the third worlders and the number of overstayers will skyrocket.
Soapy Smith
11-02-16, 11:37
Imagine, maybe 50 years ago a young Duterte rocks up to the US Embassy happily hoping to go to US with his " nurse " friend. Having been given a somewhat gilded upbringing compared to many, hes full of confidence and zest for life. He waits his turn, smiles at his " nurse friend " and knows all will be well.
He presents his passport, and the reply is " Denied! ". Next!
Young Duterte slinks out the embassy, puts this rejection is his deepest heart and lets it sit there, simmering, brewing, fomenting.
Young Duterte grows up, and still the rejection sits there, waiting, hiding, surfacing from time to time. Me denied?
Eventually he becomes President and he can finally vent his ire and let loose the injustice that was done upon him.
Meanwhile in a quiet corner of Minnesota is an old fella in his rocking chair, enjoying his dotage. His friend visits and says " Bert, remember back when we were in the US Embassy denying all those pinoy guys, well it seems one of them took it a bit personal ".ROTFLMFAO!
Any idea what happened to the nurse? She's probably one of the founding members of the Fil-Am Association in some middle-sized American city, and retired with a pension and health care plan from some hospital. And sends Christmas greetings to tell Rody how well her life turned out in the states. And she thinks her Christmas greetings bring him joy.
GoodEnough
11-02-16, 11:53
Yes, the western tourist here in injecting money into the economy. Let's keep in mind Brazil, a country that received about 1.5m more tourists than the Philippines in 2014, requires the US and some other nations to obtain an expensive tourist visa. I have no objection to reciprocity (or even vengeance in some cases), but one thing that is often ignored is the overstay rate by third-world nationals in advanced nations. Unlike a western tourist in the third world, these Filipinos and others end up working and repatriating funds home. Even when the embassy screens the applicants to determine their likelihood to return home, which removes many of the likely violators, the overstay rate is much higher than other visitors such as the Japanese, Koreans, and Europeans who are granted visa on arrival. It's a privilege and not a right. Implement visa-on-arrival for the third worlders and the number of overstayers will skyrocket.Agreed. I think I read somewhere that the percentage of Filipinos overstaying their US visas is about a third, though I could be totally wrong. I too wouldn't object to reciprocity if it was applied evenly; to EU countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, China, etc. I do have a problem (maybe because it directly affects me) with singling out the US. Of course if the US wished to retaliate it could impose more stringent conditions on OFWs, and start denying them visa renewals, which would really hurt the economy here, and given the insanity that runs rampant through the US Congress at the moment, that's not beyond the scope of possibilities. I keep hoping, now that Duterte has left no doubt about how he feels regarding the US and the EU, he lets things cool down somewhat.
GE.
Sorry AV. I didn't intend to speak for you; I just thought that you believed the pre-Duterte era was somehow preferable to the current state of affairs. As to Thailand, sure. I should be there in a couple of weeks in the Bangkok area.
You may be correct that a fascist dictatorship is in the offing, but I don't think that's by any means a certainty. I've given up trying to discern how this whole thing is going to play out and I'm pretty sure that no one else--Filipino or foreigner--knows either. I'm guessing that the phrase "May you live in interesting times," applies pretty well here.
Good luck to you in Thailand, and I look forward to following your posts there.
GE.I agree GE, none of us knows where this situation will end up.
A further example of Duterte picking a fight he cannot win: US state dept says no assault rifles for PNP considering the ongoing human rights abuses. Duterte immediately responds he'll get them from Russia. It looks to me like a further escalation in the anti US / anti west policy. Not good.
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/11/philippines-can-buy-assault-rifles-russia-duterte-says-us-suspends-sale/
ROK's not happy with state sanctioned murder either:
Korean news agency Yonhap reported that the prime ministerial center for anti-terrorism, the National Intelligence Service, and the Korean police decided to send a team to the Philippines following apparent cases of murders of Koreans in the Philippines.
"The situation of personal safety for our nationals in the Philippines is worsening," South Korean foreign ministry's Director-General for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Kim Wan-joon said in the news report.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/02/16/south-korea-to-probe-killings-of-koreans-in-ph
Dear,
I hope this anti western sentiment will go away soon, but I doubt it. I think break up with US is permanent. Pinoys are Asians with their own values, they tolerated us because of money but no its over. Chinese will come and make them slaves. Majority here supports Duerte and his policy, they will do anything to appease him. It is time for us to pack our bags and leave, we are not welcome anymore.
Oh dear, god will not be happy! 😀.
"Hindi ako nag-ano ng Amerikano. Sabi nila, na you should be thankful na bigyan ng armas. 'T*ng*and*. Fifty years, kayo ang nakinabang sa aking bayan. Lahat ng mina hanggang ngayon, inyo. Lahat ng mga pineapple plantations sa Mindanao, inyo. Tapos maingay pa kayo. P*t*ng*and* ninyo. Leche. Eh, galit ako eh," he said.
The President was referring to the US State Department's decision to stop the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/02/16/watch-duterte-breaks-no-cursing-promise-in-fresh-anti-us-tirade
Wicked Roger
11-02-16, 13:54
ROK's not happy with state sanctioned murder either:
Korean news agency Yonhap reported that the prime ministerial center for anti-terrorism, the National Intelligence Service, and the Korean police decided to send a team to the Philippines following apparent cases of murders of Koreans in the Philippines.
"The situation of personal safety for our nationals in the Philippines is worsening," South Korean foreign ministry's Director-General for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Kim Wan-joon said in the news report.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/02/16/south-korea-to-probe-killings-of-koreans-in-phAnd? Is this linked to D30? Please support.
As Koreans have been murdered in Cebu and AC well before D30 came to power and some of this was gang related. Why not Google so you understand the dynamics better.
If they deal in drugs well they are at risk so don't deal (you agree), if they wander around shanty towns acting bizarrely they may get the same fate (so would I if I did that but then I don't as I am sensible).
So Korea sending people to the PI is not news but the guys coming will be happy as lots of chances to meet and shag cuties am sure LOL.
BTW When you move to Thailand please can you continue your post about the HR record of the Thai admin / military and how badly they treat some people and its HR records. Complain as you do here please and I will watch for the Thai posters reactions. Yes. I dare you Amavida go and do it.
Wicked Roger
11-02-16, 14:00
I agree GE, none of us knows where this situation will end up.
A further example of Duterte picking a fight he cannot win: US state dept says no assault rifles for PNP considering the ongoing human rights abuses. Duterte immediately responds he'll get them from Russia. It looks to me like a further escalation in the anti US / anti west policy. Not good.
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/11/philippines-can-buy-assault-rifles-russia-duterte-says-us-suspends-sale/Well he has to get them from somewhere and Senator Carbin who blocked the sale has just lost revenue and jobs for US workers. Well done Senator is a view from some of my US friends. As the editorials said (maybe you did not read them Amavida) there are many who can supply and maybe get better it is said.
The main issue is that the PNP need the guns and hopefully they do not find their way to Abu Sayaf, MILF etc. Ie a similar scandal to the AFP selling their latest guns to rebels.
It is a concern that the PNP are not well equipped. It worries me but also does not at the same time as some of the local police are not to be trusted with firearms IMHO.
Wicked Roger
11-02-16, 14:31
I and others have decried the reporting standard of the Philippines media. The overt bias at times is somewhat amusing.
Here the PNP police chief says the same lamenting that where people feel more safe the media don't report it. Now this would naturally exclude Amavida who never feels safe under this administration but did so all the time under the previous one strangely.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/839295/bato-lambasts-biased-media-reporting-on-ph-war-on-drugs
It is a concern that the PNP are not well equipped. It worries me but also does not at the same time as some of the local police are not to be trusted with firearms IMHO.Why does a civilian police force suddenly need an additional twenty six thousand military assault rifles?
The point was another example of your hero further ramping up anti US / anti West sentiments.
I am a little surprised that long-standing and esteemed members of the ISG family (GE and AV to mention two by name) are seriously contemplating pulling up stakes and moving to somewhere like Thailand which is, IMHO, much more potentially unstable and certainly less predictable given the uncertainty with the royal succession and the red shirt brigade loitering on Bkk's doorstep.
I would have thought that GE and AV have lived in the Phils long enough to know that the more things change, the more they remain the same.
I can only presume that there surely must be other factors (hitherto unexplained) apart from the ascension of Du30 to the Presidency that would prompt the disruption of a stable domestic arrangement and a shift to somewhere else.
Du30 is not the dictator with some form of absolute power. He has what I believe is a very knowledgeable and capable cabinet behind him who are, despite the highly publicized statements by the Prez, getting on with business as usual. I personally have noticed that things for the "person on the street" are better (traffic arrangements for example; point-to-point buses; MRT running more frequently), so I am surprised that anyone is ready to leave just yet.
.. the reporting standard of the Philippines media. The overt bias ..
.. exclude Amavida who never feels safe under this administration but did so all the time under the previous one strangely.
The last refuge of the right wing extremist. Cry bias when you don't hear what suits you? I realise that going against the groupthink comes at a cost but the constant derogatory remarks concerning me do not advance your argument.
Duterte's "Kilusang Pagbabago" is a copycat of Marcos' monolithic Kilusang Bagong Lipunan. It was the mass base of his brutal dictatorship. The bloodshed this time around makes the Marcos regime look like a picnic in comparison and this is only THE START.
The opposition and many groups within the Philippines are screaming about the ongoing state sanctioned murder as are every human rights group and foreign government but all you can come up with is media is biased? Seriously?
I am a little surprised that long-standing and esteemed members of the ISG family (GE and AV to mention two by name) are seriously contemplating pulling up stakes and moving to somewhere like Thailand which is, IMHO, much more potentially unstable and certainly less predictable given the uncertainty with the royal succession and the red shirt brigade loitering on Bkk's doorstep.
I would have thought that GE and AV have lived in the Phils long enough to know that the more things change, the more they remain the same.
I can only presume that there surely must be other factors (hitherto unexplained) apart from the ascension of Du30 to the Presidency that would prompt the disruption of a stable domestic arrangement and a shift to somewhere else.
Du30 is not the dictator with some form of absolute power. He has what I believe is a very knowledgeable and capable cabinet behind him who are, despite the highly publicized statements by the Prez, getting on with business as usual. I personally have noticed that things for the "person on the street" are better (traffic arrangements for example; point-to-point buses; MRT running more frequently), so I am surprised that anyone is ready to leave just yet.Hello RK, I respect your personal opinions. I am not here to say that I have a monopoly on wisdom. We all know and acknowledge we foriegners have zero input on the politics of RP.
In a sense you are right, having lived for more than a decade in RP I am no stranger to political yin yang, insurgency, crime, corruption, crumbling infrastructure and barely under control civil obedience. Despite all that I have (mostly) enjoyed my time here and leave with a sense of fondness for the people and their beautiful country. It could be argued that our move to Thailand is exchanging one third world country for another.
From my point of view, everything I feared of Duterte has come to pass. I am not willing to wait around to see if any more predictions are validated. As I said to GE, I have two young lives in my hands, I need to give them the best future I can. I fully acknowledge that the politcal landscape in our new adotped country will be - Interesting. Some pundits say that there could be up to 10 years of instability in Thailand. It seems the whole world has gone a little mad of late. I assess the improved standard of living and rule of law to be a big step up from RP. Thailand was my long standing contingency plan and as we complete our move there I already have another contingency plan. To be without would be careless. I feel no sense of panic and nor should any be impugned from my statements.
GoodEnough
11-03-16, 03:44
I would have thought that GE and AV have lived in the Phils long enough to know that the more things change, the more they remain the same.
I can only presume that there surely must be other factors (hitherto unexplained) apart from the ascension of Du30 to the Presidency that would prompt the disruption of a stable domestic arrangement and a shift to somewhere else.RK, as I've said in my last few posts, I have no immediate intention of leaving, and feel no immediate concern for my personal safety. As you quite rightly said, in my case I'm too settled domestically to want to disturb the current situation unless it becomes truly untenable, and I doubt that it will come to pass. The only reason for me to leave would be if live here became significantly more difficult for those with US passports. Unlike AV, I do not have young chldren whose welfare I must consider. I also agree with you about the potential instability in Thailand. From what I've read, the situation there may remain unsettled for years, though I don't believe that the Thai Government has done anything to discourage falang from remaining in the country.
On another front, I received a message today from the US Embassy, warning of possible kidnapping attempts targeted at Westerners, on the island of Cebu, and urging Americans to avoid the place. While I recognize that such warnings from Western Governments to their citizens are fairly routine, still it might be worthwhile paying attention, particularly for those of you in Cebu or who are contemplating going there. As the message was contained in an email, I cannot embed a link, but anyone who is interested can read the warning on the US Embassy Manila website.
GE.
GoodEnough
11-03-16, 03:57
Why does a civilian police force suddenly need an additional twenty six thousand military assault rifles?
The point was another example of your hero further ramping up anti US / anti West sentiments.Any else see the irony in trying to purchase 26,000 assault rifles from a country you despise? At any rate, a US Senator has killed that deal and the country will not be permitted to purchase the weapons.
I saw an article today that the Philippines instead is turning to Israel and plans to purchase 20,000 equivalent assault weapons from the Israelis. Given the strong and special relationship between the US and Israel however, I wonder if the US Government will request Israel to demur as well, in which case it's likely that the Philippines would approach Russia. Like AV, I'm curious as to why a civilian police force would need 20,000 automatic weapons to confront drug dealers and common criminals given that in developed countries, police typically carry only sidearms. Further, given the lack of adequate training that typically characterizes most attempts at professionalization here, one has to wonder whether those weapons will result in additional casualties of innocent civilians.
I keep remembering a brief conversation I had years ago with an ex-cop from Washington, DC who was the head of security for the US Embassy in Manila. We were at an event with then US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, which was notable for the presence of spiffily-dressed Philippines Marines, all of them carrying automatic weapons. I asked him if the Marines were very proficient with the weapons, and he responded that proficiency with weapons requires constant practice, but that the Philippines couldn't afford the cost of ammunition. He then asked if he had answered my question. He had, and I doubt that the situation has changed significantly since that discussion of 5-6 years ago.
GE.
Balanced and well researched article from The Atlantic. Enjoy.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/11/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-china-united-states/506108/
Oh dear, god will not be happy! 😀.
"Hindi ako nag-ano ng Amerikano. Sabi nila, na you should be thankful na bigyan ng armas. 'T*ng*and*. Fifty years, kayo ang nakinabang sa aking bayan. Lahat ng mina hanggang ngayon, inyo. Lahat ng mga pineapple plantations sa Mindanao, inyo. Tapos maingay pa kayo. P*t*ng*and* ninyo. Leche. Eh, galit ako eh," he said.
The President was referring to the US State Department's decision to stop the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/02/16/watch-duterte-breaks-no-cursing-promise-in-fresh-anti-us-tiradeGod is forgiving and understands there will be relapses.
Soapy Smith
11-03-16, 06:34
I am a little surprised that long-standing and esteemed members of the ISG family (GE and AV to mention two by name) are seriously contemplating pulling up stakes and moving to somewhere like Thailand which is, IMHO, much more potentially unstable and certainly less predictable given the uncertainty with the royal succession and the red shirt brigade loitering on Bkk's doorstep.And, given recent news about crackdowns on internet communications there, a little caution tapping into ISG from Thailand might be in order.
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/10/thailand-fears-grow-online-surveillance-leads-alarming-spike-arrests/
And, given recent news about crackdowns on internet communications there, a little caution tapping into ISG from Thailand might be in order.
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/10/thailand-fears-grow-online-surveillance-leads-alarming-spike-arrests/In the post Snowden era people not observing proper infosec have no one to blame but themselves regardless of country of residence.
http://eff.org/
Despite the dry academic title, a pretty good backgrounder.
http://www.newmandala.org/duterte-banks-beijing-political-gain/
Wicked Roger
11-03-16, 08:27
In the post Snowden era people not observing proper infosec have no one to blame but themselves regardless of country of residence.
http://eff.org/I look forward to your posts on the Thai board lambasting the Thai government and HR issues etc, be interesting to see if you have the same view in a country that likely has some similar issues as PI. But are you as brave as you are here?
Speaking of which the UN seem to be at loggerheads about D30 and the EJKs. While you say 'state sponsored killing. With no support to back up your claims (apart from the fact you are scared silly and thus irrational IMHO) the UN rep in this article articulates the real position well. And she is the country's ambassador.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/headlines/220130/un-panel-lauds-ph.html
Soapy Smith
11-03-16, 08:29
Balanced and well researched article from The Atlantic. Enjoy.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/11/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-china-united-states/506108/Balanced, perhaps, and some news getting out to the West is better than no news. A good read. But I think it was not necessarily accurately researched.
"surveys show that most Filipinos distrust regional rival China, and overwhelmingly trust the United States. Much of this amity stems from the long, shared history between the two countries, dating back to the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 when the United States replaced Spain as the ruling colonial power. . . ".
The first sentence may be correct, and there may be some amity based on a shared history, but the idea that the "United States replaced Spain as the ruling colonial power" creates a naive impression that Filipinos embraced colonization by the United States. Not even close to true. In fact, the U.S. took control of the Philippines by military force after dispatching Spanish forces from Cuba and the Philippines. Not exactly a relationship built on "amity," and this is a source of historical grievance for educated Filipinos in addition to Duterte. It is also likely that Americans view the historical relationship in more romantic terms than do Filipinos.
"The U.S. government has also taken the lead in humanitarian assistance, providing over $37 million after Hurricane Yolanda in 2013, which killed over 10,000 Filipinos. ".
Wrong on at least two counts. The U.S. military, including naval vessels and air force groups were among the first to render foreign assistance in the vicinity of Samar and Leyte, but the UK has provided substantially more aid in the wake of Haiyan (Yolanda) than the U.S. Secondly, the 10,000 deaths were an early, presumably inaccurate, estimate from some local official on Leyte Island, but official records later reported that known deaths were approximately 6,300.
These are small details, but they illustrate the way that romantic misinformation about the Philippines is often passed around among American media sources. I suspect that this occurs because Western journalists are too lazy to seek accurate information, and it is just too easy to cite earlier Western journalists' work without ever confirming its accuracy. This underlying ignorance is consistent with GE's suggestions that Western news media couldn't care less about news from the Philippines until somebody like Duterte makes it colorful.
GoodEnough
11-03-16, 09:16
I agree with Soapy that the article is well-written, but it fails utterly to capture the nuances of the country's relationship with the US. Yes, the sanctimonious Steve Rood (who I think has been here forever) is correct, that the remittances flowing from the US--both from OFWs and FilAms--are enormous, and any dramatic disruption of the revenue flow would severely disrupt this economy; not only the families who depend on the remittances but the GOP which derives much of its foreign exchange from the same source. Yes, it's also true that in a poll conducted a few months ago about 92% of Filipinos expressed a positive attitude toward the US, which is unsurprising, given the extent to which US products and services have permeated Filipino society. But having said this, the article ignores the flip side of the equation which is a sense of national shame that so many of its citizens must leave the country and thus depend on the kindness of strangers. Scratch the surface of an average, semi-well-educated Filipino and you'll often find some resentment directed at the richer, more developed countries that provide the best hope for economic success for many Filipinos. Interesting, that alone among ASEAN countries, this place seems to need someone or something else to blame for the lack of development.
The core truth--sensed rather than quantifiable--is that the society in general has a mixed attitude toward the States. Filipinos to some extent, recognize the imbalance in the not-quite-equal or some-are-more-equal-than-others relationship and often resent it in the same way that less monied family members might resent richer relatives on whose largesse they partially depend. For those Filipinos, who have lived their lives in a third-world country that's been an historical unknown for most of the world, watching a pigmy kick a giant in his crotch gives them a sense of rare national pride, and helps enables them to admit that they've felt bullied. The positive response to Duterte's taunts didn't arise in a vacuum; he's exploited a feeling that existed but had lain dormant.
I believe, though I cannot prove, that Duterte's election sparked a movement among people who have felt victimized, rendered voiceless, and enfeebled for centuries, and in this scenario, the US is an easy target: first because conflating US victimization and the drug war provides the GOP with a White Whale that can serve as an effective focal point for the anger of the population. Second, because the creation of an enemy can deflect the attention of masses of people from the enormity of development needs with which the country is afflicted.
Duterte is not a fool, but a clever politician. He knows full well that he cannot possibly address the "needs deficits" that have manifested themselves in virtually every sector, nor can he eradicate the political dynasties (and concomitant corruption) that have characterized the society for centuries. He can, and to an extent he has, however, created effective alternative theories of blame. It's the fault of the US, and the West in general, that the country hasn't achieved its potential and / or it's because drugs have become the epidemic that stifles the country's development. It's an effective means of creating an external "other" to whom the status quo can be attributed. My fear is that now that the "enemies" have been defined, the next few years will witness an ever-descending spiral of additional venom and more killings, and in the end, nothing much will have changed for the average Filipino.
It's interesting as well that the article mentions almost nothing of the potential ramifications, for the Philippines, of its self-severance from the US. The simple fact is that the US could get along fine without Filipino OFWs, without exports from the Philippines, and without access to the country's naval bases. US call centers here could, within a year or so, easily pull up stakes and relocate to another country eager for their business. Duterte has taken a "so what?" attitude to such a possibility, but I doubt that the millions of Filipinos whose economic lives would be affected would be so blase. It's my ardent hope that macho-sounding US Congressional representatives, anxious to prove their manhood, will not seize on this as an excuse the exacerbate the tensions that Duterte has created.
One of the key tenets of authoritarian regimes throughout history has been the creation of external enemies whose eradication is critical to the survival of the state, and the conquest of which depends on a singleminded, father figure whose identity becomes existentially intertwined with that of the country. I can see the seeds of that happening here, now that the country has evidently coalesced around its strong man, and now that the enemies have been identified. Conversely, the president does not, as yet, have the power to rule by decree, and is still dependent on Congress for funding and policy approval, so the end is not fore-ordained.
GE.
Roll Aides
11-03-16, 12:14
Having lived in Thailand for a short time, I would offer a subjective reflection that there is one thing that sets political troubles there, and political trouble here, apart; and that is that Thais seem to totally render farang excepted from any trouble that might be going on internally. There could be a full-on armed coup there and I would not hesitate to walk down the street, other than in an active protest area. It's sort of like being a visitor from Mars, you are appreciated and in fact protected for your trade value, you are not expected to understand or interact with the local scene, unless you idiotically go out of your way to involve yourself. That's sort of safe.
As an addenda, I have seen some very strong opinions expressed here, some exceedingly articulate, others less so. I do not personally pretend to know a lot about politics, and I pretty much view the proceedings of mr. Du30 with a bowl of popcorn and a disbelieving grin; but that is not what I wanted to say.
My field report, if you will, is that I live in an unimportant barangay of a small regional capitol, as I have for almost five years now, and there are no drug killings here that I have noticed. No one I know is particularly concerned about the current administration. My neighbors do not look at me suspiciously when I go to buy beer, nor do I fear them. No persons that I know of, or have heard of, or have read of, have been shot for supposedly or actually being drug dealers. There is no aura of oppression, or panic, of any kind. In short, the actual difference (other than the news) in my day to day life and the lives of those around me, is zero. People I know go to their jobs; they go to school; they run their shops; and perhaps most relevantly, a minority of them have sex with aging overweight foreigners for very little money, which is fine with me.
And yes, people do get shot here. They get shot all the fucking time. It's the Philippines. But, I have not noted any change in the rate of the shootings, whatsoever, post-dueterte.
Now I have a USA Passport, and if that becomes an issue then I will surely leave, and experiences undoubtedly will vary according to locale; but in point of fact, I cannot see what all the fuss is about. Because if someone offends your political sensibilities and you have to go Galt to reconcile that with your belief framework, then fine. But seriously, the experience on the ground here, in my little patch of the world, has changed zero. And, I see it changing zero, unless the US visa thing happens. If you have personally been affected by the 'EJK,' then I sincerely apologise in advance. My point is simply that, from the point of view of a nobody, nowhere, here in the Philippines, life pre-dueterte and life post-dueterte, are exactly indistinguishable, except perhaps for some extremely entertaining news reports.
That time he called Barack Obama the son of a working girl, I almost choked on my San Miguel; you can't pay for that shit.
Monger on, brothers, and relax.
Cool Traveler
11-03-16, 22:42
Irony. Of course. Part of deal of purchasing those rifles was that the Philippines would be getting military aid, which will then be used to pay for the aforementioned rifles. All part of a corrupt defense industry. So, if the purchase of weapons does not happen, so would the aid. I wonder if Duterte put those together.
Fact he has to face is, Philippines is tied economically with the US. Take for instance United Health. 5 years ago, United Health opened an office in Manila, with 50 employees. Today they have close to 15,000 employees in the Philippines, all servicing US healthcare. United Health Philippines does just about everything from invoicing, to customer service.
Wonder, how far Duterte is willing to take this, just because years ago, the US embassy in Manila dissed him by denying travel visa to travel to the US.
Any else see the irony in trying to purchase 26,000 assault rifles from a country you despise? At any rate, a US Senator has killed that deal and the country will not be permitted to purchase the weapons.
I saw an article today that the Philippines instead is turning to Israel and plans to purchase 20,000 equivalent assault weapons from the Israelis. Given the strong and special relationship between the US and Israel however, I wonder if the US Government will request Israel to demur as well, in which case it's likely that the Philippines would approach Russia. Like AV, I'm curious as to why a civilian police force would need 20,000 automatic weapons to confront drug dealers and common criminals given that in developed countries, police typically carry only sidearms..
GoodEnough
11-04-16, 05:33
Hope the SMC proposal gets serious consideration from the Duterte administration, cause it was shelved during the prior reign. http://manila.coconuts.co/2016/11/02/san-miguel-corp-presents-plan-new-metro-manila-airport-bulacan.
GE.
Soapy Smith
11-04-16, 06:20
Hope the SMC proposal gets serious consideration from the Duterte administration, cause it was shelved during the prior reign. http://manila.coconuts.co/2016/11/02/san-miguel-corp-presents-plan-new-metro-manila-airport-bulacan. GE.The location makes more sense than either Clark or Cavite.
Soapy Smith
11-04-16, 08:29
There is a notion floated by some in this thread that it was the poor Filipino masses that supported Duterte most enthusiastically, whereas the elites are his most conspicuous critics and most likely to have voted for his opponents. This is part of the argument in which those of us who criticize Duterte must be getting our perspectives from the traditional blood-sucking elites with whom we frequently hobnob. It turns out that exit polling in May by the Social Weather Stations showed that this is bass-ackwards.
https://understandingdigong.wordpress.com/2016/05/12/who-voted-for-duterte-part-1/
A few excerpts:
"The SWS exit poll showed that almost half, or 45.9% of the ABC socio-economic segment of the population voted for the Mayor from Davao. This segment, which is the combination of the upper class (AB) and the middle class (C) comprise about 10% of the population.
Viewed from the education angle, the exit poll revealed that 49.2% of college-educated voters went for Digong."
Remember, only 39% of the electorate voted from Duterte, so elites, and especially educated elites, voted disproportionately for Duterte rather than his opponents.
"The SWS exit poll also showed that four out of ten (39.6%) of the the D segment (lower middle class) and over a third (35.3%) of E segment (lower class) voted for him."
Since the total Duterte vote was 39%, this means the lower middle class was substantially less enthusiastic about him than the three higher classes, and the poorest class was least inclined toward Duterte.
Another explanation of the same data:
http://interaksyon.com/article/127578/sws-exit-poll-data--more-of-the-rich-and-educated-say-they-voted-for-duterte
"MANILA. The massive win of Davao City's Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the presidential race cannot be simplistically framed as just a "revolt", or protest vote of sorts, against the elite by the toiling masses or the working class exhausted by six years of the "manhid at palpak" (insensitive, goofy) under Daang Matuwid. . . .
Nearly half (45.9%) of those who said they voted Duterte came from the A-B-C socioeconomic class [Note from Soapy: this is a misstatement, but the next two points are correct]; and less than a fifth from the same class (18.9%) said they voted for Mar Roxas, whose image is that of a typical heir or hacendero. Just 16.4% of this class said they picked Grace Poe. . . .
One analyst interviewed on radio had earlier advised commentators to be ready for the fact that many of the rich and influential actually voted for Duterte. The theory: the issue of peace and order is one that resonates with the affluent, who want assurances that a strong leader will prevent crimes against lives and property."
Here is an interesting analysis from an American publication, the Jacobin; unlike much of the Western media, this journalist took the time to consult well-informed observers like John Sidel, Patricio Abinales, Ramon Casiple, and Alfred McCoy.
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/05/philippines-duterte-populism-marcos-neoliberalism/
This lefty argues that Duterte is not a man of the masses; he is just another member of the elite--but from a provincial elite network rather than from the dominant Manila networks--who has played his politics very shrewdly.
"We should understand Duterte as a larger-than-usual version of the strongman, a not-unusual figure in Philippine politics. Political scientist Patricio Abinales's work on Mindanao describes the strongman as a regional representative of more powerful, Manila-based actors. Strongmen amass power through clientelist networks, control over vital enterprises and, "most important of all, a monopoly of the means of coercion and violence."
In this analysis, Rodrigo Duterte is an "outsider" in Manila, the representative of a less powerful, more provincial layer of the Philippine elite. Some of his allies, like proposed minister of finance Carlos "Sonny" Dominguez, also come from Mindanao-based clans or studied together with Duterte.
But after the elections, other establishment parties and turncoats from the incumbent government quickly joined Duterte's coalition, anxious to preserve their access to power and public resources.
Leftist trappings aside, this is the clearest way to understand Duterte: a regional boss who managed to strike it big by winning the presidency, pushing aside a sector of the traditional high elite. The most significant change his election promises is that Manila's elite has been partially replaced by another, more provincial segment of the country's oligarchy."
One takeaway: Duterte is, at least among Filipinos, a very shrewd politician. He is able to sucker the masses with a disingenuous frontstage performance in which he looks like one of them, while backstage, he's actually aligned with wealthy property owners who want protection from poor criminal elements.
"I am, by calling, a dealer in words; and words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. . . . Not only do words infect, egotize, narcotize, and paralyze, but they enter into and colour the minutest cells of the brain." Rudyard Kipling, 1923.
One takeaway: Duterte is, at least among Filipinos, a very shrewd politician. He is able to sucker the masses with a disingenuous frontstage performance in which he looks like one of them, while backstage, he's actually aligned with wealthy property owners who want protection from poor criminal elements.
Thanks for posting food for thought. I disagree with the takeaway, though. Who are the poor criminals' victims predominately? It's usually not the wealthy who live in guarded condos and gated communities and travel metro Manila by their own car, the wealthiest of whom have bodyguards. Several years ago the wealthy Chinese community was targeted, but this was often by connected and protected kidnap gangs, and this has faded over the years.
FreebieFan
11-04-16, 10:00
Thanks for posting food for thought. I disagree with the takeaway, though. Who are the poor criminals' victims predominately? It's usually not the wealthy who live in guarded condos and gated communities and travel metro Manila by their own car, the wealthiest of whom have bodyguards. Several years ago the wealthy Chinese community was targeted, but this was often by connected and protected kidnap gangs, and this has faded over the years.Yes, I remember KFR. Now replaced by EJK.
(kidnap for ransom, for those who werent around in the mid to late 1990's).
Soapy Smith
11-04-16, 16:31
Thanks for posting food for thought. I disagree with the takeaway, though. Who are the poor criminals' victims predominately? It's usually not the wealthy who live in guarded condos and gated communities and travel metro Manila by their own car, the wealthiest of whom have bodyguards. Several years ago the wealthy Chinese community was targeted, but this was often by connected and protected kidnap gangs, and this has faded over the years.The most common victims of criminal activity are, as you suggest, not the upper classes. A reading from SWS (a Part 2 follow-on to the one I posted) points out that sector D, the lower middle class, are the most frequent criminal targets. But actual victimization and fear of crime are not synonymous. I don't know about the Philippines, but there are various Western studies showing that perceptions of crime are often lower in areas that have the highest actual incidence of crime, perhaps because they sort of "normalize" the risks in their minds.
The supposedly crime-free Davao is perhaps an illustration. Duterte convinced his people that he made their city crime-free and safe, but the numbers showed just the opposite: Davao has one of the highest violent crime rates in the Philippines. Sorry GE, your perceptions were an illusion.
Furthermore, it is likely that concern about crime is greater among the wealthy because: a) they have more to lose and b) their economic worldview and economic prospects hinge on a strong desire for societal stability.
GoodEnough
11-07-16, 08:37
According to today's "Inquirer" there are now three proposals that have been floated for replacing NAIA: one would cost about $10 billon, one about $50 billion and for the other--expansion of Clark--no estimates were provided. Anyone out there in cyber land believe that any of these proposals will be acted upon in the next six years? http://opinion.inquirer.net/99031/clark-as-option.
GE.
According to today's "Inquirer" there are now three proposals that have been floated for replacing NAIA: one would cost about $10 billon, one about $50 billion and for the other--expansion of Clark--no estimates were provided. Anyone out there in cyber land believe that any of these proposals will be acted upon in the next six years? http://opinion.inquirer.net/99031/clark-as-option.
GE.There will be action in front and behind the scenes. But only bickering and political posturing for the next 18 years. By then we will be transported individually by newly developed solar powered trike drones.
According to today's "Inquirer" there are now three proposals that have been floated for replacing NAIA: one would cost about $10 billon, one about $50 billion and for the other--expansion of Clark--no estimates were provided. Anyone out there in cyber land believe that any of these proposals will be acted upon in the next six years? http://opinion.inquirer.net/99031/clark-as-option.
GE.Incheon Airport took 9+ years of construction and Thailand took about 5 years of construction. Hmm, makes it 12+ years of construction here for the Philippines (and both plans are useless without a train connecting them to Manila). So, a new airport won't open for another 15+ years.
But yes, something will get approved within the next 5 years.
Soapy Smith
11-07-16, 15:29
But only bickering and political posturing for the next 18 years. By then we will be transported individually by newly developed solar powered trike drones.Your thinking is already old fashioned: "beam me up, Scotty. ".
Your thinking is already old fashioned: "beam me up, Scotty. ".I agree the thinking is old generation but we are talking RP. Have to do the solar powered trike drones first then by 2100.
BTW, I am still doing boom boom the old fashion way!
FreebieFan
11-08-16, 01:40
Incheon Airport took 9+ years of construction and Thailand took about 5 years of construction. Hmm, makes it 12+ years of construction here for the Philippines (and both plans are useless without a train connecting them to Manila). So, a new airport won't open for another 15+ years.
But yes, something will get approved within the next 5 years.Approved perhaps. But wait for the deadly and time wasting TRO's that will be issued by every landowner, everyone that may own an access point and lawyers looking for an easy payout.
Now Chinese style doesn't allow for TRO's. Only TKO's. LOL. To build the Maglev train tracks in Shanghai, from the airport to Pudong, they decided on the route, gave the people with houses that would be where the tracks would go, 48 hours to relocate, and it was built within 9 months start to finish.
Chocha Monger
11-11-16, 22:51
The peso weakened further to seven-year low of P48.95:$1 yesterday as US dollar buying and the region's foreign exchange markets became more volatile, while local stocks tumbled sharply bringing the benchmark index to below the crucial 7,000-mark as selling by foreign funds intensified following growing jitters sparked by Donald Trump's winning the US presidential election Tuesday.
http://business.mb.com.ph/2016/11/11/peso-tumbles-to-7-year-low-psei-below-7000/
Roll Aides
11-12-16, 08:11
In other news, pussy continued to get more expensive here faster than the peso fell against the dollar. But it's still cheaper and more fulfilling than fucking American women, by a landslide.
The peso weakened further to seven-year low of P48.95:$1 yesterday as US dollar buying and the region's foreign exchange markets became more volatile, while local stocks tumbled sharply bringing the benchmark index to below the crucial 7,000-mark as selling by foreign funds intensified following growing jitters sparked by Donald Trump's winning the US presidential election Tuesday.
http://business.mb.com.ph/2016/11/11/peso-tumbles-to-7-year-low-psei-below-7000/
Chocha Monger
11-13-16, 02:04
In 2013, the US dollar got about 40.69 PHP. In 2016, the USD reached a high of 49.31 PHP. Walking Street bar fines have been about 3,000 pesos for the last few years. So, pussy has been getting cheaper for American mongers, (3 K pesos is now about USD 60.84 vs 73.73 in 2013) unless they are volunteering to pay more. In order for pussy to get more expensive, bar owners would need to revise the cost of bar fines upwards by more than 630 pesos.
In 2013, the US dollar got about 40.69 PHP. In 2016, the USD reached a high of 49.31 PHP. Walking Street bar fines have been about 3,000 pesos for the last few years. So, pussy has been getting cheaper for American mongers, (3 K pesos is now about USD 60.84 vs 73.73 in 2013) unless they are volunteering to pay more. In order for pussy to get more expensive, bar owners would need to revise the cost of bar fines upwards by more than 630 pesos.I can see the replies now: Yeah, but the savings is only half as much at the perimeter bars!
Roll Aides
11-13-16, 07:36
In 2013, the US dollar got about 40.69 PHP. In 2016, the USD reached a high of 49.31 PHP. Walking Street bar fines have been about 3,000 pesos for the last few years. So, pussy has been getting cheaper for American mongers, (3 K pesos is now about USD 60.84 vs 73.73 in 2013) unless they are volunteering to pay more. In order for pussy to get more expensive, bar owners would need to revise the cost of bar fines upwards by more than 630 pesos.
Sorry if I was unclear. And, since I avoid AC like the plague, perhaps this isn't the place post this; I apologize in advance. Although, one could make some strong arguments based solely on the magnitude of (non-trolling) post by gents who are dissatisfied by the decline in dollar-to-value ratios there. However I won't, as the locale is not the point; the point is, that in terms of a first-world monger's economic advantage relative to any "developing" economy's pussy, sex services always have been, always will be, and are currently, equalizing to global (ie. "first world") rates faster than any other sector. They must. Because, the board of directors of Nike or Unilever or Apple whatever, has a far closer eye on their bottom line, than say, some punter out for a stroll on perimeter road; and because, the typical peasant gusset dreaming of a better life has far more opportunities, leverage, and far less competition than, and a far more pliant customer base than, say a welder, accountant or BPO worker.
Which means, our dollar to value ratio for pussy is always going to be dropping faster than that of other local wages, regardless of the exchange rate. In fact, in the futuristic, far off but inevitable dream of a truly global economy, one where prices and wages are the same in every country for all, there is one certainty; the price of pussy will be the first thing to equalize. So yes, quality of twat cost more per dollar on average per year than your economic advantage goes up. That's why you see so many butthurt old-timers on every sub-forum of this board bitching about how it's not like the good old days. It's not. Expect the trend to continue.
Sexual service are the front line of international incentive to trade. Like porn, where the first thing anyone thought of when inventing a camera was let's take some pictures of some naked bitches, or movies, where the first interesting use was like hey lets film some people fucking, or the early internet, with pinups made of periods, asterisks and question marks, to the present day, when no sexual proclivity is unprovided for on the digital superhighway. In the same way, the first man to make a voyage to a faraway nation, landed on the first beach and thought himself, "I'm going t get me some local tang!" Thus began our hobby.
Sadly, in the same way that there are no more foreign lands to discover; we can also be certain that someday, our grandsons, however great-, will get to live in a world where every woman, regardless her nationality, will have a truly equal opportunity to seek economic rent on her pussy. Until that time, I recommend fucking the shit out of as many economically disadvantaged woman as possible, and resting assured that, yes, your country's currency is going to be less able to buy you pussy in the future than it was in the past--so enjoy it while you can.
P.S. sidenote - check xe.com's chart for php usd. you can prove almost anything if you pick your timeframe.
Soapy Smith
11-13-16, 23:28
the typical peasant gusset dreaming of a better life has far more opportunities, leverage, and far less competition than, and a far more pliant customer base than, say a welder, accountant or BPO worker.You offer interesting speculative arguments, and you may be right about some of it, but you do not offer much in the way of evidence.
This part of your argument seems to have been written off the top of your head without much real understanding of the bargirl's life circumstances. It comes from the perspective of the buyer, for whom the encounter may seem like a simple economic exchange: "did I pay too much; what would guys on the ISG board say if they knew how much I paid; how much would I have paid for this in Thailand"?
But it suggests a real lack of awareness of the working girl's situation. The working girl makes major compromises in her own self-esteem and, if her family or neighbors find out about her work, as often happens, risks major damage for the rest of her life in her relationships with family and friends. Yes, there are families who know or suspect what their daughters are doing and may let it slide in recognition of the money the girl sends home. But when the girl visits home, somebody in the family or neighborhood is going to publicly brand her as a pokpok. What do you think it does to a woman to be branded a pokpok by her family and community for the rest of her life? What does it do to her when her own children are old enough to understand--and confront her about--her earlier "professional" life? The same bamboo telegraph that allows the girls to inform each other about unfaithful foreign boyfriends is even better suited to transmit gossip back home to the girl's province.
"Opportunities"? Really? What options does she have, where else is she employable? Accountants and BPO workers have skills and knowledge that open other opportunities, but the working girl arrives in her business because, lacking education and English skills, she usually cannot even get a job as a server at JolliBee. Her alternatives are picking up recyclable cans and bottles or selling pork barbecue on a stick as a street-side vendor. And in this latter employment she is still a low-paid employee of the guy who owns the hibachi grills, umbrellas, and ice chests, and transports her back-and-forth to her particular vending location.
As a working girl her shelf life expires by, what, age 30? Not so for welders, accountants, or BPO workers. The monger has the advantage of mobility to other markets, and the welders, accountants, and BPO workers may have opportunities to take their professional skills to the Middle East or, in some instances, Western countries. The girl born and raised in Mindanao, Southern Leyte, or Negros Occidental has major challenges to borrow money to get to Cebu, Manila, or AC. And since she has borrowed money, her lenders and everybody around them are watching exactly what she does to repay the loan.
"Leverage"? In the individual encounter with a monger, yes, but beyond that, what can she negotiate? The terms of her employment with the bar? The cost of traveling back to the province for the holidays? The skills for bargaining with a horny monger are not exactly transferable to other kinds of life encounters.
"Less competition"? If you want to see what competition looks like, try watching what happens to the older gals at LA Cafe. They are there because they don't have options, but they really can't compete with the many younger women who are also there displaying their wares.
This sort of economic argument is so narrowly constructed that it does not consider that there are actually people on the girl's side of the equation. It's in the same category as arguing that, given a starting point of one person with three chickens in the pot and a family with one chicken in the pot, if in the end the one guy ends up with five and the family has none, it's a net gain for the economy. In the states we often reduce the economy to simple measures like GDP or closing numbers on the NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange. In other parts of the world, such as rural Mindanao, although the people often don't understand how it all happens, a small rise in the cost of gasoline has a devastating effect on the lives of poor farmers who lose their already small profits because their margins are overly sensitive to the cost of getting crops to market.
Noble sentiments here from Mike but he may be a little over-optimistic about how far this "uprising"has permeated.
Good for him though.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/the-filipino-has-been-lied-to/
Soapy Smith
11-14-16, 18:41
Noble sentiments here from Mike but he may be a little over-optimistic about how far this "uprising"has permeated.
Good for him though.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/the-filipino-has-been-lied-to/Sort of a blend of motivational speaker and "Up with People":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xx-85VdCcw
At least Irish Mike appears to have spelled things correctly. The Goodie Two Shoes "Up with People" crowd didn't even care enough to check the spelling of Gawad Kalinga.
GoodEnough
11-15-16, 10:44
I don't think I've ever seen a feature article about the Philippines in "The New Yorker" until this week's issue. For those who might be interested, here's the link: http://nyer.cm/BqUJEKW.
GE.
Chocha Monger
11-17-16, 14:56
Manila, Philippines The sustained rise in US Treasury yields, due in part to expected faster inflation rate by 2017, continues to hurt both the Philippine peso and the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) Tuesday. The local currency closed the day near its seven-and-a-half-year-low of P49.17 from its fresh 7.5 year-low of P49.20 Monday.
A trader said the currency's performance during the day was a bit weaker than its counterparts in the region. "The peso remained pressured by foreign selling in the equities market," the trader said.
http://interaksyon.com/business/134342/high-us-treasury-yields-continue-to-hurt-philippine-peso-stocks
Screaming Beaver
11-18-16, 03:25
Manila, Philippines The sustained rise in US Treasury yields, due in part to expected faster inflation rate by 2017, continues to hurt both the Philippine peso and the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) Tuesday. The local currency closed the day near its seven-and-a-half-year-low of P49.17 from its fresh 7.5 year-low of P49.20 Monday.
A trader said the currency's performance during the day was a bit weaker than its counterparts in the region. "The peso remained pressured by foreign selling in the equities market," the trader said.
http://interaksyon.com/business/134342/high-us-treasury-yields-continue-to-hurt-philippine-peso-stocksYes, the USA Dollar seems to be slowly marching toward 50 to the peso. Let the good times roll. The price of beaver keeps getting cheaper.
Jack Burton
11-24-16, 02:47
There will be action in front and behind the scenes. But only bickering and political posturing for the next 18 years. By then we will be transported individually by newly developed solar powered trike drones.You win. I haven't been in the Philippines long enough to come up with that answer.
Chocha Monger
11-24-16, 14:22
Manila, Philippines- The local currency touched the 50-level in the morning session Friday but ended the day at P49.98, P0. 12 weaker than Wednesday's P49.86 close and its weakest after P49.99 close on Nov. 20,2008.
ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng, in a statement, attributed the peso's weakness to regional trend due to external factors such as expectations of a hike in the Federal Reserve rates in December and a possible 50 basis points increase next year.
The protectionist policies anticipated from the administration of US president-elect Donald Trump were also among the concerns of the markets along with the impact of the Brexit, stability in the European Union (EU) and slowdown of Chinese growth.
Cuyegkeng said local factors such as the liquidity implications of cutting access of thrust funds on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) overnight deposit facilities (ODFs) were pushed at the background for now.
He also said that "underlying political concerns remain as market participants are also cautious despite the relatively favorable economic fundamentals. ".
He explained that because of these factors "market participants have been slowly increasing US dollar portion of holdings for future foreign exchange payments and servicing and for alternative investments. ".
"We are closely watching developments for now and retain our year-end 2016 P49.50 forecast," he added.
For the day, the local unit opened at P49.95, down from the P49.82 a day ago.
It traded between P49.91 and P50.00, bringing the day's average to P49.96.
Volume of trade reached $437.6 million, higher than the $360.5 million in the previous session.
The currency pair is seen to trade between P49.90 and P50.10 on Friday.
http://interaksyon.com/business/134618/philippine-peso-touches-50-level-while-psei-slightly-improves
Chocha Monger
12-07-16, 04:00
Aussie mongers are once again tightening their belts and cutting back on beaver purchases as the Aussie dollar was kicked off a cliff and fell against all major currencies. Aussie GDP shrank 0. 5% in the three months to September from the prior quarter, exceeding forecasts of a 0.1% contraction. This was the worst performance of the economy since the depths of the global financial crisis of 2008.
Aussie mongers can get about 36.81 PHP to the Aussie dollar today. However, with the economy at risk of going into a recession they can expect to get less in the future. These dull prospects mean pensioners will be forced to cut back on beaver and beer consumption in the Philippines making life a lot less enjoyable to vacationers and ex-pats alike.
Aussie mongers are once again tightening their belts and cutting back on beaver purchases as the Aussie dollar was kicked off a cliff and fell against all major currencies. Aussie GDP shrank 0. 5% in the three months to September from the prior quarter, exceeding forecasts of a 0.1% contraction. This was the worst performance of the economy since the depths of the global financial crisis of 2008.
Aussie mongers can get about 36.81 PHP to the Aussie dollar today. However, with the economy at risk of going into a recession they can expect to get less in the future. These dull prospects mean pensioners will be forced to cut back on beaver and beer consumption in the Philippines making life a lot less enjoyable to vacationers and ex-pats alike.Can you give some real factual numbers? The Aussie dollar has been up at least 10% from 12 months ago. So the Aussie mongers have been getting 10% more beaver for the year. Even if they lose. 5% my math says they are ahead 9.5%.
Did I miss something?
GoodEnough
12-07-16, 23:34
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/07/world/asia/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-drugs-killings.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Tough to look at these photos.
Screaming Beaver
12-08-16, 12:15
Can you give some real factual numbers? The Aussie dollar has been up at least 10% from 12 months ago. So the Aussie mongers have been getting 10% more beaver for the year. Even if they lose. 5% my math says they are ahead 9.5%.
Did I miss something?The problem is you are only looking at a one year snapshot. Look back a little further and you will see it used to be over 45 to 1 with the AUD. You add to that the very small pension Aussies get you can see why there are fewer Aussies chasing beaver unless they can get the middle aged dried up old hags nobody else wants.
The problem is you are only looking at a one year snapshot. Look back a little further and you will see it used to be over 45 to 1 with the AUD. You add to that the very small pension Aussies get you can see why there are fewer Aussies chasing beaver unless they can get the middle aged dried up old hags nobody else wants.I have no idea what is a small pension that Aussies get. The poster posted that the Aussie dollar was falling off the cliff now. That was his snap shot given. 45 to 1 was about 8 to 10 years ago. If you want to say it fell off the cliff then? OK.
Certainly the sky isn't falling now for the Aussie pensioner 36 to 1 after climbing from 32 to 1.
Wicked Roger
12-09-16, 07:06
The problem is you are only looking at a one year snapshot. Look back a little further and you will see it used to be over 45 to 1 with the AUD. You add to that the very small pension Aussies get you can see why there are fewer Aussies chasing beaver unless they can get the middle aged dried up old hags nobody else wants.I don't get the hags SB.
Living on a pension where you are at the mercy of foreign exchange fluctuations can be a *****. I know a few Europeans who suffer due to the Euro as well as Americans and Brits. Not just Aussies.
Chocha Monger
12-09-16, 23:18
I don't get the hags SB.
Living on a pension where you are at the mercy of foreign exchange fluctuations can be a *****. I know a few Europeans who suffer due to the Euro as well as Americans and Brits. Not just Aussies.Pensioners in the Philippines certainly feel the pinch of those fluctuations when one considers that the core inflation rate averaged 3.88 percent from 2001 until 2016, and reached a high of 7.25 percent in October 2008. Many pensioned mongers in Angeles in particular are living a precarious existence trying to keep up with added pressure of ever rising beaver prices, rents, and trike fares, etc, which increase faster than the core inflation rate. All of this comes while many Western institutions are looking at ways of slashing the dole for pensioners.
Soapy Smith
12-10-16, 21:02
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/07/world/asia/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-drugs-killings.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Tough to look at these photos.Yes it is, but thanks for posting the story. Obviously some people dismiss the NYT because of its allegedly liberal slant, but the professional quality of this work on many levels is what separates this journalism from the kinds of lurid stuff on display in the gossip sheets sold at checkout lines in various retail stores.
Screaming Beaver
12-11-16, 00:29
Pensioners in the Philippines certainly feel the pinch .In 2012 the AUD was at 45.
In 2013 the AUD was at 38.
In 2014 the AUD was at 36.
In 2015 the AUD was at 33.
It has recovered slightly in 2016 to 37 but it's obvious the halcyon days are over. To make matters worse the Australian citizens are now facing means testing for their Social Security check and many are now getting much less than they ever have before. I've seen these guys pissing and moaning about their future while drinking SMB's early in afternoon and watching Rugby in their brightly colored shirts. You don't see them with women very often, they can't afford them. I hear some of them talking about moving back in with relatives back home. Meanwhile, the American dollar just keeps on roaring along.
Adios amigos.
Soapy Smith
01-07-17, 05:21
My squeeze reports another evening assault in her neighborhood. Two gunmen knock on a door, and when it opens, they shoot and kill three people sitting in the front room watching TV. Two others asleep in the back were left alone. She knew the victims and could not detect any clear motive. She thinks drugs were not involved. A friend somewhere in Barrio Bagong in North Caloocan reported seven people killed in a similar attack there. Again, motive not clear. Her takeaway is that many people are extremely frightened.
Since I don't have occasion to read the Manila papers regularly I am wondering if there are any discussions about generalized gun violence escalationg during the cllimate of apparent impunity for drug executions. Anyone care to respond?
GoodEnough
01-07-17, 05:50
My squeeze reports another evening assault in her neighborhood. Two gunmen knock on a door, and when it opens, they shoot and kill three people sitting in the front room watching TV. Two others asleep in the back were left alone. She knew the victims and could not detect any clear motive. She thinks drugs were not involved. A friend somewhere in Barrio Bagong in North Caloocan reported seven people killed in a similar attack there. Again, motive not clear. Her takeaway is that many people are extremely frightened.
Since I don't have occasion to read the Manila papers regularly I am wondering if there are any discussions about generalized gun violence escalationg during the cllimate of apparent impunity for drug executions. Anyone care to respond?While this is admittedly frightening, I'm not sure the level of violence is escalating beyond the historical norm. This has always been a violent country in which criminals are rarely caught and even once caught are generally immune from repercussions. As I and many others have pointed out frequently, this is a Potemkin country with facsimiles of real institutions that are largely dysfunctional. It's been that way for a long time and doesn't look like anything much is changing. Vendettas, ridos, rebel attacks coupled with easy access to guns and those willing to use them has characterized the Philippines for decades and perhaps longer. Duterte didn't start the trend.
I have yet to see any recent reports of violence in the areas frequented by most tourists, and I doubt that most coming here, or contemplating coming here have anything much to worry about. I live in Davao and travel often to Manila, and I've not sensed any heightened tension.
GE.
<SNIP>
Since I don't have occasion to read the Manila papers regularly I am wondering if there are any discussions about generalized gun violence escalationg during the cllimate of apparent impunity for drug executions. Anyone care to respond?There is a phenomenon in the Philippine language known as "ningas cogon" which means "brush fire" or the tendency for a blaze to flare up initially and then die away quickly when the fuel supply runs down.
This term is used to explain the tendency for pinoys to jump on to any new idea, fad, fashion or trend and blow it sky high so it dominates all news and thinking for around, say, one to two weeks, and then it dies away quickly never to be heard of again. It happens across virtually all areas, whether it's some show biz scandal, a political issue, a fashion issue, even a new restaurant opening. A grand flash-point of media saturation followed by silence.
The issue of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) is one such issue. It hardly makes news now, and is replaced by either latest surveys showing Du30 still enjoying an 80 plus percentage positive assessment or the visit of 2 Russian warships and how Du30 is embracing Russia rather than US. Next week it could be anything, but it WILL be something new.
Re the issue of gun violence escalation. Like GE, I don't think there's any substantial change except that one rather subjective observation has been recorded. In my 'hood, Robinson's Galleria Mall has a gun shop situated in the basement and my hairdresser has a shop nearby. For the past 2 months I have noticed that they are extremely busy, and today when I passed by it was standing room only, with many people waiting to be served. I mentioned it to my barber, and he agreed that it was a talking point amongst his colleagues how there seemed to be a spike in the number of people seeking to purchase pistols etc.
Draw your own conclusions from that.
Soapy Smith
01-07-17, 06:41
There is a phenomenon in the Philippine language known as "ningas cogon" which means "brush fire" or the tendency for a blaze to flare up initially and then die away quickly when the fuel supply runs down.
Re the issue of gun violence escalation. Like GE, I don't think there's any substantial change except that one rather subjective observation has been recorded. In my 'hood, Robinson's Galleria Mall has a gun shop situated in the basement and my hairdresser has a shop nearby. For the past 2 months I have noticed that they are extremely busy, and today when I passed by it was standing room only, with many people waiting to be served. I mentioned it to my barber, and he agreed that it was a talking point amongst his colleagues how there seemed to be a spike in the number of people seeking to purchase pistols etc.
Draw your own conclusions from that.Thanks to you and GE for your thoughtful observations. Perhaps the "ningas cogon" phenomenon arises easily because of the absence of enduring, stable institutions that GE refers to. My first inclination about gun sales was that they reflect people gearing up for self-defense. Or, we might hope that this too merely reflects a knee-jerk "ningas cogon."
Interesting to note that, reportedly, Leni, Leila, and Loida had several meetings while all stayed at Loida's mansion in The Hamptons (New York) in late December.
Innocuous assembly, legitimate political dissent, or shades of Macbeth?
2017 will be a very interesting year.
OM.
Recently have been reading some interesting articles in the Manila Times, by editor in chief Dante Ang (is he related to Ramon Ang?) and by columnist Rigoberto Tiglao.
Tiglao asserts, reportedly based on some recently declassified documents from the US, that Ninoy actually supported martial law by Marcos. Accordingly to Tiglao, the US, which originally supported Marcos and encouraged martial law, later secretly switched alliances, and wound up supporting Cory and encouraging EDSA.
Still a mystery who assassinated Ninoy (or, more recently, Jesse Robredo, or, for that matter, JFK). A lot of speculation out there.
OM.
GoodEnough
01-18-17, 11:13
Don't know if this is false news or not, but I did see a Facebook message today saying that the Philippines is about to restrict access to selected websites it considers pornographic and the new administration wants to discourage folks from watching porn. If true, it will be the first overt move against freedom of expression that I have seen here.
GE.
Wicked Roger
01-18-17, 12:16
Don't know if this is false news or not, but I did see a Facebook message today saying that the Philippines is about to restrict access to selected websites it considers pornographic and the new administration wants to discourage folks from watching porn. If true, it will be the first overt move against freedom of expression that I have seen here.
GE.This article appeared 3 days ago.
http://www.rappler.com/technology/news/158369-porn-websites-blocked-philippines
Also seen similar elsewhere. Was reported recently that Pornhub is very popular in Asia especially in the Philippines with millions of users (this despite the warnings of the church no doubt LOL).
I agree that this would be a bad move and I can't understand why. Also the list said Redtube was banned / blocked but am sure whatever they do the people will use VPNs so little will change.
You would think they have other more pressing matters to worry about.
Don't know if this is false news or not, but I did see a Facebook message today saying that the Philippines is about to restrict access to selected websites it considers pornographic and the new administration wants to discourage folks from watching porn. If true, it will be the first overt move against freedom of expression that I have seen here. GE.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/862592/shutdown-of-websites-part-of-drive-vs-child-porn-palace
The question now is whether he will extend his definition of porn to include sites like ISG. It wouldn't surprise me.
Don't know if this is false news or not, but I did see a Facebook message today saying that the Philippines is about to restrict access to selected websites it considers pornographic and the new administration wants to discourage folks from watching porn. If true, it will be the first overt move against freedom of expression that I have seen here.
It's around 4 days old GE. I was waiting for someone to comment here about it.
It was reported on CNN and BBC before it reached FB, that bastion of authenticity.
For example:
https://technology.inquirer.net/57789/ph-govt-blocks-popular-porn-sites
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-38637003
http://www.rappler.com/technology/news/158369-porn-websites-blocked-philippines
It seems that a global survey found that pinoys were avid porn watchers and "someone" decided to flick the switch.
WestCoast1
01-18-17, 15:09
The question now is whether he will extend his definition of porn to include sites like ISG. It wouldn't surprise me.Three letters: VPN.
FreebieFan
01-19-17, 01:51
Three letters: VPN.I will go one better. Express VPN. Living in China I've tried numerous VPN sites. The free ones are crap and full of adverts. Strong VPN is complicated.
Express is US $ 100 a year and can use on phone and pc simultaneously.
Its not only Philippines porn sites therse days. So many sites blocked in Middle East and even some dating app sites blocked in Indonesia. Express is Very very worthwhile US $ 100, easy to set up and can be auto renewed.
Member #4698
01-19-17, 03:50
I just renewed my annual subscription with ExpressVPN. Try Googling "Best VPN services 2017" and you will see a link to PC Magazine's VPN recommendations and reviews. ExpressVPN came in 3rd or 4th solely due to its slightly higher pricing. I stuck with them, however, because I like the service ie it's pretty fast, their level of encryption is more than adequate, they have many reliable VPN server locations worldwide, and the program is unobtrusive when in use.
These days I think most of us need a good VPN service not only to get around local censorship, but equally important to safeguard our privacy concerns by encrypting all our internet traffic and hiding our real IP addresses. ExpressVPN boasts that it can stream Netflix. I tried to do this one time while I was connected to its New York server and it didn't work, however the program did work with Filmstruck, a TCM Streaming site. I am not sure if I would have better luck with Netflix using a different server location outside the USA. Maybe, but I am not holding my breath. There are a few other small hassles with using a VPN like your bank or credit card company might not recognize your computer and will thus insist on sending a security code to your email before allowing access into your account, but these are minor annoyances compared to the benefits IMHO because you can always toggle on/toggle off your VPN service when it suits you. I have ExpressVPN on my desktop, netbook, and cell phone. This is the world we live in.
GoodEnough
01-19-17, 04:21
I just renewed my annual subscription with ExpressVPN. Try Googling "Best VPN services 2017" and you will see a link to PC Magazine's VPN recommendations and reviews. ExpressVPN came in 3rd or 4th solely due to its slightly higher pricing. I stuck with them, however, because I like the service ie it's pretty fast, their level of encryption is more than adequate, they have many reliable VPN server locations worldwide, and the program is unobtrusive when in use.
These days I think most of us need a good VPN service not only to get around local censorship, but equally important to safeguard our privacy concerns by encrypting all our internet traffic and hiding our real IP addresses. ExpressVPN boasts that it can stream Netflix. I tried to do this one time while I was connected to its New York server and it didn't work, however the program did work with Filmstruck, a TCM Streaming site. I am not sure if I would have better luck with Netflix using a different server location outside the USA. Maybe, but I am not holding my breath. There are a few other small hassles with using a VPN like your bank or credit card company might not recognize your computer and will thus insist on sending a security code to your email before allowing access into your account, but these are minor annoyances compared to the benefits IMHO because you can always toggle on/toggle off your VPN service when it suits you. I have ExpressVPN on my desktop, netbook, and cell phone. This is the world we live in.Thanks very much for the advice. I just installed it on my iPad and iPhone, and it works just fine. I figure that even if this country doesn't block sites such as this, I'm better off using a VPN.
GE.
Shining Wit
01-19-17, 19:53
This article appeared 3 days ago.
http://www.rappler.com/technology/news/158369-porn-websites-blocked-philippines
Also seen similar elsewhere. Was reported recently that Pornhub is very popular in Asia especially in the Philippines with millions of users (this despite the warnings of the church no doubt LOL).
I agree that this would be a bad move and I can't understand why. Also the list said Redtube was banned / blocked but am sure whatever they do the people will use VPNs so little will change.
You would think they have other more pressing matters to worry about.As a certified techno-thick, I am unable to post a link, but an article on another site suggested a couple of reasons for this.
The initial position was that Filipinos don't watch an exorbitant amount of porn, it's just the poor internet speed means it takes them longer!
The follow-on was that this is backed, if not started end encouraged by the Telcos themselves. Videos are bandwidth intensive, so artificially reducing use would decongest the existing network. This would result in a marginal increase of internet speed, so producing a positive result for the Telcos to present to Pres Duterte, without actually doing anything or spending any money.
The blog also gave a link to another of their blogs regarding blocking porn on the internet. It was dated March 16th, 2014. Will the current campaign be as successful?
CallSign Papa
01-20-17, 06:07
The follow-on was that this is backed, if not started end encouraged by the Telcos themselves. Videos are bandwidth intensive, so artificially reducing use would decongest the existing network. If there's any truth to this I think this is fairly disingenuous from the ISPs. The filis I know are forever watching hollywood (or local) movies on their laptops and when they're not doing that they're watching silly stuff on Youtube or Facebook. I appreciate that this is anecdotal but I would imagine that porn videos aren't a substantial amount of the overall traffic.
I am surprised so many guys have time to watch porn.
I allow around 10 minutes each day to check ISG and possibly post a message.
No way would I have time to watch any porn as well, so I don't need VPN and don't care one way or the other.
Some of you guys must be thinking about sex 24/7. Good for you. Maybe one day I will too when I have less work to do.
Member #4698
01-20-17, 14:43
I am surprised so many guys have time to watch porn. I allow around 10 minutes each day to check ISG and possibly post a message. No way would I have time to watch any porn as well, so I don't need VPN and don't care one way or the other.
Some of you guys must be thinking about sex 24/7. Good for you. Maybe one day I will too when I have less work to do.If I lived in the PI or Thailand I wouldn't bother with porn much either. No need. Porn is primarily for those poor souls locked up in sexual prison. Then again I do enjoy seeing two lesbian Japanese girls making love every so often. I recently viewed a video where two attractive supposed Japanese sisters are home alone drinking. They pass out together on the bed, but then one of the sisters wakes up in the middle of the night horny and begins to seduce her sister and she won't take "no, I'm too tired," for an answer. The video is a hoot.
WestCoast1
01-20-17, 15:39
Porn is primarily for those poor souls locked up in sexual prison.Nope. Regardless of where I go, I have more girls than most men want to put up with.
I am surprised so many guys have time to watch porn.
Some of you guys must be thinking about sex 24/7. Good for you. Maybe one day I will too when I have less work to do.Respectully gents: Nonsense. Its an essential part of my life. When I'm not making some porn, I'm watching some several times / week (I often work 60-80 hours per week and still have some time). Its about an hour a week, and I don't have a significant other telling me what to do (or not to do) or directing my time / activities. When I can do what I want, I do what I want.
Member #4698
01-20-17, 17:43
Nope. Regardless of where I go, I have more girls than most men want to put up with.
<snip> Its an essential part of my life. When I'm not making some porn, I'm watching some several times / week (I often work 60-80 hours per week and still have some time). Its about an hour a week, and I don't have a significant other telling me what to do (or not to do) or directing my time / activities. When I can do what I want, I do what I want.Everybody's got different viewing habits. When I am travelling in the PI or Thailand I have little desire to watch porn and my viewing drops to almost zero. When I am back home I watch a fair amount. Ha Ha. I don't know what will happen when I move to Asia to live full time. That's only speculation.
I don't know what will happen when I move to Asia to live full time.You may multitask, watching porn and shagging girls concurrently. May even shoot videos yourself.
GoodEnough
01-21-17, 07:37
It suddenly occurred to me today that now that the US has elected a sexually predatory sociopath as its president, the Philippines socio-political system doesn't seem so crazy after all. I guess it was always a matter of perspective after all.
GE.
It suddenly occurred to me today that now that the US has elected a sexually predatory sociopath as its president, the Philippines socio-political system doesn't seem so crazy after all. I guess it was always a matter of perspective after all.
GE.I didn't see him grab any pussy today. Also his speeches were pretty tame.
Member #4698
01-21-17, 20:30
You may multitask, watching porn and shagging girls concurrently. May even shoot videos yourself.Ha Ha I guess I am not a multitasker. In Macau saunas they always have porn playing on the TV in the private rooms and I always turn it off so I can concentrate on my girl. I firmly believe that whatever the girl and I are doing is better than anything on the TV.
But I do enjoy taking pictures of my girls all right; at dinner, by the pool, and of course nude shots before & after, but I find taking pictures of a girl while she is blowing me, for example, takes too much concentration away from the pleasure of the act. Besides, I need my hands free to do pleasurable things to her and I am not really into seeing myself in the videos or pictures. I am a purist. I prefer to see just my girls.
On my last night in Manila I threw a farewell party and I had my 2 favorite PI girls plus their BFF all tanked on tequila in my hotel room. I certainly enjoyed taking pictures of the girls dancing nude all over my Fairmont hotel suite and afterwards all 3 of them taking a bubble bath together. I treasure those memories, but when it was time for the main event, I put down my camera and got down to business - 3 on 1. It just occurred to me that maybe setting up the camera on a tripod might solve the multitasking issue, but I so shy. LOL. I will have to think about it.
Member #4698
01-21-17, 21:37
It suddenly occurred to me today that now that the US has elected a sexually predatory sociopath as its president, the Philippines socio-political system doesn't seem so crazy after all. I guess it was always a matter of perspective after all.
GE.Maybe America needs another sexually predatory sociopath as president. After all, the USA did not do so badly with Bill Clinton. Ha Ha. But seriously, who knows, right? If Trump policies can jump start the rather lethargic US economy and if he can do something about violence and the really discraceful education system now in place in America's poor urban neighborhoods, he may turn out to be a pretty good president. And one thing I am fairly sure of is that relations between the US and the PI will get better under Trump, so I see a bunch of reasons for being guardedly optimistic.
Member #4566
01-22-17, 03:49
It suddenly occurred to me today that now that the US has elected a sexually predatory sociopath as its president, the Philippines socio-political system doesn't seem so crazy after all. I guess it was always a matter of perspective after all.
GE.Predatory? You are calling out someone for being a sexual predator on a website devoted to activities that most people would say involves preying on women--and you are one of its most prolific contributors!
But let's give analysis to the so-called predation. Men are pretty much hardwired to pursue. Nay let's generalize; males instinctively pursue females. A dog does not need permission to lick the swollen pussy of a bithc in heat. If a man and women are in a situation which suggests a romantic interlude, the women shouldn't get all uppity if I a man tries to arouse her. If the woman likes the man then she welcomes the advance but if she doesn't then it is sexual harassment and assault. The ageless rhythms of sex are being perverted. Male behavior is being demonized by a cadre of women some sexless, others unloved.
GoodEnough
01-22-17, 04:00
Maybe America needs another sexually predatory sociopath as president. After all, the USA did not do so badly with Bill Clinton. Ha Ha. But seriously, who knows, right? If Trump policies can jump start the rather lethargic US economy and if he can do something about violence and the really discraceful education system now in place in America's poor urban neighborhoods, he may turn out to be a pretty good president. And one thing I am fairly sure of is that relations between the US and the PI will get better under Trump, so I see a bunch of reasons for being guardedly optimistic.As you know, I see very few reasons for optimism. However, I agree that, at least in the short run, the relationship between this country and the US is likely to improve. Not only that, but given the evident Japanese and Chinese commitments to enormous amounts of aid, demands for US aid are likely to be reduced, except in the military sector.
GE.
Right on, Natty. Trump's horndog days are likely behind him and I take him at his word. Time will tell. GE, if you would rather have had Crooked Hillary and her feminazi crybaby cupcakes running the country it is a good thing you are in the PI.
If Trump policies can jump start the rather lethargic US economy and if he can do something about violence and the really discraceful education system now in place in America's poor urban neighborhoods, he may turn out to be a pretty good president. And one thing I am fairly sure of is that relations between the US and the PI will get better under Trump, so I see a bunch of reasons for being guardedly optimistic..
GoodEnough
01-22-17, 07:38
Right on, Natty. Trump's horndog days are likely behind him and I take him at his word. Time will tell. GE, if you would rather have had Crooked Hillary and her feminazi crybaby cupcakes running the country it is a good thing you are in the PI.
.Silly to get into a protracted debate on which we would never agree. Yes, I would a thousand times prefer Hillary who did, after all, win the popular vote and yes, with the buffoon and his cronies now firmly in control, it's probably better for me here, or in Canada, or in France.
GE.
Wicked Roger
01-22-17, 09:41
It's around 4 days old GE. I was waiting for someone to comment here about it.
It was reported on CNN and BBC before it reached FB, that bastion of authenticity.
For example:
https://technology.inquirer.net/57789/ph-govt-blocks-popular-porn-sites
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-38637003
http://www.rappler.com/technology/news/158369-porn-websites-blocked-philippines
It seems that a global survey found that pinoys were avid porn watchers and "someone" decided to flick the switch.Another interesting and IMHO amusing take on the porn censorship.
http://preen.inquirer.net/39126/whats-real-reason-behind-blocking-porn-sites-philippines
Agreed. Peace.
Silly to get into a protracted debate on which we would never agree. Yes, I would a thousand times prefer Hillary who did, after all, win the popular vote and yes, with the buffoon and his cronies now firmly in control, it's probably better for me here, or in Canada, or in France.
GE..
WestCoast1
01-22-17, 17:10
Another interesting and IMHO amusing take on the porn censorship.
http://preen.inquirer.net/39126/whats-real-reason-behind-blocking-porn-sites-philippinesGood stuff, especially the search results considering they are often searching "pinay" and "Maria Ozawa" (Japanese-Canadian) and "Mia Khalifa" (Lebanese-American). At least Maria is Asian, and can be confused as such. I have mentioned in PM's with other gents before that I have been paying attention for several years now to my regular girl's porn-watching desires (not to watch it with them, but to re-create their fantasies for them). Every single one of them (that should get your attention), from city girls to province girls, attempt to watch porn often (phones, not computers). They always mention pornhub, both in person with me and they sometimes send a link in online chat. About 1/3 of them have mentioned Mia Khalifa more than once, and when I query them they believe that Mia Khalifa is pinay (where does that come from? Showing them Mia Khalifa on Wiki or google is usually a surprise when they learn she's not pinay). Admittedly I get my girls mostly for nawty, but many are province girls who remind me of teenage boys in their desire to see nawty pics / videos (not necessarily with me). And over the years as I've developed friendly relationships with them, I get to know their desires and secrets, and their porn is important to them (even if they don't recognize that). Their biggest problem: slow internet, buffering.
Member #4558
01-22-17, 21:53
I word your latest installment in this thread and a few of my "girls" have a pretty good insight in the world of porn. I was surprised at first as girls from my own country wasn't that into it realy. I guess it has something to do with being pushed down from catholic believes for ages and a certain interest to the subject surfaced this way.
Story: one of my very few regulars / repeat girls call herself a big user of porn. Once we met we'd agreed shooting an amaturic porn movie. Just the thought of this made her so juicy as her panties were dripping wet from her pothole seeing moist outside her small g string. I bailed bcs I wouldn't risk the chance of being part of a private part in some porn site. I shot her though as she wanted badly to have her private movie as she found the thought of seeing herself being fucked arousing.
It was fun and all that but the downside was she shouted "cut cut" if her hair was covering her face etc. Yes it was a lot of that stuff, unwelcomed interruptions, so I found it hard to actually focus on the fuck part. I even remember loosing me some erect at times, which is highly abnormal in my case. It became to technical so to speak.
So for the shooting porn part I am out and I don't encourage this at all anymore. As a warm up I can watch a few favorite scenes if a girl fancy it but normaly these days I just fuck and I take a pic here and there if I am allowed. But pinays I find in general to be more interested in porn than other girls. It is what it is.
GoodEnough
01-22-17, 23:02
Another interesting and IMHO amusing take on the porn censorship.
http://preen.inquirer.net/39126/whats-real-reason-behind-blocking-porn-sites-philippinesGranted, the blocking of selected sites under the pretext of protecting children is absurd, and likely more of a knee jerk reaction to the embarrassment of being number 1 on the list. However, the real reason for concern is the ease with which the government slipped into censorship mode, and how quickly it suppressed free speech. I hope this is an anomaly, and not the first step down the slippery slope of censorship in a wider context under the pretense of "protecting" the public.
GE.
Silly to get into a protracted debate on which we would never agree. Yes, I would a thousand times prefer Hillary who did, after all, win the popular vote and yes, with the buffoon and his cronies now firmly in control, it's probably better for me here, or in Canada, or in France.
GE.Just a point of respectful clarification. It seems that, if you discount California, Trump actually won the total popular vote in the remaining 49 states. There have been some studies and articles that millions of illegal voters cast ballots in the USA, overwhelmingly for Democrat candidates, thereby skewing the voting process; and that this is especially true in California. Enough said.
On the local front here in the Philippines, Bong's protest against the LP allegedly rigging the VP election results last year seems bogged down in the bureaucratic process? It will be very interesting to see the outcome, if and when it is ever announced by the Supreme Court.
OM.
GoodEnough
01-23-17, 04:15
On the local front here in the Philippines, Bong's protest against the LP allegedly rigging the VP election results last year seems bogged down in the bureaucratic process? It will be very interesting to see the outcome, if and when it is ever announced by the Supreme Court.
OM.I doubt this his protest is going to go very much further as it would upset the delicate balance among the various ruling cliques, many of which, while not original supporters of Duterte, have found (as they always do) a modus vivendi with him. I also figure that if Duterte had wanted to force the issue, he would have done so by now. The so-called war on drugs notwithstanding, I'm hearing from folks on the inside that business is proceeding much as it did prior to the election; same levels of greed, same "arrangements," same system.
GE.
I doubt this his protest is going to go very much further as it would upset the delicate balance among the various ruling cliques, many of which, while not original supporters of Duterte, have found (as they always do) a modus vivendi with him. I also figure that if Duterte had wanted to force the issue, he would have done so by now. The so-called war on drugs notwithstanding, I'm hearing from folks on the inside that business is proceeding much as it did prior to the election; same levels of greed, same "arrangements," same system.
GE.Just an observation. You know who's disappeared from the pages of the western press? Duterte. I'm a daily reader of the Guardian, NY Times, and the Atlantic, and prior to Trump's election the western press Columbused the Philippines, reports often implying that what was happening here would happen in the States if Trump was elected. It was all Duterte all the time. Trump is elected and the fixation on Duterte disappears. Apparently this past weekend between 500,000 and 50,000,000 women marched on Washington and nothing happened. Where are the death squads? Trump is the most disappointing Nazi ever.
So far the people being beaten in the streets and kidnapped from fast food restaurants to be tortured for days are Trump supporters, real or imagined. Thank goodness there are still some we can count on for violence and terror.
Just an observation. You know who's disappeared from the pages of the western press? Duterte. I'm a daily reader of the Guardian, NY Times, and the Atlantic, and prior to Trump's election the western press Columbused the Philippines, reports often implying that what was happening here would happen in the States if Trump was elected. It was all Duterte all the time. Trump is elected and the fixation on Duterte disappears. Apparently this past weekend between 500,000 and 50,000,000 women marched on Washington and nothing happened. Where are the death squads? Trump is the most disappointing Nazi ever.
So far the people being beaten in the streets and kidnapped from fast food restaurants to be tortured for days are Trump supporters, real or imagined. Thank goodness there are still some we can count on for violence and terror.Ha ha! Don't forget, locally, Angeles station PNP.
I'm hearing from folks on the inside that business is proceeding much as it did prior to the election; same levels of greed, same "arrangements," same system.Not what my insiders are telling me.
In 2 departments with which I am most closely associated, corruption has virtually disappeared, and people are now less inclined to try to game the system.
The most recent NYT I picked up had a three corpse death photo from Manila.
Just an observation. You know who's disappeared from the pages of the western press? Duterte. I'm a daily reader of the Guardian, NY Times, and the Atlantic, and prior to Trump's election the western press Columbused the Philippines, reports often implying that what was happening here would happen in the States if Trump was elected. It was all Duterte all the time. Trump is elected and the fixation on Duterte disappears. Apparently this past weekend between 500,000 and 50,000,000 women marched on Washington and nothing happened. Where are the death squads? Trump is the most disappointing Nazi ever.
So far the people being beaten in the streets and kidnapped from fast food restaurants to be tortured for days are Trump supporters, real or imagined. Thank goodness there are still some we can count on for violence and terror.
Asian Rain
01-23-17, 18:42
Just a point of respectful clarification. It seems that, if you discount California, Trump actually won the total popular vote in the remaining 49 states. There have been some studies and articles that millions of illegal voters cast ballots in the USA, overwhelmingly for Democrat candidates, thereby skewing the voting process; and that this is especially true in California. Enough said.Bingo. California became a "Sanctuary State" under Obama and the mass gerrymandering was strategically franchised into Sanctuary Cities on a mass scale during his reign. The Democratic Party became so confident of their urban migration handywork that they claimed with great hubris that the Republicans would never win the White House again. When asked about illegals casting votes, Obama brazenly said there would be a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
I enjoy immensely those who treat Trump as a buffoon. It is a Rules for Radicals staple tactic to treat others with disdain and ridicule. Personally, I would never underestimate an opponent. Hillary was one of the shrewdest and most controlled politicians ever. You have to admire a woman who can keep her sh1 t completely together during the inauguration while her perv husband ogles the wife and daughter of her political nemesis in front of millions. Click for a chuckle. By the way, he says "FINE" under his breath. I agree with Dollar Bill. Even as MILFs, I would tap Melania or Ivanka any day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ4IMeMnVvk
It is indeed fantastic fun to watch this political theater get into its opening act. The Americans wanted change and from what I see so far they are going to get it. My sense is this is not going to be the typical predictable fake pro wrestling type of red versus blue ballet. Enjoy, AsianRain.
Shining Wit
01-23-17, 19:30
Just a point of respectful clarification. It seems that, if you discount California, Trump actually won the total popular vote in the remaining 49 states. There have been some studies and articles that millions of illegal voters cast ballots in the USA, overwhelmingly for Democrat candidates, thereby skewing the voting process; and that this is especially true in California. Enough said.
OM.2 pennyworth from across the Atlantic.
A newspaper article over here made the comment that in 2 swing states (Ohio comes to mind as one) the Green candidate polled more votes than Trump's majority. Ironic that they played a pivotal role in electing the environmentalists' Devil Incarnate.
Member #4698
01-24-17, 13:51
2 pennyworth from across the Atlantic.
A newspaper article over here made the comment that in 2 swing states (Ohio comes to mind as one) the Green candidate polled more votes than Trump's majority. Ironic that they played a pivotal role in electing the environmentalists' Devil Incarnate.In the 1992 US election independent conservative candidate Ross Perot recieved 18.91% of the vote to Bill Clinton's 43.01% and President George H. W. Bush's 37.45%. If Perot had not run Bush would have been re-elected easily to a 2nd term. Imagine the last 25 years without the Clintons!
But in the 2000 US election the conservatives got their revenge when George W. Bush won with 47.9% to Al Gore's 48.4% due to the Electoral College and the Supreme Court. But if Green Party lefty candidate Ralph Nader had not run most of his 97,488 Florida votes would have gone to Gore. The official vote tally in Florida was George W. Bush 2,912,790 (48.847%), Albert Gore 2,912,253 (48.838%), and Ralph Nader 97,488 (1. 635%). Clearly Gore would have won Florida's Electoral College vote and been elected President if not for the 3rd party candidate. Imagine no more global warming! LOL.
And there were several other critically important elections effected by 3rd party candidates for example the most influential 1860 election when Lincoln won with 39.8% of the vote and the pivotal 1912 election when 3rd party Theodore Roosevelt lost a 2nd term to Woodrow Wilson.
The most recent NYT I picked up had a three corpse death photo from Manila.Arrrrrgh! Foiled again.
Yes, I'm sure there are still some articles, but the number of them dropped a lot since Trump was elected; I should have taken more care in my comment. Duterte hasn't changed his behavior since November; he's as bombastic and murderous as ever. This suggests to me that interest in Duterte's words and actions were driven in part by the western reporters' desire to establish in the reader's mind a this-is-what-will-happen-to-America-if-Trump-is-elected scenario.
In conclusion I must mention that by compelling 50,000,000 overweight women to march in the streets for hours Trump has done more for women's health on the second day of his job than the previous three or four administrations combined. He may also have revitalised the yarn and knitting needle industries if his opponents continue knitting pussy caps. The first steps to re-againing greatness.
HA! I was thinking the same thing watching all those fat asses hobble around!
t by compelling 50,000,000 overweight women to march in the streets for hours Trump has done more for women's health on the second day of his job than the previous three or four administrations combined. ..
GoodEnough
01-28-17, 11:01
Evidently, Duterte has no fear at all of the Catholic Church here, and is doing what he can to break the stranglehold the Church has had on local politics for centuries. He's been the only president, since I began living here, with the balls to do this and his efforts to provide reproductive health information and birth control to those in need is, in my view, commendable. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/world/asia/philippines-free-contraception-duterte.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0.
GE.
Perhaps this crackdown is only a reaction to the kidnaping and murder of a Korean citizen. It is common knowledge that the police are deeply involved in the drug trade and that many thousands of recent murders, implicate members of this corrupt organization. Duterte continues to rant about the drug problem, but the fact that almost no big fish have been eliminated, suggests a willful lack of any serious intent.
Soapy Smith
01-31-17, 16:51
Perhaps this crackdown is only a reaction to the kidnaping and murder of a Korean citizen. It is common knowledge that the police are deeply involved in the drug trade and that many thousands of recent murders, implicate members of this corrupt organization. Duterte continues to rant about the drug problem, but the fact that almost no big fish have been eliminated, suggests a willful lack of any serious intent.Or perhaps Duterte had serious intentions, but they were based on naive models about criminal behavior and the role of police corruption relative to criminals and an immature democracy. A well-informed local tells me that the President appears to have put the war on drugs on hold until they sort out the serious problems of police corruption. Apparently the abduction and death of the Korean were a serious embarrassment for the President's agenda. Any of our well-placed expats care to fill in details?
Wicked Roger
02-01-17, 07:19
Or perhaps Duterte had serious intentions, but they were based on naive models about criminal behavior and the role of police corruption relative to criminals and an immature democracy. A well-informed local tells me that the President appears to have put the war on drugs on hold until they sort out the serious problems of police corruption. Apparently the abduction and death of the Korean were a serious embarrassment for the President's agenda. Any of our well-placed expats care to fill in details?Was the well informed source reading the news papers as this was yesterdays news and the day before also.
D30 has too many fires to put out IMHO and whether this actually happens there will still be corruption (as this is a pandemic IMHO) and drugs (which is a cancer IMHO) - and while there is both in large does, there will be deaths also IMHO.
Now more Koreans are saying they were also abducted etc. Could be Korea may advise nationals not to come? But if it does am sure they will still arrive.
Was the well informed source reading the news papers as this was yesterdays news and the day before also.
D30 has too many fires to put out IMHO and whether this actually happens there will still be corruption (as this is a pandemic IMHO) and drugs (which is a cancer IMHO) - and while there is both in large does, there will be deaths also IMHO.
Now more Koreans are saying they were also abducted etc. Could be Korea may advise nationals not to come? But if it does am sure they will still arrive.Right on, WR. Another wrinkle with regard to recent sensational events involving Koreans has been suggested by a local legislator:
Some Koreans allegedly are engaging in lucrative illegal or borderline illegal activities in the Philippines (gasp!) and the local cops are shaking them down for "protection money. " (Maybe the cops just want to get their share of the loot?) When these shady Korean characters don't pay up, the cops retaliate. It would seem that not all of the Korean victims are lily-white upstanding citizens.
Of course, PNP has been well known forever for having some nefarious members. But, the Philippines is not the only country with crooked cops!
OM.
Soapy Smith
02-03-17, 12:50
Was the well informed source reading the news papers as this was yesterdays news and the day before also.
D30 has too many fires to put out IMHO and whether this actually happens there will still be corruption (as this is a pandemic IMHO) and drugs (which is a cancer IMHO) - and while there is both in large does, there will be deaths also IMHO.
Now more Koreans are saying they were also abducted etc. Could be Korea may advise nationals not to come? But if it does am sure they will still arrive.So, in your humble opinion (expressed four times in one sentence), corruption, drugs, and killing will continue to occur in the Philippines. And, oh yes, Koreans will continue to visit despite any official advice from their government. Is there some larger point I'm missing?
Wicked Roger
02-03-17, 20:35
So, in your humble opinion (expressed four times in one sentence), corruption, drugs, and killing will continue to occur in the Philippines. And, oh yes, Koreans will continue to visit despite any official advice from their government. Is there some larger point I'm missing?Correct Soapy clearly you can read sentences and understand the thread LOL.
Wicked Roger
02-08-17, 17:57
Granted, the blocking of selected sites under the pretext of protecting children is absurd, and likely more of a knee jerk reaction to the embarrassment of being number 1 on the list. However, the real reason for concern is the ease with which the government slipped into censorship mode, and how quickly it suppressed free speech. I hope this is an anomaly, and not the first step down the slippery slope of censorship in a wider context under the pretense of "protecting" the public.
GE.This from todays Philstar.
There was a South African health minister who had some crazy ideas of how to stop HIV (until she resigned) and this one looks equally silly.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/09/1670447/doh-chief-wants-block-porn-sites
More of concern is if this can be achieved but condoms are still not given out as that just leads to more unwanted babies (or as some so proudly say "a blessing from God" or as one Archbishop said "proud as we can supply more DHs") and HIV increasing or other STDs.
Could be Korea may advise nationals not to come? But if it does am sure they will still arrive.Oh no! More available girls for those of us not afraid to come. What will we do??? It's very dangerous here, Mr Kim. Stay away, Mr Chae.
FreebieFan
02-09-17, 09:23
Some Koreans allegedly are engaging in lucrative illegal or borderline illegal activities in the Philippines (gasp!) and the local cops are shaking them down for "protection money. " (Maybe the cops just want to get their share of the loot?) When these shady Korean characters don't pay up, the cops retaliate. It would seem that not all of the Korean victims are lily-white upstanding citizens.
Of course, PNP has been well known forever for having some nefarious members. But, the Philippines is not the only country with crooked cops!
OM.Pp who will look.
Its well known that the first thing Koreans do on arrival in the country is find themselves a "padrino". A cop who might help them in times of need, for which there is obviously a charge.
Said cop might well strangel you too, but that's another matter.
GoodEnough
02-09-17, 11:56
This from todays Philstar.
There was a South African health minister who had some crazy ideas of how to stop HIV (until she resigned) and this one looks equally silly.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/09/1670447/doh-chief-wants-block-porn-sites
More of concern is if this can be achieved but condoms are still not given out as that just leads to more unwanted babies (or as some so proudly say "a blessing from God" or as one Archbishop said "proud as we can supply more DHs") and HIV increasing or other STDs.She's enough of a moron to qualify for Trump's Cabinet. How about honest, early sex education that includes STD. HIV transmission risks and how to prevent them? How about mandatory, free vaccinations against cervical cancer? How about honest, mandatory dissemination of family planning information? Information on reproductive health? Male and female contraception? Banning porn to stop HIV transmission is so absurd that it qualifies as a Trumpism.
GE.
She's enough of a moron to qualify for Trump's Cabinet. How about honest, early sex education that includes STD. HIV transmission risks and how to prevent them? How about mandatory, free vaccinations against cervical cancer? How about honest, mandatory dissemination of family planning information? Information on reproductive health? Male and female contraception? Banning porn to stop HIV transmission is so absurd that it qualifies as a Trumpism.
GE.Oops.
What are the Phil bishops and CBC-P views on these matters? Might they actually be supporting Du30 on this issue?
Where is Padre Damaso when we really need him?
Apologies, GE, I just couldn't resist. Maybe "the devil made me do it".
Viva VPN!
OM.
Please keep your misguided, ill-advised, whiney, crybaby democrat dolt party opinions to yourself, GE.
She's enough of a moron to qualify for Trump's Cabinet. .
GoodEnough
02-09-17, 15:10
She's enough of a moron to qualify for Trump's Cabinet. How about honest, early sex education that includes STD. HIV transmission risks and how to prevent them? How about mandatory, free vaccinations against cervical cancer? How about honest, mandatory dissemination of family planning information? Information on reproductive health? Male and female contraception? Banning porn to stop HIV transmission is so absurd that it qualifies as a Trumpism.
GE.If these accurate assessments bother you to excess, you can always use the ignore button, which is one way to ensure you'll never again have to read anything I write that you might find offensive to your bloviating hero.
Perhaps more to the point, there have been articles appearing intermittently in the press here about the growing incidence of AIDS. I'm not sure if the incidence is really increasing or it the reporting and diagnostic procedures have just gotten better, but in either case, it's clearly got some public health officials here concerned. From reports I've read, spikes in the number of confirmed HIV positive people are attributed largely to gay males, but again I've no idea if there's also been an increase in the heterosexual population as well.
GE.
Perhaps more to the point, there have been articles appearing intermittently in the press here about the growing incidence of AIDS. I'm not sure if the incidence is really increasing or it the reporting and diagnostic procedures have just gotten better, but in either case, it's clearly got some public health officials here concerned. From reports I've read, spikes in the number of confirmed HIV positive people are attributed largely to gay males, but again I've no idea if there's also been an increase in the heterosexual population as well.
GE.Like every other bit of bad news, this is due to a) Global Warming or b) Trump.
Member #4698
02-09-17, 17:18
She's enough of a moron to qualify for Trump's Cabinet. Banning porn to stop HIV transmission is so absurd that it qualifies as a Trumpism.
If these accurate assessments bother you to excess, you can always use the ignore button, <snip>GE.The problem I have with your recent posts is that you conflate what some idiot Philippine pol said about porn with Trump's cabinet. That was a cheap shot on your part, IMHO, GE. If you want to discuss the merits of any one of Trump's cabinet picks then let's do so. I have a hunch you were refering to Betsy DeVos when you made the above comments. So for your viewing entertainment and possible edification, here is a link to a recent WSJ editorial on Betsy entitled, "The Real Democratic Party, Why not a single Senate Democrat voted for Betsy DeVos."
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-real-democratic-party-1486513439?mod=trending_now_2
Enjoy and if you want to have a serious conversaton about this important issue, fine we can have one, but I think all you will acomplish with more cheap shots is more resistance and a dimunition of your excellent ISG reputation as you wallow in the mud.
accurate assessments ? The crybaby democraps rarely say anything accurate. Like Natty says, go wallow in the mud, GE. You and obummer and hillary can have a mud slinging threesome. Don't forget to do the reach around and be sure to put a towel around your big head.
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
Without citing any recent posts on this forum page, can we all just cool off, share a drink or two, maybe get laid, and regain a modicum of civility?
Retaliation and escalation are nasty things, especially with pejorative words.
Can we just move on, guys?
Cheers!
OM.
GoodEnough
02-10-17, 00:35
The problem I have with your recent posts is that you conflate what some idiot Philippine pol said about porn with Trump's cabinet. That was a cheap shot on your part, IMHO, GE. If you want to discuss the merits of any one of Trump's cabinet picks then let's do so. I have a hunch you were refering to Betsy DeVos when you made the above comments. So for your viewing entertainment and possible edification, here is a link to a recent WSJ editorial on Betsy entitled, "The Real Democratic Party, Why not a single Senate Democrat voted for Betsy DeVos."
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-real-democratic-party-1486513439?mod=trending_now_2
Enjoy and if you want to have a serious conversaton about this important issue, fine we can have one, but I think all you will acomplish with more cheap shots is more resistance and a dimunition of your excellent ISG reputation as you wallow in the mud.Okay Natty, I'll refrain from anymore comments about US politics; first because it's an inappropriate place to have a discussion and second, because I doubt any reasonable, dispassionate discussion is possible from either my side or your's. It's an issue just too emotionally charged and I doubt those of us on either side of the spectrum would find any points of agreement.
On a related subject however, I do find it at least somewhat interesting that the once-escalating anti-US rhetoric here has virtually disappeared; at least I've not seen any news space devoted recently to the US-Philippines relationship. Most of the conversations here related to development assistance these days appear to focus more on China, and how the approximately $6 billion in promised aid funds will be utilized. Evidently, a good chunk of it will be focused on improving agricultural production and crop quality, but there's been no formal announcement of that either. Nor has there been any public discussion I've seen recently about the possible withdrawal of US special forces troops from the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, and they are in fact, still here.
GE.
Soapy Smith
02-10-17, 09:17
She's enough of a moron to qualify for Trump's Cabinet. How about honest, early sex education that includes STD. HIV transmission risks and how to prevent them? How about mandatory, free vaccinations against cervical cancer? How about honest, mandatory dissemination of family planning information? Information on reproductive health? Male and female contraception? Banning porn to stop HIV transmission is so absurd that it qualifies as a Trumpism. GE.Seems to me the principal outcome from porn is male masturbation, which presumably decreases the number of times these men would discharge into some unprotected Filipina. Oops, backfire.
Perhaps they could swap her out for Trump's new Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, who has promised to put God back in the schools. Surely you guys agree with me that we'd hate to lose Betsy, right, although she might be a better fit in the Philippines? Sorry, couldn't figure out how to split my post between the USA politics thread and the Phils politics and economics thread.
Wicked Roger
02-10-17, 11:26
Perhaps more to the point, there have been articles appearing intermittently in the press here about the growing incidence of AIDS. I'm not sure if the incidence is really increasing or it the reporting and diagnostic procedures have just gotten better, but in either case, it's clearly got some public health officials here concerned. From reports I've read, spikes in the number of confirmed HIV positive people are attributed largely to gay males, but again I've no idea if there's also been an increase in the heterosexual population as well.
GE.The point of posting the link was to a) show the stupidity of the woman, her logic and reasoning and b) to note that this remains a serious issue in the country and one that I think is under reported for a few reasons (political, religious and lack of meaningful reporting / or showing this as a STD instead).
GE's comment is a good one and mongers should note and remind themselves about this.
Whether or not this relates to US politics is immaterial in my view but if people don't like others post use the ignore button.
I also read about DeVos on the BBC and other reputable news outlets and for total idiocy you can't get better that Conwaye and Spicer who can't get facts right and publically lie to the people about Islamic massacres etc that never took place.
GoodEnough
02-10-17, 12:29
Seems to me the principal outcome from porn is male masturbation, which presumably decreases the number of times these men would discharge into some unprotected Filipina. Oops, backfire.
Perhaps they could swap her out for Trump's new Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, who has promised to put God back in the schools. Surely you guys agree with me that we'd hate to lose Betsy, right, although she might be a better fit in the Philippines? Sorry, couldn't figure out how to split my post between the USA politics thread and the Phils politics and economics thread.But remember, one of the primary objectives of politicians in this country is to placate the church while giving the appearance of actually doing something effective. The two are often mutually exclusive, but that's a conundrum that bothers no one, given that appearance is all, and results, or the lack thereof are quickly forgotten.
Betsy would fit in perfectly here.
GE.
On a related subject however, I do find it at least somewhat interesting that the once-escalating anti-US rhetoric here has virtually disappeared; at least I've not seen any news space devoted recently to the US-Philippines relationship. Read my earlier post about ningas cogon, the well-known Philippines phenomenon.
It explains everything.
It means Filipinos flare up about something and then quickly forget it -- having the attention span of a gnat.
Read my earlier post about ningas cogon, the well-known Philippines phenomenon.
It explains everything..
Guess I am one of the few in this forum, or even in the Western world, who actually admire (s) President Duterte and what he is trying to accomplish in the Philippines, despite ongoing opposition from various vested interest groups.
Have a different take, that his often conflicting and outrageous statements, which so confound the established plutocracy and media in Manila and then are repeated by rote and criticized internationally (at least, in the Western world) are not so bizarre when taken in the context of Sun Tzu. Just need to re-read The Art of War.
Du30 is a Bisayan warrior, a Palaban (to use a Tagalog term) and admired as such in the Philippines. Bisayan warrior culture has not been well understood by the West, starting from the reported tiff between Ferdinand Magellan and Chief Lapu Lapu. Not monochromatic like early John Wayne "white hat" heroes, but more complex, with both "good" and "bad" characteristics, perhaps more akin to Odin (or his half brother, Loki) from Norse mythology.
Admittedly, Du30 is "bugal bugalon" or outrageously "trash-talking", which may actually be an admired trait by many bisayans. At least, he is standing up to Western powers, and not being intimidated or kowtowing. No hard data, but believe Du30 is actually admired by many other Asians outside of the Philippines, who perceive him to be a strong leader, who loves his country and is trying to better things, and is not grovelling to the West. Perhaps, the forerunner of a newly emerging Asian paradigm?
Within the Philippines, according to recent surveys, Du30 has an overwhelming 80%+ approval rating. 'Enough said.
Just my two centavos worth, with a different perspective.
OM.
Soapy Smith
02-11-17, 04:17
But remember, one of the primary objectives of politicians in this country is to placate the church while giving the appearance of actually doing something effective.
GE. These dynamics are not unique to the Philippines. What's different in other setttings is the composition of interest or ideological groups for whom the symbolic politics are performed. Recent evidence close to home, GE.
On a related subject however, I do find it at least somewhat interesting that the once-escalating anti-US rhetoric here has virtually disappeared; at least I've not seen any news space devoted recently to the US-Philippines relationship.
GE.With all due respect, I believe that the "anti-US rhetoric" was triggered by the perception that then-president Obama was arrogantly "lecturing" Du30 on "human rights" when Obama's own hands were more than dirty. That, plus the perception that then-ambassador Philip Goldberg was also arrogantly "talking down" to Du30 and quite possibly actually conspiring against Du30.
Now, with US President Trump, the "Obama friction" has been removed, resulting in diminution of "anti-US rhetoric". The jury may still be out on new US Ambassador Sung Kim.
Just one man's views.
OM.
Soapy Smith
02-11-17, 04:43
Admittedly, Du30 is "bugal bugalon" or outrageously "trash-talking", which may actually be an admired trait by many bisayans. OM.Do you think it was trash-talk when he recently argued that he could impose martial law if he wanted to, or a threat to be taken seriously?
GoodEnough
02-11-17, 05:20
These dynamics are not unique to the Philippines. What's different in other setttings is the composition of interest or ideological groups for whom the symbolic politics are performed. Recent evidence close to home, GE.Indeed there is,though the Bible thumpers in the US don't have the clout that the church has here. I've never seen another "Christian" country in which the church's tentacles reach so completely into the daily life of the country and where the church was so overtly political and so hostile to women's rights. Duterte has quite publicly denigrated the church's influence and has stated flatly that he will ensure that the Reproductive Health Law is implemented. To date however, I'm unaware of any changes reflected in either the school curricula or the availability of free contraception to poor women.
I do not remember the ASEAN statistics on teenage / unmarried pregnancies, but I'm reasonably sure that this place was at or near the very top of the list. I do know that, among all ASEAN countries, this was the only one to have witnessed an actual increase in poverty over the past ten years, since the first set of Milleneum Goals was adopted. Young girls / women having scads of children to be raised in poverty, coupled with a woefully underfunded public school system preparing kids for pretty much nothing is not a recipe for poverty alleviation. In fact, coupling a lack of marketable skills with general reproductive ignorance is pretty much a recipe for disaster.
GE.
Do you think it was trash-talk when he recently argued that he could impose martial law if he wanted to, or a threat to be taken seriously?Unfathomable.
"All warfare is based on deception".
Confuse the enemy so that he cannot fathom your real intent.
-- Sun Tzu, The Art of War.
Commentator Sass Rogando Sasot, although in an altogether different context, possibly analogizes Du30's "madness" to the King's Gambit in chess. I don't necessarily agree with Ms. Sasot's analysis, or personal preferences, but she is quite perceptive and this is an interesting read.
Just my two centavos worth.
OM.
Wicked Roger
02-11-17, 15:25
Indeed there is,though the Bible thumpers in the US don't have the clout that the church has here. I've never seen another "Christian" country in which the church's tentacles reach so completely into the daily life of the country and where the church was so overtly political and so hostile to women's rights. Duterte has quite publicly denigrated the church's influence and has stated flatly that he will ensure that the Reproductive Health Law is implemented. To date however, I'm unaware of any changes reflected in either the school curricula or the availability of free contraception to poor women.
I do not remember the ASEAN statistics on teenage / unmarried pregnancies, but I'm reasonably sure that this place was at or near the very top of the list. I do know that, among all ASEAN countries, this was the only one to have witnessed an actual increase in poverty over the past ten years, since the first set of Milleneum Goals was adopted. Young girls / women having scads of children to be raised in poverty, coupled with a woefully underfunded public school system preparing kids for pretty much nothing is not a recipe for poverty alleviation. In fact, coupling a lack of marketable skills with general reproductive ignorance is pretty much a recipe for disaster.
GE.From last July to show PI is the worst offender.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/07/08/1600761/phl-teen-pregnancy-rate-highest-asia-study
Also I know of no other place (except Saudi Arabia of course) where the supermarkets stop working for people to say a pray and then work again. In Saudi is expected that shops close for pray but in a thriving metropolis (well some say) of for example Manila and Cebu etc they do this. Bizarre to me, and I keep shopping and wandering around totally ignoring those standing and muttering.
GoodEnough
02-12-17, 07:03
Today, the Peso hit 49.95 against the US dollar. I'm wondering how much further it has to fall before Central Bank thinks of intervening. I'm thinking that if this continues, we're going to start seeing inflation start to creep up quickly.
GE.
Today, the Peso hit 49.95 against the US dollar. I'm wondering how much further it has to fall before Central Bank thinks of intervening. I'm thinking that if this continues, we're going to start seeing inflation start to creep up quickly.
GE.50 seems to be the current point of resistance? If and when this point is effectively breached, then it's anyone's guess.
Just my one centavo worth (at current exchange rates).
OM.
MrWoolyBooly
02-12-17, 15:33
Today, the Peso hit 49.95 against the US dollar. I'm wondering how much further it has to fall before Central Bank thinks of intervening. I'm thinking that if this continues, we're going to start seeing inflation start to creep up quickly.
GE.Until it does, forum headline: "Pinay Puki Price Pleasingly Plummits".
Member #4566
02-12-17, 20:54
Hillary Clinton has been the most investigated person in human history. All of it was motivated by partisan interests to discredit her husband's presidency and sabotage her political future as a potential rival in presidential politics.
In the recent email server imbroglio, she explained that former SOSOTUS Powell recommended using the server and yet he was not called to testify before congress on this matter regarding his email practices. How much was spent to investigate this? It was maybe 10 million of taxpayer dollars.
When her husband was president the Office of the Independent Counsel left no stone unturned to find something on the Clintons going all the way back to their Arkansas days. Its director, former prosecutor and US circuit court judge Ken Starr, was under enormous pressure to justify the over $40 million cost of the investigation. All he could come up with was that Bill got 13 blowjobs from a luckless intern and like any self-respecting philanderer, he lied about it. During the impeachment proceedings, we learned that the chief inquisitor, Congressman Henry Hyde, hypocritically had an affair with a married woman that ruined her marriage. Did the Democrats dig up and reveal this dirt on the cuckolding Hyde? Nay it was the woman's former husband who justifiably was still on a slow burn.
All of this investigation created an aura that she is crooked but in the words of Donald, it is all fake news.
Bill Clinton should have RTFF and come to blow road or Raymond Street to get his nut off. I know a practitioner on the latter who can suck the balut out of an egg without cracking the shell. Bill, if you are out there, send me a PM and I'll give you the details.
WestCoast1
02-13-17, 03:14
Until it does, forum headline: "Pinay Puki Price Pleasingly Plummits".Alternately: "Peckerheads pay poquito price por poon".
Morsel: I actually *did* find the bearded clam.
This belongs in the American Politics thread, Pomp, and you must be nuts. What is your source for this outlandish statement? CNN? Washington Post? Anyway I'm glad Hillary wasn't arrested because Obummer would have pardoned her like all the other criminals he pardoned. Have another cupcake, Pomp.
Hillary Clinton has been the most investigated person in human history. All of it was motivated by partisan interests to discredit her husband's presidency and sabotage her political future as a potential rival in presidential politics.
.
GoodEnough
02-13-17, 04:43
Hillary Clinton has been the most investigated person in human history. All of it was motivated by partisan interests to discredit her husband's presidency and sabotage her political future as a potential rival in presidential politics.
In the recent email server imbroglio, she explained that former SOSOTUS Powell recommended using the server and yet he was not called to testify before congress on this matter regarding his email practices. How much was spent to investigate this? It was maybe 10 million of taxpayer dollars.
When her husband was president the Office of the Independent Counsel left no stone unturned to find something on the Clintons going all the way back to their Arkansas days. Its director, former prosecutor and US circuit court judge Ken Starr, was under enormous pressure to justify the over $40 million cost of the investigation. All he could come up with was that Bill got 13 blowjobs from a luckless intern and like any self-respecting philanderer, he lied about it. During the impeachment proceedings, we learned that the chief inquisitor, Congressman Henry Hyde, hypocritically had an affair with a married woman that ruined her marriage. Did the Democrats dig up and reveal this dirt on the cuckolding Hyde? Nay it was the woman's former husband who justifiably was still on a slow burn.
All of this investigation created an aura that she is crooked but in the words of Donald, it is all fake news.
Bill Clinton should have RTFF and come to blow road or Raymond Street to get his nut off. I know a practitioner on the latter who can suck the balut out of an egg without cracking the shell. Bill, if you are out there, send me a PM and I'll give you the details.Pomp. As I've discovered recently, fact-based, supported and logical arguments do not work with alt. Right supporters and, for the sake of tranquillity, should likely be left off the board in the interests of cyber-peace. Logic, science, effective reasoning are no longer valued traits evidently.
GE.
LOL, you've only recently discovered what conservatives have known all along about the liberal cream puffs? Geez, GE, for an educated guy you sure are dumb. Your facts may as well be farts and your logic defies itself. Science? Science fiction is more like it. Peace out. Go sing kooombayah on another thread.
Pomp. As I've discovered recently, fact-based, supported and logical arguments do not work with alt. Right supporters and, for the sake of tranquillity, should likely be left off the board in the interests of cyber-peace. Logic, science, effective reasoning are no longer valued traits evidently.
GE..
LOL, you've only recently discovered what conservatives have known all along about the liberal cream puffs? Geez, GE, for an educated guy you sure are dumb. Your facts may as well be farts and your logic defies itself. Science? Science fiction is more like it. Peace out. Go sing kooombayah on another thread.."Factoid farts?" Ha ha ha, you guys are killing me. Must remember this colorful term for future use. It is a gem.
Thanks, GE & DC.
Keep on "trucking", bros.
OM.
Member #4566
02-13-17, 05:22
This belongs in the American Politics thread, Pomp, and you must be nuts. What is your source for this outlandish statement? CNN? Washington Post? Anyway I'm glad Hillary wasn't arrested because Obummer would have pardoned her like all the other criminals he pardoned. Have another cupcake, Pomp. The source of my info is Bob Woodward and especially his book "Shadow. " Woodward has been a recipient of nearly every major journalism award there is.
I am hurt and troubled by your ad hominem attack, "Are you nuts?" Let's stay with the issues my brother. As for your comment that the post is misplaced, the forum administrator seems to allow a lot of latitude in this regard.
Anyway, it kinda does relate to our topics because if Bill Clinton had just RTFF, he could have been sucked off real good on Raymond Street and saved the US taxpayers $50 million not to mention having his pecker polished by a pro who could suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.
Oh, BTW, thank you I will take that cupcake.
Pomp. As I've discovered recently, fact-based, supported and logical arguments do not work with alt. Right supporters and, for the sake of tranquillity, should likely be left off the board in the interests of cyber-peace. Logic, science, effective reasoning are no longer valued traits evidently. GE."All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. " Thomas Jefferson.
GoodEnough
02-13-17, 05:30
Or, to paraphrase the great H. L. Mencken, no one ever went broken underestimating the intelligence of the average American voter. Seems we live in an age of blissful, if aggressive ignorance where, if you can't win on facts, bluster through with ad hominem attacks and red herrings. Oh well, back to my reading of this week's "New Yorker," which is just chock full of those crazy liberal ideas, often expressed in words of more than two syllables.
GE.
The source of my info is Bob Woodward and especially his book "Shadow. " Woodward has been a recipient of nearly every major journalism award there is.
I am hurt and troubled by your ad hominem attack, "Are you nuts?" Let's stay with the issues my brother. As for your comment that the post is misplaced, the forum administrator seems to allow a lot of latitude in this regard.
Anyway, it kinda does relate to our topics because if Bill Clinton had just RTFF, he could have been sucked off real good on Raymond Street and saved the US taxpayers $50 million not to mention having his pecker polished by a pro who could suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.
Oh, BTW, thank you I will take that cupcake.
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. " Thomas Jefferson.
The source of my info is Bob Woodward and especially his book "Shadow. " Woodward has been a recipient of nearly every major journalism award there is.
I am hurt and troubled by your ad hominem attack, "Are you nuts?" Let's stay with the issues my brother. As for your comment that the post is misplaced, the forum administrator seems to allow a lot of latitude in this regard.
Anyway, it kinda does relate to our topics because if Bill Clinton had just RTFF, he could have been sucked off real good on Raymond Street and saved the US taxpayers $50 million not to mention having his pecker polished by a pro who could suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.
Oh, BTW, thank you I will take that cupcake.
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. " Thomas Jefferson.Pompie,
You are hilarious!
I seriously doubt that WJC would visit Raymond St and slum with us mongers. Have you seen the 5 star caliber of his companions? Plus, WC always can fall back on his buddy, Jeffrey Epstein, to set him up (not that WC really needs help in this respect).
Wasn't it the fugly Henry Kissinger who was quoted as saying that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac? HK always enjoyed being photographed with some gorgeous doll or moll.
Lord, why didn't you make me a rock star, or sports hero, or sleazy politician?
Oh, well, at least I have had the "consolation" blessing of having been in Asia for many years (and loving almost every minute of the experience)!
OM.
This belongs in the American Politics thread, Pomp, and you must be nuts. What is your source for this outlandish statement? CNN? Washington Post? Anyway I'm glad Hillary wasn't arrested because Obummer would have pardoned her like all the other criminals he pardoned. Have another cupcake, Pomp..Apparently, Barack & Michelle actually detested Bill & Hillary. Professional competition. BO perhaps delivered less on his campaign promises than any predecessor. The promised "most transparent administration" was perhaps the "least transparent administration" of all time.
Oh, well, at least BO was awarded the Nobel Peace Price. And Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. What are those folks in Stockholm smoking? Must be potent mind-altering stuff.
Interesting to see BO hob-nobbing recently with Richard Branson. Makes you wonder how much of the US $ 1 trillion cash allegedly paid to Iran (per WSJ) might have "fallen through the cracks"?
Oh well, as Georgie Best might have said, "It's all just a giggle".
OM.
P.S. Can't figure out how to transfer this to the US Politics forum?
Interestingly, even Woodward from the liberal biased Washington Post reported on Crookedness of Hillary. A quote from BOB WOODWARD, THE Washington POST: I -- yes, it's a -- it's corrupt. It's -- it's a scandal. And she didn't answer your question at all. And she turned to embrace the good work that the Clinton Foundation has done. And she has a case there. But the mixing of speech fees, the Clinton Foundation, and actions by the State Department, which she ran, are all intertwined and it's corrupt. You know, I mean, you can't just say it's unsavory. But there's no formal investigation going on now, and there are outs that they have.
The source of my info is Bob Woodward and especially his book "Shadow. "
Oh, BTW, thank you I will take that cupcake."All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. " Thomas Jefferson..
You mean the late, great, GE. Mencken died in 1956. He's probably rolling in his grave reading your multisyballic red herrings, fart factoids and other mistruths. For every argument there is an equal and weighty counterargument. Have another cupcake reading all the liberal bullshit with your mamsy pamsy internet buddies doing a virtual circle jerk. If you feel attacked you know you can always block someone, bonehead. Or should I say pinhead? Or egghead? You guys crack me up. OK, I hope someone is getting laid in Pinayland.
Or, to paraphrase the great H. L. Mencken, no one ever went broken underestimating the intelligence of the average American voter. Seems we live in an age of blissful, if aggressive ignorance where, if you can't win on facts, bluster through with ad hominem attacks and red herrings. Oh well, back to my reading of this week's "New Yorker," which is just chock full of those crazy liberal ideas, often expressed in words of more than two syllables.
GE..
Member #4566
02-13-17, 22:44
Pomp. As I've discovered recently, fact-based, supported and logical arguments do not work with alt. Right supporters and, for the sake of tranquillity, should likely be left off the board in the interests of cyber-peace. Logic, science, effective reasoning are no longer valued traits evidently.
GE.Yeah, I think I see what you mean now. Sorry to harrumph and scold you with Jefferson.
Cuba Tourist
02-14-17, 19:45
I have been enjoying Goodenough's commentary here, as well as Red Kilt's. I have not been in the Philippines recently but what I am hearing is that the leader is encouraging the killing of people, attacking allies including the US, and in general creating a balagan, a mess. Saying stuff he should not say and doing stuff he should not do. Not a good strategy for economic development. Do they not remember the last time this happened? But forget people power. Where are the adults, the "elites" who supposedly control so much of the economy? While I would not be afraid to visit, many American tourists are extremely sensitive to this sort of thing and not only Americans and not only tourists.
I have been enjoying Goodenough's commentary here, as well as Red Kilt's. I have not been in the Philippines recently but what I am hearing is that the leader is encouraging the killing of people, attacking allies including the US, and in general creating a balagan, a mess. Saying stuff he should not say and doing stuff he should not do. Not a good strategy for economic development. Do they not remember the last time this happened? But forget people power. Where are the adults, the "elites" who supposedly control so much of the economy? While I would not be afraid to visit, many American tourists are extremely sensitive to this sort of thing and not only Americans and not only tourists.American tourists in the Philippines run a distant second now to Korean tourists, who do not seem to be fazed by the negative press in the West (probably don't even read it). The simple fact is that the US is in obvious decline in Asia. Most US and Western media are extremely lazy (or worse) in that they simply parrot the reporting of the PD Inquirer, which is blatantly biased in favor of the Yellow Party and against President Duterte.
If you should ever travel to Phils, just ask around (especially in in Visayas) for personal views regarding President Duterte. A reported whopping 80+% of the Filipino people approve of Duterte. Also, the Philippine economy seems to have been doing quite well under Duterte.
Distorted media image versus reality.
Just my personal view.
OM.
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