I feel Duterte has to carry a big stick in the Philippines. He has a lot of issues that he has to be overcome, including drugs, the multitude of rebel/criminal groups and the generally selfish attitudes of those with even the smallest amount of power. The fear of Duterte implementing Marshall Law is constantly used as a weapon of fear against Duterte. Duterte emphasizes meeting the needs of the "normal" citizens of the Philippines as a whole, not just what is good for the the Manila based/connected power structure. This is totally different from what has been the political philosophy here recently. There is going to be friction within the country. He needs the support of the Filipinos, and with a 91% approval rate he seems to have it. The old power structure politcal clans of the Philippine kept foreign interests out of the game as best they could with their ownership rules etc, but certainly used the foreigners as well as the poor of the country to build up their own power base and wallets. I believe that Duterte has to build up a persona that he is the leader of the country in the eyes of the citizens and the international community. Filipinos do not admire wimps, which is why they often see the soft hearted generosity of foreigners as a weakness to be exploited. There are significant powerful groups in the Philippines that want things the way the use to be. They have enlisted foreign powers to try to reduce Duterte's approval rating in the world arena of opeinion, and diminish his power in what use to be their economic playground.
Personally I would like this power struggle to be focused with the Filipino community. Obviously the past Filipino administrations has not done a great job, but Duterte is new and needs the opportunity to experience successes and support from his community.... Will Duterte, make some mistakes.... absolutely but that again is how life progresses. Let him work it out, and do not be too forceful with the beer fuel soltions that you can find in so many loactions around town. Any mistake you learn from is not really a mistake but a lesson. I believe any man who can strip the office of the President of the country away from the powerful clans of the Philippines has earned the right to make his own decisions with the minimum of outside pressures.
A great move on Duterte's parts that did aid us foreigner who travel was his solution for the NIA bullet scam (laglag-bala). Within a few days of becoming President, he was smart enough to take the power out of the scam by eliminating arrests for a bullet only in luggage. There was no more power to extract bribe money to avoid jail time. NO one was arrested, or killed, but the problem of laglag-bala was gone. His political opponent, Roxas seemed to take a different approach when asked about it, which may be why today he is not addressed today as "Mr President" : "Former interior secretary and now Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer for 2016 Manuel Roxas II defended the Aquino administration over the laglag-bala (bullet-planting) controversy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, saying the passengers have to take responsibility when they get caught with bullets. When asked who has to take responsibility over discoveries of bullets in luggage at the airport, Roxas said, “Kung nagpasok ka ng contraband sa airport, paano naging problema ng gobyerno ’yun?” (If you enter the airport with contraband, then how does that become the government's problem?)" Of coarse most people claimed they did not enter the airport with contraband but that the contraband was planted in a money making scam. With Aquino's cousin as manager of the airport, the Aquino administration could not contain the problem that occurred over 1,200 recorded cases of discoveries of bullets in passegers' luggage in the past 10 months and 6,000 recorded since 2012. That is a lot possible bribes and reduces the fear out of flying when leaving NIA. I only hope Duterte could be a similarly successful on the other problems he faces. Like I said he does have a lot of issues to deal with and representative of the past administration do not seem to be helping him. As foreigner I think we should let the Filipinos work out their own political agendas out and not be so arrogant to believe we are the only ones with the solutions. If we do not like their solutions we have an option they do not have... we can leave, where as they are sort of stuck here.
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- Thread: Is this true
Dave & Imp DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer
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I was there recently and met the German owner (didn't get his name) but he seemed like a very charming, friendly guy who was serious about building a good business for the long term. We spoke for only about half an hour but my impression was that he was the quiet and conscientious type as he talked about the improvements he was making and had planned for the bar. He said he had a restaurant in the food court at Robinsons and was looking to improve the food offering at Gie-Gies.
I am very sorry to hear of yet another casualty to violence in the City of Gentle People.- Like x 9
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If you don't want to get arrested for diddling kids....don't f'n diddle little kids. Simple as that. Doesn't matter if the laws are "fair" or not...just keep your perverted little pecker away from minors and all will be good.- Agree x 8
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Swissrider DI Member Restricted Account Showcase Reviewer
Gesendet von meinem SM-N950F mit Tapatalk- Winner x 5
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I know Tommy we were in the expats club together for a short time ,he and his wife was at our house for a function 15 months ago ,i have no opinion as to the charges against him . What worries me is the damage this sort events does not help the reputation of all expats living in dumaguete, over the last 12 months i have felt more and more locals seem to hold amenosity towards us the yap and cohan storys did nothing to help the situation . Bad atitude and a lack of respect towards locals from some expats does not help . Yesterday we were waiting in front of globe when the natonal anthem was being played an expat made a point to walk back and forth during this time smileing at everyone while doing it , many pinoys standing there were very upset. IF you think this country is backwards n stinks then go back to were you come from n leave the rest of us to enjoy the good life .
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- Thread: Check In When You Can
Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer
Different experiences and I feel sorry for those still waiting to get power back (and perhaps water) - my electricity was off for four days but I feel so lucky. Seeing people who lost everything, reading of the two patients drowned in the ambulance at Bais, realising that many are going to be suffering for months and I have nothing to complain about. I was not in the best place at the right time but I was not in the worst place either - I count my Blessings.
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Brian Oinks That's Mr. Pig to you Boy! :) Highly Rated Poster
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Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer
So it is A VERY GREAT THANKS to the Philippine armed services who risked their lives to rescue Allan and Vilma Hyrons and hope that the injured personnel have a speedy recovery.
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Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer
If anyone enters another person's property without authority, it is very likely they intend to cause harm. The occupier has every right, IMO, to take effective preventative action and not wait to see what occurs (when it might be too late).
Allow me a shotgun and I would paint my walls with anyone who tried to act against my home, without clarifying first if it only my money or if it is my life they seek.- Agree x 7
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Crystalhead ADMIN Admin ★ Forum Moderator ★ ★ Global Mod ★ ★ Moderator ★ ★★ Forum Sponsor ★★ ★ No Ads ★ Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer Veteran Army
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Awesome news. An additional happy day moment. 6 wild rabid brain dead animals put down. Good riddance.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/2457...yaf-bandits-killed-sulu-clashes-november-2019- Like x 5
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