President Duterte's Inaugural Speech - Short but Sweet

[anatess2]

The significance of this speech might fly over the world's heads but for us, Filipinos, it is beacon of hope for the righting of the ship of Philippine life.  15 minutes - the shortest Philippine Presidential Inaugural Speech in my memory - was sufficient to encompass the entirety of why we worked so hard to elect him President to combat the field of Oligarchy and the un-controllable culture of lawlessness formed by Untouchables in government.  This is a new day, with a line of Bisaya in addition to a line of Pilipino spoken in the English speech, it calls for unity in purpose and strength of conviction.  America has a lot that they can take from this speech.

Quotes:

" No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.  It is the people from whom democratic governments draw strength and this administration is no exception. " 
- this is a calling the Oligarchy to task.

" There are many amongst us who advance the assessment that the problems that bedevil our country today which need to be addressed with urgency, are corruption, both in the high and low echelons of government, criminality in the streets, and the rampant sale of illegal drugs in all strata of Philippine society and the breakdown of law and order. True, but not absolutely so. For I see these ills as mere symptoms of a virulent social disease that creeps and cuts into the moral fiber of Philippine society. I sense a problem deeper and more serious than any of those mentioned or all of them put together. But of course, it is not to say that we will ignore them because they have to be stopped by all means that the law allows.  Erosion of faith and trust in government – that is the real problem that confronts us. Resulting therefrom, I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system; the erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people’s lives better, safer and healthier.  Indeed ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. " 
- this is my favorite part of the speech.

" As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.
My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising.  You mind your work and I will mind mine."
- calling the critics to task - both domestic and international - who, even before Duterte was inaugurated are already working towards impeachment.

" Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished – these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines."
- a nod to the objectives of the Catholic Church that will be strongly supported by a Duterte administration.

" There are two quotations from revered figures that shall serve as the foundation upon which this administration shall be built.
The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little. – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
And from (Abraham) Lincoln I draw this expression - You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men.”
- Quotes from two American Presidents is the foundation of the Duterte administration.

 

 

 

 

[Vort]

I know nothing of this man, but your report of his inaugural speech certainly paints a rosy picture.

[anatess2]

29 minutes ago, Vort said:

I know nothing of this man, but your report of his inaugural speech certainly paints a rosy picture.

The inaugural party is already a change!

In years previous - all the way to the Marcos administration (Marcos was the president when I was born) - the inaugural party is a display of luxury with fancy food and ornaments and silverware and fancy clothes and the parade of the country's rich and famous.

Duterte's inaugural party was local fare that most Filipinos find on their dinner table albeit presented in elegant craftsmanship with native ornaments and dinnerware.  You see the usual rich and famous hobnobbing but they're standing out... the Duterte peeps are in simple attire with the Philippine flag pin on their lapels instead of the Family Emblem that is the norm of the Oligarchy.

It is very very very refreshing!

But... this is only Day 1/2.

 

[David13]

Well, I hope he doesn't turn out to be another Hugo Chavez.

There is a happy medium, you know.

dc

[Just_A_Guy]

As long as Duterte only greenlights the assassinations of journalists that I, personally, don't like--I suppose I'm OK with him.

He may be a demagogue and a goon-but goshdarnit, he's our demagogue and goon!!!

Edited June 30, 2016 by Just_A_Guy

[anatess2]

1 hour ago, Just_A_Guy said:

As long as Duterte only greenlights the assassinations of journalists that I, personally, don't like--I suppose I'm OK with him.

He may be a demagogue and a goon-but goshdarnit, he's our demagogue and goon!!!

One should stop making stupid remarks about things one doesn't have much understanding about.

[anatess2]

2 hours ago, David13 said:

Well, I hope he doesn't turn out to be another Hugo Chavez.

There is a happy medium, you know.

dc

In what way you do you think Duterte invokes similarities to Hugo Chavez?  Filipinos will tell you we've been under a "Hugo Chavez" in ALL the years post-Marcos except for that time that we were under Fidel Ramos.  You see in that speech there how he acknowledged Ramos first and made it a point to mention that Ramos is instrumental in getting him elected President.  Who do you think is the happy medium among his competition?  ALL of his competition are OLIGARCHS who are simply going to continue the "Chavez" environment of the Philippine government.  You think the foreigners trapped in the Aquino Airport with planted bullets in their luggage are just by-products of investigative incompetency?

Do you know how extremely difficult - deemed impossible - it was to finally break through the established Oligarchy?  And when we do so you think the guy who finally broke through is THE one who might be another Hugo Chavez???

Edited June 30, 2016 by anatess2

[Just_A_Guy]

52 minutes ago, anatess2 said:

One should stop making stupid remarks about things one doesn't have much understanding about.

With all due respect, Anatess, this is at least the second thread in which you've lashed out at me personally instead of explaining why Duterte's remarks are acceptable. By all means feel free to tell me what I don't understand or why my remarks are stupid; but for what it's worth I think I do have at least an elementary understanding of the notions of "due process" and "freedom of expression" and "tyranny".  And it does appear that the man you have now lionized in two different threads has made statements such as:

"Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a [expletive deleted]".

Sources:  CNN, Time.

See also the BBC, wherein Duterte adds:

"That can't be just freedom of speech. The constitution can no longer help you if you disrespect a person."

See also Inquirer.net, which includes this jewel:

Duterte said the freedom of expression enshrined in the 1987 Constitution will not protect reporters from assassination if they are corrupt or careless in reporting.

See also the Daily Mail, which comforts us with Duterte's statement that:

"Most of those killed, to be frank, have done something.  You won't be killed if you don't do anything wrong."

And last but not least, see also this report of the same news conference via Reuters:

When a female journalist asked a question, he wolf-whistled at her.

Now, this looks to me like third-world, banana-republic crap that is unworthy of the Philippines.  If you wish, you are certainly welcome to tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about and Duterte is a great example of Filipino standards of liberty and rule of law (or, alternatively, that Filipino society is such an irredeemably violent mess that the traditional rules providing a well-ordered liberty to a democratic society can no longer work); and I suppose I'd be in no position to disagree.  

But I flatter myself that I am relatively well-placed to suggest that Duterte's antics are unworthy of the United States of America, and of anyone who pretends to aspire to traditional American ideals. 

 

Edited June 30, 2016 by Just_A_Guy

[David13]

Anatess2

We are not Filipinos.  I think most of us are not.  I think most of us understand that you are but now live here.

I look to you for education on these topics.  I have no idea who is who nor what they will do.

I just raise the issue that we heard the great hue and cry some years ago from certain people, Mexican, south American and others who saw Hugo Chavez as some great hope for not only Venezuela but perhaps all of south America.

And maybe central America too.

And we know it didn't happen right.  In fact it all happened horribly wrong.

And we know why it happened all wrong.  

Now, I hope things will be different in the Philippines.  And I would say by your enthusiasm that you think it will all be different.

I was just asking how.

And how is he different or similar to Donald Trump.

dc 

[Guest MormonGator]

4 hours ago, Just_A_Guy said:

As long as Duterte only greenlights the assassinations of journalists that I, personally, don't like--I suppose I'm OK with him.

He may be a demagogue and a goon-but goshdarnit, he's our demagogue and goon!!!

 Everyone likes authoritarians-as long as they agree with them.

99% of politics is rubbish. Debates-they guy you liked before won and the guy you didn't like lost. The constitution-I'll quote it when it suits my goals, not when it doesn't.  

Duterte is a right wing facist who if allowed, would become Mussolini in five years.  

And his fans will cheer and clap. It's chilling. Very, very chilling. Welcome to our fallen world. 

Edited July 1, 2016 by MormonGator

[anatess2]

13 hours ago, David13 said:

Anatess2

We are not Filipinos.  I think most of us are not.  I think most of us understand that you are but now live here.

I look to you for education on these topics.  I have no idea who is who nor what they will do.

I just raise the issue that we heard the great hue and cry some years ago from certain people, Mexican, south American and others who saw Hugo Chavez as some great hope for not only Venezuela but perhaps all of south America.

And maybe central America too.

And we know it didn't happen right.  In fact it all happened horribly wrong.

And we know why it happened all wrong.  

Now, I hope things will be different in the Philippines.  And I would say by your enthusiasm that you think it will all be different.

I was just asking how.

And how is he different or similar to Donald Trump.

dc 

We made that cry in Edsa Revolution I in the 80's.  We called it People Power.  And it was.  The downfall of Marcos.  Everybody in the World thought the Edsa Revolution was a testament to the strength of the People and their natural inclination for peace.  Hah hah.  The Edsa Revolution was peaceful because MARCOS made it peaceful.  In any case, that entire event - years in the making - was orchestrated by the Cojuangco oligarchy.  Ninoy Aquino - the guy who got assassinated at the airport with his assassination pinned to Imelda (the ridiculousness of that claim was lost in the heat of the moment) that brought all the people in unity to protest against Marcos - was the husband of Corazon COJUANGCO Aquino.  Ninoy was the hope of the people as they knew Marcos was sick even with the Marcos-controlled press trying their best to hide the fact.  The underground press was controlled by Cojuangcos and they knew they can unite the people against Marcos through the death of Ninoy... so the Cojuangcos killed him.

During the Edsa Revolution, the Cojuangcos hid Cory Aquino in the Carmelite Monastery knowing that Marcos will never defile the Catholic Church.  Marcos got exiled to Hawaii and Cory became President without elections.  But one thing the People did get out of the whole thing - NO RE-ELECTIONS for Presidents.  So, Cory's first order was to remove every single heads of local government that was not Cojuangco loyalists and sequester their assets - no elections, no due process.  NATIONWIDE.  Cory pocketed more money in her 6 years in office than Marcos did in his 20 years of dictatorship.  And she left behind a sea of dead bodies and a Cojuangco loyal press.  Now, you might think - Cojuangcos killed Marcos?  Why, that's a conspiracy theory!  Oh yeah?  Cory was President for 6 years and she never opened investigations to the assassination of HER HUSBAND.

The fledgling Cojuangco oligarchy got replaced by Fidel Ramos who gained the respect of everyone during the Edsa Revolution (the Ramos pulled a y'owe me on the Cojuanccos) and the people breathed a sigh of relief - finally, we can start to rebuild, we thought that was it, the People finally rose again -  but Fidel is one man - no oligarch to back him and... no Re-Elections.  The people's chosen successor got easily defeated by Joseph Estrada - an actor who was as stupid as they can get... who received the support of several oligarch families as their means to rise into power.  The cheating and elections-assassinations was immense and uncontrollable.  Estrada got impeached after emptying out the Philippine coffers and Gloria Macapagal - from the Macapagal oligarchy - became President and then she managed to continue her Presidency through the elections.  The coffers remained empty with blatant corruption and the sea of bodies continued to pile up... The next elections became an oligarchy battle with the Cojuangcos on one side and the Macapagals on the other side with the people forgotten in between.  The Cojuangcos toppled the Macapagals and Cory's meek and mild son Benigno Aquino III became President.  Meek and mild - he was a figurehead while his family ran the country to the ground, and his Vice President - Binay - ran national crime organizations.  The Cojuangco press wrote raving reviews of how Aquino III was such an awesome President while Aquino secretly and illegally sold Philippine land in the South China Sea to the Chinese and then the same press cries "Chinese encroachment!".  The big typhoon destroyed parts of the Philippines and the Relief Packages that flooded into the country from international organizations got picked through by the Administration and repackaged with Binay's campaign label - as he starts his campaign for President - before it reached the disaster areas.  Bodies continue to pile.  Oh, and let's not forget - another Aquino is in power and he still didn't open up investigations for the death of his own dad...

The internet was the undoing of the oligarchs.  The Cojuangco-controlled press (that JAG stupidly flaunted in our faces - that insult is unimaginable) cannot control the flow of information into the farthest corners of the country anymore.  Bloggers became information dealers and the multi-lingual regions became a benefit as the Oligarchy are all Northerners who doesn't speak any other dialect but their own Tagalog.  People Power got successfully united in the Bisaya dialect and the Bisayas chose Duterte to be their champion.  Duterte's success in Davao includes, 1.) fighting the oligarchy-controlled criminal organizations, 2.) making inroads to bring together peaceful Muslims and Christians to fight together against radical Islamic terrorists, 3.) successfully installed peace agreements between the violent arm of the Communist Party and the Davao people without having to give in to any of their demands, 4.) successfully brought out the military rebels fighting the Oligarchy to pledge peace, 5.)  instilled fiscal discipline in Davao in all corners of government, including the guy handing out traffic citations - you can't bribe your way out of a traffic citation in Davao, the cop will throw you in jail... it is a rare city in the Philippines where a traffic cop can't be bribed.  6.) and as a bonus - the inability of the Cojuangco-controlled press and their influence on international organizations to take Duterte down.

Duterte gained the Bisaya's respect even through his many personal indiscretions and the cry of his parish priest to bring him to the confessional booth.  And he did all this as a small-town family without any connections to oligarchy or celebrity.

Traditionally, there was ZERO chance that a Bisaya could win a Presidential election - Oligarchy or not.  The Bisaya are considered low-class people to the Northerners and the seat of government is in the North.  The Bisaya has been racially discriminated against all throughout Philippine History.  There was even lesser than zero chance that a common man can win against the Oligarchy.  Fidel Ramos was not a common man.  He was a military general who was able to transition seemlessly between administrations carrying through his vision with military precision.  Our success to make people nationwide notice Duterte through another election cycle of rampant and blatant cheating and violence can be attributed to the Trump effect. 

Now, Day 1 of Duterte's Presidency and it's already looking good... the Oligarchs are still working their way towards impeachment (desperate much? impeachment getting worked before the guy even set foot in the Malacanang!  Hilarious!).  Yeah, this is starting to be a really big wall of text... but if you can spend a few more minutes reading the article below, it reports on Day 1 of the Presidency and how it parallels the expectations of the People as to the Duterte qualities that made him our champion that I outlined above.  Philippine Inquirer is one of the 4 most widely read publication in the Philippines.  Yes, it is yellow media and retained its profitability by being pro-Aquino and agnostic-Macapagal but it is not quite oligarch-controlled.  The publication is on cover-the-bases mode right now as it tries to figure out where the winds of profitability is in this Administration shift.  So it is reporting an agnostic skim-the-basics of Duterte Day 1. 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/793595/believe-it-or-not-mendiola-march-ends-inside-palace

 

Edited July 1, 2016 by anatess2

[anatess2]

On 6/30/2016 at 7:32 PM, Just_A_Guy said:

With all due respect, Anatess, this is at least the second thread in which you've lashed out at me personally instead of explaining why Duterte's remarks are acceptable. By all means feel free to tell me what I don't understand or why my remarks are stupid; but for what it's worth I think I do have at least an elementary understanding of the notions of "due process" and "freedom of expression" and "tyranny".  And it does appear that the man you have now lionized in two different threads has made statements such as:

"Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a [expletive deleted]".

Sources:  CNN, Time.

See also the BBC, wherein Duterte adds:

"That can't be just freedom of speech. The constitution can no longer help you if you disrespect a person."

See also Inquirer.net, which includes this jewel:

Duterte said the freedom of expression enshrined in the 1987 Constitution will not protect reporters from assassination if they are corrupt or careless in reporting.

See also the Daily Mail, which comforts us with Duterte's statement that:

"Most of those killed, to be frank, have done something.  You won't be killed if you don't do anything wrong."

And last but not least, see also this report of the same news conference via Reuters:

When a female journalist asked a question, he wolf-whistled at her.

Now, this looks to me like third-world, banana-republic crap that is unworthy of the Philippines.  If you wish, you are certainly welcome to tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about and Duterte is a great example of Filipino standards of liberty and rule of law (or, alternatively, that Filipino society is such an irredeemably violent mess that the traditional rules providing a well-ordered liberty to a democratic society can no longer work); and I suppose I'd be in no position to disagree.  

But I flatter myself that I am relatively well-placed to suggest that Duterte's antics are unworthy of the United States of America, and of anyone who pretends to aspire to traditional American ideals. 

 

The second only?  I'm surprised.  I would have thought I'd have word-smacked you more than that.

I wouldn't have done so if instead of making VASTLY INSULTING comments, not only to the Filipino choice of President but of the people that worked hard to get him there (you do know it is a Democratic process there, right?), you would have said, "I don't understand why you would support such-and-such when I've read/heard/learned of such-and-such..."  I would have GLADLY (like I have done multiple times to David as well as others who have sent me PM about it) explained the differences and similarities between American and Filipino politics as well as LANGUAGE that puts your understanding of the Filipino political climate and what drives people to their choices and the CNN and other international reporting of events there.

Now, I could go and explain to you line by line those CNN articles (CNN... The same CNN who sent Andrew Cooper to the Philippines who expressed he couldn't believe how corrupt and incompetent the government is - rightfully, they ARE corropt and incompetent - but then proceeded to point out First World problems like "there are no night flights in and out of Tacloban..." completely displaying his absolute disconnect and misunderstanding of Filipino life.) but I'm not going to waste my breath when you ALREADY think you know what it's all about and made the judgment.  A full cup and all that.

But just to give you A GLARING EXAMPLE.  What is your understanding of the Filipino use of the word ASSASSINATION in the context you put in your post?  There is a reason American lawyers can't practice in the Philippines just as Filipino lawyers can't practice in the Philippines.  You have 2 different understanding of that word.

 

[anatess2]

Here you go... WEEK 1 of Duterte's Presidency and WE ALREADY GOT THESE DRUG LORDS EXPOSED!  We've known about these people for over 10 years yet NOBODY in government can do anything about it because... MILITARY GENERALS, GOVERNORS, AND MAYORS, AND EVEN AS FAR UP AS THE PRESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT ARE INVOLVED!  Do you understand now why the Philippines have Justice Vigilantes?  When a government cannot administer justice, a clannish family (as most Filipinos are) exacts justice to prevent more crimes against their families, a lot of times via ASSASSINATION (notice the use of the word.... more to come).

The Duterte Philippine National Police in their first 5 days in office have brought charges up on 5 Military Generals from evidence gathered by abundant Provincial Evidence over the last 10 years.  The new director of the PNP had the tough job of bringing these generals in for questioning when they are all his upper classmen in the Military Academy and they are bound by the military culture of loyalty - but he proved equal to the task.  In addition, the chart below has been drawn from the investigations to expose high-ranking officials and celebrities in the ring... one of them running his drug triad from national prison (where he was secretly equipped by the warden and prison guards with all the luxuries of home, like luxurious decor, high-end electronics, gourmet food, etc., and including freedom to go in and out of prison at his convenience).  Prison guards who they deemed at risk of exposing the cartel are... ASSASSINATED (do you see the use of the word?).  Journalists are paid to report tough measures in the prisons  - journalists who don't keep their end of the bargain are... ASSASSINATED.  Drug pushers and drug dealers are connected through deep networks under the triads with nobody having direct access to identify the top guys... those who get such information when they are not supposed to are... ASSASSINATED.

This past 7 days, a crazy thing happened... Drug pushers and drug dealers are lining up in police precincts in parts of Visayas and Mindanao, surrendering their stock and getting themselves put on the books with biometric data.  Several altercations have erupted as these small time criminals force themselves to the front of the line fearful that they won't get to the database before day-end... You wonder, how did this happen?  Why the sudden change?  I mentioned this long ago... a lot of these small-time criminals are very poor.  Drug dealing/pushing is their last resort and they don't fear getting caught by the police as there's no capital punishment and prison is provided 3 square meals a day - a life better than where they come from.  The problem is - they don't realize until too late that these small timers have been dying left-and-right, caught in the middle between the Crime Lords and the clannish families of the victims of these crimes seeking justice that the government doesn't provide - all in the hush-hush due to the fog of secrecy that Crime Lords are protected by (protections from the highest echelons of government!).  The drug pushers and dealers, as well as the minions (like journalists) that provide cover for the organization, are targets of ASSASSINATION (have you noticed now what Assassination means in the Philippines?  It means getting killed in either of 2 ways:  1.) by leaders of the Crime Organizations, 2.) by leaders of clannish justice vigilantes fighting the Crime Organizations).  But now that the new PNP has proven that they are more than willing to wage war against the drug lords, the small timers now realize things are for real and that THEY ARE targets of assassination (a fact they ignored even after repeated warnings by people like Duterte).  When you have 5 generals identified as drug lords within the first week of a new establishment, you realize how precarious your life truly is and you would want to side with the ones that offers you protection.  Putting your name on the database right quick puts you on the side of the guys taking down the crime organizations and protected from them but also off of the list of clan vigilantes.

It's a new world out there and our heads are still spinning with the speed of these events coming down... And I haven't even mentioned all the other Wow, that really happened? incidents like Duterte fully embracing his Vice President from the opposing political party (in the Phils, Pres and VP are independently elected) and already identifying common grounds of mutual support within Week 1... something that never happened post-Marcos as an opposing party would have been competition to the top oligarchy... Duterte choosing to base his government in Davao as opposed to the Malacanang (Duterte is prime target for assassination and he trusts that the people of Davao will offer a wall of protection), etc. etc.

A lot more international organizations outcry... this time from Amnesty International... same problem - doesn't bother to understand what is REALLY going on in the Philippines... all they want to do is address First World Problems and apply First World Standards to Third World countries... I wish they would just back off and stop adding pressure to a boiling pot... go fight ISIS and feed the starving kids in Africa or something.

Edited July 7, 2016 by anatess2