Rodrigo Duterte

[Humbert]

The guy's a dumb ass, unreasonable, and is manifesting some pretty serious mental problems. He's not fit to run the country. He's destroying foreign policies and foreign relations that took time to build, by running his silly mouth

A lesson for Trump supporters

[Hugh Cow]

USA aid to the the Philippines in the last 6 years: $1.2 billlion.

Do you have a breakdown on the contents of the Amerisatni and Chinese aid?

One wonders what % of the "aid" was spent in the Philippines and brought jobs to the Filipinos. Most aid is spent in the "donor" country and the products are shipped, ready made and probably in the Amerstani aids case ready to slaughter.[/QUOTE]

OHOH I believe you are a cynic. I doubt there is a country on the planet that doesn't have some strings attached to their aid. I am sure our Chinese friends require nothing in return other than the advancement of world peace.

[Norton]

Both dated 2011/12

How much money does the U.S. give to Philippines?

https://www.devex.com/news/top-10-fo...lippines-76515

[MrG]

^
Both short and informative links. Thanks, Norton.

I had no idea the US was standing where it was in terms of Aid to Phils., at least in 2011.
It sort of puts the whole refusal of US AID thing by Dutarte in a different light. I still believe that he will regret cozying up to the Chinese or the Russians, if he goes through with it.

[PeeCoffee]

Duterte was married to his first wife for 27 years.
Elizabeth Zimmerman and Duterte remain close friends.
Her grandfather was from Germany and migrated to the United States.

(Those that wish to - feel free to advance a few conspiracy theories.Could get interesting.)

[chassamui]

He is using the Chines to leverage more US aid with fewer strings. Maybe not so dumb after all.

[katie23]

^^yeah, Duterte's wife had "western" blood. That's why when you see pics of his kids (one of his daughters is now the present mayor of Davao city, the post he vacated), they all look mestizo (luk kreung). I remembered being surprised to see why his kids looked very mestizo (when the dad isn't), then my friends told me that his ex-wife was half-german. (Or 1/4, to be correct)

Re: the goodbye Spam & hello Ma Ling policy, I'll just watch out & see what happens in the coming weeks....

is there a Ma Ling emoticon? Heh..

[OhOh]

Yes, one wonders. I supposee you have a link?

Not to this particular aid package no. I'm sure if you wanted to refute the claim you would easily find it and list the breakdown. But hey just keep drinking the Kool-Aid and tighten those blinkers.

As I said "most aid" is indeed spent in the donor country and "products", of local manufacturers shipped out. Many products are very underutilised as the recipients have no skills to install or maintain them and hence become useless in a very short time. Except for propaganda purposes.

So well written nobody would ever guess you have a chip on your shoulder the size of Mt Everest against the USA. This way it appeals to a bigger audience?

When you look at how Ameristan, the banana republic it has become, how else would you name it? A republic, a democratic country? Sadly those terms no longer apply to what used to be a glorious "bring freedom to everyone nation" nation.

His opinions and new policies doesn't even reflect the stand of the majority of the people.

He has just one an election, presumably fairly with no double counting of votes or recourse to a grand jury of legislators, to "smooth" the way?

why do the flips keep voting with there emotions

As opposed to having intelligent discussion.

now I'm thinking he will send them back by about 20 years,

So soon to judge. I assume their is a fixed length of time before he has to call the next election. An election is to win the race to become President/Prime Minister for a fixed term. Once installed anyone elected cannot be thrown out except by a vote, assassination or a coup. Which would you think the "emotional" Philippine nation or their "managers" will choose?

We did fine without them for a decade after leaving Subic. I agree.

Possibly the offer received in China and probably Russia, has specified what and who will replace the asset stripping Ameristani companies. If the locals were so enamoured with their lot how was he elected? Some must have wanted change.

Duterte says visit to China "signals a turning point in our shared history"

(Xinhua) 03:05, October 22, 2016


He also announced that his talks with Chinese leaders and business leaders resulted in public financing agreements and private business deals valued at billions of U.S. dollars in soft loans.
"These agreements, covering various fields of economic activities, are expected to generate 2 million jobs for the Filipinos in the next five years," he said.

Cnn'Sputnik

"BEIJING (Sputnik) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his country was not severing ties with the United States but shifting its foreign policy in a different direction.


"It is not severance of ties. You say severance of ties, you cut the diplomatic relations. I cannot do that. Why? It is in the best interest of my country that we maintain that relationship. Why? Because there are many Filipinos in the United States. Well, Americans of Filipino ancestry. Why? Because the people of my country [are] not ready to accept. I said separation — what I was really saying was separation of a foreign policy," Duterte was quoted as saying by CNN during a press conference in the country's Davao City."

It appears that some think the "Your either with us or against us" trick/lie will be one that continues to be believed. Some see the runes and act accordingly, others stick their heads in there arses.

Some people thought similar about Thaksin, look how well that worked out.

Some/many thought similarly before other politicians were elected. Now they look back and feel cheated. But then that is what democracy is about. The ability to change leadership occasionally legitimately, yes?

[OhOh]

Both short and informative links. Thanks, Norton.

So short they don't specify what the money was spent on and where. One of the largest, the military aid, was spent how? On weapons imported into the country from Ameristani MIC. Who does that benefit. Mostly the Ameristani companies and their workers.

The others are listed as "Programmes" the money was spent where?

As usual, good for the sheeple to think, "Oh we are so generous look how we help those poor underprivileged foreigners"

I still believe that he will regret cozying up to the Chinese or the Russians, if he goes through with it.

You may be correct. However the population voted him in for a reason. If that reason is secured he will have delivered. If he makes mistakes they will be remembered and he will not be re-elected.

I'll just watch out & see what happens in the coming weeks....

So fickle, a true believer in democracy and law.

OHOH I believe you are a cynic. I doubt there is a country on the planet that doesn't have some strings attached to their aid. I am sure our Chinese friends require nothing in return other than the advancement of world peace.

Which is why I used the term "Most aid". All "aid" is for political purposes. Some scrapings are indeed spent in the receiving nation but assuredly most is spent on the giving politicians own constituency.

We do indeed live in interesting times. One empire is dying another is growing. Will it be for good or evil. Unfortunately my soothsayer is unobtainable this evening. All I see is death and destruction from the old and investment and productive building from the new. I know that if I needed assistance to grow my country, improve my populations and voters lives who I would pick.

Once elected of course.

[beerlaodrinker]

I'm still thinking he is the wrong guy for the job, I've Spent a lot of time there over the last 30 years , saw a lot of different administrations, who were all the usual suspects, I initially thought he might of made a difference, but no. It's still the same old shit. Now the Philippines got this dipshit for next 6 years , a coup ( spelling ) might not be a bad idea, nip it in the bud. I feel sorry for the locals, but hey, they voted for the fucker

[Shadows]

It must be depressing to have voted for him, and then realize the monster you voted for now controls your day-to-day life.

[chassamui]

I know that if I needed assistance to grow my country, improve my populations and voters lives who I would pick.

The unelected and highly secretive Chinese, who have a very similar agenda to the Americans?

[CaptainNemo]

I'm still thinking he is the wrong guy for the job, I've Spent a lot of time there over the last 30 years , saw a lot of different administrations, who were all the usual suspects, I initially thought he might of made a difference, but no. It's still the same old shit. Now the Philippines got this dipshit for next 6 years , a coup ( spelling ) might not be a bad idea, nip it in the bud. I feel sorry for the locals, but hey, they voted for the fucker

Most countries in the world are simply not ready for democracy - it seems to deliver outcomes no better than a military dictatorship; neo-colonialism would be the best solution for them, thin how much better off the Phils would be as a territory of the US Empire, like Puerto Rico or Guam. Think how much better off ASEAN states might be with Britain, Holland, France, and Portugal governing them again. I'm sure the Hong Kongers and Macauese would gladly return.

[PeeCoffee]

The notion of "one person, one vote" (not educated, not stake-holder) is surely a recipe for failed democracy in most developing nations.
People who have been ordered as to what to do and when to do can not adjust to libertarian, democratic ideals overnight...like fish out of water.

Sadly enthusiastic idealism rarely matches up with pragmatic realism throughout much of the world.

[Davis Knowlton]

It must be depressing to have voted for him, and then realize the monster you voted for now controls your day-to-day life.

"Monster" is a bit much - especially for a President with an 86% approval rating.

I recommend you use the 72 hour scale we use here. He says it (Hour 1). He denies saying it (Hour 9). He's shown saying it on tape (Hour 10). Palace blames the media for misinterpreting his statement (Hour 24). Senators, businessmen, or military (depending on the Hour 1 statement) condemn his statement, claiming he simply doesn't understand the issue (Hour 48). Palace issue clarification (what the President actually meant was....) (Hour 65). President says he never meant it (Hour 72).

Repeat until babbling........

[bobo746]

The married couple who never ask: 'How was your day?' Husband and wife death squad duo paid $100 for every drug user they kill on the streets of The Philippines for 'The Punisher'... and they've executed 800 between them

The husband and wife assassin duo behind Rodrigo Duterte's drug war executions | Daily Mail Online

[bobo746]

^ Is this a load of crap or what ?????

[Davis Knowlton]

^ and ^^. Yes. Load of crap. Not a word of anything like this has ever appeared on the TV or in the press or tabloids here - or on internet blogs. Wonder how much they were paid for their 'story'? National Inquirer or Tattler level crap. That would be 8 murders each and every day for them since the election.

[forreachingme]

Inhumane and still completely corrupt,

were the words i got from a well Philippino i asked the other day if he think change at Government is on...

[CR7CristianoRonaldo]

About 5-6 years ago I went to an Infrastructure funding conference in manila. I met the new President Aquino and other names like Enrile (who was about 90 then, so probably passed away now). The country was desperate for an infrastructure upgrade and was showcasing about 100 projects.

I think about three were ultimately financed. Woefully inadequate and the degeneration continued.

So, now China wants to allocate money to regional infrastructure. I guess not just for financial returns (and certainly not to help their common man), but for geopolitical influence and the opportunity to offshore ill gotten kickbacks.

I can see why Philippines wants to access that money for marquee projects, and it is certainly up for any ancillary 'dodgy deals', so I can understand why they might want to realign away from other countries who attended the conferences but ultimately didn't build any airports, railroads, bridges, ports and refrigeration facilities.

[David48atTD]

I recommend you use the 72 hour scale we use here. He says it (Hour 1). He denies saying it (Hour 9). He's shown saying it on tape (Hour 10). Palace blames the media for misinterpreting his statement (Hour 24). Senators, businessmen, or military (depending on the Hour 1 statement) condemn his statement, claiming he simply doesn't understand the issue (Hour 48). Palace issue clarification (what the President actually meant was....) (Hour 65). President says he never meant it (Hour 72).

Repeat until babbling........

When you say 'the Palace' ... what are you referring to?

Genuine question ... I have little knowledge about the Philippines.
I've only been there once.

While I have you ... how is that ex-boxer, the multi world champion going as a Senator?

Capable?

Still popular?

Are the Shopping Centre guards still armed with shot-guns?
(they were when I visited that big shopping mall in Manila)

[MrG]

It must be depressing to have voted for him, and then realize the monster you voted for now controls your day-to-day life.

"Monster" is a bit much - especially for a President with an 86% approval rating.

I recommend you use the 72 hour scale we use here. He says it (Hour 1). He denies saying it (Hour 9). He's shown saying it on tape (Hour 10). Palace blames the media for misinterpreting his statement (Hour 24). Senators, businessmen, or military (depending on the Hour 1 statement) condemn his statement, claiming he simply doesn't understand the issue (Hour 48). Palace issue clarification (what the President actually meant was....) (Hour 65). President says he never meant it (Hour 72).

Repeat until babbling........

Sounds just like the Trump campaign. Who is copying who...?

[wasabi]

About 5-6 years ago I went to an Infrastructure funding conference in manila. I met the new President Aquino and other names like Enrile (who was about 90 then, so probably passed away now). The country was desperate for an infrastructure upgrade and was showcasing about 100 projects.

I think about three were ultimately financed. Woefully inadequate and the degeneration continued.

So, now China wants to allocate money to regional infrastructure. I guess not just for financial returns (and certainly not to help their common man), but for geopolitical influence and the opportunity to offshore ill gotten kickbacks.

I can see why Philippines wants to access that money for marquee projects, and it is certainly up for any ancillary 'dodgy deals', so I can understand why they might want to realign away from other countries who attended the conferences but ultimately didn't build any airports, railroads, bridges, ports and refrigeration facilities.

The Chinese are successfully doing exactly this in Africa, replacing the decaying infrastructure that the Europeans put in, but the new owners failed to maintain through corruption.

[Davis Knowlton]

When you say 'the Palace' ... what are you referring to?

Genuine question ... I have little knowledge about the Philippines.
I've only been there once.

While I have you ... how is that ex-boxer, the multi world champion going as a Senator?

Capable?

Still popular?

Are the Shopping Centre guards still armed with shot-guns?
(they were when I visited that big shopping mall in Manila)

Malacanang Palace - seat of power in Manila.

Senator Pacquiao shows up. As the country's only sports hero, he retains his popularity. Currently getting ready for a November fight.

Yes. Shotguns or .38 revolvers.

[OhOh]

The unelected and highly secretive Chinese, who have a very similar agenda to the Americans?

I believe they do have a version of elections. I agree probably different to western, bought and paid or your with us or we bomb you back to the stone age ones, allegedly being held as we speak.

They may also have a similar vision of world peace and prosperity however the western model is known to be corrupt and is failing as we speak globally.

The Chinese vision actually builds things, employs people and by their own recent track record lifts billions up the self sufficiency table. The western model has peaked some years ago, it is being assisted along currently by non-beneficial means and the mass of the affected populations, globally, are sinking further and further into oblivion.

President Duterte has both options to utilise, why put your eggs in one basket, he does have a mandate for a few years. Are you suggesting a coup or that his election is having the same affect as the recent Brexit vote, but not acted upon, is having on the UK?