^Still very, very close. I've learned to expect anything/everything after living here for every presidency since Marcos other than FVR's six years, but I still just can't comprehend the attraction of the Marcos clan. Just flat ass bewilders me.
^Still very, very close. I've learned to expect anything/everything after living here for every presidency since Marcos other than FVR's six years, but I still just can't comprehend the attraction of the Marcos clan. Just flat ass bewilders me.
Spoke to a couple of flip mates in Vientiane today, they are ecstatic he got in, they cast there vote for him at D flip embassy here
^No. Just Chinese businessmen. More the pity.
Manny Pacquiao edges towards Philippines presidency after winning upper house Senate seat - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Manny Pacquiao edges towards Philippines presidency after winning upper house Senate seat
Philippines boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is set to win a seat in the upper house Senate, according to election results, taking him a step closer to his dream of the country's presidency.
Pacquiao, 37, whose rise from desperate street kid to boxing superstar has made him one of the nation's biggest heroes, retired from boxing last month to become a full-time politician.
With more than 93 per cent of voting centres accounted for from Monday's polls, the winner of an unprecedented eight world championships had garnered 15.2 million votes, more than enough to enter the Senate.
Pacquiao placed eighth out of a field of 50 candidates in a national race where the top 12 win a seat in the Upper House, a powerful legislative body that has often served as a springboard to higher office.
Regarded as an icon in the impoverished nation, Pacquiao's boxing matches have regularly brought the country to a standstill.
The high school dropout has parlayed his sporting successes into a fortune from commercial endorsements, eventually moving into a political career, serving two terms as a congressman.
[quote=beerlaodrinker;3267530][quote=Davis Knowlton;3267415 Funny business Filipino politics.[/quote]
That about sums it up! I lived in Manilla when Marcos was in power, after him was Corrie, elected because her husband was shot, then came Ramos, probably the most neutral of recent Presidents, then Estrada, what can you say about him, great actor! Gloria followed, she was just a crook from what I remember, so they went back to the good old Aquino family! & now........... Can't see him lasting long
Watching BBC news today and the reporter was interviewing a former US ambassador
to PI,the lefty reporter tried to mark Duterte as a murdering thug and unfit for power.
The US guy said it is a democracy and he won fair and square and people want change,
and as being a thug, he cleaned up Davao city in about the only way that was possible.
The yank was not worried about him being in power,PI needs cleaning up.
Been interesting the past few weeks seeing the political posts of my Pinoy shipmates in regards to this Duterte fella. Seems many of them have faith in him. Personally I'm pessimistic and won't be surprised when he starts to "smell the marble".
This could go horribly wrong...
What's not to love about the Trumpster?
I could see Duterte shot or blown up within 6 months; especially if, as promised, he jet-skiis to the Spratleys and starts deporting the Chinese.
During the campaign period, Duterte was a very polarizing candidate. People either liked or hated him. So he got the majority vote, since all his fans voted for him, while the rest were split among the other candidates.
There are rumors in my office of possible scenarios in the next few months or years - either of impeachment or assassination. Let's see...
Personally, I didn't vote for him, but since he's won, I think it will be good to have a president from Mindanao (for the first time). Hopefully that area will get developed and cleaned up (of wars and insurgents).
In other news... a colleague disclosed earlier today that he grew up with Geraldine Roman, the first transgender politician in Congress. Geraldine was still Gerald, and back then he was (and still is) very intelligent. S/he transitioned when they were in university - parents were rich (political family) and paid for the transition (unlike other transgenders who pay for their own transition when they're adults already). Geraldine is very smart, speaks several languages, and was an editor of a paper/magazine (?) in Spain. For me, as long as she does her job well and is not corrupt, then it's all good.
Great to hear from someone actually residing in the Philippines and a local as well. It's a sure sign that things are changing when the elite get out voted and duterte gets the top job , and even Geraldine gets accepted?a despite the machismo culture in the Philippines good luck to both of them
US, China Warily Await Manila Leader's South Sea Stance
MANILA—
When the Philippines officially declares Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte president, the international community will be watching closely as his administration navigates a geopolitical landscape where tensions between China and the United States are escalating.
In the days following the May 9 election, which according to unofficial tallies resulted in a decisive win for the mayor, China expressed hope that a new administration would meet Beijing halfway to resolve its disputes with Manila in the South China Sea. “So as to put the ties of the two countries back on the track of sound development,” said China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.
Throughout the administration of President Benigno Aquino, Manila and Beijing had been at odds over sovereignty in the resource-rich sea.
Manila took a strong “what’s ours is ours” position, while Beijing reiterated its “indisputable sovereignty” over the sea. The two sides could not come to terms in bilateral talks, and the Aquino Foreign Ministry angered China when it took a multilateral track and filed an international arbitration case in 2013, the outcome of which is expected in the next month or so.
In recent years, China has turned disputed outcroppings -- most of which are listed in the Philippines case -- into artificial islands. The Philippines meanwhile, has strengthened military ties with the United States, which has stepped up its presence in the disputed sea.
Direct deal with Beijing
Throughout his campaign, Duterte, 71, expressed a willingness to deal with China directly, mentioning joint development.
At one point, Duterte said he agreed with China for not participating in the case because even if any decision is binding, it has no enforcement mechanism. He also said if bilateral talks got nowhere, he would ride a jet ski to a disputed outcropping, plant a Philippine flag there and expect to die a hero at the hands of the Chinese.
Multiple attempts to contact Duterte transition officials for this story went unanswered.
more here US, China Warily Await Manila Leader's South Sea Stance
With over 99% of the votes in, it looks as if Bong Bong Marcos has lost his bid for the VP slot.
Although he will certainly continue to whine.
If he got every vote still outstanding, he couldn't win. And that is a very good thing.
wouldn't be surprised if many heads involved in the sale of drugs as well as a few that probably aren't, are rolling now in anticipation of June 30. Every officer of the law, even if they were previously as bent as a corkscrew, will want to gain the favor of the incoming president.
^Duterte just appointed the cop who will be the new chief of the Philippine National Police once he is on the throne. He's Duterte's guy from Davao...a one-star who is being jumped over a long line of senior police Generals.
He is known as "The Rock". Big, built like a tank, shaved head and hates drug dealers more than Duterte.
I'd be packing up if I was a drug dealer. The example they make of the first few they catch won't be pretty.
Can't wait for that.I just hope it doesn't all turn to shit.Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton
The lower classes need a break.
The new Mayor of Cebu just authorized a $750 bounty to each police officer who kills a criminal "in the line of duty", as well as promising protection from prosecution.
Obama just rolled over and replaced the US Ambassador who upset Duterte; wonder if the Aussies will do the same?
How will this affect the tourism industry ? Might be good for PI.
I believe the Catholic Church might be upset over killings and hangings of criminals.
[CAVEAT: I don't reside in PI.]
I reckon the church is going to be upset about quite a bit - possibly starting with the fact he called the Pope's mother a whore.
He said a few days ago that he believes in God, but not in organized religion.
I'd love to see the church here take it in the ass after centuries of oppressing the people.
Duterte sure has a way with words, eh.
^Does tend to shoot his mouth off..........frequently. Always been like that as I recall.
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