Duterte’s Bank Account: The Straw that Breaks the Camel’s Back

With barely 10 days before the elections, Sen. Trillanes pulled the rug under Duterte and bared documents showing 2.5B in deposits. Earlier his spokesman denied in a TV interview that the account exists. In less than hours the representatives of Sec. Roxas and well-known journalists each deposited P500, which were received and receipted by BPI.

Duterte as with previous remarks that put him in hot water, made another turn around admitting that he owns the account but with only thousands, not billions in deposits. Projecting himself as a poor man who never made a single cent in decades of running Davao, he faces a charge that made a big crack on his honesty and integrity.

Legions of loyalists responsible in getting him in the lead of surveys always hysterically flood the social networks with Duterte’s defense that border on the libelous against critics. Those from economic classes ABC accounted for 40% of his ratings are supposed to be more discerning with well-thought out decisions. Faced with accusations that he lied and attempted to hide deposits, there is a big question mark on his honesty.

In selling an idea, it is easier to gain acceptance if it fits the bias or beliefs of the audience. With the horde of believers who bought the claim that he can get rid of the drug menace and criminality in six months, it calls for a dramatic event to change their mind. The veneer of integrity and honesty that clothe his persona appears to have been cracked by the expose’ of Trillanes.

With strong confidence on the reliability of his unidentified sources, Trillanes put his senate seat and his vice presidential candidacy on the line. If Duterte waives the secrecy of the bank account and the claim is proven wrong, he will resign both positions immediately. In response, Duterte’s lawyer insists that pertinent information such as source be detailed in an affidavit before Duterte will agree to open the account.

There are still a significant number who has not made up their mind or hesitant to jump on Digong bandwagon. If Christian values that uphold honesty and truthfulness are requisite from the highest leader of the nation the fate of Duterte still hangs in the balance.

Bombs Turn Out Duds, Duterte Escapes Unscathed

Bombs Turn Out Duds, Duterte Escapes Unscathed

It was a golden opportunity missed. For Jojo, Mar and Grace. With a nation wide audience, the presidential debate was perfect time to unmask the bravado of Rody who ran rough shod over friendly countries, apparently disrespected women, claimed to have mowed down crime suspects and insulted the physically handicapped.

Before the debate, Binay sharpened his knife with media statements accusing Duterte of “sexual perversion” based on his recounting the rape-slay of an Australian missionary. He also questioned the sanity of his rival challenging him to go thru a psychological test triggered off by comments that border on the “idiotic.”

In recent surveys, Duterte widened his lead even after the controversial remarks that seemed to have been totally disregarded by his avid followers. In a tough competitive situation, it is a tall order to topple the leader who already won the unquestioned loyalty of his followers. With all the disparaging remarks, he still picked more percentage points even in the latest survey done after the rape-slay remark.

Flooded with stories in social networks and website editions of media, that cut his credibility to pieces, Duterte apparently withstood these attacks. Those who already made up their mind to align themselves with a candidate, selectively blip what does not conform to their beliefs. This explains why all these Internet bashings were ignored even by upper middle class voters who surprisingly rallied behind Duterte.

Content of both social and media websites are selectively perceived and loyalists of candidates mentally blacked out protest stories against their favorites.  Many expect that opponents will concentrate their fire at the front-runner. All the verbal bombs that the audience hope to be set off turned out to be disappointing duds as Duterte was not confronted at all to explain pronouncements that put into peril relationship with friendly countries and aroused the ire of feminists.

Duterte emerged unscathed and totally avoided being accountable for his verbal harangues that raised question on his moral fitness to be president. With the proverbial two-minute to the presidential elections, Duterte will simply figuratively dribble the few seconds away and raise his arms in victory.

 

Photo by: John Cellona of ABS-CBN News

With All His Gross and Offensive Remarks, Does Duterte Enjoy Teflon Effect?

With All His Gross and Offensive Remarks, Does Duterte Enjoy Teflon Effect?

Defying rules on propriety and time honored values that most Filipinos hold dear, Rody Duterte had crossed the lines with offensive remarks that would have disastrous result for any other candidate.

Let us start with his impatience on being delayed by the traffic due to the Pope’s arrival.  Uttering a vernacular curse descriptive of one’s maternal origin, he did not mind stepping on the toes of 90% Filipino churchgoers who a few months ago showed awe and respect for the pontiff.

In a recent rally in Quezon City, he arouses the ire of thousands in narrating how an Australian missionary was gang raped and killed by prisoners during an outbreak of prisoners in Davao in 1989. Duterte was shown on videotape stating “she was so beautiful, I thought , the mayor should have been first.” At a time when there is worldwide movement for the respect for women, the remarks described by many as “revolting and crass” elicited outrage from women’s group and the public.

Speaking before an audience obviously aware that the Mexican ambassador was  in the audience, he warned that it was not safe to travel in countries like Mexico “given the kidnapping and drug related crimes in the country.” He did not learn from the lesson of Pacquiao who lost support from LGBT community, by describing another presidential candidate as “bayot” questioning his masculinity.

Candidates walk gingerly to avoid stepping on deeply seated values that voters will certainly find offensive.  Duterte who seemingly appeal to a core audience  was able to sidestep the peril of losing support from the public even  consistently topping surveys, with highly offensive pronouncements against opponents and groups.  

With Teflon–like ability, all his verbal mishaps have not tarnished his image seemingly.  What is offensive and acceptable are determined by agreement on beliefs and ideals by group members.  These norms define what should be passed on from generation to the next.  Rape or any form of physical and verbal abuse of women is unacceptable.  He has stepped on toes of his opponents; verbally insulted religious leaders respected by most Filipinos, offended friendly nation and defiantly state that he would rather lose the election than ask for forgiveness.

The core supporters of Duterte many surprisingly from the middle to upper-middle economic class close ranks especially in the social websites to defend him. With the impact of media content that caters to the lowest denominator, audience standards for taste and behavior has gone south.  Those expected to practice decorum and propriety conveniently lace campaign speeches with the crudest jokes and vernacular curse words.

The moral courage of several Catholic bishops exercising their spiritual leadership did not mince words in identifying aspirants who do not deserve to occupy the country’s highest position.  TV commentators and opinion writers live up to its job as watchdog in calling for discipline what its mass audience consider as taboo in civilized settings.  Showing disdain at opponents and critics who claims he “is not morally fit to be president for utter disrespect for women,” Duterte shrugged his shoulder declaring that he would rather lose the election than apologize for those irreverent remarks.

“Duterte has to declare Martial Law to fulfill promise” -Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile

“DUTERTE HAS TO DECLARE MARTIAL LAW TO FULFILL PROMISE”-JPE

As the presidential campaign winds up in a few weeks, Rody Duterte drums up noisily in his TV ads that he can wipe up drug and criminality in six months.  This promise gets high marks among electorates who in a survey claimed that he topped the presidential race.

Senate minority floor leader Juan Ponce Enrile doused cold water to this claim by pointing out that “unless he will mobilize the entire military organization, including the police and the NBI and declare martial law” Duterte’s promise is not doable.

 Duterte touches a responsive chord even in highly urbanized area with relatively educated residents who are tired of the drug problem, house break- in, and riding in tandem killing in their communities.

As key adviser of Marcos and defense minister during martial law, Enrile has intimate knowledge and experience how to run the country under one man rule.  In spite of the victims of martial law and the government widely making public the abuses of the Marcos martial law years, the fact as revealed by Amnesty International that close to 4000 died and more than 20000 were imprisoned, tortured and even raped by his military enforcers, seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

In propaganda, an exaggerated promise can gain “psychological monopoly” if remains undisputed by opposing party. The first step in imposing martial law is to muffle the voice of independent media by closing all broadcast and newspapers.  It rigidly controls news content and allows reports favorable only to the regime. If there is Dictatorship version II, millennial can no longer freely access their facebook, twitter, instagram and other social websites.

Earlier, Sen. Panfilo Lacson with a career as police and military leader countered that it cannot be done in six months.  PNP chief Ricardo Mendoza expressed misgivings about solving crime and abuses in such a short time But now that Duterte is opposed by a highly authoritative source reputed to be the brain behind Marcos martial law it is likely to put a significant dent on the believability of Duterte’s claim.

Political opponents potentially can dig up a gold mine on alleged abuses in Davao. VP Jojo Binay who was a human rights activist warned, “this would mean extrajudicial killing left and right where mere suspicion will get someone killed. Minors, women and the elderly will be killed by mere suspicion.”

The propaganda armor of Duterte appears to have a vulnerable spot that opponents can concentrate their fire.  With weeks before election the opposition will start digging skeletons to drum up public interest on Duterte’s alleged involvement in the death squad murders that remain unsolved in Davao.