robbo462003

Another perspective on the state of the Nation from Francisco Tattad of the Manila Times. This journalist is a real Thorn in Du30`s side for anyone interested in how the Philippines Government fails it`s people. It all began with Aquino, will DU30 now finish it? - The Manila Times Online

LPR

Very interesting read.

Raffin

A shame that the great majority of people here would not read anything like this. Note that the Manila Times online tries to protect itself by putting up another opinion piece side by side with the Tattad article, one which is critical of international media coverage.

On the way to becoming a "failed state" or not, the President currently enjoys high net satisfaction ratings. Probably an element of cult following, but recent Presidents have also mostly been well thought of while in office. Filipinos seem to just let their Presidents get on with it for 6 years.

If Tattad is correct the country must rely on those politicians who got more than 40% of the votes in last year's election to reverse policies, and very few of them seem to want to speak out. A 17 year old has to die before they do. In a failed state the government loses control, but here it seems not to be doing that...just the opposite!

robbo462003

For the time being you are correct. How many Former Presidents been prosecuted at the end of there term in office?

Stokkevn

And then immediately released by the one following.

LPR

Perhaps the people are resigned to the fact that whoever is in charge their lives will remain the same.

Raffin

Agree. Conditions are ripe here for dictatorship, benign or otherwise. People Power is now ancient history. Critical media eg ABS-CBN is being threatened, under the cover of an attack on elites.

The consensus among economic forecasters seems to be that despite the Drugs War, Mindanao, NPA and all the corruption, electoral controversies the Philippines is set fair for sustained growth over the coming years. I'm not so sure. If ordinary people's lives actually start to get worse in a couple of years time there may then be pressure for political change.

LPR

It's surprising that given the usage of social media in the country that, the youth especially, haven't started to push for a better life there.

Stokkevn

The problem here is that the social hierarchy system where people are frightened to speak to someone who is considered to be higher up the social ladder ( job title ). Of course those with really important jobs like an assistant councilor work it to their favour.

Raffin

I suppose social media campaigns, petitions etc could get around this, but I suspect that way of using social media is not going to take root here, despite the Philippines being a top user of these platforms.

Du30's 2016 election campaign was widely considered to have used social media very successfully, if sometimes unfairly, in conjunction with an effective traditional media campaign. But similar to Trump's in the US, the base supporters who ran the social media effort during the election campaign just aren't of a mind to hold their elected leader to account now he's in office.

What we do have now is Malacanang proposing to accredit social media bloggers:

PCOO to accredit social media publishers, users - CNN Philippines

expatuk2017

Been here now 6 years
if i stand outside the front gate and look left and right hardly anything has changed
Go up to the National Highway and theres the Road widening scheme.
In the main town area theres a new Jollibee making 3 now.
Theres the slow invasion of Henry Sy with Savemore and Alfamart stores
And new Hospitals. Driving around i still see people living in makeshift wood
And old roofsheet homes.and woman doing their washing in the street.
I see old woman begging ,children playing with paper bags.
Overall for the ordinary Filipino nothing has changed.
Its like all other countries those in power and those who are rich
Only think of themselves and live in their own little bubbles.

mikemike

There are 3 national rules here, that must never be broken

Me
Myself
& I

Raffin

An nicely put, accurate assessment of what is plainly obvious.

Bread and Circuses or rather Rice,Shopping and Fast Food.

Billions on infrastructure won't do much for the ordinary Filipino. Federalism and Charter Change won't do much either. Some improvements in the bureaucracy when dealing with government agencies, but I can't see any policies that will lift the living standards of the millions living close to the poverty line.

Don't want to be a Cassandra but after 5 more years they may even be worse off.

LPR

It all starts with education.