Who needs "Game of Thrones"?

When you can have Philippines Politics

A point worth noting: Senator Santiago told us all that she had lung cancer. She said it was at Stage 4. If that is correct, she has., as I understand it, a 1% chance of being alive in six years time, so a vote for Miriam Santiago is a vote for BongBong Marcos.

Probably a maximum 10% of sufferers with Stage 4 are likely to survive 5 years in the UK. I'd guess that's normally quite a bit less in the Philippines.
Miriam's cancer cells apparantly had receptors which could be effectively blocked by using a newish type of drug which targets only on the cancer cells. The drug was Erlotinib which, luckily for her, is reported to have an overall response rate about 50% better than standard chemotherapy.
It's a good match for her and she's able to afford it.

Thank you for the additional information.

Here is the Wikipedia article on the 2016 Presidential election. One should be aware that wealthy Filipinos very often ask their staff to edit their own Wiki pages.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_presidential_election,_2016

I still think we have not heard the last from Duterte.

Dic

I don't know Duterte, but did know, and indeed helped, and wrote speeches for, another high profile Mayor, Dick Gordon. I fancy Duterte is a similar character. Able to get things done, but with an ego the size of a house.

I don`t really know much about him either..Is a NPA communist sympathizer?
Looks that way if the report below is correct..
I have no personal opinion about the man but I get the feeling that he may still run for President..
Just biding his time?

DAVAO CITY—Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was in a meeting on Wednesday with ranking military officials in Southern Mindanao when he got a call from communist party founder Jose Ma. Sison.

Duterte took the call and recalled telling Sison to give up the armed struggle and he would consider running for president.

According to Duterte, he was at dinner with the ranking military officials when his phone rang and Sison was on the other line.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/711403/duterte-to-joma-ill-run-if-npa-yields-arms#ixzz3p3Kcehoy
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

No! I need Game of Thrones!

One reason why I'm going to UK, to sit on the Iron Throne! Hahahahah...

As much as I want him to run, I'm getting sick of these back and forth statements of whether he's going to run or not.
I say just move on.

Oh and he's a Marcos loyalist by the way...

Bong Bong Marcos is almost a sure-win candidate for the Vice presidency. I mean who else is he up against?

• Alan Peter Cayetano
• Francis Escudero
• Gregorio Honasan
• Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
• Leni Robredo
• Antonio Trillanes

Cayetano is a smart man, not much support.
Escudero at one point was a very popular and influential senator, but various controversies including that Heart Evangelista marriage brought him down.
Honasan is like Cayetano, not much support.
Robredo, is a smart woman, not much support.
Trillanes is a traitor and an opportunist in the most negative sense.

Escudero is probably the only one who can challenge Bong Bong.

If Bong Bong becomes vice president, it's almost guaranteed he'll run for presidency next. Even if nothing bad happens to Miriam. And hope nothing does. She's alright.

Robredo is the interesting one.

She is running, not because she wants to be Vice-President (she genuinely doesn't) but to throw her support and, more important, her reputation for integrity, behind Mar Roxas for President.

I have no time for Santiago; she is an attention grabbing flake; always has been, and is she is considerably richer than she ought to be... her husband was in the Bureau of Customs, and she backed the law that permits holders of US$ bank accounts to keep them secret - join the dots...

Mate, in Philippines politics, there is no one who is clean.
Why else would you run for politics? To help people? Come on, you can do so while not being in politics. Do some charity work or build schools.

It's been true for the Roman Senate, it's still true for the Philippines.
Power and influence...

It's not a choice between saint and sinner.

It's about who's the lesser evil.

At least, she is still sly enough to hide her wrong doings. Unlike Binay who doesn't care anymore. It's art, what she's doing. Not just outright thievery, not tasteless.

I know it is still a crime, but you have to admire the logic and maneuvering. Subtle,

As long as you can give back to the country, and not just take and take, you're alright.

I am reposting here a comment made by Philip Lustre on his Facebook page about Duterte. Philip is a friend of mine, and writes for the Inquirer:

Quote


TIME TO SPEAK OUT TO CLOSE THE ISSUE

I deliberately did not speak out on my mind on my reported tussle with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte because of recent developments, which could only complicate the issue at everybody’s expense. For a while, I let old dog lie, so to speak. That was the most prudent thing to do. Since, the issue has been cascading into a conclusion with me at the losing end, I am compelled to air my side.

I did not immediately speak out on the issue because Duterte’s refusal to file to certificate his candidacy on Oct. 16 has created new dynamics between the Davao City Mayor and leaders and supporters of the informal movement launching his presidential bid.

I did not want to be caught between Duterte, who was then having a hard time explaining his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, and those leaders and supporters, who were experiencing mounting feelings of bitterness, frustration, anxiety, embarrassment, and loss of face – or even collective anger - for pushing hard on the presidential candidacy of a reluctant Duterte.

It was difficult for those leaders and followers to accept the fact that the very leader they had learned to idolize and put on a pedestal was leaving them hanging in the air. It was the height of black comedy that despite the massive goodwill and support they gave him all through the months of pushing his presidential bid, they would end up losers – the ones who were being blamed for his withdrawal.

To add to the complications is out of my character. To exacerbate those dynamics would not do any good for me – and for the rest.

Duterte probably felt that his withdrawal from the presidential race would somehow vindicate me. I was the one who wrote that he has throat cancer. Despite all those vehement denials and cyberbullying I had from his supporters, I stood on my story. I stand to gain tremendously from his failure to run for president.

Duterte saw to it that I would not have that vindication. This was the reason he launched his attack on my person. He probably thought it was best for him to make the scapegoat. I am a small fry and I qualify to become the perfect scapegoat. This way, he could justify his withdrawal before his irked followers.

I am reminded by what a netizen told us in one of my posts and she quoted former Rene Saguisag as saying that the Duterte was only good in bullying the weak and powerless. I am inclined to believe Saguisag’s statement.

But I felt vindicated. Duterte himself confirmed in radio interviews that he was suffering indeed from some ailment of the throat and esophagus. Although he did not say it was cancer, he claimed to suffer from constriction of the blood vessels in those parts of his body. Personally, I hope it was not cancer although my source told me otherwise.

LP presidential candidate Mar Roxas denied any knowledge of what I wrote, saying it did not come from his camp. That was correct and that was what I was saying since day one of the controversy. My source was not from the Roxas’s camp.

I am not bothered either by the fact that Roxas disowned any knowledge of personal acquaintance. Why would I? I would not insist before the prying public eye that he knows me because it is not prudent for a serious presidential candidate.

Politics is a contact sport. It does not pay for any serious presidential candidate to have unnecessary baggage, particularly for someone who in truth and in fact that does not work for Mar Roxas. It amuses me no end, although in a Tempo article last Sunday, Mar said he knows me although we have not met for years. That is the truth.

Besides, I have been critical of Duterte since I wrote why I against his presidential bid nearly two years ago. I was categorical in saying that I opposed – and I am still opposing – his advocacy of vigilante justice and federalism.

As a victim of the martial law regime, I opposed and still opposing vigilantism because it could lead to dictatorship. I do not want to see the rise of a local version of Pol Pot, who justifies the summary execution of criminals without undergoing the legal and judicial processes. I believe in the rule of law.

I also believed and still believing that federalism is a lost cause and that our people had rejected it in previous elections. I also believe that federalism could lead to the dismemberment of our country into separate states.

Hence, my opposition to him was – and had always been – grounded on the basis of my personal convictions.

The radio interviewer, Anthony Taberna, wanted to make fun of me when he talked to Duterte and Roxas over the airwaves. I do not have the time to deal with this KUPAL broadcaster. Probably, in the future, I will.

I rest my case. I hope my statement would close the issue.

Unquote.

We are already separated.

Philippines is Luzon-centric.
Even though Visayas and Mindanao has much larger resources.

Then you have separatist movements in Mindanao.

And because of what? Lack of sharing of resources.

It's like a cycle. Time to break that cycle once for all.

This republic-type of government is not working for us. The ways of the US is not applicable because we are a much smaller country. And for such a small country, we have too many politicians. It creates severe redundancy when it comes to responsibilities.

You see senators acting like governors or mayors. You see governors or mayors acting like congressmen. You see presidents acting like senators. No one follows the job descriptions anymore.

If they fear separatist movements then make sure that the laws are constructed and will be implemented well. If people still don't follow, then may the bullets have mercy on them. A strong and prosperous nation, needs disciplined citizens.

http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/109892-how-much-country-lose-political-dynasties-2016

The "rule of law"? In the Philippines? How anyone in their right mind can have any confidence in the Justice system here is beyond me.
Justice for the rich and powerful yes..In that,I have the uttermost confidence..
Some suggest that Duterte has a game plan to run for President and has the means to do so by replacing a dummy candidate already installed.
I have absolutely no idea if there is any truth to this but it is a very real possibility.
Personally,I don't care either way. As a foreigner it is none of my business.. Good entertainment though for a bit.

Duterte. “If I have to kill you, I’ll kill you. Personally.”

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – If 70-year-old Rodrigo Duterte became President of the Philippines, he would work to make 3 things happen. He counted them on the fingers of one hand: “I would stop corruption, stop criminality, and fix government,” he said forcefully.

Here’s what makes him different: he’s willing to kill to make that happen.

“When I said I’ll stop criminality, I’ll stop criminality,” said one of the Philippines’ longest serving mayors. “If I have to kill you, I’ll kill you. Personally.”

I held his gaze to see if he meant what he said. He did. His track record proves it.

In public office since the people power revolt in 1986, he ran and won as mayor of Davao City in 1988 until he hit his 3-term limit in 1998. He then ran for the House of Representatives and represented the 1st District of Davao City. He was elected to his 4th term as mayor in Davao in 2001 and reelected again in 2004 and 2007. Hitting his term limit a second time, he ran as vice mayor to his daughter until he received a new mandate as mayor in 2013.

In terms of land mass, Davao is the world’s largest city, and Duterte’s leadership helped transform it from the chaos of the 1980’s – a safe haven for criminals and rebels – to what residents now proclaim as an oasis of peace today. IBM proudly announces that Davao is the first "smart city" in the Philippines, integrating technology and big data from public services for a real-time dashboard to better deal with crime prevention, emergency response, threat prevention & response and traffic management.

City officials boast that it’s one of only 3 areas in the world to have an Integrated Emergency Response System 911 (with Canada and parts of the US) that works and brings help within minutes.

There is tremendous respect and admiration for Duterte in Davao, where a movement that gathered millions of signatures – far more than its one-a-half million people - is pushing him to run for president in the 2016 elections.

Although he missed the deadline to file his candidacy, a technicality could allow him to still run. He says he has until December 10, 2015 to decide.


Read more at..
http://www.rappler.com/nation/polit...l&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Hehehe
The game continues.
I watched him on TV and he just said wait until December 10
It's a risky game he's playing unless his close supporters know his intentions. Although having said that most folks here suggest that's his normal style

All this stuff about killing people is largely playing up to his media reputation. He maintains a very good control on criminality here in Davao City and has 100% from the citizens living here who are often his eyes and ears.

Oddly many politicians involved in drugs, corruption, murder and kidnap don't receive such bad press.

Run Duterte Run !

PDP-Laban decision final: Duterte to substitute if Diño withdraws presidential bid

PDP-Laban has made it official that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will substitute as the party's presidential bet if aspirant Martin Diño withdraws or is disqualified by the Commission of Elections (Comelec) from the 2016 race.

Former South Cotabato Gov. Mike Sueno, PDP-Laban national chairman, read out the party's resolution on Tuesday (October 27).

"Wherefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved to substitute Martin Diño in case he withdraws from the presidential race with Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte," Sueno read.

The unanimously-passed resolution said Duterte "must dutifully abide by the decision" to ensure the party’s victory.

The party considers Duterte its “strongest presidential hopeful.”

Sueno confirmed they had made Duterte aware of the resolution and were waiting for his response. In an interview with CNN Philippines' News.PH last October 21, Duterte confirmed he would follow the party's decision.

Source

Such delicadeza!

You might almost think he didn't want the job!

(I suspect that in Leni Robredo's case, the reluctance is genuine, but she is doing her bit for her late husband's Liberal Party, and will pull votes for Roxas - she is certainly my favourite candidate - when shown the now famous photo of Congresswoman Robredo waiting for the bus, her first response was "my bum looks big!", which tells me it was a genuine snapshot by a passer by, not a staged photo-op)

What a surprise and how convenient! Ayyy Yay yay!!

Diño withdraws from presidential race, asks Duterte to run in his place

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — PDP-Laban presidential candidate Martin Diño is withdrawing from the 2016 national elections.

Diño filed his "statement of cancellation or withdrawal" on Thursday (October 29) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Law Department and named Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as his substitute.

His decision came after a petition was filed by the Comelec's legal office to declare him as a nuisance candidate.

Atty. John Castriciones, Diño's lawyer, said the case before Comelec had already become moot and academic with the filing of the withdrawal of candidacy.

Related: Duterte's children to back father's possible presidential run

Asked if the Davao City mayor already had agreed to the substitution, Diño said the party's decision to have Duterte replace him in case he withdraws his presidential bid will stand.

Duterte had earlier said numerous times that he does not aspire to become president, but later announced — and confirmed on CNN Philippines' news.PH — that he would yield to the party's decision.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015...rodrigo-duterte-president-2016-elections.html

Run Duterte Run