Name: Gabriel Fernando DG.

Yang
Strand and Section: ABM 11 – St. Adrian
Reaction Paper (What Lies Ahead for The Philippines’ Duterte)
President Rodrigo Duterte was elected three years ago on the back
of a reputation as a strong and decisive leader. He also stated that he
would eliminate drugs, crime, and widespread corruption. Despite growing
outrage over his strong-arm tactics and unconventional leadership style,
President Duterte remains popular after three years.
The May 13, 2019 midterm elections were widely viewed as a
referendum on Rodrigo R Duterte's first three years in office. According to a
Social Weather Stations survey conducted in April, the midterm elections
are being held at the height of his popularity, with a record high of 79
percent satisfaction ratings. Duterte endorsed the majority of the 18,066
national and local candidates who ran for the positions. The
administration's nine senatorial candidates won, as did the majority of its
governors, mayors, and local legislators.
I have disliked Rodrigo Duterte since the 2016 election because of
his brutal ways- the hype was uncontrollable, and he unfortunately won.
Duterte's drug war has killed thousands of people from the lower classes
while protecting the suppliers, the higher-ups. Furthermore, in my opinion,
dealing drugs and using drugs are two distinct offenses. They should be
handled in very different ways. This killing of drug addicts and users is
inhuman. Focusing enforcement efforts on small-town addicts and users
with force and violence undermines the credibility of law enforcement and
the entire government. The Philippines is now in the international spotlight
for all the wrong reasons. Worse, it resulted in the death of innocent young
children. Allegations of human rights violations are affecting the country's
relations with traditional allies, as well as its affiliation and commitment to
the United Nations. Despite the fact that no concrete action has been taken
thus far, it is clear that the backroom talks have begun to take their toll on
Duterte, who has become increasingly agitated in public and has taken
steps to remove the PNP from the War on Drugs mission.
Former presidents have faced criminal investigations for wrongdoing
after leaving office. Rodrigo Duterte appears to be invincible at the
moment. But three years from now, when he leaves the office, he will have
a difficult time. President Rodrigo Duterte has stated that his possible vice-
presidential run in 2022 is intended to shield him from legal consequences
for wrongdoing, claiming that the position grants him immunity from legal
action. However, Mel Sta Maria, dean of the Far Eastern University Institute
of Law Pacifico Agabin, has stated that the vice president's immunity is not
guaranteed by the Constitution.
People have not taken to the streets to protest President Duterte's
rule. Unlike in 2001, when the Second People Power Revolution overthrew
the former President Joseph Estrada. I can see clearly that the Filipinos are
scared of Duterte, because of his violent reputative. Instead of assisting us
in building a more civilized society, Rodrigo Duterte is driving us into
dehumanization. And if we let him, he will continue to use the presidency's
power and resources to escalate his brutal war on the poor, establish a
dictatorial regime, and bring us into a modern dark age. Duterte has still not
been impeached because he has threatened opponents with prison if they
attempt to impeach him.
Reference/s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGu95RYP7x8&t=345s
https://www.rappler.com/duterte-says-run-vice-president-immune-from-suit
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-duterte-idUSKCN1TT0HA