Beginning of an end

Ric Maulion

“Statistics is just like bikini. It might appear insignificant. But not until you take away the external trappings revealing the beauty and value inside.” – maxim from DAR-Agusan del Sur Operation Division

WOW! What a journey it has been for Juan de la Cruz since President Duterte officially occupied Malacañang last year. Depending which perspective and where you stand,  undoubtedly Duterte’s presidency ushered in changes more than what we all have bargained for. It augurs well to ordinary taxpayers who are relieved to see initial campaign promises fulfilled.

Dropping Damocles’ blade to cut the services and boot unfits out of the government was also a welcome development. Kicking out enterprising officials suspected of dipping their hands into government coffers was also a fresh air of transparency. The rest was treated Juan to a roller-coaster ride — an unending drama and circus over corruption issues in the Lower House and the Senate. Fear was sent down the spine of others what with the spate of killings on the “war on drugs.” There was bloodbath; thousands of fatalities spread all over, from the slums to concrete pavements. These painted the whole archipelago red and, figuratively, turned fishes at Manila Bay fat.

Wild, Wild West? This could be it, you might exclaim. Why not? You may add your own observations depending how creative and sensitive your imaginations are. Indeed, we have already crossed the threshold and are now living in  a brave new world.

Most of these observations happened within the six-month timeline set by the Duterte administration. It has been stretched ad infinitum because of the temperament of the President.

The public, supporting his crusade, sang alleluias to high heavens, giving imprimatur to the kind of political will displayed. Why not, really? With the initial 6,095 registered fatalities on Dec. 14, 2016 (2,102 were suspected drug personalities killed in police operations while 3,993 were said to be extra-judicial killings–figures ballooned to  roughly 13,000 killings over time), who could not be elated that the figure topped the 3,240 estimated martial law victims from 1972 to 1981, the 2,977 killed in the 9/11 attacks in the US, and the over 2,500 casualties in Thailand’s “war on drugs” in 2003. This and many other surprises are certainly things rabid supporters could brag about.

It’s no wonder that even the international community has begun to notice the type of governance of the Duterte administration.

Only in the Philippines. Why not?

But this was way back then when most Filipinos were a captive audience and when bystanders were thrilled over the fast political developments gripping the country. All the political developments happened during the traditional 100-day honeymoon, and it was understandable. But just as not all marriages are made in heaven, the relationship turned sour.

It’s a downhill from here for Duterte, wrote scholar and lawmaker Walden Bello who predicted that Duterte would be losing moral momentum in the end. This was validated by senseless killings around to include what he believes to be state-sponsored abductions and killings highlighted by what happened to teenagers Kian delos Santos, Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman.

Gone is the living legend, says ACT Teachers’ partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio,  noting the negative environment that is aggravating the public’s frustration.

Add the P6.4-billion shabu controversy involving President Duterte’s eldest son Paolo who is Davao’s vice mayor.

There was also this measly P1,000-budget for the Commission of Human Rights, a sick joke courtesy of the administration’s congressmen.

Worse, Duterte bullied and threatened of the head of an independent constitutional bodies, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

“It’s very hard to face the problem if the problem is your face” is making Juan more restless over Sen. Antonio Trillanes’s allegations of corruption by the presidential family, and the senator challenging Duterte to just sign a waiver pertaining to his bank transactions that supposedly involves over P1 billion amassed through the years. As usual, Duterte dodged apparently because he knows the irreversible impact and consequences of a waiver. So, he just played around with Trillanes.

Add the ongoing Marawi crisis.

When would all these be resolved? Let’s wait and see.

But the signs are clear which was why Tindig Pilipinas came to the rescue.

People are seeing his popularity gradually going down the drain. This what the Sept. 23-27, 2017 SWS survey results confirm. There’s no need to debate — a survey is a scientific tool determining the pulse of the nation on a certain issue. From the very good 66 percent net satisfaction rating, Duterte’s approval registered a two-digit or an 18-percent drop, giving him a 48-percent rating. The figure is dropping faster than the average, SWS noted.

But as usual, the President is undaunted. As he would always dish out, “The 16 million votes are the real statistics!” That digressed from the issue as a cover-up. And then the President threatened to declare a Revolutionary Government.

“Panic mode,” says Philip Lustre, a former journalist.

Meanwhile, Tindig Pilipinas is into a signature campaign aimed at pressuring the President to sign the waiver. It is gathering steam. “No way,” his rabid trolls and apologists exclaim.

This is developing at a time when China is aggressively occupying further some of West Philippine Sea territories.

Where will all these lead to?

The pattern is evident, and it’s a no brainer. Rocket science is not even  required to make an educated guess. Yes, the battle lines are starting to form!

E-mail: rfm09164261887@yahoo.com