Could Anti-Duterte Prevail in May Election?

Philippine politics is a totally mess, some of the candidates are not fair. They are throwing dirt in the face of their opponents. They are trying to destroy the image or reputation of their rivals just to win in the game. Black propaganda is really rampant in election period. So, I'm would not surprise anymore if Rodrigo Duterte, my presidential bet could lose in May election. I will try to tackle some of the possible causes, if ever he lose as president despite of his popularity and appeal to the masses.

One of the possible reason is he has no machinery or lack of funds compare to his opponents. He don't have a backup of billionaire people. He is only depending to the help of some of his friends and volunteers. Look to his posters and tarpaulins, they are so simple. Yes, he have also TV ads, but it is not as many compare to his rivals. We knew that politics in our country, you need to spend a huge amount of money before you win.

The other thing, Filipino people are not still ready to embrace a new form of government. Duterte wants to build a federalism system, but the masses still have no idea what kind of leadership he want to implement our country. The campaign and discussion that he attended in the past is not enough to explain his agenda to the majority of the Filipino people.

Maybe other people could not choose Duterte as their president because of his vigilante style in terms of dealing with criminals. They doesn't want to believe on him with his promise that he can eradicate criminality within 3-6 months. For them, that is very impossible because he need a lot of time before he can do that. His critics are not impressed with his advocacy. For them, mistakes could not be corrected by another mistakes. If you kill criminal without any due process, it seems that you're also acting like a criminal. They also said that tooth for tooth or eye for eye is not already applicable in our generation. We must be civilize and be fair with our judgement with our fellow people.

Well, maybe the critics and bashers of Duterte has also a point, but it doesn't mean that they are totally right. That's their opinion and I respecting it. So, the should also respect if I choose Duterte as my presidential bet. If he could not win in May election, that's alright. It only means that the mindset of the majority Filipino people are not ready for the real or drastic change to develop our nation. They still clinging to the old system, a government composed of lies and corruption that burying us in the depth of poverty!

The Characteristics of My Presidential Bet

As of now, our country has a lot of problems from poverty, graft and corruption, criminality, etc. In this coming May election, we will choose who will be our president. It is better to choose the candidate that has already accomplishment. My presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte had already many accomplishment or contributions to this country. His characteristics will show us that he is the right person for the highest position in the Philippines.

1. Duterte is a brave leader. Because of his bravery, he made a totally change in Davao City. At first, when he was not still the mayor in this place, this was very chaotic. The insurgency incident was really high. The residents of Davao had no peace of mind; they was really affected to the chaos. But when Duterte came, the big conflict had gone. He is the kind of leader who knows how to settle trouble. He is a negotiator contrary to the image that other people who portrays him as a barbaric and trouble maker.

2. Duterte is an enemy of the criminals. He believed that criminals has no room in our society that's why he really hates them. There is a rumor that there is a death squad in Davao to eliminate those evil people. The mayor didn't admit it directly, but according to his position it is okay to kill a criminal rather than to kill an innocent people. He will not let the innocent people should become a victim of those criminal. It doesn't matter if the story about death squad in Davao is true or not, the most important, this city became one of the peaceful cities in the whole world.

3. Duterte hates illegal drugs. Yes, there is no drug den in Davao. Don't believe to the allegations from his opponents that they can score drugs anytime in Davao. It is very obvious that is just a black propaganda against Duterte. Drug lords and pusher or even drug addicts are welcome in Davao. If there is a drug den in his territory, maybe the crime rate there would be increased. We can't hear any news that the authority found any drug den. This is also the dream of every Filipino parents, our country would become an illegal drugs free. So, their children would not become a user.

4. Duterte is an honest leader. If Duterte become a president, for sure the graft and corruption in the government will end or it would be lessened. He will not tolerate the officials who are using the government funds for their own benefits. Why I said this? Duterte is an example of a leader who have an integrity. He never been involved in any anomaly since he was a persecutor until he became a politician. His lifestyle will prove that; look at his house which is very simple compare to the elegant houses of other politician out there. He have no luxurious cars, yacht or any very expensive material things. For sure, he will bring this simplicity in Malacanang if ever he become our president.

5. Duterte has a discipline. Most of the Filipino people has no disciplines. Other people said that this is one of the reasons why we our country is not become progressive because we are lack of discipline. In Davao, smoking cigarettes in public places is not allowed. The mayor just alloted an smoking area zone. You will pay fine if you will not follow that order. Fire crackers also is not allowed in Davao during New Year season. Duterte is very stick in terms of following with the law. He even let the traffic enforcer to confront him if he violate any traffic rules. He is not the kind of leader who is always asking for especial treatment.

Maybe the stated examples are enough to said that Duterte is the right leader that we should have in our country. Love him or hate him, he will just do his job for the sake of good governance!

Duterte: The Effect of Peace and Order in Our Economy

National election is already coming, we need to choose our leader that will shape the future of our country. So, we must vote wisely or else our hope would be wrecked if we elect the wrong leader. We knew that Philippine politics is really a mess. It is hard to find an honest and bright leader. Many politicians are crooks and greedy for fame, power and money. All of us are asking for a change; hoping that the greatness of our country would be regained.

For president, my bet is Rodrigo Roa Duterte because he has a capacity to improve our economy.

Why Duterte has a gut to improve our economy alhough his main purpose is to wash out the criminals in our country particular the drug pushers and drug lords. Of course, this kind of action is very important. If ever he eradicate the drug problems in our country, we would attain peace. We don't need to worry every time we walk on the street. We are competent that no bad guys would attack or victimize us. We knew that illegal drug is one of the main factor of social disorder.  It there is peace in everywhere, businessmen would expand their business. They will provide or create jobs for other people.

Aside from illegal drugs, Duterte is also promised that he will erase the rampant corruption in government. For sure, if he become a president, corrupt official has no room in his cabinet. He will also kick out those corrupt politicians from their position. I believed to this promise of Duterte. As a Mayor of Davao, he didn't involve in any anomalies. If we have a leader like Duterte, the red tape in government will be gone. We knew that it is hard to put a business here in our country because of red tape. Foreign investors are afraid to invest because they need to bribe some government workers or official before they can build their business here. If many investors will enter in our country, they can give opportunities to some of Filipino families.

Yes, Duterte is portraying as a tough guy, but his platform is very clear. For him, we need first to clean our society through eliminating drug syndicates and corruption in the government. In the end, if he already clean up our entire society, progress would be next in line. How about you my friend, who is your bet for president?

The CA Stops the Eviction Order Against CHJDevCo and the Third Party in Camp John Hay

           Let us congratulate the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) with their locators and subleases because the Court of Appeals granted their request to stop the eviction order of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court. Maybe the Bases and Conservation Development Authority (BCDA) are really disappointed to that decision. We knew that they are very eager to take over the camp. They have other plan; whatever it is, only Arnel Cassanova knew it.

            Before this, we already heard that Casanova forced to evict the CJHDevCo by sending armed troops inside the camp. But the company didn’t intimidate with that kind of monstrous act. They knew that it was only a bullying tactic of Casanova. Aside from that, they were also threaten the third party and ordered them to agree with their conditions, if not they will also kick them out. BCDA believed that once the mother contract has been expired, automatically the subcontract will also become null and void. They also argued that they are paying rentals to the CJHDevCo and not with the agency. It means that they don’t have any obligation to the third party.

            As what we have smelled, BCDA is harassing the CJHDevCo because they are trying to escape from their debt with them. But they can’t avoid it; the Court of Appeals ordered to the agency that they should pay first their 1.42 billion debts before the CJHDevCo can leave the camp. It is possible that their office will be bankrupted if they will pay such huge debt. Casanova is still in denial stage. He can’t accept that he is the loser in this situation. So, to strengthen his ego and to show power, he is harassing the developer and the third party.

            Of course, Casanova doesn’t want to accept that decision of the Court of Appeals that’s why they have a plan to appeal in Supreme Court. If he thinks that is the right thing for them to do, so do it! He may win in a case, but the perception of the public about him will not be changed. He will be remembered as a tyrant leader who is always looking for trouble and a big hindrance in the progress or development of Camp John Hay.

Camp John Hay in the Midst of Devastation

                Earlier this year, the arbitration court had already released their decision regarding to the dispute between the Bases Conservation and Development Authority (BCDA) and Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo). The Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. ordered to the CJHDevCo, the developer of the former American Bases that they should leave the camp. In exchange of it, the BCDA should pay first them an amount of 1.4 billion pesos which serves as a damage fee.

                At first, BCDA Arnel Casanova was very happy to the decision of the court because he was successful from his intention to evict the CJHDevCo in Camp John Hay. But the truth speaks itself; their agency is the loser here because they need to pay a huge amount of money to the developer. At least, the CJHDevCo can recover their investment over the camp. But how about them where they get the funds? This budget is a big loss from the national government. Instead to make a profit to the camp, now they have an instant debt to the investors. This was happened because of the wrong leadership of Casanova.

                Casanova can’t provide the 1.4 billion pesos that’s why he is harassing the CJHDevCo. In the month of April this year, the BCDA tried to evict forcibly the developer and the third party in the camp. The office of the Ex-officio Sheriff of the first Judicial Region Branch 6 of Baguio RTC served a notice against their group and to their locators and tenants. But the early eviction had been stop through the TRO that they got from the court. It seems that Casanova doesn’t want to follow the rule of law. Before this, he already sent a n armed group in Camp John Hay to threaten the developer and businessmen there.

                Based to the previous statement of CJHDevCo Chairman Robert Sobrepena, their company is really willing to surrender the camp in the hands of the government. But of course, as what the court had been ordered, the BCDA should pay them first their obligation with them. The RTC of Baguio City was already confirmed the PDRCI’s decision. The only problem here, the developer doesn’t know if Casanova is willing to pay them. It seems that the BCDA is doing a hocus focus to escape from their debt. The agency involved the third party to their dispute with the developer to make great trouble inside the camp. But sorry to say, CJHDevCo and the third party have been united to fight the abusive leader of BCDA.

                If we will look at the whole picture, aside from the government, the residence of Baguio City is the big loser because their local government can’t get anymore their share from the earning in payment rental.  Casanova destroyed the essence of the Public- Private Partnership Program of the national government. Instead to work with the investor, he is pushing them to go away. Maybe it is about time to kick out Casanova then demolish the BCDA because this has no significant at all. As what we learned, the BCDA was built to help the modernization of the AFP; but until now they don’t give any great contribution to our military people. And now, he is destroying the future of Camp John Hay which is known as one of the best tourist attractions in Baguio City!

The New Conflict in Camp John Hay

             For the ninth time the BasesConservation Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) ignored the invitation for a meeting of the local government of Baguio. This is to clarify some important about the issues in Camp John Hay. Their councilmen wanted to discuss about their 19 conditions which written in Resolution 362, Series of 1994. It tackles about their demands to the agencies like segregation of the 13 barangays, the local government’s share in rental fee in Camp John Hay, the provision of its own water source, etc. Then, the councilmen will also discuss about their intention to reclaim the camp.

            BCDA President Arnel Casanova said that he didn’t attend to that meeting because he and his other officers conducted a corporate planning. While JHMC President and CEO Jaime Eloise Agbayani said that she had a personal appointment in Manila. But both of them promised that they will attend next to the invitation of the local government of Baguio. Well, don’t hold with their words, it is very obvious that they don’t want to have a dialogue with the councilmen of Baguio.

            Before this, Casanova was already said that the 19 conditions have no longer importance because their contract with the developer is already invalid. The CJHDevCo will turn over them camp with them once they pay their 1.4 billion pesos obligation to the developer. But the local government of Baguio emphasized that disregarding the 19 conditions is an equivalent to ignoring the rights of the resident of Baguio City. They said contradicts the statement of the Casanova by saying that the contract is Camp John Hay is between the BCDA and the CJHDevCo and not with the local government of Baguio. So, they have the rights to reclaim the property which belong to their territories.

            Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan should file a complaint to the court to pressure the two agencies to listen with their demands. Maybe Domogan is also aware that Casanova is acting like a dictator in Camp John Hay by forcing the developer and the third party to vacate the camp. Casanova is not listening to any appeals especially from his opponents. As a law practitioner, he is really an expert in arguing even his logics are nonsense. The local government of Baguio can only obtain their demands if they will bring their arguments in a trial court.  They can’t force Casanova and Agbayani to attend in a meeting if they don’t want to show themselves. Of course, they want to protect their interest in Camp John Hay.

Arnel Casanova: The Peace Advocate Who Loves Trouble

                If we will examine the life of the BCDA President Arnel Casanova, we will learn that his story is very admirable. He has a humble beginning; he belonged to the poor family. As a matter of fact, he experienced to live in a slum area. But because of his perseverance he made it on top. He had degrees in English, Law and Urban Planning. He was attained his Master’s degree in Harvard University through the help of scholarship that he got from World Bank. Once he became a professor in Ateneo de Manila University. Because of his intelligence and being smart, he made to enter in public offices.

            Casanova had already received many awards. When he was only 25 years old, he awarded as a peace advocate. It is very far today, he became known as a trouble maker or a bully! In fairness to him, the government recognized him as one of the prime movers in our country. One of his accomplishments was when he converted the former military camp in Taguig into a business district. Then, he launched the SCTEX which is the longest toll-way in the Philippines.

            But in just a blink of an eye, Casanova destroyed his good image when he was involved in corruption and giving a favor to the companies which has a connection with him. Now, he is very controversial because of the trouble he made in Camp John Hay. Because of him, CJHDEvco which is the developer in the camp will be evicted because of Casanova’s personal interest. Because of him also, the government will lose a huge amount of money. The court ordered the BCDA that they should pay first 1.4 billion pesos before the developer leave the camp.

            Is the kind of people who received an award bout being a peace advocate? He doesn’t know how to settle a conflict. What he wants is to follow himself without thinking the affected parties like the local government of Baguio which is the biggest loser in this case because they will lose their revenues from the rent of the developer in the camp. He is not also thinking about the situation of the third parties. Instead, he involved them into their conflict with CJHDevCo. He also wanted to kick out the sub-leases and locators who invested their money in that place.

            Because of the wrong actions of Casanova, it seems that the future of Camp John Hay became uncertain. What’s next after the developer leave the camp? What he will do if he if ever becomes successful from his plan to evict all the third parties? How he can manage the place effectively? Where he can get earnings if there are no running businesses there? It is very clear that Casanova has another plan for the camp. It is very possible that he will pass it to his allied companies. Of course, to do this they need to give him payola!