Despite what its various spokesmen say, the new order is not doctrine holds despite the post-Marcos
t-Marcos Constitutions
markedly different from previous administrations in the fight
against corruption, or the drive to fill the infrastructure
deficit, or even the pursuit of peace. I write this knowing that
excellent people are in charge of certain key departments,
including Ernie Pernia at Neda, Liling Briones in Education,
Judy Taguiwalo at DSWD. I realize that Vice President Leni
Robredo has been given the room she needs to make an
impact in housing. I know that peace stalwarts like Jess
Dureza and Irene Santiago are hard at work to build on what
has been done before.
But if there is a difference, an improvement, in these matters,
it is a difference in degree. And as far as the anticorruption
campaign goes, the new administration may be said to
retrogress. (See third concern below.)
On three concerns, however, it is clear that the Duterte
administration is fundamentally different from other post-
Marcos administrations. Change has come, in three deeply
unsettling ways:
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The killing spree. Unlike any other presidential candidate in
Philippine history, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte campaigned on a
promise to kill fellow Filipinos as many as 100,000
criminals, he said, whose corpses will clog Manila Bay. Was he
indulging himself in hyperbole, or merely joking, or in
earnest? Some 4,000 kills later, the answer should be clear.
He was dead serious.
Many of the dead were innocent; most could not have been
beyond rehabilitation (or, in theological terms, redemption).
Hardly anyone was given the benefit of due process.
The notion that rival drug gangs are killing each others
members is an elaborate fiction; has there been any gang war
anywhere in the world where the rate of kills is steady, night
after deadly, dystopian night? The execution of Mayor
Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte, was carried out by
policemen who have vigorously defended their actions;
supporters were quick to describe the killing as gang-related.
Leftist organizations supporting Mr. Duterte say the Espinosa
killing, at 4 a.m. in his jail cell, was a setback for the war on
drugs. Isnt the more logical explanation simpler that
Espinosas death, publicly ordered by the President, is exactly
how the war on drugs is waged?
The pivot to China. Administration spokespersons speak of
an independent foreign policy, but the series of actions the
President took to welcome China as an ally in lieu of the
United States preceded any invocation of the constitutional
principle. This is something the President truly wants but
during the campaign he did not breathe a word of it to
anyone.
A cogent geopolitical strategy can be argued as driving the
pivot except that it is against the countrys interests to
create unnecessary enemies. And the Presidents own
security cluster had no inkling before the first announcement.
The rehabilitation of the Marcoses. We do not know what
President Duterte thinks he owes the Marcos family, but we
know he has flirted with the idea of Ferdinand Bongbong
Marcos Jr. as his vice president and successor.
I wish to be clear. His running mate, Sen. Alan Peter
Cayetano, who abhors Bongbong, topped the vice
presidential contest in Region XI; we should give due credit to
Mr. Duterte, who clearly campaigned for Cayetano despite a
vigorous, Nograles-clan-supported Duterte-Marcos alliance in
Davao City. The Marcoses, however, enjoy the Presidents
confidence enough for him to wager his political capital on a
Supreme Court decision.
We still do not know, as of this writing, whether the Court will
allow the dictators remains to be buried in the Libingan ng
mga Bayani. But it should be clear to all that, if it rules in the
Presidents favor and allows the burial on narrowly legalistic
grounds by essentially holding that the political question
innovation, the Courts power to call out abuse of discretion
it will play a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of the
dictators family. Instead of affirming the perennial primacy
of country and Constitution, it will only confirm the
prerogatives of a mere and temporary president.
Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/99058/dutertes-
three-changes-are-here#ixzz4siaRGwCD
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LIST: Duterte admin's 2016 accomplishments
The Duterte administration reports that it delivered on
several promises in its first months in office from cutting
down red tape in government agencies, to waging a war on
drugs, to creating a color-coded map for agricultural crops
MANILA, Philippines Was 2016 really the year of change in
the government?
You yourself can judge based on the accomplishments the
administration of President Rodrigo Duterte listed in its year-
end report, which covers everything from his war on drugs to
caring for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
During the year, Duterte also made a total of 22 visits to
military camps and 4 visits to police camps.
Here are highlights of the accomplishment report with
updates from recent news articles.
War on drugs
1,007,153 drug users and pushers surrendered to
government.
42,978 pushers and users arrested as of December
30.
73 government officials arrested for involvement in
illegal drug trade, as of October 7, 2016
2,166 drug personalities killed during police
operations as of December 30.
5,868,832 houses of suspected drug personalities
visited by police to invite them to surrender to
government for rehabilitation, under Project
Tokhang.
Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation
Center in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija inaugurated.
It is being run by the Department of Health.
P1.266 billion worth of illegal drugs seized by BOC as
of end of November 2016: P933.3 million worth of
shabu, P314.7 million worth of cocaine, and P17
million worth of ecstasy.
New PNP Special Action Force troopers deployed to
guard New Bilibid Prison in place of old security.
Economy
10-point Socio-economic Agenda of Duterte
administration presented to international and local
business groups, foreign institutions and
governments, and other stakeholders.
Draft of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion
Act submitted to Congress. It is meant to exempt
most Filipinos from paying taxes while collecting
revenue from affluent taxpayers and corporations.
17 major projects approved by National Economic
Development Authority Board.
Online streaming of closed-circuit television
launched by Bureau of Customs (BOC) as measure
against corruption.
 P1.3 billion worth of smuggled goods seized by BOC,
including smuggled rice, fuel, fake clothes and
cigarettes.
93.3% of P409 billion target for BOC revenue
collection collected as of December 2016.
Reduction of red tape
1,419 cities and municipalities (87% of total)
streamlined processing of business permits and
licensing systems to involve only one form, 5
required signatures, and a maximum of 5 steps. This
was facilitated by the Department of Interior and
Local Government.
Bureau of Internal Revenue begins simplification of
the processing of tax clearances and certificates
authorizing registration for real property and shares
of stock to 3 to 5 days. Use of credit, debit, or
prepaid payments cards and payment centers are
added as options to encourage tax payment.
Care for Overseas Filipino Workers
One-stop service center for OFWs opened at the
Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) in
Mandaluyong City. It has served 219,697 clients as of
December 7, 2016.
P455.1 million in emergency assistance extended to
10,233 OFWs displaced due to drop in oil prices in
the Middle East. Of these, 2,401 availed of the
governments repatriation program.
Overseas Employment Certificate no longer a
requirement for vacationing OFWs. Their exemption
from travel tax and terminal fee also being eyed.
Transportation
Inter-agency Council on Traffic formed by
Department of Transportation for more streamlined
system for addressing traffic. The council includes
Metro Manila Development Authority, PNP-Highway
Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office, and Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
401 colorum vehicles impounded
6,883 illegally-parked vehicles towed
5,738 sidewalk vendors cleared
Validity of drivers license extended from 3 years
to 5 years
Drivers licenses applied for from January to October
2016 can now be claimed in 36 LTO licensing offices
in Metro Manila
No report of laglag-bala (bullet-planting scam) since
start of Duterte administration
Punctuality of take-off of airplanes (on-time
performance) at the Ninoy Aquino International
Airport (NAIA) improved to 78% from 47% due to
strict enforcement of rule that pilots must take off
within 5 minutes or be put at the back of the line.
Fleet of 21 premium Mercedes Benz buses launched
to bring passengers from NAIA to Makati and Roxas
Boulevard.
Labor
2,531 workers found to be under abusive end-of-
contract system regularized after Department of
Labor and Employment inspection of establishments,
principals, and contractors.
3-day maximum processing time for Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) applications
implemented.
Fight vs terrorism
597 major military operations conducted against
Abu Sayyaf Group by the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP).
94 ASG bandits killed, 21 surrendered, 17 captured
ASG leaders Nelson Muktadil, Braun Muktadil, and
sub-leader Mohammad Said among those killed
during operations.
44 combat operations launched against Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters and Maute Group by AFP.
50 BIFF or Maute Group personalities killed as a
result of operations.
3 suspects of the September Davao City bombing
arrested 32 days after incident.
Agreement signed with Malaysia and Indonesia to
enhance military cooperation in addressing piracy,
kidnap-for-ransom, terrorism, transnational crimes
in common maritime areas.
Military personnel deployed for mobile check points,
visibility patrols, and other security-related activities
in cities like Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, General
Santos, and Metro Manila in order to comply with
declaration of a state of national emergency on
account of lawless violence.
Foreign relations
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secured the
release of 5 Filipino seafarersamong crew of Omani
ship hijacked by Somali pirates.
DFA helped drum up support for Philippines
chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations in 2017. With help from DFA, President
Rodrigo Duterte visited 8 ASEAN countries.
Duterte made visits to China and Japan.
Duterte participated at the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Leaders Meeting in Peru.
Health
First CT Scan in Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in
Shariff Aguak inaugurated by Department of Health.
Telecommunication
Department of Information Communications
Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications
Commission, and telecom companies agree to
standardize voice call charges between different
networks to P2.50.
Law and order
911 National Emergency Hotline launched
Agriculture
The Presidential Agrarian Reform Council, the
highest policy- and decision-making body on land
reform and land disputes, is reconvened for the first
time after 10 years.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
distributes land ownership awards to 50 farmers in
Cebu City, 35 farmers in Sorsogon, 175 in Occidental
Mindoro, and 300 in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.
5,586 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations are
assisted by DAR.
A P40.7 million rubber processing plant turned over
in Banisilan, North Cotabato by DAR.
2,865 common service facilities turned over to
farmers by DAR.
P1.9 billion worth of loans released to 516 farmer
organizations by DAR.
Color-coded Agri Map launched on December 1,
2016 by Department of Agriculture (DA). Maps are
supposed to help the government and investors
determine what crops can best be grown in
particular areas based on soil properties, elevation,
water availability, rainfall pattern, hazard risks, and
climate change vulnerability.
10,632 beneficiaries receive 5,581 gill nets and
10,271 other fishing gear from the DA - Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
 12,484 beneficiaries receive 53.15 million pieces of Suspension of warrant of arrest of Moro National
fingerlings, 3441,388 kilograms of seaweed Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari for 6 months
propagules, and 3,155 sets of seaweed farm so he can participate in peace talks.
implements from BFAR. Peace talks with the National Democratic Front
Education Unilateral ceasefires of the military and New
600,000 out-of-school youths pass the Accreditation People's Army
and Equivalency Program, certifying them as eligible Yolanda rehabilitation
for either high school or college, as part of the 49% or 3,965 out of 8,000 target Yolanda families
Alternative Learning System program of the transferred to resettlement sites in Tacloban.
Department of Education (DepEd). Transparency, anti-corruption
Guidelines issued on utilization of funds for the Executive Order on Freedom of Information (FOI)
Madrasah Education Program by DepEd for public signed.
schools with Muslim students. Freedom of Information online portal launched by
Energy Presidential Communications Operations Office
26,321 households connected to energy supply by with 312 requests as of December 22, 2016.
Department of Energy and private sector. Of this, 130 out of 185 (70%) of departments, agencies, and
2,662 were identified as priority for energization. government-owned and controlled corporations
Philippine Energy Plan 2016-2030 create their own FOI manuals.
Update completed by DOE. The plan is supposed to 8888 Citizen Complaints Hotline launched.
set the strategy for short, medium, and long-term
goals for electrification in the country.
Two major power plants begin commercial
operation: 414-megawatt San Gabriel natural gas
power plant, and 97-megawatt Avion natural gas
power plant.
Environment
41 metallic mines audited by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to
ensure compliance with responsible mining
standards. Of these, 10 were suspended, 20 were
recommended for suspension, while 11 were given
the passing rate.
DENR hotlines launched: #DENR or #3367 for
landline and 0917-868-DENR or 0917-885-DENR for
mobile.
Public works and highways
Hotline for citizens to report, ask, or make
suggestions about any Department of Public Works
and Highways project launched. Text hotline is 2920
while landline hotline is (02)165-02.
Weather
271 new weather stations installed by Department
of Science and Technology (DOST).
Zamboanga Doppler Weather Radar System installed
by DOST
Social welfare
P9.1 million worth of relief assistance given to
victims of natural disasters.
P135.3 million worth of emergency shelter cash
assistance provided to 27,052 households affected
by Typhoon Lawin.
Tourism
Memorandum of Agreement for Philippines hosting
of Miss Universe pageantsigned by Department of
Tourism and Miss Universe Organization.
11.65% increase in tourist arrivals as of October
2016.
Trade and industry
35.5% increase in investments registered with the
Philippine Board of Investments from January to
November 2016 compared to same period in 2015.
Department of Trade and Industry, DILG, DICT sign
Joint Memorandum Circular shortening processing of
business permits to a maximum of 3 days.
Peace process
Executive Order creating Bangsamoro Transition
Commission signed.
4 meetings held with Moro Islamic Liberation Front.