IN PAGADIAN Pledge of support for Duterte 2016

by Chito A. Fuentes

PAGADIAN CITY – Supporters and admirers on Monday pledged their support and loyalty to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte by “helping him fulfill his destiny as the next president of the Republic of the Philippines”.

While Duterte stood helplessly to witness the solemn moment, everyone who was inside the venue in the federalism forum raised their hands and recited the pledge of support from copies distributed individually by the local organizing committee of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Committee.

“I…a peace and freedom loving Filipino citizen, fully aware of the contemporary problems of our country, strongly believe that true and genuine change must effected in order to address our problems on criminalities, drug trafficking, insurgency, poverty and moral decay,” the pledge noted.

Even the waiters who served the food inside the Pinoy Grill restaurant paused from their duties, raised their right hands and recited the pledge.

The pledge of support for Duterte’s presidential bid culminated the forum on April 27, an activity that had to be rescheduled after bad weather aborted the mayor’s first visit last Jan. 26.

Duterte still fended off the calls for a presidential run that seemed to have fallen on deaf ears as his audience lapped up every pronouncement he made on major issues and policies if he were the president.

He already discussed these in previous forums: no more taxes for those earning P25,000 and less, declaring a revolutionary government, abolition of Congress, increase in the salaries of teachers, policemen and soldiers and restoring the death penalty.

A brief press conference was held after the forum where Duterte reiterated that he feels he is too old for the presidency.

He also discussed at length a nagging spinal condition which he said requires constant therapy and medication.

The mayor also pointed to the huge war chest required to launch a presidential campaign which he placed at “P10 to P15 billion”.

Duterte said his mindset was to retire and in fact was only waiting for his daughter, former Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, to declare her willingness to seek the post she held from 2010-2013.

At the end of the forum, however, it seemed as though his audience never heard the reasons he gave why he does not want to run when everybody stood up to recite the pledge solemnly.

Duterte excused himself from the forum saying he had to pay a courtesy call on Zamboanga Sur Gov. Antonio Cerilles, whom described as one he knew for a long time.

The mayor said that his father, the late Davao Gov. Vicente Duterte, was a good friend of the governor’s father, ex-Gov. Vicente Cerilles. The two Vicentes were stalwarts of the old Nacionalista Party.  

Duterte also said he visited Pagadian many times in his younger days – when he needed flying hours when he was studying to become a pilot, and by motorcycle on the way to Zamboanga.

Traffic slowed down near the venue of the mayor’s speaking engagement as passersby strained their necks trying to get a glimpse of the emerging Mindanaoan leader who is now having his hands full trying to fend off a growing clamor to put him in Malacanang next year.

According to the pledge of support recited by his supporters, after a thorough evaluation, they have concluded that Duterte is the leader “who can achieve our people’s elusive dream of restoring peace and order in our country which will lead us to economic prosperity for all”. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Duterte's Federalism: people flock to see the singer, not just hear the song

by Chito A. Fuentes

PAGADIAN CITY – To many people, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is no longer just the “face” of federalism.

Duterte has declared on many occasions that he is going around the country for the cause of federalism, a task which was entrusted to him by virtue of his being the most prominent government official from the country’s second biggest island.

During a recent federalism summit in Valencia City, Bukidnon, Duterte revealed that the task was given to him by former Assemblyman Ruben Canoy and ex-Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. who are among the federalism pioneers in Mindanao.

Canoy, who was seated prominently on stage inside the tightly-packed gym, nodded in agreement.

Duterte insists that federalism is the country’s “last card” to avert a breakdown in peace and order in Mindanao if the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) fails.

The BBL faces rough sailing in Congress and is expected to go up all the way to the Supreme Court due to questions on constitutionality in certain provisions.

Unfortunately for Duterte though, his passionate campaign for federalism has unwittingly captured the imagination of more and more Filipinos who have since realized that he could be their “best card” in next year’s presidential elections.

The more he deflects questions about a presidential run, the more the question pops up in his sorties.

While Duterte’s strong following was expected in Mindanao and the Visayas where his exploits as city mayor of the country’s biggest city have become legendary, his visits to different places in Luzon showed he is not entirely unknown there.

Recently, Duterte visited Calapan City, Mindoro, Romblon and Daet, Camarines Norte and the huge turnouts there showed warm welcome for the urban legend.

Slowly, people in many places of the country have started to take a second look at federalism – a political system completely alien to many Filipinos.

As subsequent events showed, the people are in fact turning up in huge numbers for the “singer” and not exactly the “song”.

The persistent calls for him to aspire for the presidency have refused to die down despite his persistent refusal and, in fact, has gained ground instead.

His strong showing in two recent surveys only served to fan the flames.

Duterte tied for third with Manila Mayor Erap Estrada in the Pulse Asia survey conducted in the first week of March.

He again tied for third with Secretary Mar Roxas, the presumptive bet of the administration Liberal Party in the Social Weather Stations survey.

In both polls, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe finished 1-2.

On Monday, Duterte will again tackle federalism in Pagadian City, originally one of the first cities on his schedule for the federalism campaign.

Bad weather cancelled the first schedule last Jan.26, prompting a special trip today to fulfill a promise he made to return.

The poster boy of federalism will once again tackled his advocacy with the same passion that he has shown in all his previous speaking engagements.

There is enough reason to expect though that like in all his previous engagements, many people are coming for “the singer and not the song.”

And like what happened in all of his previous engagements, the question he dislikes to face will again mostly likely pop-up: will he heed the call to run in 2016? 

No matter what his answer will be this time, there is no denying that Duterte is no longer just a “face” of federalism. To many people, he has become a symbol of hope in a country where there are so many reasons to feel helpless. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Duterte: our hope vs. drug syndicates

In Basud, Camarines Norte on Thursday Mayor Rody Duterte warned that the illegal drugs trade would become a serious national security problem, including narcopolitics where politicians work in cahoots with drug syndicates to bleed our country to its knees.

Only a strong-willed leader able to resist drug money and command respect among law enforcement agencies can we find hope to win against this world-wide menace, which among others, victimized many of our OFWs like Mary Jane Veloso.

Editorial Cartoon of Manila Standard Today, April 26, 2015

She is scheduled to be executed for alleged drug-trafficking in Indonesia on Tuesday.

Duterte is our only hope if we are to win the war against drug abuse in the country and save the lives of OFWs unwittingly used as drug mules!

Duterte to fulfill Pagadian promise

by Chito A. Fuentes

PAGADIAN CITY – Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will be arriving in this city Monday to fulfill a promise he made just over a month ago.

Duterte was scheduled to speak at a multi-sectoral forum on “Peace and Order, Insurgency, Economic Development and Political Reform” at the Saint Columban College (SCC) gym last Jan. 26.

His trip was aborted by heavy rainfall at the Pagadian airport which made it impossible for his plane to land.

The private plane which flew him to Pagadian from Zamboanga City circled the airport three times but the extreme weather conditions prompted the pilot to abort the landing.

Supporters and sympathizers who prepared a warm welcome for him both at the airport and the SCC gym were clearly saddened but were pleasantly surprised when Duterte’s voice was heard sometime after the aborted landing was announced. 

Immediately after landing at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao, Duterte took pains to relay his personal apologies to the people who wanted to hear him speak.

Speaking through phone-patch, Duterte assured his Pagadian audience that he will push through with his visit.

On Monday, Duterte will honor that promise.

Among those who will welcome the mayor at the airport are his fraternity brother, lawyer Paul Jumawan and Barangay Captain Matt Nian.

He will pay a courtesy call on Gov. Antonio Cerilles at Balay Timuay where he will also be treated to lunch.

At 1:30, Duterte will speak at the federalism forum at the SCC gym which was organized by the Mayor Rodrigo Duterte movement, the same group that invited him last January.

He will briefly meet with local supporters before flying back to Davao.

A lot of things have changed since the mayor’s aborted trip.

While he has consistently declined the calls for him to run in next year’s presidential elections, Duterte has become a legitimate contender according to poll surveys.

Duterte tied for third with Mayor Erap Estrada behind the faltering Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe in the last Pulse Asia survey.

Mindanao came out strong for its most prominent political leader when Duterte topped the polls with 35 percentage points, the highest rating in the said survey.

Duterte again tied for third, this time with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas behind Binay and Poe in the Social Weather Stations poll less than a month later.

Both surveys were held when Duterte was merely starting with his listening tours which have taken him to various parts of the country.

While his strong showing in Mindanao and most of the Visayas is expected, the huge and warm turn-outs in different parts of Luzon has surprised even rabid supporters.

Duterte’s track record in turning around Davao City from a virtual basket case in the early 80s to the top five economies among cities in the country has titillated not only businessmen but virtually all sectors of society.

His firm and uncompromising stance against crime is the main reason why Davao is now considered the fourth safest city in the world in contrast to its violent reputation as the country’s version of the killing fields.

Add to that his graft-free reputation and proven competence, it is no wonder people insist to prod him to run in spite of his protestations.

Duterte has tried to tone down his speaking engagements saying he is merely pushing for federalism, but most of the time he leaves his audience gasping for more.

The man who only agreed to become the “face” of federalism has now been catapulted to the threshold of a presidential run by those who see him as the best card in a country that has run out of options. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Internet is making OFWs a major voting bloc in 2016

A Pinoy chef in a hotel in Jerusalem noticed that the feeds in his FB page are mostly about Duterte.

A volunteer in Singapore posted an invitation for a meet up in Sentosa for those rooting for Duterte. The same had been done by those organizing from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong to California to Milan, Italy.

There is now a long list of Duterte videos in Youtube that can rival those of rock stars.

Part of Youtube listing of Duterte materials

A priest in one Catholic school in Manila wondered how Team Duterte is dominating the social media in so short a time.

Social media indeed has partly fueled the popularity of Davao Mayor Rody Duterte and his steady climb in presidential surveys. It has become a handy tool in raising awareness about the much-admired mayor of Davao, and organizing to back his Listening Tour around the country.

The role of social media in elections in other countries had long been established. Back in 2004 as blogging became popular, a French finance minister wrote "no one in France would become President unless he blogs!"

President Barack Obama has not only won over his rival John McCain in the US elections in 2008, he had beaten the money machine of the Republicans in crowdsourcing funds through the internet. This election marked the entry of many young and new voters pulled in through the power of social media. Today, Obama tweets much like most young people.

In the Philippines, the use of social media was still limited during the past two presidential races. But for the 2016 elections, it will definitely play a much bigger role. There are now also new apps available that can make election campaigns ride faster in the internet superhighway.

Connecting and networking among supporters of Mayor Duterte and his advocacy on Federalism are simply phenomenal. There are now Duterte support groups almost everywhere all over the country and around the world because of the power of the internet.

Overseas

Most OFWs connect with their relatives and friends back home through the internet. There are now 1.167 million Filipinos abroad who are registered under the absentee voting law. That's a far cry though from the estimated over 11 million who are out there toiling to send home money to their families. Most of them have lost hope in our political system. They left precisely disillusioned by the lack of opportunities in our country and shunned the circus-like elections here.

Moreover, there is a low turn out of OFW votes due to several factors such as difficulty to leave work, distance to polling areas in embassies and consular offices, etc.

But today and in the elections next year, it appears that just like the increasing power of the internet in our elections, OFWs will be making a loud political statement. They will be active. They will be campaigning among themselves and among their relatives back home. They will be voting in droves. They will be voting for change in the homeland. And all because they see hope in Rody Duterte!

Feedback:
First feedback received "... there are now active chapters in, California, Fukuoka and Nagoya, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, Australia, Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, England-UK, Malaysia, Thailand.".

Quiboloy on What happens in Davao

Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy is celebrating his birthday tomorrow. We are reprinting here his column article in the Manila Standard Today last March 2, 1015:

What happens in Davao

The story is that on the few times the presidential convoy had gone  to Davao City, it had to obey the local speed limit rules which range, depending on the location, from 30 kilometers per hour to 60 kph, tops.

His guards can whisk the President off in breakneck speed in other parts of the country—except of course In Manila where  his  procession of muscle SUVs   is no match to the immovable traffic—but in Davao, the car with the No. 1  license plate had to follow speed limits.

Some may not believe this story as true but the next one is challenge-proof: The  smoker-in-chief can’t just light up anywhere in  the country’s  third biggest city.

Davao  is one big no-smoking zone and anyone,  ruler  or pauper, who breaks the rule  will be reproached,  vocally if not by  disdainful stares  by citizens.

Even senators, generals, taipans   who  smoke  know the rule when they go to Davao:  before you enter, deposit your habit at the door.

They  have, however, all the freedom to publicly rattle their  smoker’s cough, even in the middle of a speech,  but stealing just one quick  puff  in  a public place is a no-no.

And the police have been known to issue tickets to those who violate the law without fear or favor.

The ex-mayor of Davao, daughter of the incumbent, had  to pay a fine when the car she was driving was clocked at 50 kph in a 40 kph zone.

The mayor’s personal lawyer, late for an appointment in which he was to represent the mayor himself, had to   pay the fine after  he was caught overspeeding.

Out-of-towners  on government cars, thinking that they are  exempt from traffic laws,  learned too late  that the red plates of their cars  do not  make them invisible to  speed radars.

One  general  was reportedly given a no-smoking ticket by a  PO1  when he smoked in a sidewalk in front of a hotel.

Though the ones related to smoking and speeding get to be retold , there  are many stories  on how ordinances on other matters   are strictly implemented in  Davao City.

The ones on  taxi drivers, for example.  They have to flag down the meter, which in Metro Manila is become more of an option   than a rule.  They can’t be choosy with passengers or they get the boot.

In Manila , when a taxi driver returns a cellphone a passenger has left behind , he is feted for doing  a rare act, short of pinning a Medal of Valor on him, when  the same is a ho-hum, no-big-deal thing in Davao, where taxi drivers are expected not only to return but deliver left items to their owners.

While  in many  parts of the world, a taxi ride begins with  the  locking down of the fare  and the doors, in Davao no such precautionary ritual is needed.   

The mayor is even  known to  drive a taxi at night  ( though  he rarely does it these days, I am told)   as his   way of patrolling the streets,  and  get  citizen feedback.   

While he may be coy about sharing his  nocturnal excursions,   many of his passengers, however,  have bragged about  their nighttime chat with His Honor  behind the wheel.

His detractors have tried to portray these as publicity stunts. This accusation however falls on the face for the simple reason that he is no publicity hound, a trait that is counter-intuitive among politicos.

Davao is no epal country. No giant tarpaulins bearing his image cast a large shadow on the city.

The norm it seems these days is for a  local government executive to   hang a giant streamer announcing the installation of the   water faucet below,  but that disease has not infected the Davao executive.

In his city,  the mayor does not contribute to the visual pollution. There are no “thru the efforts”  billboard    beside city projects.  No outdoor, oversized greeting cards, the ones which say ‘Happy Graduation’ , blot the landscape.

City programs are not branded according to his initials, which is de rigueur  in other places

There were attempts to   name public infrastructure  after his late parents , both eminent public servants in their own right,  and he all shot them down.

In  many cities, business permits come with  tin plates, the same size as a car license plate,  which are changed every year, clearly  a money-making venture.

In his city, a  sticker is just stamped  on   old  plates as proof that the permit has been renewed which speaks volume on how ease in doing business is being pursued.

And speaking of permits, the mayor has been known to dress down city hall bureaucrats who do not issue them on time.

He says businessmen who create jobs and  pay taxes  should be treated as heroes.   There is this story of an emissary of a taipan who wanted to gift him with a gigantic  ang pao of sorts , in appreciation  for welcoming  a big project to the city.

The  mayor, barely controlling his anger, did not  accept it and politely told the emissary that it should be the city which should be thankful for the investments it had received .

Some would dismiss the above as personalistic, paternalistic  management styles which are of no use when  one becomes the CEO of the country, where everything is  macro and there’s no time for retail politics.

The other criticism is that street level problems should not bother the occupant of Malacanang.

On the contrary, I believe that so-called national problems today are municipal in nature, like traffic, street crimes, poor schools, garbage, flooding  which one who had the experience in grappling with is in the best position to tackle on a national scale.

We need leaders who have encountered these in real life and not just in Powerpoint slides.

We have to search for leaders who have  done things and not just  take crash courses and memorize buzzwords the World Bank, the chamber of  commerce, the NGO types love to hear and then package themselves as presidentiables.

Steady climb

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. (John Quincy Adams, American statesman and 6th President) 

Mayor Rody Duterte's support rating has climbed steadily from practically nothing last year to 16.2% in the latest polling by the Magdalo partylist group (April 14-16)

Duterte sprung a surprise with a 12% rating in the first survey this year by Pulse Asia (March 1-7). This high rating of support for someone new on the national stage was validated by the SWS survey (March 20-23) at 15%.

From this survey, the trend is very clear that the more Mayor Duterte goes around the country for his Listening Tour, the more people are attracted to the chief executive of the one of the most progressive and peaceful cities in the country and his advocacy for Federalism.

In the 4-month period, it appears Duterte is gaining at least 4% support on average. That is equivalent to 2 million a month if there are 50 million voters in the country.

What is even more amazing is the grassroots nature of his spectacular rise backed by countless volunteers here and abroad with practically nothing but the hope that the country could be better ran by someone with a vision for a federal-parliamentary shift of government, and someone with passion to carry this dream come true.

Padayon!

Support coming from all over the world

This site is barely a week old, but it has attracted readers from almost all over the world. Here is the list of the top 10 countries where supporters of Mayor Rody Duterte and his advocacy on Federalism came from.

Please note that many OFWs follow the interesting events in the country related to the Listening Tour.

Our hats off particularly to OFWs in the Middle East, the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Japan and Singapore.

There are now 1.167 million OFWs registered in the absentee voting system. Many have not voted in the past but are now enthusiastic and they are vowing to vote for Duterte if he finally runs in 2016.

We are now receiving a list of organizers abroad and we shall feature them in the Page - Contacts abroad. Check them out regularly.

Southern Star

Soon to become the whole nation's pride ...

His survey ratings last month were remarkable. From 0% last year to 12% in Pulse Asia; from 5% to 15% in SWS; and now, Novo Trend reports he got 8.8% in Metro Manila.

There is no other way but up for the rising star of the south!

Overseas voters now 1.167M

Daghang salamat to James Jimenez, spokesman of the Commission on Elections for sharing this latest stat report.

IF I BECOME PRESIDENT - Duterte tells Chinese: You better watch out

by Chito A. Fuentes

VALENCIA CITY – China has reason to watch out if Mayor Rodrigo Duterte becomes the next president.

The tough-talking mayor was winding up his talk on federalism in this city Wednesday when he suddenly shifted to the controversial Chinese incursions into Philippine territory.

“Kung ako ma-presidente, bantay lang mo mga insika mo (If I become president, you Chinese better watch out),” Duterte declared, drawing laughter and applause from his audience inside the Valencia City gym.

Admitting that he has Chinese blood on his father’s side, the mayor appeared determined to decisively deal with the perceived Chinese aggression into Philippine territory. 

The aggressive Chinese posturing in the disputed West Philippine sea has slowly stirred national pride among Filipinos who resent the bullying – and the county’s apparent helplessness to do something about it against the emerging economic and military giant. 

Duterte, however, showed he already has a plan on how to deal with the problem.

“If I am the one to decide, I will cut Palawan lengthwise into two. The inner half will remain with us. The outer half I will lease to the United States,” the mayor said in Cebuano.

Duterte hinted that he will be willing to lease the allocated area to the Americans for, “say, $5,000 a month” where they will be face to face with the Chinese. 

“You can kill each other there,” he added.

He said the two countries are “there for each other anyway”, in reference to the fight for political supremacy between the US and China in the Asia-Pacific region.

In another forum in Palawan, Duterte said however that if the Chinese stopped their incursions and return to the original territories prior to their recent moves, he will in turn send US troops home.

“No more Balikatan,” he added, referring to the war exercises that are being opposed by leftist organizations suspicious of American intentions to perpetuate US presence in the country.

The mayor has repeatedly opposed American presence in the country and categorically declared he will not allow drones in Davao City.

Duterte’s aggressive position on the Chinese incursions is opposed to the position taken by Vice President Jejomar Binay who is pushing for bilateral talks between Manila and Beijing over the disputed South China sea.

“China has money, we need capital,” Binay was quoted as saying during his interview with Station DzYM in Catarman, Northern Samar last April 12.

Rappler said Binay made his comments days before President Benigno Aquino III said China’s actions in the South China Sea “should spark fear” around the world.

Like Duterte, Aquino has Chinese blood.

 In particular, Binay called for a “joint venture” between the Philippines and China in developing the natural resources in the South China sea, a part of which Filipinos consider the West Philippine sea. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Go away mga bad sa eleksyon!

The Gs in Philippine elections

Panahon ng pre-Martial Law - 3 Gs (goons, guns, gold), 

Panahon ni Marcos - 4 Gs (goons, guns, gold, government machinery)

Panahon after EDSA People Power - 5 Gs (goons, guns, gold, government machinery, gimmicks) Naku wala palang pagbabago!

Panahon ni Gloria - 6 Gs (goons, guns, gold, government machinery, gimmicks, Garci)

Panahon ni PNoy - 7 Gs (goons, guns, gold, government machinery, gimmicks, Garci, glitches ng PCOs)

Sa darating na Panahon ni Duterte - Go away ang mga bad sa eleksyon! 

Duterte rises 5 to 15%, becomes viable alternative to Binay - SWS

Another surprise: Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who had said in February that he had no intention of running for the same post, similarly added 10 points to 15% from 5% previously -- putting him in third position with Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II, who lost four points to 15% from 19%. 

 “(Ms.) Poe (-Llamanzares) and (Mr.) Duterte have become viable alternatives to (Mr.) Binay, based on their latest survey ratings.” - Prof. de Vera III

Please click to read the details.

I might think about it: Duterte in Valencia

by Chito A. Fuentes

VALENCIA CITY – “If you look south and it’s me you see, and if Gov. (Jose) Zubiri is beside me, I might think about it,” Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said at the conclusion of his speech here Wednesday.

It touched off a thunderous applause instead.

Duterte has been categorical about his disinterest in the presidency and he said so again at the start of his speech during the “Summit on Federalism and Current Issues” at the Valencia City gym.

Jampacked crowd give Mayor Duterte standing ovation upon arrival at the 4,000 seat Valencia City Gym in Bukidnon. Photo by Chito A. Fuentes

He recalled that he was merely chosen to give a face to federalism by two of the region’s elder statesmen, former Assemblyman Ruben Canoy and ex-Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. which is the reason why he is going around.

Canoy, who was seated at the presidential table on stage, nodded in agreement.

Duterte once again expressed his concern about the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is facing rough sailing in Congress.

The mayor had repeatedly warned that violence will break out in the event that the BBL fails.

Duterte, however, made it clear that he is merely hoping for the passage of the BBL “for the sake of peace”.

The mayor pointed out that if the BBL is given to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the government is bound to give it to all.

“There must be equality of the law,” he stressed.

The BBL has come under closer scrutiny after the Mamapasano incident with at least four senators voicing opposition to it. 

With the BBL hanging in the balance, Duterte said the problem is that the government has no plan B.   

“Nobody is minding the store,” he added, pointing to the uncertainty in the region which he said will again be the battleground.

Duterte was eagerly awaited inside the 4,000-capacity gym. The audience stood and clapped as he made his way to the stage and once again when his turn to speak came.

There was no mistaking the agenda of the gathering with tarpaulins welcoming Duterte saying: “the Filipino people should support a presidential candidate who promises during his incumbency (a) federal parliamentary form of government will be a reality.”

Zubiri left no doubt about the importance of the gathering, pointing out that only one of Bukidnon’s 20 town mayors and two city mayors was absent while all 464 barangays were represented. 

Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri's leadership is manifested with all but one of Bukidnon's 20 town and 2 city mayors were at the front seat to listen to Mayor Duterte's advocacy on Federalism. Photo by Chito A. Fuentes

Also present were Representatives Jose Zubiri III, Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba and Rogelio Neil Roque.

Former Sen.Miguel Zubiri also graced the event.

The scene inside the gym was a virtual microcosm of Mindanao: indigenous peoples in their ethnic costumes, government officials in their office uniforms, religious leaders, ordinary citizens and soldiers and policemen.

The welcome fit for a president was not what Duterte wanted, but which he could do nothing about.

In the end, he was left with little choice but to acknowledge that he might just think over what he said is like “a distant star”.

For people in a region that has been looking north since the birth of the republic, there is little doubt it is time to look south. 

 With the elections still more than a year ahead, that is good enough for his audience who rewarded him with a thunderous applause. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

People are trooping under Duterte's banner

Mayor Rody Duterte started his Listening Tour only on January 22 in Butuan City. In matter of weeks he has covered many provinces in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. His schedule is pack up to June and he plans his first overseas consultation with OFWs in Hong Kong next month.

See how the people reacted to his Tour. This Quick Poll was taken in three cities in Mindanao between February 5 and April 6. There is a steady rise in his support as more and more people became aware of his advocacy and the possibility that he may throw his hat into the presidential race in 2016.

In the March 2015 Pulse Asia survey, Duterte got 12% support from 0% in November 2014.

In Dagupan City on February 18, he announced that "he could run if only to save" our republic from fragmentation in the aftermath of the debacle at Mamasapano, Maguindanao where 44 members of the Special Action Forces on an arrest mission, and 23 others were killed.

Federalism, he has asserted, is an alternative we need to prepare in case the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law gets rejected and the peace process collapses. War is not an option, according to the long-time Mayor of Davao.

So far, Duterte is the only "presidentiable" carrying a clear change agenda, that of a shift to a federal-parliamentary system to bring about real transformation to the country to address pestering issues on peace, development and good governance.

Under a federal set up, the task of nation-building is shared by the national federal government and states or regions which have more powers and resources, including those of areas in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.

The other presidential wannabes have business-as-usual programs.

It is of little wonder, throngs of Filipinos clamoring for real change are trooping under his Federalist banner.

Survey confirms Mindanao is Duterte's bailiwick!

In the March 1-7 Survey of Pulse Asia, new entrant Mayor Rody Duterte got 34% support in Mindanao. 

Well, here is a clear confirmation of that result. Rody Duterte got 41% in this Quick Poll survey done in Iligan City on April 6, a day before he arrived to be the guest speaker at the MSU-IIT graduation.

He left behind the 10 other "presidentiables" by a mile. The second placer got only 12%.

But, what is truly remarkable is the Wishing to Voting Conversion Rate of Rody Duterte. He got a phenomenal 60.3% rating, almost double the nearest wannabe, and six times the tailender. This means six of every 10 of those wishing him to run would vote for him.

It is therefore no fluke to hear ordinary Mindanaoans predicting that Rody Duterte will win here by a landslide. Mindanao is truly his bailiwick!

MINDANAO’S EMERGING POLITICAL STAR - Duterte in Valencia City: A homecoming of sorts

By Chito A. Fuentes

VALENCIA CITY – It will be a homecoming of sorts for federalism and Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday.

Duterte will be in Bukidnon’s most populous city on April 15 to speak at a forum on peace and order and federalism.

Gov. Jose Zubiri and Mayor Azucena Huervas are expected to welcome Duterte, the emerging political star of Mindanao who surged out of nowhere to a tie for third with Manila Mayor Erap Estrada in the last Pulse Asia survey.

Duterte, who garnered the support of 34 percent of those polled last March 1-7 in Mindanao, is a virtual neighbor to the people of Bukidnon which shares a boundary with Davao City.

Moreover, Zubiri is one of the pillars of the contemporary federal movement in Mindanao who unanimously chose Duterte to speak for federalism on the national stage.

The motorcade which is the first leg of the city’s welcome for Duterte will traverse the main streets before proceeding to the Valencia City gym.

At the conclusion of his talk, Duterte is expected to field questions not only on federalism and peace order but on the hottest topic in Mindanao these days: the possibility of finally sending one of its sons to Malacanang.

Duterte is fresh from his whirlwind Luzon sortie that included speaking engagements before bikers in Tagaytay City, cooperative members in Calamba, Laguna, billboard advertising executives in Manila, his fraternity brothers in Lex Talionis Fraternitas and an audience with Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla of Cavite’s second district and Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla.

The rockstar reception for Duterte in Mindanao and the Visayas was expected due to his biological and personal connections but the surging support for him in Luzon is evident.

The mayor has been welcomed by relatives in his visits to Cebu, Tagbilaran, Ozamiz City and Iligan. He has standing invitations to clan gatherings in many parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Duterte, however, is not just about the big political and economic clans that are proud to welcome him in places where they have a significant number of members. 

His numerous achievements in the 23 years that he has been city mayor of Davao have attracted national attention at a time when the country needs a strong, decisive and credible leader.

Duterte’s two main assets – law enforcement and disaster response – just happen to be the areas where the country is weakest.

The breakdown in law and order and the emergence of powerful crime syndicates is one concern that almost always leads people to look to Duterte.

On the other hand, the failure of government agencies to prepare for and address the damage wrought by calamities particularly “Yolanda” which broke the record for the strongest typhoon ever to make landfall makes Duterte even more attractive.

Duterte has also remained as the most – if not the only – relevant voice in the aftermath of the Mamasapano debacle when he continues to champion the cause of peace while most Luzon-based politicians play to the gallery with their “all-out war” rhetoric.

“If the (Bangsamoro Basic Law) fails and violence breaks out, Mindanao will be the battleground,” Duterte almost always emphatically declares in every federalism forum he has graced.

This is common sense to every Mindanaoan who knows the horrors of war.

And this is one thing that separates Duterte from all the others who claim they have what it takes to lead this country.

Dates with destiny

Please share and spread the word around. Every Filipino here and abroad must know their dates with destiny!

Destiny could bring them together

Ha ha ha! Some may find this hilarious or even "rody-culous." But hey destiny could bring these two lawyers and former members of Congress together ... the first woman president of the US, the first Mindanaoan president of the Philippines. Hillary can then give tips to Rody on how best to pursue Federalism! And Rody giving his two-cent's worth on how Hilary should fight crime in America!

Constituency for change

In her column at the Manila Times, ad executive and political and election management expert Malou Tiquia writes:

"If the framing of the presidential debate for 2016 is continuity versus change, one needs to look at the survey results and see that there is an incipient constituency for change ..."

Reading from the current political landscape in the country, she must be referring to no other than our Federalist movement led by Mayor Rody Duterte. Incipient maybe, but there is no doubt that we are gaining ground and gaining headway fast. On Valentine's Day, I wrote Federalism: at the fringes today, centerstage soon. 

In only about three months, Federalism and Duterte have been thrusts into the national agenda. Not bad!

I sent the following comment:

"Duterte is clearly the only presidentiable with a concrete change agenda - shift to federal-parliamentary system to address problems on peace, development, good government. All the others are business-as-usual."

Post your selfie moments with Rody

There is an official FB site "Selfie Moments with Rody" where you can post your selfie, groupie or other photos with Mayor Rody Duterte.

The Listening Tour is still in the planning stage to acknowledge and to give tokens to the best photos in different categories. Our listing of prizes is still a work in progress and would like to crowdsource from you.

If you think selfies are for the young, look at these lawyers wanting to have their perfect shot with Mayor Rody!

Ready ... one, two ... smile!

(At the 45th Lex Talionis Frat anniversary, April 12, Photo by Roldan Gorgonio)

Northern swing

Godspeed to our Luzon Coordinator, William "Butch" Ramirez, former chair of the Philippine Sports Commission. During the past few days he was busy making sure the visits of Mayor Rody Duterte to Tagaytay City, Laguna and Cavite would be OK.

Yesterday, he was in Zambales. Today, he is going up north to La Union and into the heartland of Ilocandia. He is doing the preparatory work for the northern swing of the Listening Tour into Central and Northern Luzon in the coming weeks.

(Listening Tour Team at the Manila Yacht Club last March, from right, Ramirez, former Rep. and DOTC Sec. Bebot Alvarez, Peter Laviňa and Roldan Gorgonio)

Calamba, Laguna Visit April 12

(Photos by Roldan Gorgonio at the General Assembly of the Southern Global Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Mt. Makiling, Calamba, Laguna)

The survey says ... it's down and up

The SWS, via Businessworld, has been releasing piecemeal the results of its March 2015 survey. Last Monday, it was about the nosediving performance rating of PNoy. Today, the decline in the satisfaction rating of Binay.

Both downward trends have been widely expected by the people.

Actually, the much-awaited portion of the survey is about the preferences for the 2016 elections. Let's expect it to be released next Monday, if not earlier.

I believe the SWS results would affirm the earlier Pulse Asia poll which saw the spectacular entry of Mayor Rody Duterte into the rating game from 0% in November 2014 to 12% in early March.

A support level of 12-13% for this First Quarter polling would indeed be a great result.

It's clearly down for them, up for us!

Valencia City April 15

Program for April 15, Valencia City, Bukidnon
Hosts: Gov, Jose Zubiri and Mayor Sunny Huervas
Part I - Arrival and Motorcade to Valencia City Gym
Part II - Forum on Peace & Order and Federalism, Q&A and Turn-over of Pledges of Support to Mayor Rody Duterte
Part III - Caucus with Youth Leaders and Multi-sectoral Leaders

Our ground coordinator is Atty. Aimee T. Neri, six months on her family way but still active to ensure this Listening Tour will be another success.

I am also extremely happy with the two Laviňa Clans in Valencia who are all-out for Rody Duterte and his advocacy for Federalism. The Tamay Lang branch led by Tatay Juaning has eldest son as Vice Mayor and a daughter a former City Councilor. The Laviňa-Alkuino branch has a former Provincial Board Member, and two former City Councilors.