Rock star with one song - Change is coming!

by Chito A. Fuentes 

“Graft has to stop!”, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte told a highly-partisan crowd in Taguig Sunday evening at the concert MAD for Change: Tunog ng Pagbabago.

The rock start sings a hopeful tune - Change is coming!

Duterte decried the sickening bureaucracy that has bred a web of corruption in government which in turn is one major reason why the country is lagging behind its neighbors in terms of development.

“Dito sa gobyerno…ano ka dito 48 signatures,” he gave as example to prove his point.

With 48 signatures, he said the investor will have to fork over a significant amount particularly those involving economic enterprises and industries.

He said that there transactions where investors shell out P300,000 to P500,000 or even P2 million to P3 million for the needed document.

The mayor also cited as example the processing of land clearances where there are so many signatures and payments before the title is releases.

“I don’t care how you do it but I will just give you 72 hours,” Duterte said, citing his policy in Davao.

After 72 hours, employees are no longer allowed to release the document which has to be forwarded to his office with an explanation on why it took more than three days to finish. 

The 2016 most-awaited presidential candidate who beat the deadline set for substitutions did not disappoint a loyal fan based that waited near midnight for his appearance.

At its peak, the crowd estimate at the Taguig concert held at McKinley Hill was placed at more than 30,000.

The bailiwick of his running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, was entertained by volunteer musicians including Jimmy Bondoc, Paolo Santos, Luke Mejares and Thor who sang “Takbo” which was released in a last-ditch effort to prod Duterte to file before the deadline last Oct. 17.

Also present were Davao-based musicians who compose the Musicians and Artists for Duterte (MAD) for Change several months back including Popong Landero and Jimmy Cabrera and folk icon Lolita Carbon.

Professional basketball players Marc Pingris, Sonny Thoss, Jay-R Reyes, Cyrus Baguio, Mac Baracael, Willy Miller, Jun Cabato and Jobe Nkemacolam also appeared on stage and threw away free balls.

The early birds arrived at the venue before the scheduled 4 pm and had considerably thinned when Duterte arrived at 10:50 pm.

True to his rock-star reputation, escorts had a difficult time containing admirers who wanted to have selfies with the controversial mayor.

While the Duterte-Cayetano team-up was the last to be finalized, it got off to an auspicious start in Taguig.

Unlike other candidates, the performers were all volunteers who are individually rooting for Duterte.

There were also no bus-in crowds just to project perception of a bandwagon.

Duterte has little need for that at this time, surprising surging on top of the heap in the National Capital Region where he was portrayed as very weak unlike his bailiwicks in Mindanao and two regions in the Visayas.

There were no noticeable changes in Duterte’s speech, giving indications he has no intention of softening his image now that he has formalized his candidacy. 

In what is expected as the most unorthodox campaign, Duterte has sent jaded analysts shaking their heads and fanatical supporters shouting themselves hoarse in glee.

With this phenomenal surge despite comping in late in the campaign and without the fabled political organization that others build up at least a year before election, Duterte can expect frightened rivals to fire at will.

Duterte, however, wants to keep everyone guessing, promising a campaign that will rewrite Philippine presidential elections. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

‘UNDER HIS PRESIDENCY’ Corruption has got to stop - Duterte

by Chito A. Fuentes

ALABEL, Sarangani - A few hours after his lawyer filed his certificate of candidacy for president in Intramuros, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte dropped hints on what to expect if he wins the election.

“Ug akoy ma-presidente, corruption has to stop,” Duterte remarked near the end of his 41-minute talk.

The mayor was optimistic about his chances, noting that he has experience in fighting corruption.

“Once upon a time, I was one of only two Tanodbayans investigators in Mindanao,” he disclosed.

Former Mayor Inday Sara Duterte shows her COC as substitute to his father, who withdrew his COC for reelection as Mayor and files as substitute for President at the Comelec in Manila.

This little-known detail of Duterte’s service record happened before the establishment of the Ombudsman.   

“Criminality has to go,” the mayor emphatically declared, drawing applause from the audience packed inside the 2,500-capacity gym.

Duterte earned a reputation for cleaning up Davao which was a virtual killing fields prior to his assumption.

The mayor, who has come under fire from human rights advocates, made it clear he won’t change his ways.

“Di man ko mahadlok ug human rights,” he added.

Duterte asserted it is time to instill fear in the law.

Among the current crop of presidential candidates, it is only Duterte who has repeatedly warned of the upsurge of criminality.

“We have lost a generation sa drugs,” he pointed out.

Duterte recalled instances when he dealt harshly with criminals and drug lords.

“Hardliner ko, cruel ko sa criminal,” he warned. 

The mayor has consistently warned shady personalities that if they do drugs in Davao, he would kill them.

“I don’t know what would be my policy, pero pareho siguro. I will use the military and the police,” he hinted.

Duterte walked into a highly-partisan crowd which erupted into wild applause and deafening shouts at the venue to speak on the occasion of Sarangani’s 23rd foundation day.

The noise rose decibels higher when Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Duterte was the newest presidential candidate in next year’s election.

Marcos spoke ahead of Duterte and was already entertaining questions when the mayor arrived. Duterte caught up with the symposium arriving aboard a chopper after presiding over a press conference in Davao.

Earlier that morning, he withdrew his candidacy for mayor, paving the way for the filing of his certificate of candidacy for president in Intramuros by lawyer Salvador Medialdea.

Duterte’s daugher, lawyer Sara Duterte-Carpio, in turn filed her certificate of candidacy to replace him.

The swift execution stunned even his close friends and political lieutenants.

After the initial surprise, however, the formality of his presidential bid triggered frenzied rejoicing among his followers particularly on social media.  

“I can promise you a law-abiding, God-fearing, comfortable community,” he responded to question on what his legacy will be.

With what Duterte brings to the table, there are enough reasons to celebrate. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

AFTER DROPPING TO 2ND Poe now says survey results “inconclusive”

by Chito A. Fuentes

After falling from her perch as survey front-runner in Metro Manila, Sen. Grace Poe is no longer impressed with Pulse Asia.

According to an Inquirer report, Poe’s camp called the latest survey placing her in second place behind Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte “inconclusive” and “not reflective” of the sentiments of the country.

Duterte gains and leads in all classes in topping the latest polls in Metro Manila, where election winners traditionally win the whole country as well.

Prior to the latest survey conducted last Nov. 11-12, Poe consistently topped the voters’ preference. She never called those surveys “inconclusive”.

It was also not clear why the Poe camp said it was “not reflective” of the sentiments of the country when Pulse Asia was categorical that it was the result only of the survey in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Poe’s spokesperson, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, also claimed the survey was released by Duterte’s camp.

The survey results was bannered by the Inquirer in its Thursday issue and was also given prominent treatment by ABS-CBN’s online edition.

Both the Inquirer and ABS-CBN made no mention of the Duterte camp as the source of their reports.

Sought for comment, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III denied that it was the PDP-Laban that commissioned the survey saying the party “had no budget to commission the survey.”

“Hindi ko alam. Basta ang PDP-Laban hindi nagco-commission, wala kaming pera,” Pimentel was quoted in an Inquirer report.

In the same survey, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Poe’s running-mate, remained on top, towing Senators Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Alan Peter Cayetano who came in second and third.

Valenzuela did not say if the Poe camp had the same comment for the results in the vice-presidential survey.

The survey was conducted before Duterte announced that he was running for president.

Political rivals had predicted an uphill fight for Duterte in the NCR because he is from Mindanao which has not yet produced a president.

Duterte, however, might yet prove these predictions wrong.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey, 34% of the respondents said they would vote for Duterte, up from 27% in September.

Duterte topped the ABC and D classes, while trailing Binay only by one point among voters in the E class.

In contrast, Poe fell to 26% from 31 in September.

Binay dropped from 26 to 22 while Roxas slid farther from 13 to 11 in the same period.

Duterte’s numbers are expected to rise significantly in his bailiwicks in Mindanao, Central and Eastern Visayas buoyed by his strong showing in NCR.

With this development, Duterte continues to baffle experts in what promises to be the most unconventional presidential election ever in the country’s history. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

WITH DAVAO MAYOR’S ENTRY Who will receive Duterte rivals in Vis-Min sorties?

by Chito A. Fuentes

With the guessing game on whether Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will run or not now settled, the new guessing game is: who will stick with the other three presidential aspirants? 

At least two analysts have predicted that Duterte’s entry will disrupt the existing political configurations particularly in Mindanao.

Mon Casiple said Duterte’s last-minute entry into the presidential race “has changed the political equation, ensuring a free-for-all among five candidates next year.”

Casiple, executive director of Institute for Political Reform, predicted that Duterte “will certainly get the Mindanao and Cebu votes.”

Filipino seafarers aboard a ship in Antartica send a white-as-snow message home.

Meanwhile, Malou Tiquia of PUBLICOS Asia Inc. went even farther, predicing that Duterte will be a “game-changer”.

Tiquia, who hosts “Agenda” on CNN Philippines, said Duterte will take support away from Poe and Roxas.  

Duterte caught political watchers in the National Capital Region by surprise when he stormed into the lead in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

The tough-talking Davao mayor cornered the nod of one-third of the the respondents, posting a commanding 34%, dislodging erstwhile topnotcher Sen. Grace Poe who fell to second with her 26%.

Vice Mayor Jejomar Binay dropped to third, four percentage points behind Poe at 22% while administration bet Mar Roxas plummeted even farther to fourth at 11%.

Sen. Miriam Santiago brought up the rear with 7%.

It will be recalled that many Mindanao politicians who had earlier express support for Duterte’s candidacy eventually settled for other candidates when the latter refused to beat the deadline last Oct. 17.

Duterte’s re-entry now poses headaches for the former as Mindanao and even Cebu are experiencing a sudden surge of regional pride.

In Davao provinces, rival politicians have already opened contact lines with the mayor’s camp to express support for his bid. Even former Speaker Prospero Nograles has openly declared his support for Duterte in spite of their bitter and protracted political rivalry in Davao.

Sources in the Duterte camp note a similar scenario shaping up in other Mindanao provinces and some areas in the Visayas particularly Cebu.

As the campaign period draws near, one question lurks on many people’s mind: who will be brave enough to go upstage and sit beside the other presidential candidates at the risk of antagonizing Duterte fanatics?

It won’t be a simple act because in doing so they put their candidacies on the line in the southern regions who see in Duterte their first real chance of finally seeing one of their own in Malacanang. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Laguna solon little to show in 3 terms in Congress

Chito A. Fuentes

If his legislative performance is any indication, Laguna Cong. Dan Fernandez has very little to show for three terms in Congress.

Fernandez came out of nowhere Monday to train his sights on Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who has openly declared his presidential bid.

The one-time actor dismissed Duterte as “overrated”, saying he could do better in half the time. 

“Give me 10 years, and I can improve any town,” he boasted before reporters at the House of Representatives.

A quick visit to the House of Representatives website, however, is anything but impressive.

Fernandez’ legislative record showed only 23 bills authored or sponsored in his name.

Out of the 23, only 18 were legislative measures while the remaining five were resolutions. 

Of the 18, six were conversion of municipal roads into national roads, four were for the creation of barangays in San Pedro City.

One bill sought the increase in the number of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Binan City from 10 to 12.

Fernandez filed a bill mandating that each city or municipality set aside a portion of its territorial jurisdiction for forest parks while another sought to protect the forest by banning all commercial logging operations.

He filed a bill establishing the center for Filipino gifted and talented children and another qualifying the use of the income of the National Museum.

Fernandez also filed a bill providing for a Magna Carta of workers in informal economy and a separate bill upgrading the position of Sanitary Inspector to the next higher salary grade.

His biggest bill which carved out Binan City as a legislative district separate from the first district of Laguna was realized when President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10658. This will make him eligible to represent the new district as congressman when his term in his present district expires.

Among his five resolutions, two concerned the Iglesia ni Cristo.

One bill was to recognize and honor the “exemplary humanitarian contributions of the Iglesia ni Cristo and its partner, the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation.”

Fernandez also sought the passing of a resolution recognizing and honoring the Iglesia ni Cristo for its sixth Guinness World Record for the largest charity walk.

One resolution directed the committee on ecology to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation, on “the exigency and indispensability of an environment-friendly project for the dredging, rehabilitation and utilization of the Laguna Lake that will significantly address the imminent devastating flooding not only in the Province of Laguna but also in Metro Manila.”

The fourth resolution urged the Office of the President to declare 2014 as Nicolas V. Zamora Centernnial Death Anniversary.

Finally, Fernandez expressed the opposition of “the People of Laguna” to the detention of pork barrel scam suspect Janet Napoles at the Fort Sto. Domingo Detention Center.

In 2009, the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal kicked Fernandez out of the rolls after it found him of having questionable residential status in the first district of Laguna.

Obviously Fernandez will have to do more than his sudden flair for expletives to prove that he is half the public servant that Duterte is. (CHITO A. FUENTES) 

‘After what’s happening, I might run’ - Duterte

by Chito A. Fuentes

“I might run, after all that is happening,” Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday.

Duterte had increasingly expressed his disgust over recent events in the country and his latest statement hinted he might finally give in to the clamor to aim for Malacanang.

“This tanim-bala, criminality, corruption, political decision instead of the legal issue on (Sen. Grace) Poe’s citizenship are all symptomatic of the oppression of Filipinos,” he complained.

The mayor’s patience obviously has grown thin. 

“Stop f****ing the Filipino. If they cannot stop it, I will stop it,” Duterte said Thursday.

Duterte had expressed his disappointment over Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) ruling on the disqualification case filed against Poe on the grounds that she is not a natural born citizen.

The mayor disagreed with the decision, saying the disqualification case is not a political issue but a “constitutional issue”.

“A theory cannot amend a constitution by presumption,” Duterte said.

The mayor added that Poe will be a “presumptive president whose citizenship is based on presumption.”

“The highest position is reserved for a true-blue Filipino,” he stressed.

On Saturday, upped the ante.

“When Flor Contemplacion was executed, sinunog ko ang flag ng Singapore kaya hindi na ako makapunta sa Singapore, pero babalik ako dun as President,” he told members of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology.

This must be music not only to the undisputed hero of OFWs but also his legion of supporters in the Philippines.

Duterte also charmed his audience with his typical wit.

When asked who he will appoint to the notoriously corrupt Bureau of Customs, the mayor replied, “ang ilalagay natin d’yan ‘yung mga walang kamay pati mga pulis para hindi makapanghingi”.

Asked whether he will file his certificate of candidacy on Monday, Duterte, however, replied “not yet”.

“I have to make the rounds to fill in the gaps,” he explained.

This has inspired his supporters to make the final push to catch the last bus to next year’s presidential elections.

The PDP-Laban scheduled a rally at the University of the Philippines Lahug campus in Cebu Sunday.

Although Duterte’s attendance has not been confirmed, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was expected to give inputs into the mayor’s latest mindset.

Lawyer Noel Felongco, who chairs the organizing committee, said also expected to provide star power were entertainers Jimmy Bondoc, who composed the song “Takbo” along with Luke Mejares and Thor.

A mammoth concert is also slated on Nov. 29 at the Bonifacio Global City to rally Duterte supporters in Metro Manila.

Just when everyone thought it was all over, a Duterte presidential run suddenly seems closer than it has ever been. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Supporters still hoping Duterte changes mind

by Chito A. Fuentes

DAVAO CITY - Supporters of Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte obviously are still hoping he changes his mind and runs for president.

Metro Manila-based musicians who came up with the music video “Takbo” continue to court Duterte have separately visited him in Davao reiterating the message they conveyed in the song.

First to come over were Jimmy Bondoc and Paolo Santos who serenaded Duterte after a gig in a local mall. Bondoc wrote the song which was uploaded on youtube a day before the deadline of the filing last Oct. 17.

On Saturday, it was the turn of Luke Mejares to visit Duterte. Bondoc, Santos and Mejares formed the core of 17 artists and musicians who pooled their talents for “Takbo”.

Also standing up to be counted were Joel Guarin, Gail Blanco, THOR, Rickson Ruiz, Jerome Nunez, Pido, Ian Fajardo, Mike Caleda of the Crib, Max of Climax, NiEL DE MESA and Gibson Viduya.

Recently, it was the turn of six basketball stars to come out to express support for the popular Davao mayor in a video also uploaded on youtube.

They are Jobe Nkemakolam, Japeth Aguilar, Jay-R Reyes, Jeffrei Allan “Jeff” Chan, Joachim “Sonny” Thoss and Santiago Cabatu Jr.

The video opened with individual shots of the six players declaring “Duterte tayo!”, their right thumbs up revealing the now-familiar red and blue ballers.

At the end the 31-second video, all six were shown seated side by side with a Duterte poster hanging on the wall above the heads of Thoss and Chan. 

Aguilar, Chan and Thoss of Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine and Alaska respectively recently played for the national team.

Last Nov. 9, Duterte was the honored guest during the 45th birthday celebration of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, a vice-presidential candidate. 

According to an exclusive Rappler story written by Pia Ranada, “what was supposed to be Cayetano’s birthday celebration became more like another event to convince Duterte to run”.

Duterte recently gave the presidential run a shot in the arm when he declared on his TV program that he might change his mind about the 2016 presidential race if the administration will not be able to solve the tanim-bala extortion scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

As part of his birthday message, Cayetano summed up what seems to be the call of the hour.

“The point, Mayor, is that we don’t have a choice. We keep telling people we want real change but they’re not given real choices. Give us a choice for 2016,” he asked Duterte.

Duterte has until Dec. 10 to make what he calls a “gamble for his freedom.” (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Duterte supporter resorts to prayer

by Chito A. Fuentes

With the clock ticking, a believer of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has turned to prayer in what could be the final push for his candidacy in the 2016 presidential elections.

Posting the event on her Facebook page, Joanna Allas-Fojas is calling for a “worldwide prayer and light vigil for the Philippines” on Nov. 29.

According to Fojas, it is “a prayer for (Duterte) and for the immediate transformation of the Philippines.”

Those who want to join in can do so in their respective homes from 6-8 pm on that day, she added.

Fojas, who describes herself in her postings as a fashion designer who is based in the United States, is a member of different groups urging Duterte to run.

While resorting to prayer may be interpreted as desperate move, this is not new to Duterte supporters who come from diverse religious backgrounds.

In a recent meeting of top-level volunteers, one of those who attended said prayer should be even more a priority now.

“If prayer can move mountains, then let us storm the gates of heaven,” he pointed out to emphasize the role of prayer in the clamor.         

Duterte has consistently resisted calls for him to throw his hat into the political ring and filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor in Davao City last Oct. 15.

While the deadline expired the next day, all is not exactly lost as PDP-Laban bet Martin Dino withdrew his bid in favor of Duterte.

The mayor, however, has not accepted the offer to substitute for Dino but supporters continue to hold on to a glimmer of hope.  

Duterte recently said he might change his mind about the 2016 presidential race if the administration will not be able to solve the tanim-bala extortion scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In a media interview, Duterte pointed out that the deadline for substitution is Dec. 10.

“Why don’t you just wait for December? Kung sisipot ako sa Manila sa Dec. 10, I will file my certificate of candidacy,” he snapped.

Duterte just gave his supporters and believers more reason to pray harder. (CHITO A. FUENTES)