How Duterte will be remembered

In the wake of all the recent revelations about “ninja cops” and the complicity of their superiors in the illegal drug “recycling” trade, President Duterte’s so-called war on drugs has already become laughable.

His trust and confidence in men in uniform (masunurin at madali raw utusan) have been obviously misplaced. They continue to mock him in the face.

After his bloodstained reign, Mr. Duterte will be remembered not only as the president who sold us out to China (and now Russia?), but also as the president who packed the Supreme Court with a megamajority of justices (12 out of 15) friendly and beholden to him, who will eventually preside over and, observers predict, will surely absolve him of the charges that are expected to be filed against him as soon as his presidential immunity expires.

Ever noticed how past presidents (Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III) ended their terms with a slew of corruption charges just waiting to be filed against them?

It has now become a national pastime. Is Philippine officialdom, from top to bottom, really that rotten to the core? Good Lord, what is happening to this country?

SCARLET S. SYTANGCO
sssytangco@gmail.com

Read more...