Post-EDSA Oligarchy and the State of Education in the Philippines

We are Citizens of the Philippines and We Support President Rodrigo R. Duterte's No-nonsense Fight Against Illegal Drugs, Corruption, and Criminality towards Lasting Peace, Inclusive Growth, and Sustainable Development

Realize Change!
Strengthen Unity of Kilusang Pagbabago
Against Anti-Change Forces

TEN months into his administration, President Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PMRRD) has hurdled the increasing challenges obstructing the advancement of the agenda for real change the Filipino people longed for.

PMRRD is determined in the campaign to eliminate corruption, anti-illegal drugs, anti-crime, pursue the peace process, shift to federalism and improve governance to effectively and swiftly deliver the needed services to the people especially at the grassroots.

However, the government bureaucracy is still haven to numerous crooks, largely those carried over from the previous administrations.
 Others made their way during the elections. There are those that were able to sneak through by masking themselves, or through their connections with the President and his men.

Kilusang Pagbabago believes PMRRD is sincere. He has strong political will to pursue the change agenda. But government is far from perfect.

Many elements within the bureaucracy hold conflicting interests and positions on various issues even among the members of the broad and loose PMRRD alliance, to the detriment of the interest of the majority of the Filipino people.

The “yellows” and their foreign backers have mounted synchronized assaults aimed to impeach the President.

Parallel media offensives both at the national and international fronts were escalated on the issue of Extra Judicial Killings (EJK), with some known media outfits funded by drug money.

Even then, the campaign for anti illegal drugs of PMRRD still gains the popular and overwhelming support from 8 out of 10 Filipinos.

The local elite and the oligarch will not stop to destabilize and unseat PMRRD from the Presidency.

Unfortunately, a disgruntled government appointee is maligning and putting in bad light one of the President’s trusted men - Cab Sec Jun Evasco, along with Penpen Libres (lead convenor) and other leaders of Kilusang Pagbabago – Lead Organization, Inc./Nat’l. Organizing Committee (KP-LOI/NOC).

This appointee identified as Ms. Rowena Burden, a newly appointed commissioner of the Philippine Commission of Women (PCW) has engaged in defamation and derogatory assaults aimed at destroying the image and credibility of said KP personalities and the whole Kilusang Pagbabago (KP), which is a legitimate program included in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

Using red scare tactics in social media, she is urging people to leave the KP and join her newly organized “own” movement (called We, The People). We are sickened by the thick-faced attempts at sowing disunity, divisiveness and factionalism within the broad coalition of PMRRD supporters.

PMRRD, meanwhile, calls on the Filipino People to help him to succeed through participatory governance.

To derail us, we know snakes will continue to hatch political intrigues and dis-information. These are normal occurrences because anti-change forces will not stop.

We will not be cowed by any attempt of the Anti Change forces to obstruct and destabilize the administration of PMRRD.

KP will stand firm and vow to defend PMRRD and Cab Sec Evasco.

The broad stakeholders and members of Kilusang Pagbabago (KP) at the national and international levels, under the guidance of KP-LOI/NOC hereby manifest our strong unity and commitment to intensify the movement, realize change and establish a better Philippines for the next generations to come.

Mabuhay ang mga KPyanos sa buong mundo!
Mabuhay ang Mamamayang Pilipino!

#DefendPRRD
#ProtectCabSecEvasco
#StopDestabilization
#StopAntiChangeForces
#SulongKilusangPagbabago
#RealizeChange

Signed:

Mr. Joselito “Penpen” Libres
Lead Convenor
Kilusang Pagbabago –
Lead Organization Inc./
National Organizing Committee
(KP-LOI/NOC)

Ms. Edina Almodal
Co-Convenor, Luzon; KP-LOI/NOC

Ms. Doris Mongaya
Co-Convenor, Visayas; KP-LOI/NOC

Mr. Larry Batara
KP-LOI Region 1

Mr. Larry Madarang
KP-LOI Region 2

Ms. Nini Balaquio
KP-LOI Region 3

Mr. Ricky Sotto
KP-LOI Region IV A

Mr. Fred Abad
KP-LOI Region IV B

Mr. Jose Eduardo Velasquez
KP-LOI Region V

Fr. Elmer Cahilig
Mr. Felix Espada
KP-LOI Region 6
(Western Visayas)

Mr. Wendel Cabrera
Atty. Rex Fernandez
Atty. Ennoh Chentis Fernandez
KP-LOI Region 7
(Central Visayas)

Mr. Rico C. Cajife
Atty. Priscilo B. Martin
KP-LOI Region 8
(Eastern Visayas)

Mr. Romulo Baz
KP-LOI Regn 9
(Western Mindanao)

Ms. Vida Pacturan
Mr. Joseph Borromeo
KP-LOI Region 10
(Northern Mindanao)

Mr. Alexander Balili
Mr. Alexander Casiple
KP-LOI Region 11 (Davao)

Mr. Rey Billena
Mr. Diomedes Madanggit
KP-LOI Region 12 (SOCSKSARGEN)

Mr. Henrito Calvez
Mr. Radigundo Rivas
KP-LOI Region 13 (Caraga)

Mr. Abdulrashid Ladayo
Mr. Carl Lacoto
KP-LOI ARMM

Ms. Anna so Rosuman
Mr. Vitorio Jerico L. Cawis
 KP-LOI Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)

Mr. Wilmar Panti
KP-LOI NCR

Atty. Homer Mabale
Kilusang Pagbabago-
United to Free Camiguin (KP-UFC)

Mr. Celso Tizon
Chairperson
Mr. Vergilio dela Cruz
Secretary General
Hugpong Federal Movement of the Phil. (HFMP)

Dr. Edgardo Clemente
Chairperson, KP-Metro Manila Duterte Movement (KP-MMDM)

Mr. John Labrador
President, Luzon Wide Alliance for True Change (Luzon Watch)

Atty. Aries Albay
Atty. Antonio Arellano
Atty. Randolph “Bong” Paracasio
Mr. Rogelio “ Jing” Bantayan
Kilos Pederal para sa Pagbabago (KPP)

Mr. Jimmy Cabrera
Mr. Popong Landero
Musicians and Artists for Duterte (MAD) Mr. Louie Ceniza
National President, Philippine Fraternal Order of Eagles

Mr. Monk Aziz Rasteen Olamit
Solid South Duterte Movement (SSDM)

Prof. Esnaen Catong
Former Dean & Faculty Union President (WMSU)
Faculty Regent of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU)

Mr. Miguel Catain
Chairperson, Liga ng MayKapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LMPI)

Ms. Belinda Formanes
Climate Change Congress

Ms. Evangeline Silva
PESANTE Pilipinas

Mr. Mamerto Dumayas
Buklod ng Malayang Magsasaka ng Palawan at Occidental Mindoro

Dr. Luis Jose Presbitero, MD
Duterte Die Hard Supporters (DDS)

Mr. Jonathan A. Banez
Regional President, Region 11
GUARDIANS Brotherhood Incorporated (GBI)

Mr. Arnel Corpuz
KP International

Ms. Jhay Jhay Acedo
President

Mr. Leo Lauron
Ms. Maume Y. Climaco
Mr. Conrado Quizon
Mr. Roy Tampos
BOD members
Overseas Filipino Workers- Global Movement for Empowerment
(OFW-GME)/ KP International

Ms. Azenith A. Tonio
KP Int’l. - Spain

Mr. Aurtenciano R. Miranda Jr.
KP Int’l. - Rome/Italy

Mr. Edgardo Sta. Maria Turingan
KP Int’l. – Italy (Milan)

Ms. Angelita Ebanks
KP Int’l. - Cayman Islands (Caribbean Sea-North America)

Ms. Robina Alburo
KP Int’l. – Southern Taiwan

Mr. Rodel Balana
KP Int’l. – Taichung, Taiwan

Ms. Rio Anita Mesa
KP Int’l. - Hongkong

Engr. Rogelio D. Barrozo
KP Int’l. – Singapore

Mr. Jonathan Estabillo Marigsa
KP Intl. – Macau

Ms. Sheryl Abella Palacios
KP Int’l. United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)

Mr. George Requerme
KP Int’l. - United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

Ms. Laureen Abella Alturkait
KP Int’l. – Turkery

Ms. Ailyn Callenero
KP Int’l. – Lebanon

Mr. Reymundo Salazar
KP Int’l. – Bahrain

Mr. Crispin Ordonio
KP Int’l.- Brunei

Mr. Joel R. Morfe
KP Int’l. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Mr. George Astilla
KP int’l. – Tokyo (Japan)

Mr. Samuel Anticamara
Mr. Mamon Fernandez
KP int’l. – Nagoya (Japan)

Mr. Rudy Gealogo Celeste
KP Int'l. - DDS Indonesia

The best is yet to come! :)

MINDANAO' S DIVERSITY: A HIDDEN BEAUTY IN ADVERSITY

In the early 1980s under the “Masagana 99” and “Green Revolution” programs of the Philippine government, farmers and fishermen were given support from seeds to post-harvest facilities in the countryside that was felt even in the post-conflicted territories in Mindanao.

We were among the recuperating masses and neither part of the Marcos cronies nor Aquino loyalists.

Putting things in their contexts, after the disastrous wars in the 1970s during the Martial Law---that claimed more than 120, 000 lives---that ended in the ceasefire following the signing of the Tripoli Libya Agreement in 1976, we were apolitical to the best of our abilities. 

The diverse communities in Mindanao-focused on livelihood and shared the agricultural prosperity in the periphery. The barter system economy was popular, later on, badly politicized and destroyed by the greedy oligarchs in Southern Philippines and beyond.

The once upon a time called “the Pearl of the Orient” was renown for agriculture not only because of the institutions like UP-Los Banos and the International Rice Research Institute, (IRRI) but because of the huge agriculture-based human capital that gained the respect of the world.

For lack of technical know-how in “modern farming” and understanding of the farming environment and systems, most of these farmers incurred losses at the outset---notwithstanding govt support. In less than 2 years, the massive exportation of agriculture and aquaculture followed that helped sustained our economy notwithstanding the globally politicized political economy. 

With my father as a rice farmer and fishpond enthusiast-turned agripreneur, I have rich actual experiences on these ups and downs being the eldest in the family of seven siblings. On top of being the eldest grandson of the marriage alliance of the two big clans in Western Mindanao (old Region IX) and Central Mindanao (old Region XII).

Due to policy discontinuity? 

On fishpond and aquaculture, some Japanese & Taiwanese experts partnered with the locals. It was indeed a success. We were among those farming families with success stories to tell up until the EDSA revolution---when everything Marcos in terms of policies and programs and in most part in names either direct or by inducement---were discontinued. 

The rice farmers suffered and the fishpond (modern at that time blended with environmental-friendly indigenous knowledge) died in its natural death. 

We used to shield our fishponds with bakawan or bakhaw tress plus the tallest grass (bamboos) for farming materials and biodiversity---resilient plants that could withstand environmental challenges, and the rest is history. 

Outcomes? 

The agriculture & environment systems approaches were abandoned due to the post-EDSA policy of subdividing Ministry of Agriculture into several departments and bureaus that led to the choking of the fishes with water lilies in the Manila-centric so-called experts perceived counter-productive ponds & farms in Mindanao---later on convenient for land titling by the new-born oligarchs of Mindanao courtesy of the ignorance of the natives of the Torrens Titling System that was in full scale. 

Philippine exports of cultured prawns and high-value fishes to Japan, Taiwan markets to the rest of the world, gone---choking fishes with water lilies and hybrid kangkongs named Imelda---in the mostly land grabbed lands perfect for inclusive and; sustainable agricultural environment. 

At hindsight, it must be in the family FAMILY NAMES Marcos vs. Aquino---that Filipino farmers & Fishermen suffered in the post-EDSA Philippines.

In foresight, it is about time that my unpopular experience as a son of an ordinary Muslim farmer who survived the trails of Mindanao---and with descendants who chose education as against the barrels of the gun, notwithstanding adversities.

 With the fervent hope that our challenges and prospects in life be part of the narratives of the Philippine in the quest for lasting peace and inclusive development.

On President Duterte's Handling of the Philippine-China Relations

Considering Philippine national interests, putting down the Rodrigo Roa Duterte leadership stance and some Filipino scholars on the Philippine-China relations---to the point of questioning their intellectual capability, being backward and a loser mindset---is uncalled for.

I personally do not believe that the mindset of a president who for the first time in history optimized a high octane power politics in the post-EDSA Philippines is at all backward and a loser---but a big WINNER in the realm of geopolitics.

Precisely, a mindset of a winner that did not solely optimize military arsenals to WIN!

Following the line of contention of a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy---as he claimed further to have passed his military history with flying colors--- who had been mentioning four countries that he considered having WINNER mindsets, here are some historical and socio-economic foundations of their WINNING as juxtaposed to the Philippine context prior to the presidency of Mayor Digong Duterte.

Singapore was not recognized by the world because of their military prowess. In reading, also consider the "context specificity "that I had been telling my some Filipino citizens all along. For instance, Israel became military known because their economic activities that led to their controlling of the economies of the US and Europe, hence their military sophistication.

The US became what she is today militarily because of their post-war dominance in the arms race following the payment of the reparation for damages and their economic exploitation of the Philippines---their first and only colony in Asia.

China was already the "celestial empire" even two hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ---may peace be upon him. She became complacent and known as the sleeping giant during the cold-war and now is awake following the economic paradigm shift by revising her constitution in 1981 that resulted in her rise economically and now politically.

In reading, it must be with comprehension ---tempered with context specificity. For instance, on Nick Joaquin's Filipino mindset of smallness---that was in the context of consciousness which was developed considering the 333 years of Spanish colonization, 50 years of American colonialism plus 70-year of neocolonialism, and 3 years of Japanese conquest is not applicable to the wide-read Filipino scholars like Dr. Clarita R. Carlos.

Hence, the introduction of the subjects in history and social sciences in all curricular offerings as a constitutional mandate to all academic institutions including the PMA to precisely liberate the Filipino people from the iota of ignorance towards inclusive development---that the government of the past failed to understand and connect.

The post-colonialist, postmodernist, and at the same time pragmatist President Rody Duterte---whose understanding of historiography, political science, and law is respectable as manifested by his act implementing to the spirit of the independence in Philippine foreign policy in accordance with Art 2, section 7 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

As a lifetime learner and passionate educator of history and civilization, politics and culture, socio-economic development, and geopolitics by choice and profession; I have the firm belief that the Philippines leadership will opt for MUTUALITY AND SHARED PROSPERITY through COLLECTIVE SECURITY.

The ASEAN framework is working and China will continously participate actively in the process, as it was in the past for peaceful co-existence. President Duterte's handling of the Philippine-China Relations in my modest analysis is rational---and in accordance with the Philippine national interests.

President Duterte Heart Touching PLANS for the Philippines

From Election to Implementation: For Local Chief Executives' Reflection and Emulation

Historical Antecedents of President Duterte's Articulations on Historical Injustices

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in various occasions and fora articulated about historical injustices. He even went to the point of bringing with him big pictures to show images of these injustices committed by the colonizers.

Our history books are not only erroneous but above all they are church-centric and pro-colonizers, oligarch-apologists, and summation of anti-Moro/Muslim narratives in the annals of the so-called Philippine history. 

It was not surprising that most of the Indios, Moros, and Infieles based on the classifications of the Spanish conquistadores hated themselves; and considered the Moros/Muslims as the others, villains, marauders, pirates, etc. in their own lands and shores.

Those were part of the grand designs to erase the roots of the ethnolinguistic tribes to further divide them and fight against each other to hasten the implementation of the Crusade---the unfinished business of the union of the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon after the decline of Islamic Europe following the almost 7 centuries of Moors/Muslims rule of Europe---to propel Christianization process following the Papal Nuncial declaration of dividing the world into two for Spain and Portugal to colonize and Christianize. 

In fact, in our primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education we were never thought of history (by answering the hows and the why questions to further develop critical thinking), but we were thought chronology (the who, when, where, what questions were popularized by the neo-colonial educators in order for us and the generations to come not to have hindsight that is indispensable for the present and as foundation for the foresight.

Oral and local history nowadays is a strong methodology to re-writing history. Historicity brought about by the development of Historiography really has something to do with perspectives. 

Historians are seemingly the final adjudicators.

Indeed, we cannot give much less share what we do not know about. Moreover, some are advocating without understanding!

It is about time that history will be written from within considering the perspectives of various communities with their social milieu, and ways of life. 

The historical consciousness of people in the hinterlands and islands have to form part in the development of the national or federal history of the Philippines with respect. I therefore humbly recommend the following books for every starter and non-history-lensed readers and professionals:

1) The two volumes of former Prof. Dr. O.D. Corpuz based on his Ph.D. dissertation at Harvard entitled, "The Roots of the Filipino People;" and his "An Economic History of the Philippines." Both were republished by UP Press.

2) Prof. Dr. C. A. Majul, Muslims in the Philippines (republished by UP Press). Also, his book entitled, Contemporary Muslims in the Philippines (published in the US and very limited copies in the RP because it was banned during the Martial Law and beyond).

3)The Filipino Saga: History as Social Change by: Prof. Dr. Rosario Mendoza Cortes, Prof. Dr. Celestina Puyal Boncan, and Prof. Dr. Ricardo Trota Jose.

THE SILK ROAD I - NHK's documentary

THE SILK ROAD I - 12 of 12 - Two Roads to the Pamirs

THE SILK ROAD I - 11 of 12 - Where Horses Fly Like the Wind

THE SILK ROAD I - 10 of 12 - Journey into Music South Through the Tian S...

THE SILK ROAD I - 9 of 12 - Through the Tian Shan Mountains by Rail

THE SILK ROAD I - 8 of 12 - A Heat Wave Called Turfan

THE SILK ROAD I - 7 of 12 - Khotan Oasis of Silk and Jade

THE SILK ROAD I - 6 of 12 - Across the Taklamakan Desert

THE SILK ROAD I - 5 of 12 - In Search of the Kingdom of Lou-Lan

THE SILK ROAD I - 5 of 12 - In Search of the Kingdom of Lou-Lan

THE SILK ROAD I - 4 of 12 - The Dark Castle

THE SILK ROAD I - 3 of 12 - The Art Gallery in the Desert

THE SILK ROAD I - 2 of 12 - A Thousand Kilometers Beyond the Yellow River

THE SILK ROAD I - 1 of 12 - The Glories of Ancient Chang'an

The Third Crusade: Saladin & Richard the Lionheart Documentary

When the Moors (Muslims) Ruled Europe: Documentary (full)

1001 Inventions and The Library of Secrets - starring Sir Ben Kingsley a...

By grand design, history was made boring. Thus, unknown to many, the "Dark Ages" in world history books was the "Golden Era of Muslim discoveries in the world civilization and history humankind---establishing the foundations of modern sciences and technology of today and in the future.

A POLITICAL ROCK-STAR WITH A DOZEN OF SIGNIFICANT FIRSTS

In an archipelagic state with a little more than one 

hundred of million of inhabitants who were inheritors political subdivisions by colonialism and imperialism 

by Spain for 333 years, the United States for 50 years, 

and Japan for 3 years; a partial  independence was 

declared on July 4, 1946---following the infamous 

World War II that devastated its major government

establishments and more than a million precious lives

perished. 

Seventy years thereafter, the time-honored issue of

independence from external control was revived

by a self-made leader from the island of Mindanao who

politically rocks and commands respect. With him, an 

independent foreign policy is achieved, thereby 

transforming the country into a genuine sovereign 

Philippine state on June 30, 2016.

The unfolding of historic events would lead him to be 

viewed by his believers domestically and international-ly as the savior of his country with more than four 

million citizens who are enslaved by illegal drugs, greatly affected by massive corruption, and seemingly

insurmountable challenges of criminality that he promised to resolve through his unique leadership tempered

with tapang at malasakit---propelling for shift from

unitary to federal form of government---towards

lasting peace, inclusive growth, and sustainable 

development. 

However, his staunch critiques especially those who

enjoyed the status-quo and some who cherish the

bounty of life out of other people’s misery sees other-wise. Thus, he being put in the limelight for various 

reasons, and the rest is history in the making. Having this in context, the author, sees it fit and timely to present this modest exploratory endeavor to knowing further the political Rock-Star of Asia for his one dozen

of firsts, to wit:

1) Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the first elected Philippine president from Mindanao. 

 Duterte (DU30) is of a Cebuano (from Danao), Chinese (from Macao), and Moro 

decent (from Lanao province)---M’ranao in his maternal side.

2) DU30 is the first local chief executive to become president of the Philippine Republic being the Mayor for 23 years instrumental in transforming the backward locality to one of the most livable cities of the world-Davao. He is better known in his constituents

 in Davao City and beyond as Mayor “Digong.”

3) Mayor “Digong” is the first elected president without a sophisticated machinery and financial resources who captured power that eventually became his very high political capital of more than 14 million votes that was and still is being optimized in supporting his government initiatives that resulted to an unprecedented 7.1% GDP growth making the Philippines one of the fastest growing economies in the fastest growing region in the world. In fact, President DU30 belong a politically ill-equipped PDP-Laban resulting to very few of his PDP-Laban party-mates won. However, he managed to have garnered a super

     majority in the bicameral Philippine legislative bodies,---the House of 

     Representative with its Speaker Alvarez from Mindanao and the Senate

     with its President of the Senate Pimentel, III who also hailed from from 

     Mindanao. 

4) DU30 is the first president in the 21st century-Philippines who immediately got the attention of the international community by articulating at the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit that the conflict in Mindanao was the result of “historical injustices that the country must correct,”---a historical piece that he advanced in his campaign sorties. He also stressed in several official appearances the “historical injustices” against the Moro people in the Bud Dajo Massacre in 1906 in the island of Jolo in Mindanao by the United States armed forces. After the APEC Summit in Peru through an exclusive interview with the leading broadcast journalist of Russia Today (RT), President DU30 emphasized another atrocities by the American soldiers in the Philippines to include the Balangiga Massacre of a Christian village in the Visayas and further stressed that the bells of the churches that were looted and were not returned up to this juncture. 

5) President “Digong” is the first leftist president of the Philippines who appointed considerable number of cabinet members holding key portfolios in the executive department who were recommended by the CPP-NDF leadership. He often sided with most of the Filipinos---the masses; and constructively criticised the country’s oligarchs over issues of national concerns like not proper declaration and taxes, mining and environmental degradation, and land grabbing that got the support of the people and ire of the elites. Thus, he is otherwise known as People’s President Rody Duterte or PPRD.

6) PPRD is the first president to have launched a cease-fire; and a peace negotiation for the three major rebel fronts: the GRP-NDFP, GRP-MNLF, GRP-MILF towards lasting peace, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.  

7) DU30 is also the first newly elected president in the Philippines to immediately assume leadership in the ASEAN in 2017 (few months after his assumption to power). The Philippines will be hosting the ASEAN Summit and BIMP-EAGA engagements in 2017.

8) Mayor “Digong” is the first president in various occasions who used “post-colonialism, postmodernism, and poststructuralism” tempered with geopolitical juxtaposition of the United States and the Philippines. He was the first president of a developing state to have boycotted the media networks and eventually snubbed leaders of great powers and have cussed words to great political institutions after criticizing his no-nonsense fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption---that gave him some troubles at the outset with president Barrack Obama of the United States of America (U.S.), the special rapporteur of the United Nations (U.N.), and the some officials of the European Union (E.U.) for the alleged DU30 government sponsored Extra-Judicial Killings (EJKs).

9) DU30 is the first elected president coming from the elders (senior citizen) sector of the Philippine society (72 year old), and strategically  rocks with his high octane power politics putting the Philippine national interests in the forefront of discourses in the realm of geopolitics and historiography.  

10) DU30 was the first presidential aspirant who overwhelmingly won---DU31---notwithstanding his controversial election promises and commitments like:

Ø The Shift from Unitary to Federal form of government; 

Ø The Burial of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos to the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB)---that the Supreme Court of the Philippines sustained with a vote of 9 Associate Justices in favor of the Duterte’s presidential action and held to be legal and in accord with the 1987 Philippine Constitution, 5 magistrates including the Chief Justice voted against, and 1 Associate Justice inhibited due to his being a College of Law fraternity brother of the chief executive; and 

Ø The no-nonsense fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.

11) DU30 turned out to be the first Philippine president to have optimized a “high octane power politics” at the outset of his leadership who implemented to its truest meaning the “Filipino First Policy” by enforcing the express provision Article II, Section 7 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that "[T]he State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination."

12) Finally, the first controversial, most talked-about and thought-provoking president in the 21st century---President Duterte---is also seen by some members of the international community as an astute geopolitical player, a brilliant leader with a higher sense of historicity, and dubbed as the “Rock Star of Asia.”