Law and Order – Philippine style

The longer I write about Philippine society and its politics, the more convinced I get that the country’s state of law and order is a joke. Take Davao City for instance. All this time I thought that the city was a model for what following the “rule of law” could do. It turns out, to my disappointment, that Davaoeños rely on hired mercenaries or vigilantes — and not the local authorities as I previously thought — to maintain “peace” and “order”.

These vigilantes have been dubbed the “Davao Death Squads” or DDS and even have their own Wikipedia entry. And get this: former Mayor and then Vice Mayor and father of incumbent Mayor, Sara Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte even stated once that, “Here in Davao, you can’t go out alive. You can go out, but inside a coffin. Is that what you call extra-judicial killing? Then I will just bring a drug lord to a judge and kill him there, that will no longer be extra-judicial.” Whew! He just gave a new meaning to the saying, “truth is stranger than fiction”.

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I have been to Davao once and spent a few days basking in the sun of Samal Island. When I toured Davao City, I was very impressed at how clean the city was compared to Manila. In short, I fell in love with the place. I did not stay long enough to know that there was a great dark mystery behind why things seemed great. I was, after all, still a naïve college graduate then.

At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking that, yeah, if hiring mercenaries can reduce the criminal activities and give regular folks a chance at a decent living, then working around the law is a small price to pay. But on closer inspection, you will see that things are not all that peachy and to me if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.

For one, you will only appreciate the killings of the alleged criminals if you are not the “alleged” criminal yourself. What if someone you offended over something trivial last weekend hired mercenaries to gun you down just because he thinks you deserve it? I wonder if your family will still think the act of getting rid of you is justified and that the mercenaries are just doing their job of removing a city nuisance. Frankly, I can’t believe I have to spell that one out.

Second, you as a taxpayer already pay for the salaries of the authorities, which include the police and the city officials who, in turn, take on the responsibility of maintaining peace and order in the city. That they have to hire a “professional” to do their job does not make any sense. You may also want to ask: Where do they get the extra funds to pay these “guns for hire” to meet their requirements? Worse, imagine if you have to pay them out of your own pocket because you are too impatient to wait for the justice system to get things done. That’s what you call double taxation. Frankly, I can’t believe I have to spell that one out too.

After one look at Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s glamour photo I got the impression that she is your typical gal pal. I would have thought that she was a slap-and-not-a-punch type of girl. Some say she has a heart of gold for standing up for the “oppressed”. Who wouldn’t want her on their side when they get in trouble? Sorry, but I don’t think I would.

Punching someone’s face is not my cup of tea. Call me conventional but talking things over in a civilized manner is something that I would espouse especially when there is a camera to record everything. I wouldn’t call what she did having balls or having guts. I would simply call it cracking up under stress. It pains me to see people reduced to throwing tantrums when they don’t get their way. It’s even more embarrassing to see that the only reason why some people seeem to have the “guts” to do it is because an army of bodyguards or their “supporters” surrounds them.

Okay, I’ll probably be called a moron for saying “mean” things about their mayor. I can see it coming now: “You don’t know her and what her family has done for Davao”. Yeah, I don’t know her personally but now I know what she and her family has done for Davao. A lot of people say that the Duterte’s have enjoyed great autonomy and a personal army for as long as they have been in power in Davao. That’s not exactly something that I would brag about if I were a Davaoeño. That is something that I would be embarrassed about, really. The terms “warlordism” and “feudalism” comes to mind when I read stories of extra-judicial killings happening in Davao.

Have a quick look at the history of warlordism and feudalism and you will be directed to the early days before civilization in China during the Qing Dynasty or Japan during the Sengoku period. It’s too bad it’s still happing to the Philippines in the 21st century.

Just in case some people are still not aware, such activities only thrive in so-called failed states. A failed state is described as one that fell short at upholding some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government. Has the government become so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over many of its cities? If you ask a typical Davaoeño, it has and the extra-judicial killings are justified.

Perhaps the frustration that Mayor Duterte felt when she was reduced to using physical violence to get her way is a manifestation that they are slowly losing their grip on power and already failing their constituents. After all, why wasn’t her office properly coordinated with the Sheriff’s office after weeks of planning the demolition? Someone must have suggested that it was a good opportunity for photo ops. I could be wrong though. Her supporters keep defending her as a human rights “defender” after she repeatedly punched someone in the face. Such irony simply flies over their heads.

And what does the Office of the President in Manila have to say about the unusual activities over at other side of town? Not much except for the usual “we have already initiated the investigation on the matter”. Hardly any surprise there because the Duterte’s were said to have given President Noynoy Aquino their full support in the 2010 Presidential election. PNoy’s silence assures “that the political alliance between President Aquino and Mayor Duterte will not [get] affected”. And so it would seem that the “lords” understand each other. Frankly, there was no need to spell that one out.

334 Replies to “Law and Order – Philippine style”

      1. @ilda: it seemed but it’s not the case in Davao City. You already judged her but the trial is still on going.

        @kyt: well his current action dictates similar incident and this time with the court in it violating a 30-day reglamentary period

        i mean., hey, what’s the rush? it was already previously planned that there would be a peaceful demolition.

        1. @Algo

          Are you telling me that punching the sheriff was the only way to get through to him?

          Harming another human being is a crime. Whether or not she gets penalised for her actions after the investigation is another story.

      1. haha! wish mo lang…you’ve been to davao once, twice lang, and then have this comment?bakit, is killing a norm there?or yan ang nakuha ng baluktot mong pag-iisip? i’ve been to davao more than 10 times and i can attest that the peace and order there is not shallow..their city ordinances are far more strict than republic acts and are implemented strictly..fear is not instilled,but what is eminent there is mutual respect for each people to live in a peaceful society.their discipline is not because they are afraid of the mayor, but because they have to in order to maintain a peaceful and orderly society..sino lang ba ang nagrereklamo duon?eh di yong ayaw sumun od sa batas..yun lang yun..if those you know are nice, then it tells you that this is not a common occurrence in davao..

        1. @jigz

          bakit, is killing a norm there?

          Well, a commenter from Davao just confirmed it earlier. Check out the comment from Concern Citizen. 😉

          The evidence speaks for itself. The Mayor resorts to violence to get her way. The Vice Mayor resorts to using threats and vulgarity infront of the media. Tsk tsk.

      2. The mayor resorts to violence to get her way.

        The mayor resorted to violence to stop the riot. She admitted that what she did was wrong and apologized, took a leave to not get in the way in the investigation. In her 3 years as vice-mayor and a year and a half as mayor I can’t think of any incident that she resorted to violence to get in her way.

        Just by a single act does not mean she resorts to violence. She is different from his father and brother.

        If for one night I see a drunk person at a bar. I won’t call that person alcoholic the next day.

        please no personal attacks. We are free to say anything we want and express our own views.

        @ Miss Ilda

        you’re right let’s see what happens when the Duterte’s are gone. If it blows up right in our face, I’ll buy you a drink

        1. You can be a law-abiding citizen all your life AND THEN commit one indiscretion, get caught and end up in prison. The judge will judge you based on that one indiscretion and deem your entire law-abiding life before it irrelevant to the case. Sorry na lang si Inday Sara. That’s the Law and her father being a lawyer himself should know that.

        2. you’re right let’s see what happens when the Duterte’s are gone. If it blows up right in our face, I’ll buy you a drink

          I have a feeling that is going to take a very long time.

      3. from Sen. Cayetano’s blog

        “I do not suggest that we condone any act of violence. But as every law student knows, the Revised Penal Code includes passion and obfuscation as a mitigating circumstance.”

        If all the judge were like what you said. . we’d all end up in prison 🙂

        Cheers!

    1. The Poor sheriff won’t file complaints because he wants peace… Ganyan kami mga taga-davao gusto lang namin Peace… Kasi alam ng sheriff na gagamitin lang siya ng mga corrupt politicians he would rather like the duterte in power than these corrupt politicians..

      1. @Ilda, Yes Maam, Interviewed by Michelle Robin ABSCBN NEWS. Peace nalang daw tayong lahat Yun ang hiling niya…

        1. Well good for him. But not good for the next guy who will get punched around when he finds himself crossing the mayor.

      2. @illda

        Well if the next guy will resort to violence in order to get the demolition job done then Hindi lang punching ang aaubutin niya, Kicking din daw… Hintay nalang tayo…

      3. @ilda: if you would be raped. will you kill the guy who raped you or would you just let the guy raped you? i mean during the time of the act..

        if one of your family was massacred, if Philippines will once again attacked by foreign people. will you just let them?

        kayo idol nyo si Rizal. but not here. hindi uso si Rizal dito. Kung hindi madala ng santong dasal, at paki-usapan para sa kapayapaaan at ikabubuti ng mamayan ng Davao. Mas magandang isiping mapalo ng madala at malamang mali ang ganung klaseng sentimento.

        here in davao we support violence if and only if that violence will give way to peace, solidarity, and security. the very reason why only Davao was an exemption outside NCR influenced by NPA.

        the very reason why you still see GREEN in Davao City. our ancestors will fight, and will wage war for the sake.

        we have our cultural differences. you have to respect that! if we are not violent people here baka matulad lang kami ng sa Maguindanao. hindi ho kami duwag at bobo na inaakala nyo!

        as far as the blogging sites were concern, most of the Dabawenyos were violently reacting for the Northern people’s anti-campaign for our mayor. Bakit kayo ba mawalan ng magaling na leader? Hindi di diba?

        1. @Algo

          hindi ho kami duwag at bobo na inaakala nyo!

          Who told you that you are “bobo” and “duwag”? You don’t need to confirm that you are not “bobo” or “duwag”. Your belief system already tells us a lot about your principles. There’s no need to brag here.

          As to your question: I suppose I will let the justice system handle the criminals.

          Obviously, your made-up system there is already against human rights.

      4. of course that’s what he said… he doesen’t have a choice. He lives in the davao and he wats to continue LIVING in davao… why would he want to go up against the dutertes? Get real philippines…cmon

  1. The father and daughter’s arrogance is beyond tasteless. And they are very proud of it.

    The sad thing is this is what the majority of their constituents like.

    Pwe!

        1. There’s no need to take this personally. I know a lot of people from Davao and they are very nice people unlike some of their public servants who operate using violence. This article aims to expose the shenanigans in your city. It does not aim to put innocent people down. The problem is, people in certain areas have become so used to the type of thuggery that seem to pervade in communities like yours that it has become acceptable.

      1. @illda, Naalala mo ba nung binomba ng US ng Atomic Bomb ang Japan….
        Minsan kailangan mo din ng Violence para magkaroon ng Peace…

        Mas gusto na ring mabugbog keysa ma-atomic bomb…

        1. Nah…I don’t think so. Her action shows that she can be unprofessional in dealing with people who she perceives as beneath her.

    1. I wonder what is going to happen to Davao once the Duterte’s are not in power anymore? Obviously that is a long time from now because the role of city mayor just keeps getting passed on to the next generation of Duterte. But it is evident that the younger Duterte does not command the same respect…este “fear” from her subordinates like the elder Duterte.

      What I am trying to say is, the “peace” and “order” that some people are talking about is allegedly because of the fear of the death squad but what happens if the artificial “order” is not in place anymore? People have been used to looking up to someone because he is scary. What happens when he is gone? He can’t live forever. No one can guarantee that the next guy will be able to fill his shoes.

      The peace and order should not exist because of a person. It should exist because the majority knows how to follow the rule of law. And the people follow the rule of law because the authorities strictly enforce the law.

      1. hindi lahat ng law is applicable sa isang lugar, kaya nga sa states diba iba iba ang batas bawat states, kasi po iba iba ang tao. DIba may death squad naman sa Abra pero may peace and order ba? wala! kasi di ito supurtado ng mga tao wyl in davao Supurtado ito ng mga Davaonous. you cant tell ito ang nakakabuti sa kanila kasi ganito sa amin o sa inyo, mismo ang taga davao ang makakasabi what is good for them, kahit magtapang tapangan ka pa dyan pag di na ito gusto ng tao ng constituent mo di ito oobra, infact ang mga taga Davao eneenjoy nila ang peace and order and it reflects to dir economy maraming businessman nag iinvest dahil kampante sila dito that’s y Davao became progrsive. marami kasi sa atin mge hypocrito lahat alam pero wala naman ginagawa.

        1. Well, you better enjoy the so-called “peace” and “order” now while you can because I have this funny feeling that when your beloved Mayor is replaced by someone who does not have the same resolve as the Duterte’s, you might see an entirely different scenario.

          I say it is better to attain genuine peace and order when the people obey the law because the authorities enforce the law and not because of vigilantism.

        2. @Concern Citizen

          DIba may death squad naman sa Abra pero may peace and order ba? wala! kasi di ito supurtado ng mga tao wyl in davao Supurtado ito ng mga Davaonous.

          Thanks for confirming that people from Davao support hired mercenaries 😉

      2. For me a politician who is arrogant is using his power for personal gain or pride. Both of them never abused their power. (ex. using wang-wang in traffic) The only time she used it was in protecting the people. Would you rather read in the headline that a riot occurred and dozens injured during the demolition? If you get all the facts that happened is that they agreed the day before that the demolition would start at 11am since she was helping the flood victims (31 dead and hundreds homeless). When she learned about the riot she went straight to the place. After pacifying both parties the sheriff was nowhere to be found (maybe hiding from the riot). Then she lost her cool.

        Maybe what you wanted is a traditional politician. One reason why people voted for her is not because of her family name. It’s because no one would run against the former house speaker who is also a trapo.

        1. There is this saying that “you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights”. In Sara Duterte’s case, the whole country learned a lot about her and her family by the way she handled the sheriff.

      3. @stoned: Perhaps all you say may be true. But then what has become the issue here is the mayor’s use of violence against the sheriff. You know the saying: You are only as good as your last deed. Tough luck I suppose for the Duterte’s. Sara and her daddy are both seasoned politicians and should know by now that image (rather than intentions) is everything in politics and public relations.

        Bottom line is simple: She shouldn’t have punched the sheriff.

      4. To Maam Ilda:

        Genuine naman ang Peace and Order namin dito sa davao ah, because we obey the law because the authorities enforce the law and not because of vigilantism. I mean Genuine pala sa mga law abiding citizens lang… Eh kasali ako dun, Ikaw saan ka ba kasali?…

      5. @Benigno

        Oo tama nga na hindi niya dapat sinuntok ang sheriff… Pero kung ikaw anong gagawin mo pag nakita mo sa aktong binubogbog ang anak mo?

        Kung hindi mo susuntokin ang nagbumbog sa anak mo, then I Salute You!!!

        Yan ang tinatawag na GET REAL PHILIPPINES!!! Come on..

      6. @benigno

        maybe the sheriff was paid by the land owner fearing that the demolition will not push through

        Bottom line is that the sheriff should just have waited for 2 hours.

        Cheers!

        1. @Stoned

          I don’t think the media has given the sheriff enough airtime to give his side. Did the mayor’s request really get to him before the demolition started?

    2. bakit sir ano GUSTO nyo mga Politiko na malakas ang Charisa na akala mo SANTO pag nakaharap at DEMONYO pagtumalikod. na puro dada at PANGAKO wala naman ginagawa? diba yan naman karamihan sa Politiko natin kaya maraming lugar di umaasenso kasi puro corrupt,puro self intest i know yan ang city na gusto nyo na puro corrupt,magulo mga walang ginagawa na politician cguro ok lang basta SANTO SANTOHAN.

      1. Mostly sa mga hindi taga Davao eh against sa Duterte’s . Well obviously nasanay na ksi sila sa Corrupt nila na politicians. 🙂 For them, Politicians = Corrupt ; For Davaoenos Politicians = Taga pagtanggol ng mga mahi2rap; They implement Peace and Order.

        Kudos to Duterte’s 🙂

      2. Its martial law, plain and simple.

        If you think its OK that a system like this is in place, why did we even evict Marcos from power in the first place? If an iron-fisted Machiavellian approach is preferable to enforce peace & order, are you saying that we’re better off not having the Edsa revolution in the first place?

      3. kasi po sir corrupt si MArcos dami nyang inutang kaya lubog tayo sa utang, pero mga duterte, pinapatay ni marcos mga kalaban sa politca e kung ganun mga duterte matagal na PATAY SI NOGRALES, kung totoosin mas maraming mga nakakatanda mas gusto nila ang peace and order during marcos time, kaya lang he exceed pinapapatay at pinapakulong nya mga kalaban nya sa politics nagkaroon ng self interest while DUTERTE’S kahit nakataya ang profession nila wala sila paki alam. i remember noon Congressman si RODY DUTERTE iba ang MAYOR nun what happen to DAVAO, MADUMI< MARAMING KRIMINAL KAYA BINALIK NG MGA TAGA DAVAO di na tumakbo si RODy as Congressman kasi people in DAVAO mas gusto nila maging MAYOR nalang xa so DUTERTE run AS MAYOR until now di na sila natatalo kasi gusto sila ng mga tao kasi MAYGINAWA SILA PARA SA DAVAO, KAYO ANO GINAWA NYO SA DAVAO??? bago kayo humusga… kasi di kayo residente ng DAVAO

      4. to concerned citizen… if you think marcos is corrupt, let me ask you this now… where do you think the duterte’s get the money to finance their death squad?

      5. @concernedcitizen: dude-pare-tsong naman… ginawa mo namang santo si Duderte. So sinasabi mong mga criminal lang pinapatay nya? Di nya ginagamit yung Death Squad nya para pumatay ng mga di sang-ayon sa mga methods nya?

        Puwes sabihin mo yun sa pamilya ni Ferdie Lintuan. O ni Jun Pala.

        WAKE UP BOY! Journalists who even try to criticize King-Lord-Master-God Duderte end up dead!

        and Jun Pala. Both were critics of Rody Duterte.

      6. @ilda
        let me define democracy for you.. democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives

        we are currently supporting the Mayor. I think it’s democracy enough. If there’d be projects, city ordinance… we from Davao could actually intervene. we could actually exercise our right to agree or to disagree.

        @GiNn
        yung mga business sector dito is paying for the “security”. and they too support the Mayor.

        @dr noh:
        are you aware that Pala uses his radio program to extort favors and money? if not, please do more research.

        unfortunately, i have no knowledge whatsoever with Ferdie Lintuan

      7. @Algo: my point exactly. If someone is judge-jury-executioner, he gets complete control over who lives and who dies, regardless of the gravity of the actual crime. where’s the due process in that?

        So drug-dealers and murders get the Davao-version of the death penalty, OK fine you wont get any arguments from me (I’m pro-capital punishment BTW). But do unethical reporters (your accusation, not mine) also deserve to die?

      8. @Dr. Noh:
        1. kung nabayaran ang judge., and he freed the drug pusher despite all the evidences. where’s the due process in that? rather, where’s the justice behind? Kaya nga diba ang daming issue ngayon sa Ombudsman kasi walang action ginawa during the time nung namuno? Isnt’ it a clear and obvious abuse of authority? Mas masahol pa yun sa bugbog at “violence”.

        2. Currently, we trust the “Berdugo”. Once this trust is violated. Expect that the sentiments of the Dabawenyos will not be the same. Kaya nga merong pro-Nograles (your version of politics) dito, meron ding Duterte (the version of our politics).

        3. But do unethical reporters (your accusation, not mine) also deserve to die? For me, it’s a yes. Theirs are disease worse than drug addiction. They corrupt the minds of an individual according to their views. Buti sana kung helpful sila for the progress of our country pero hindi eh.

        This is not Japan that if someone is discovered with a shameful act they commit suicide to redeem themselves. Buti sana kung ganun eh di ma-unlad na tayo.

        I am sorry is not enough tapos ulit-ulitin this time mas grabeh na yung secrecy. Tas pagmahuli uli… I am sorry uli? Ha ha ha. that’s funny.

        Yung mga drug pushers naman na pinapatay they are given warnings. Pero ang tataas talaga ng ihi eh… They have the options naman na pumunta na lang ng Cebu, Manila or anywhere else besides Davao. Pero matigas. So they deserve to die.

        Polluters of the mind deserves to die for the sake of stability, security, and peace. There’s no shortcut. Yung mga ibang ma-unlad na bansa galing naman sila dito. And besides, such system is effective here… so let us be.

        Yung city namin marami namang awards.
        http://davaodaily.com/awards-won-by-davao-city-in-2010/

        Baka gusto lang talaga ng ibang city na sila naman yung may ganyang awards. Crab mentality nga naman.

    3. “The father and daughter’s arrogance is beyond tasteless. And they are very proud of it.

      The sad thing is this is what the majority of their constituents like.

      Pwe!”

      This is demeaning. First, because in invoking taste, you have brought the issue onto a personal, therefore subjective, context.

      Second, to ridicule the Davao constituents by virtually spatting on them because they do not conform to your standards of taste speaks more of you than it does their lack of taste.

      1. Then again, in a democracy where leaders are elected by popular vote, one can argue that said leaders reflect the character of the people they lead. 😀

  2. It happened in China…Warlordism…It happened in Japan, during it’s Feudal era. The Japanese Feudal Lords had the Samurai Warriors (Private Armies), to protect them…they had also their Ninjas (Death Squads), to kill who they want ot kill…
    In Italy, Benito Mussolino, the Il Duce, maintained , law and order, thru: FASCISM…even, the Italian Mafiosi, were afraid of him…so, the Mafia migrated and took refuge in America.
    It shows political expediency and patronage on the part of the Aquino administration…not to prosecute a Mayor, who assaulted an agent of the law, who was just doing his duty…Might is not right, even the majority of the people of Davao thinks so…

    1. sir tama ka ginagawa ng SHERIFF ang duty nya pero with in 24hrs diba ano lang ung 2 HRS. NA HINIHINGI ng Mayor? kasi alam nya magkakagulo dun same scenario sa buong bansa LALO NA SA METRO MANILA pero sa davao ka lang makakakita ng DEMOLITION na peaceful that time lang dahil wala ang MAYOR. she just asked for 2hrs coz she cant afford again na may mamamatay. dahil that time ang Davao ay sinalanta ng BAHA 30 tao ang namatay inuna nya muna un na tulungan ang mga tao dun, ngayon ang SHERIFF ba nakinig? wala syang consideration kahit 2hrs lang na pag aantay sa 24hrs. di nya magawa? bakit? dahil ba nabayaran ang sheriff ng may-ari ng lupa na prominente at galing sa mayayaman na ankan? ano ang naabutan niMAYOR nagkakagulo na sa AREA may na pana na pulis may 12 nasugatan at may isang bata nasaktan, ito ba ang gusto nyo mangyari, pag may namatay kanino isisisi sa Sheriff ba sa MAYOR diba? may relocation na ung mga squaters finifinalize lang nila kung sino ung qualified, nagkataon lang na mas may importante ung nasalanta sa BAHA, tanong ko sir san ba mas URGENT ung nasalanta ng BAHA??? o ung demolition na may 24hrs pa??? before kayo humusga alamin ang bottom line paano kasi ang pinapakita ng media e yong panunontok lang ng MAYOR. kung totoosin ang may kasalanan ang sheriff wala naman xang consideration at walang respeto sa MAYOR na nakiki-usap na antayin xa para maiwasan dumanak ng DUGO. GUSTO NYO mga TRAPO??? nag EDSA nga wala naman pagbabago kasi PURO TRAPO ang BINOBOTO.

      1. Now, it’s the Sherrif’s fault…Why did Mayor Duterte allowed the Squatter population to grow in her city, in the first place? She is protecting them;allowed them to violate the law to squat on public lands. They are the sources of captive votes.
        This is the reason the Squatter Problem in the Philippines will never be solved. Feudalism and captive sources of political votes, are the main causes….

      2. @Hyden Toro: anong allowed? they are already relocated years ago. binenta nila yung lupa nila dun at bumalik sa squatter area.

        they are professional informal settlers. tingnan lang natin kung may magawa ang mga mayors nyo dun! Baka taga, itak, at bomba ang itatatapat sa kanila (which was nakaready na… hindi lang natuloy kasi dumating ang mayor)!

        those people think that they are Filipinos and why would they be slaves from their own country (because the land was owned by the Chinese).

        In this case, we from Davao support our Mayor. We are not stupid, and coward. And in fact progressive kami despite nasa Mindanao kami.

  3. It true that the means does not justify the end?
    Or would you rather a thousand die for one?
    Why don’t we find out what happened during the demolition before she arrived?
    Or maybe if we just blame her it would lessen the focus on the faults of the other politicians?
    But then who are we to judge when we have yet to walk a mile in their shoes?
    She’s still a human being,
    So Shouldn’t she be allowed to feel anger too?
    Yes, punching a person is socially wrong, but isn’t destroying a person’s home wrong too?
    Is time really such a burden to give?

    I applaud this writer for her courage to speak out her thoughts with vigor, everyone is entitled their own opinions, nevertheless we should always bear in mind that one should never destroy whole nation because of a single man’s fault.

    1. to cam…

      settling in land that is owned by others is wrong too you know… they shouldn’t be living there in the first place…

      and to Ilda’s point, why does is the local government not aligned with the sheriff’s office? if those two are then you dont have to worry about a riot, you dont have to worry about the mayor losing her cool…

      1. settling in another person’s land is wrong, yes. especially if you are the landed, and they are the land-grabbers. but is it humane to bring them more suffering by hastening the demolition process in light of a recent flood? especially when a relocation system is already in place, which to spell it out to landowner, guarantees that his land will be vacated.

        wow, we are so all over the mayor vs. the sheriff here. Get real people! And I may not be from Davao but let’s move on shall, we? The Sheriff is old enough to handle this on his own. Stop making judgments and telling Davao locals how to act and respond for themselves. Dont push the issue about violence down their throats. If they do not feel victimized, and abused, then take it as it is. Let us give them enough respect that they are able to make judgments for themselves. If their current system works for them so be it. Are we better judges than the ones who actually live their? Their experiences and our experiences aren’t one and the same. And for Pete’s sake drop the comparisons with Martial Law and Ampatuan comparisons. That’s exaggerating what actually happened, and lopsided to say the least.

        1. Did I compare them to the Ampatuans? I was merely reminding some people of what abuse of power could do. Things have a tendency to go out of hand just like how things got out of hand with between Sara Duterte and the sheriff.

      1. Its not that i’m “coddling the squatters” as you have stated and yes they shouldn’t have settled in land that is owned by someone else in the first place i just think that they should have been given time to collect their possessions and depart in a humane way.

        to GiNn,
        “and to Ilda’s point, why does is the local government not aligned with the sheriff’s office? if those two are then you dont have to worry about a riot, you dont have to worry about the mayor losing her cool…”

        I think your right,but you also have to take for account the squatters being asked to leave their houses and move to..where?

      2. Is that really a basis for discipline? they have rights to you know, they are still a citizen of this nation as much as you are. 🙂

    1. Looks like all this is becoming a debate of who is supposed to mind their own business. Maybe Mindanao should secede from the Philippines. That’ll make for an even bigger Media circus.

      What is “the Philippines” anyway beyond being a mere “nation” organised by colonial edict and named after a medieval Spanish king? 😀

      All together now:

      Kahol ng Bayan

      Marahil nga na nakakabagot
      Ang mga suliranin ng ‘sang Lipunang
      Sa kabiguan lamang nauuwi
      Mula munting pakitang-taong ambag
      Hangga’t sa mula pusong alay na palag.

      Makabuluhang resulta’y di inaasam
      Sa mga kilusang kinakamkam
      Bagama’t punto ng pag-alsa
      Kahit pinuno’y di alam
      Basta’t “sugod” ang kanyang damdam.

      Ngunit saysay ng sigaw di malaan
      Pagka’t kailan ma’y walang nakamit
      Na pag-unawa sa pinagmulang prinsipyong
      Makabuluhan kung mayroon man.

      Sa mga susunod na kabanata
      Ng kasaysayan ng bansa
      Ang paglitis ng madla
      Di magtutugma sa iba
      Kundi sa malinaw na pangamba:

      Pinoy nga naman talaga,
      Parang aso umasta
      Matangkad lang kapag naka-upo
      Sa tawag ng amo lang tatayo.

      [Dedicated to the Filipino “Revolutionary”
      by benign0, Lyricist Extraordinaire]

    2. parang ganito lang yang sinabi mo “magpresidente muna kayo”. Hahaha.

      At para tingin ninyo eh taga Manila lahat ng nagcomment laban sa inyong mga taga davao. Paranoid.

      1. @Ahehe

        Grabe ka as in pinalitan mo lang variable ah..

        Ibig sabihin nung sinabi ni paterno, Tingnan natin kung kayo ang malagay sa sitwasyon ng mayor namin kung kayo din bah ay hindi gagamitin ng dahas.. Like nakita mong binugbog ang anak mo… Anong gagawin mo..

  4. The good senior Mayor is one scary dude. Black Bart, for sure, pretending his hat is white. He flips the bird at the media and does not see in that gesture a motive consistent with that of Ampatuan, Sr. Indeed, those two to my widened eyes seem cut of the same cloth, laws unto themselves. The size of their Egos is beyond comprehension.

    This is rather consistent with your recent article about Filipino Ego. In the Philippines there is no strong, common morality that draws each element of society toward it, as there is in the US. Rather, the millions of individual Ego’s define their own moralities, from Ampatuan to the good scary Mayor to the guy who decides it is just fine to toss his trash out the bus window.

    Who cares about consideration or tact or compassion or forgiveness? Who cares about the delicacy of granting someone else the benefit of the doubt? Of presenting to the public a reasoning, gracious front?

    Around here, those who turn the other cheek are usually looking for another weapon to grab.

    I hope young Filipinos see this, comprehend it is direct path to endless futility, and commit to being different. Like thoughtful, considerate and gracious.

  5. Fair enough. Violence, done in mannered way can bring chaos into order. It’s an acceptable fact that explains why governments have soldiers and police. State/Police power might be a proper term.

    However, the sheriff does not deserve the good beating Mayor Sara did. A mere slap would’ve been more meaningful, lest acceptable in this situation.

    For those people who says punching a clueless person three times is justifiable, I hope you guys reconsider your thoughts because clearly, this is wrong.

    1. Yes wakas may nagpost din ng may katuturan… Salamat @kabayongtao…

      And By the way the clueless person just got to his senses after the punching incident and he wants peace now and move on…

      1. I hope you are not misunderstanding my thoughts about this.

        I am against what Mayor Sara did and I doubt the sheriff would move on so easily just like how you describe it,

        He was humiliated in front of TV, and became a sensation in the internet. I wouldn’t want that to happen to anyone, especially to myself.

      2. Yes the sheriff wants to move on. He said sorry to Inday Sara already… Kayo lang hindi maka-move on wala naman kayo dun sa pangyayari..

        And the internet sensation thing, Blame it on Ilda and the likes, she’s the one blogging this thing.. Just to get website views to get advertisers to get money out of it.. Ang kawawang sheriff ginamit nyo lang para kumita kayo ng pera.. Sino ngayon ang may Personal Gain…

      3. If we will follow your train of thought, TV networks and newspaper companies would be then guilty of taking advantage of interesting things worth talking about.

        Anyways, this conversation is going off-topic and I think would be for the good if we lay it off.

      4. @Kabayongtao

        Bakit off topic, Abused of power, personal gain ang topic dito.. Sino bah may personal gain sa pagkakaroon ng maraming Page views?

        1. Well Mr illda

          This site does not earn a single centavo from your views unless you click on the Ads. Even if you do, you will have to click on it a thousand times before it can generate enough funds to pay for the hosting of the site. This is all voluntary work and we don’t get paid to do this.

      5. @Ilda

        Pero may pera pa rin na magegenerate buti kung isa lang akong magki click..
        Ginamit niyo lang ang sheriff para magkapera kayo pambayad sa hosting ng site nato. Grabe kayo kawawa naman ang sheriff, ginamit nyo lang para magkapera..

        Tapos ang sheriff walang napala sa inyo kundi pagpapalaki lang ng issue. Issue na ayaw na ng sheriff lumaki… Tapos kayo blog ng blog para magkapera.. Personal gain yan ah..

        1. Why don’t you create your own site and see how much money you are imagining here? If you really think that we are earning that much from your views, then why are you helping us earn it? Your ad hominems are not earning you pogi points, I’m afraid.

          What’s wrong with having a site with ads anyway? It’s legit.

      6. @Illda

        It’s ok to have ads, pero ang ginamit niyong tao si sheriff ay gusto ng manahimik, peace na ang gusto niya tapos kayo pinapalaki nyo ang issue para magkapera.. So ibig sabihin ginamit nyo lang si sheriff andres para kumita ng pera.. Yun lang ang mali nanggagamit kayo ng tao para sa inyong personal gain tapos yung tao kawawa kasi gusto ng manahimik…

    2. Kasi kumikita kayo ng pera dahil pinapalaki niyo ang issue ni Inday Sara at nung Sheriff na gusto ng manahimik. Para lang mapansin ng mga advertisers na maraming ng page views.. Kakahiya kayo grabe ang personal gain niyo ng dahil lang kay Inday Sara at sheriff incident.. Haay naku may mapag-usapan lang. Gusto na nga ng sheriff ng Peace tapos kayo pinapalaki niyo pa may pablog2x bah para mapansin…

      1. What goes on in Davao is every Filipinos business. The Mayor’s punching of the sheriff made international news. I don’t want my friends overseas thinking that I tolerate such violence.

      2. @Ilda
        Kaya nga , Hayaan mo aabut magta-top 10 sa philippines most visited by alexa. At least kikita kayo ng pera ang laki ng potential nyo sa mga advertisers. Kaya lang si sherifd andres ang ginamit niyo na gusto na sanang manahimik pinapalaki niyo pa ang issue. Peace na nga ang gusto ni sheriff andress tapos kayo para lang magkapera pinapalaki pa.. Grabeng personal gain yan ah..

        1. If you can write interesting and enlightening articles, you can also invite a lot of readers the way we do and help the Philippines move forward. 😉

      3. Tama ka dyan Maam… Basta galing lang sa ads ang kita walang masama dun. Pero pag galing sa mga pulitiko nagbabayad ng mga kritiko hindi maganda yun basta
        Huwag lang magpagamit sa mga pulitikong sakim na puro personal gain lang iniisip..

        At least ngayon lahat nanghingi na ng sorry si sheriff at si Inday Sara manghihingi din ng sorry yan..

      1. Interesting, I myself haven’t gave a deep thought about it.

        Personally, I think a slap is given to person in order to humiliate, or bring him/her into sense, if not to injure. Well, If that’s how other people perceive it.

        I find it acceptable in a sense that if I were in a situation that force me to do something harsh, I’d choose the lesser evil and give a soft slap instead of heavy punches.

        On the other hand-

        if we consider the legal standpoint, it is possible for a victim to charge the person who slapped him/her with assault. But of course, the severity of the slap should be considered.

      2. Considering the gender, it has been observed that slapping is done more by females than male.

        Other than that, I don’t see anything more.

      3. @kabayongtao

        allow me to digress,

        are you male or female?

        just wondering what your knee-jerk reaction would be, if you’re placed in an actual situation. a slap or a punch? will it then be soft or hard? seems kind of hard to tell for sure until you’re there right?

        me, i’m female and straight. i think that when i’m in that situation, i’m likely to punch a guy and slap a girl. just me thinking, but with a disclaimer that I wouldn’t really know til I’ve done it 🙂

      4. You have point. Not all times we are in control of ourselves, especially when put under pressure.

        I agree that it’s hard to tell. I’ve never been into a fight nor was put into a situation where I needed to use force.

        Though there was a time I got so angry, I threw the pillows in my room on the. wall. Well, just once.

        On a related note, being a male person myself, I heard males tend to have tight-lid on their emotions. But once released, they are more likely to channel their anger through physical force. Not really quite sure though.

        I just hope when the time comes, I’d be able to keep my head cool.

        1. @kabayongtao

          The trick is to avoid situations where things can go out of hand. You can do this by being more organised. If your office received a notice for demolition, you should ask your staff to coordinate with the sheriff’s office before the due date. You don’t have to do it yourself, just ask one of the many assistants and hangers on who would jump at the chance to assist you 😉

        1. @iilda

          You didn’t have to post this so many times. It just goes to the spam folder. I guess patience is not one of your virtues. You have to give people time to read it.

    3. I counted four.

      That aside, the point remains: you have to be a despot to do stuff like THAT! Seriously, one’s character can be identified by many things, one of them being how that person treats other of lower rank.

      Spitting on the Judiciary, on the other hand… Who do the Dutertes think they are, the Law?!

  6. You guys are seemed so insecure with Dutertes’ just accept the fact that your local officials cannot make any good changes in your community..Whatever you say negative about we won’t listen to your opinions.rumor is rumor no fact or evidences..

    1. As the venerable Raquel Welch was said to have said: “Insanity is expecting different results while doing exactly the same thing over and over again.” As such the reality is quite simple: Filipinos deserve each other.

      nyek nyek!

    2. @shane

      The video of your Mayor punching the sheriff is not rumor. The picture of her father sticking his middle finger to the media is not a rumor. Both can be used as evidence.

      Meanwhile, you calling us insecure is ad hominem.

      1. ignore above comment.

        anyway, im starting to feel that this topic is getting so sbowbiz. why do we expect our politicos to act well-mannered always and unrelenting in pressure? that’s so high and mighty. probably what’s expected in high and very modern societies, which the Philippines isn’t yet. so sorry for the lady duterte that she’s being made as a case study of how local government officials should behave. it’s just that this is a poor analysis. one-sided, and with an obvious prejudice. why do i bother with my posts here?

        probably because “Ilda wants to help people realise that things are not always what they seem.” and no offense but i just want to air a different perspective, a counter argument. the heck even if im too lazy to google what ad hominem means. speak layman please.

        1. ad ho·mi·nem 

          1. appealing to one’s prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one’s intellect or reason.
          2. attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument.

    3. @ilda

      oh, alright that’s what ad hominem means. thank you.

      well they, meaning Davao city constituents, probably feel defensive because of the attack on their mayor’s character.

      which, and i mean no offense to you, is probably how your statements are making them feel.

      1. I was going to start with this

        “Nah…I don’t think so. Her action shows that she can be unprofessional in dealing with people who she perceives as beneath her.”

        But then again, it’s the entire content of your article really, and your replies to those who seemed to come to the mayor’s defense.

        Also, that you’ve made up your mind that she’s the one at fault while there’s still an ongoing investigation.

        1. @Cess

          Here’s what the chairwoman for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) had to say about Sara Duterte:

          “What shocked me was the aggressiveness of Mayor Duterte. I’ve spoken to her before and found her to be a very reform-oriented mayor. She impressed me as a matter of fact so it shocked me to see her very aggressive, that she punched…the poor sheriff. What shocked me further is sinundan. After she punched him, the sheriff was not the aggressor but he was the one being held. Parang nasabunutan,” she told ANC’s “Headstart.”

          and

          “Once you justify the use of force then it becomes easier to use violence and isn’t that our problem, the problem of lack of command responsibility and the problem of impunity? The problem of impunity is reflected both in uniformed and civilian authorities within the bureaucracy and government,” she said.

          As you can see, I’m not alone in my views.

          Here’s another statement from DILG secretary Robredo and from the National Prosecutors League of the Philippines :

          As former Naga City Mayor himself, Robredo said he understood Duterte’s frustration over the demolition. “Her request for two hours is actually very reasonable,” he said.

          But he said it was wrong for Duterte to vent her frustration on the sheriff.

          “An apology from her can help mitigate the situation,” Robredo said.

          Meanwhile, the biggest prosecutors’ league in the country Monday condemned Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte Carpio for punching a court sheriff as the group warned she may face criminal, administrative, contempt and disbarment charges for her “unjust” actions.

          National Prosecutors League of the Philippines (NPLP) President Jonathan Lledo said a string of criminal and administrative cases may be awaiting Duterte for mauling sheriff Abe Andres during a demolition in a squatter’s colony in Davao City.

          For the criminal part, Lledo said Duterte may be charged with direct assault before the Department of Justice (DoJ) or the Office of the Ombudsman “since the sheriff is considered a person in authority and performing his lawful functions.”

          For the administrative aspect, Lledo said Duterte may be charged with grave misconduct which may be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

          Mayor Sara Duterte and her supporters should thank her lucky stars that there are still some people who believe in investigating the issue because I heard that in Davao, there is what they call the death squad.

      2. so by quoting those people, you are admitting that you are attacking her character? (based on the punching part alone)

        and please read carefully, in DILG Secretary’s statement there’s a “may be” in almost all paragraph where the words administrative and criminal cases appear.

        what does that count for? it means it may be or may not be charged. that is what the may be is there for, for the INVESTIGATION to conclude if charges need to be pressed.

        seriously…

      3. Saying mean thing to the mayor is not attacking her character?

        Laws control the lesser man. Right conduct controls the greater one. ~Chinese Proverb

      4. Mean things?

        You wrote on your article the you’d probably be called a moron for saying “mean” things about the mayor.

        You also wrote the you don’t know her personally and by her single act of punching you already know her.

        Everyone is free to say what they want. Maybe you’ve been reading too much Oinkquirer and watching too much Ang BiaS Channel Broadcasting Nonsense

        Things are not always what they seem.

        1. When I wrote, “I would probably be called a moron for saying “mean” things about their mayor“, I was actually predicting that her supporters would see me as being mean for writing this article. Notice how I have put quotation marks on the word “mean” to indicate that people will interpret anything I say about her as being mean.

          Tell me, did I write anything mean about her? Please be specific. 😉

        1. @puffdragon

          I am not having any luck at all. I have to admit that I get a bit stumped when I read comments like “here in davao we support violence…

          *sigh*

  7. Balita ko ilang libong piso lang ang halaga ng buhay ng tao sa davao. Ipapatumba kaya nila tayong mga nagcomment dito sa DDS?

    1. Gaya ng pautang sa banko, may letter ka munang matatanggap para magbagong buhay..

      Ipapatumba ka talaga kung ilang beses kanang nahuhuling nang ho-holdap, nagtutulak ng druga..

    2. CRIMINAL KA BA SA DAVAO? pwes matakot KA pero kung hindi WALA KA DAPAT KINATATAKOTAN, KUNG CRITIKO MADAMI CHR,NOGRALES AND OTHER INCOMPETENT POLTICIAN kung UN talaga AIM ng DDS ang PATAYIN ANG MGA CRITIKO MATAGAL NA SILA PATAY

  8. tama wala naman masama, di naman nila basta basta paalisin un sila san mo naman sila patirahin wyl nag hahanap pa ng malilipatan ang Govt of Davao. ano gusto nyo na itapon na lang sila na parang hayop? nasasabi nyo lang yan kasi wala kayo sa situation nila mayayaman kayo may sariling bahay sana MANGYARI DIN YAN SA INYO SA MGA ANAK NYO NA WALANG WALA PARA MARANASAN NYO RIN MAGING MAHIRAP, as i said di yan tnotolerate nila alam na nila paalisin sila kaya lang di ganun basta basta e relolocate agad sila dahil another budget naman yan, na marami pang mas importante, what is 2hrs. ano ba ineexpect nyo sa mga POLITICO tulad ng POLITICO na MGA EPOKRITO??? na kala mo di MAKABASAG PINGAN??? @ilda ano ba tawag nyo sa walang sumusuporta sa HUMAN RIGHTS INVISTIGATION? DIBA OK LANG SA MGA TAGA DUN??? WEEEHHHH KAHIT DI KO E CONFIRMED UN, EVEN NOGRALES CGURO WALA NGA GINAWA KASI BAKA OK LANG DIN SA KANYA…??? ITO LANG NAMAN MASASABI KO KUNG AYAW NYO NG PATAKARAN NILA WAG TAYO PUMUNTA NG DAVAO PAKI-ALAMAN NALANG NATIN ANG MGA LUGAR NATIN ANO NA MAY MGA SARILING BAHO ANG MGA POLITIKO DIN, o marami lang talaga sa atin dito mga HYPOCRITO din… sabi nga nila kung sino ung puna ng puna ayyy ganun din sila, galit sila sa kapwa nila, ganun ba kayo????

    1. Well, your statement just seems to prove that the mayor’s office wasn’t properly coordinating with the sheriff’s office. It’s as simple as that. With all the assistants and the hangers on available at her disposal, the message still didn’t get through in time. What the heck would 2 hours do anyway? It was only delaying the inevitable. It wasn’t as if she was going to stop the demolition. It really doesn’t make any sense.

      1. What the heck would 2 hours do?

        it would have prevented a policeman getting hit by an “indian pana” on the leg, a 12 yr old girl seriously wounded a dozen injuries, a sheriff getting punched and you writing this article and me replying to it.

        cheers!

        1. I don’t think anyone can assure us all here that violence could have been prevented even after the 2 hours was granted. Those squatters were forewarned about the demolition but did not budge. I don’t think they were willing to go without a fight.

      2. also it does make sense. . . she was not there to stop the demolition, she was there to prevent a riot and help facilitate the squatters.

        1. The rioters were clearly violating the orders. What makes you think that 2 hours could have prevented it? They were already hell bent on doing whatever it takes to provoke anarchy.

          The squatters should not have been allowed to multiply in the first place. Clearly, someone was not doing her job to begin with in preventing it going from bad to worse.

      3. there have been a couple of demolitions in the past here in davao and no riots occured. Days before the the scheduled demolition the Mayor and squatters gathered and AGREED to move out, all they requested that she facilitate so they can salvage things (ex. doors, windows etc)

        Again if she let things just happen the headline would read Demolition, Riot and an incompetent mayor.

      4. @ilda

        Hindi mo ba nakita Pagdating nga ni Inday Sara, natigil ang kaguluhan..

        Ang mga tao tumigil,ang mga pulis tumigil.. at pumalakpak habang naglalakad papunta sa area.. Parang savior ng dumating si inday sara..

        1. Huh? Ano ba yan mga bata na kailangan mga magulang laging present para tumugil mag-away?!?

          If they had common sense, they wouldn’t be violating the order to begin with. They were warned about the demolition, I’m sure.

          But that is beside the point, really. The fact of the matter is, coordination was lacking on that day and like I said earlier, with all the assistants and hangers on by her side, I can’t imagine why her message did not get to the sheriff on time. On top of that, she had to resort to violence herself.

      5. I don’t think anyone can assure us all here that violence could have been prevented even after the 2 hours was granted – OO MERON ASSURANCE Y DAHIL ILANG BESES NA NAG KAROON NG DEMOLITION SA DAVAO NGAYON LANG NAGKAGULO, Tama si STONE:
        “also it does make sense. . . she was not there to stop the demolition, she was there to prevent a riot and help facilitate the squatters.”

        The squatters should not have been allowed to multiply in the first place. Clearly, someone was not doing her job to begin with in preventing it going from bad to worse – ALAM Mo KUNG MAKAPAGSALITA KA MAY NAGAWA ANG POLITIKO NYO SA SQUATTERS NYO, IKAW MAY NAGAWA KA BA? PARANG SA SINABI MO KASALANAN NILA MAGING MAHIRAP SABHIN MO NGA BUTI NGA MGA DUTERTE NA BIBIGYAN NILA NG PABAHAY,KALA MO NAMAN DI SILA TAO. SANA MASUBUKAN MO maging MAHIRAP sana IPAPARANAS sayo ng DIYOS ang NARARANASAN nila bago masabi yan PASALAMAT KA SA DIYOS BINAYAYAAN KA!

        1. Why did the authorities turn a blind eye when the first squatter put up their shanty on that land? I’m pretty sure that they pass that area all the time. Why do they always have to wait when things are already out of hand to act on it?

    2. @Ilda

      “Why did the authorities turn a blind eye when the first squatter put up their shanty on that land? I’m pretty sure that they pass that area all the time. Why do they always have to wait when things are already out of hand to act on it?”

      — Huh, alam mo ba kung anong istorya sa lugar na yan? Sige nga pakikwento nga kung anong istorya sa lugar ng yan at ng malaman natin ang pulot-dulo kung bakit sila naging iskwater sa lugar na yan…

      1. Are you telling me that everyone in Davao just woke up one day with all those squatters there? Tsk tsk. It’s a nationwide problem. It’s not exclusive to Davao. I don’t understand why you keep making a hero out of someone who punched a person repeatedly.

      2. @Ida wala pa ang mga DUTERTE andyan na Yan ang tanong? bat clnaim na ng mga CHINOY business Thycoon ang LUGAR? bakit ngayon lang? tama ka STONE wala naman talaga sila alam sumasawsaw na di naman alam ang buong STROYA! sabi nga DONT JUDGE THE BOOK NY ITS COVER
        No matter how open-minded a person may claim to be, everyone makes presumptions about others based strictly on first impressions. Seeing someone for only a split second, we find ourselves making assumptions. We tend to judge people based on the way they look, by their sexuality,actions and by the typical stereotypes. There is no way we can make an accurate judgment of a person before you actually take the time to get to know them. Many of us are at fault of this

  9. diba mas nakakahiya ung GINAWA ng OPISYALES DURING HK TOURIST HOSTAGE? un TALAGANG KA HYPOCRITOHAN UN, puro bad commenst ang maririnig mo pero here kay MAYOR SARA meron bad and good comments marami pang pumuri! DONT WORRY DI YAN SILA TATAKBO SA NATIONAL ELECTION matagal na yan sila kinukuha pero sila ang nag rereject

    1. As far as I am aware, the people from Davao are still called Filipinos and your actions reflect on all Filipinos as a whole. So therefore, it is still our business to discuss what happens in Davao.

      1. Nagsorry na ang sheriff kay Inday Sara at malamang magso-sorry na din si Inday Sara sa sheriff pero hindi sa pakitang-tao lang kundi sa personal…

        At least kayo may napala kayong website views at mapansin ng mga advertisers na maraming ng visit sa site niyo.. Ang kawawang sheriff ginamit nyo lang para magkapera.. Sino ngayon ang may personal gain?…

      2. “As far as I am aware, the people from Davao are still called Filipinos and your actions reflect on all Filipinos as a whole. So therefore, it is still our business to discuss what happens in Davao.”

        wow, this is such a purist statement. i’m Filipino and I wouldn’t mind other nationalities making assumptions about my country. we’ve had far worse issues than this. for sure, we also have our own impression about theirs, good or bad.

        to sport a “what will other people think about the Phils” attitude is so showbiz, so superficial. the pressure to present a good image when in truth is the core is rotting away.

        1. That’s just tolerating mediocrity right there. Just because you are ok with the dysfunction in our society it does not mean it’s the right attitude.

      3. “Ilda on July 7, 2011 at 6:58 pm
        That’s just tolerating mediocrity right there. Just because you are ok with the dysfunction in our society it does not mean it’s the right attitude.”

        Which part did I say I was tolerating mediocrity?

        Which part did I say I’m ok with the dysfunction?

        And who has defined what makes for a right attitude?

        For the record, i espouse the belief that this is only a discussion. nothing personal is taken.

        1. @cess

          Yes, who among us can define what makes for right attitude? As far as I’m concerned, the law is my basis. Punching a person repeatedly is against the law. And you being an apologists for her action gives me the impression that you tolerate mediocrity and dysfunctional behavior.

      4. @Ilda,

        “Yes, who among us can define what makes for right attitude?” We both agree on that.

        “As far as I’m concerned, the law is my basis. Punching a person repeatedly is against the law.” I’m with the law, too. So we’re both glad that there’s an investigation going on to settle the mayor-sheriff scuffle. That instead of July 7 they’ve made it earlier.

        “And you being an apologists for her action gives me the impression that you tolerate mediocrity and dysfunctional behavior.” Which part did I explicitly say that apologize for her? I dont think there’s any basis for labeling me as tolerant of mediocrity.

        1. @Cess

          Your comment here

          Here’s an excerpt:

          why do we expect our politicos to act well-mannered always and unrelenting in pressure? that’s so high and mighty. probably what’s expected in high and very modern societies, which the Philippines isn’t yet.

          It is very clear that you do NOT expect your politicians to act well-mannered. That is your standard but you should not expect people to have the same standard. I expect my politician to apply the highest standard of behaviour otherwise, she or he has no business being a public servant.

      5. [side comment: it’s hard to make comments here huh? or is it just me. can’t i comment directly after/under a comment? it’s easy reference that way.]

        @Ilda

        Cess says “why do we expect our politicos to act well-mannered always and unrelenting in pressure? that’s so high and mighty. probably what’s expected in high and very modern societies, which the Philippines isn’t yet.”

        I said that in reference to just one incident, meaning the mayor and sheriff incident alone. My above statement does not apply to all scenarios that involve the politicos. Please note the word always there.

        Ilda says “It is very clear that you do NOT expect your politicians to act well-mannered. That is your standard but you should not expect people to have the same standard. I expect my politician to apply the highest standard of behaviour otherwise, she or he has no business being a public servant.”

        Again, please don’t make hasty assumptions about me. I do expect my politicians to have the highest standards of behaviour.

        To differentiate, that guy who got arrested in HK for drugs that’s a NO-NO. Their family, rumored clout and armies scare the shit out of me. Imo, him in jail overseas is still light punishment. In comparison, this incident, mayor sara punching the sheriff, is obviously not her best moment but that should not take credit away from the good that she has done. The word good here is my own interpretation based on how her constituents seem to take her defense.

        1. @Cess

          Her violent tendencies may have surfaced only now but her father is encouraging her to do the same thing again and more if she ever finds herself in the same situation. This was her father’s statement:

          “Pag ginawa ng sheriff ulit yan, upakan mo ulit,” [translated: “If the sheriff does it again, beat him up again”] Duterte told his daughter.

          The elder Duterte also threatened to shoot anyone who crosses him:

          “Barilin kita. Bakit mo ako suntukin? Ako nga ang peacemaker para walang gulo e to prevent bloodshed tapos suntukin ako [“I will have been the peacemaker in such a situation so punching me would be unacceptable”]. I’ll shoot you,” he said.

          Read the full article here: Rodrigo Duterte threatens to shoot

      6. p.s. you just reacted on the well-mannered part but did not consider my entire sentence “why do we expect our politicos to act well-mannered always and unrelenting in pressure?

        1. I’ll just repeat my comment earlier:

          There is this saying that “you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights”. In Sara Duterte’s case, the whole country learned a lot about her and her family by the way she handled the sheriff.

      7. @Ilda

        That quote is, in my opinion, very judgmental, narrow-minded, and a sweeping generalization.

        Where did you hear/read that saying? just curious and want to understand (digressing here)

        I have a question, which you might label ad hominem, to which you are free to answer or not.

        Have you ever made a one-time slip up that you’re not proud of, say jaywalking or littering, bought condoms where its illegal or had an abortion?

        If yes, do you think strangers who knew about it have judged your character and questioned your personal integrity? Do you even care that they’ve made these assumptions about you?

      8. @ILlDA because we don’t care about the Philippines as a whole. We can no longer change a person kung ayaw. Kami mg Dabawenyos, we want something that make ourlives peaceful. Alam ko opinion mo yan and we don’t care about your opinion and we don’t owe anyone an explanation.

        We might be the ruthless people in the Philippines, we may be very arrogant but we owe it to ourselves. Hindi kami bobo at tanga na pauupuin ang isang tao na wla naman kaming tiwala na kaya kaming depnsahan at pagsilbihan. Kung ayaw nyo sa kanya, so be it! apektado ka? napupuna mo kami kasi alam mo may difference sa lugar mo kumpara dito sa amin. Hindi kesyo taga-maynila o taga-kung saan man kayo ay magaling na kayo at malilinis… may dumi kami at prangka kami, di kami plastik kapag nagalit.

        mukhang apektado ka… napaka-linis mo naman… santo ka ba? bakit nakaapak ka pa sa lupa my dear?…

        1. @Elinore

          Thank you for letting us know how you really feel about the rest of us. It’s too bad we care about the people of Davao especially the ones who get beaten up.

        2. Oo nga naman. Let’s all just do the Pinoy thing. Kanya-kanya na lang, right? Wala na lang pakialamanan.

          Pinoy nga naman talaga.

  10. @iilda tama ka “At least kayo may napala kayong website views at mapansin ng mga advertisers na maraming ng visit sa site niyo.. Ang kawawang sheriff ginamit nyo lang para magkapera.. Sino ngayon ang may personal gain?…”

    im not from DAVAO i stayed sa DAVAO for 3 years pero ito lang masasabi ko MALAYA AKO NAKAKAGALAW NAAYON SA BATAS kaya di AKO NATATAKOT DAHIL DI NAMAN AKO PUSHER o CRIMINAL,yong TAKOT LANG ung mga KRIMINAL. IKAW KRIMINAL KA BA?

    1. @Concern citizen

      Ako din po hindi din ako taga-davao. Lately lang Nagbibiyahe ng Davao pero Manila talaga ako nagwo-work.. Isa lang masasabi ko… Ang sarap talaga tumira sa davao. Basta wala ka lang inagrabyadong tao, hindi ka nagsisimula ng gulo, hindi ka nagtutulak ng druga. Wala kang pangamba sa Davao.

      1. Wala kang pangamba sa Davao.

        Just don’t get in the way of the one in power or the one surrounded by bodyguards. Otherwise, you will get repeatedly punched.

      2. @Ilda

        OK lang na you get in the way of the one in power or the one sorrounded by bodyguards Basta huwag kang magcause ng gulo sa davao hindi ka ma-repeatedly punched.

        1. Bakit? Nag-cause ba ng gulo yung sheriff? I don’t think so. It was the rioters who caused the “gulo”.

      3. “Ilda on July 7, 2011 at 4:10 pm
        Wala kang pangamba sa Davao.

        Just don’t get in the way of the one in power or the one surrounded by bodyguards. Otherwise, you will get repeatedly punched.”

        that’s a very general statement which is also out of context.

      4. @Ilda

        “Just don’t get in the way of the one in power or the one surrounded by bodyguards. Otherwise, you will get repeatedly punched.”

        You see, in this particular argument you seem to have represented the sheriff as the oppressed and the mayor as a perennial oppressor.

        What’s worrying is that you’ve made that conclusion with just one context which is repeated punching due to an ungranted two-hour extension, to which you’ve assumed has transpired because of a miscommunication between the agencies.

        I’m sure, we are both aware, that your statements are just your own assumptions and perceptions; and that what’s real is there’s an ongoing investigation to determine who really did violate what law.

        1. @Cess

          I have zero tolerance for violence especially coming from a public servant who is surrounded by bodyguards.

          We already know who violated the law but the sheriff chose not to file charges. The squatters also violated the law but that is another matter.

      5. @Ilda

        I respect your sentiment:
        “I have zero tolerance for violence especially coming from a public servant who is surrounded by bodyguards.”
        This shows that you are a pacifist and you’re intimidated with a person with many bodyguards. I got no issues there.

        This statement though:
        “We already know who violated the law but the sheriff chose not to file charges. The squatters also violated the law but that is another matter.”

        You mean, you already know who violated the law? I seriously don’t know yet. Is the investigation already finished?

        1. The harming of another person is a violation of the law. The investigation is to find out if she is going to be dismissed from her post because of what she did.

      6. @Ilda

        are you a lawyer, law student, or a legal authority?

        please give me some sort of anchor as to where you’re coming from.

        you were talking law stuff, but since you said the sheriff did not file charges, where’s the violation there?

        is it even legal to investigate someone even without charges pressed?

        1. @Cess

          Why does it matter to you what my profession is?

          Please read the news item I posted regarding the charges that may be filed against her. But as we all know, most cases in the Philippines are not followed-through so I wouldn’t be surprised if it does not amount to anything. The so-called padrino system might just be in effect again soon.

      7. your professional background or academic background or what sort of background you have will allow me to understand your views better. i am able to make an enlightened and informed opinion that way.

        when i read about an op-ed article in inquirer, i got to understand what it was saying and understood what it meant when it invoked the rule of law.

        when i read about Randy David’s article, i understood another opinion. i respect his opinion, too, because he qualified his analysis by stating his sociological background.

        therefore, i am curious about your background or ideology. that way, i may be able to understand your opinion better. then i get to decide for myself, and myself alone, if i should give your opinion credit or not.

        1. @Cess

          your professional background or academic background or what sort of background you have will allow me to understand your views better. i am able to make an enlightened and informed opinion that way.

          Take my opinion or leave it. I don’t really care. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. Let’s leave it at that.

          I’ve said most of the things that matter regarding this issue.

      8. @cess: that’s the thing: nobody here seeks credit for anything, not even the authors methinks. however way you take anyone else’s opinion anywhere is merely an indicator of your ability to handle your own. point misser much?

        @ilda: pardon me for butting in, but somebody’s (deliberately) not getting that just because you’re the supposed “good guy” it doesn’t mean you have a right to be unlawful.

        and this attempt at cleverness – “You mean, you already know who violated the law? I seriously don’t know yet. Is the investigation already finished?” just comes straight out of a horses arse, quite frankly.

        1. @Parallax

          No need to apologise. There has been so many apologists already for the Dutertes today and a lot of point missers too 😉

      9. “Take my opinion or leave it. I don’t really care. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. Let’s leave it at that.”

        We don’t have to know each other and be chummy for me to try to understand where you’re coming from. As I said, nothing personal just an exchange of opinion.

        Why don’t you want me to understand you? I’m an educated person, try me I’m sure I’ll manage to understand you somehow. I want to understand. I’m seriously concerned about the social issue you are trying to talk about here. I’m seriously concerned about the impression of other nations on what constitutes being Filipino because I am a Filipino, and an educated Filipino. I inquire, I try to seek and grasp all sides of the story. I try not to make hasty assumptions. I claim all my assumptions as my own opinion and nothing else. I try to raise above my personal biases and prejudices so I can keep an open-mind and get a critical analysis before I make a statement.

        But wait, you, what?? “…said most of the things that matter regarding this issue.” Man, you are seriously delusional.

        But wait, you didnt state your background. Forget it, I’m no longer interested.

        And I quote the wise Brom when he said to Eragon that “You can’t argue with all the fools in the world.”

        1. @Cess

          Here’s the definition of ad hominem again because your last comment is just that:

          ad ho·mi·nem 

          1. appealing to one’s prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one’s intellect or reason.
          2. attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument.

          If you still haven’t understood the point yet, I don’t think you are going to get it. You don’t even have a valid question about the issue anymore. All you are asking for are personal details that have nothing to do with the article.

        2. Typical credentialist. Rather than take an idea on its inherent logical merit, you go off and speculate on the personal circumstances of the messenger. Does being a lawyer or not change the validity or non-validity of what one says? Consider then that most Pinoy politicians are themselves lawyers. That says a lot about how little relationship there is between the amount of credentials one has and the righteousness of what one says or does.

          Pinoy nga naman talaga
          Parang aso.
          Matangkad lang kapag nakatayo.

          nyek nyek

      10. oh, here’s another clever attempt.

        thank you for teaching me ad hominem and for confirming that i understand the concept. coz i deliberately said those words to invoke ad hominem when you made me realize that you only have prejudices, emotions, or special interests but NOT intellect or reason.

        (note to myself: oh bugger, i have to double check that ad hominem definition sometime, Ilda might have spouted those definition straight from wiki and if so, that definition needs to be validated. wiki can be so unrealiable sometimes.)

        the “intellectual volley” was fun until i realized that you wont engage in an educated argument and you’re just haphazardly throwing your preconceived notions around and claim it is “what matters.” wow, i honestly feel you should get over yourself. but hey, i wont burst your bubble anymore after this last one.

        good thing though not all Filipinos think the way you do. sabi nga teacher ko sa La Salle “Dont take everything hook, line, and sinker.” Sabi naman ng professor ko sa UP “Be critical and look at things in a multi-disciplinary perspective.” there’s hope for me, coz they still teach these at school!

        in parting, cess is a 25 year old well-educated Filipina who despite the adversities and struggles of the present society still believes that the Filipinos can be critical thinkers who not only see one-side of the picture, see not just one-act but has the capacity to understand the entire scenario. and that capacity to understand social phenomenon coupled with compassion is something that she tries to apply when she interacts with people. people from all walks of life be it mayor, sheriff, squatters, or even plain narrow-minded people. she tries to appeal to reason but if reasoning wont work she can freely butt out.

        good night all delusional beings reading this. i’m delusional myself for trying to understand you and for trying to uncover depth or dimension to extract substance. there was none. what a surprise.

        1. Nah. Your fixation on comparing what credentials people here offer versus what credentials you EXPECT gets in the way of your efforts at trying trying to “uncover depth or dimension to extract substance.” Ultimately that fixation and, even more, your revealing personal details about yourself which, as far as I’ve seen, nobody here really gives a hoot about is what uncovers your own lack of depth and substance . Ironic, isn’t it? Just focus on ideas and how these are able to stand on their own logical merit rather than fixate yourself on the people who express them.

          As the esteemed Eleanor Roosevelt was said to have said:

          Small minds talk about people
          Mediocre minds talk about events
          Great minds talk about ideas
          .

          Stidi ka lang dyan.

          😉

        2. @Cess

          Which part of the article don’t you understand anyway? It’s so plain and simple.

          I don’t think anyone here care to know where you went to school or how old you are. Those details are irrelevant to the discussion.

          It’s so obvious that you have nothing more to say about the issue. Just be careful now not to let the door hit you on your way out. 😉

      11. is she gone? it still smells like binondo (horse droppings, for the benefit of the clueless).

        pustahan hihirit pa yan.

      12. that’s another social problem right there.

        why should it matter what a person’s background is? does having a “title” make one’s opinion matter more?

        The internet should be the great equalizer in debating. It shouldnt matter if you dont have a Phd attached to your name, dress in signature clothes or be name-droppable. What SHOULD matter is that what you say makes sense and is the truth.

        Ilda was already hinting that it was already a breach in internet etiquette for Cess to keep badgering someone about revealing personal information which is not even remotely relevant to the issue. Now Cess throws a hissy-fit when Ilda doesnt take the bait?

        tres gauche…

      13. cess,

        I am sure you know that it is common amongst Filipinos to defend a position once taken no matter what . . . because the issue is not the issue, defense of it is. For face-saving, esteem. Whatever. Listening, bending, respecting . . . these are not stalwart traditions.

        I admire your swim upriver, as the mighty currents raged . . . four against one at last count. Now one becomes two, not on the issue, per se, but on how it is deliberated.

      14. the drama queen plays victim again for the nth time. classic manipulative bs, joe, and you’re full of it.

        you still haven’t done the research you promised, mmm joe? scared it will put your einstein president and his kkk buddies in a bad light? (but pardon my manners everybody, as that’s for a different earlier thread. surely joe doesn’t have to bother keeping his word on another thread, as if he ever has.) not to worry; cess might fight your fights if she falls for your contrived sympathy.

        really joe, make it a gang-up thing. victim-play like always. it shows us you’re exactly like your idol “the chief” in every way.

        1. I don’t know. I detect a bit of inconsistency from our old friend here. It’s quite disappointing really considering I have been sharing his articles at the GRP community lately. He probably isn’t aware that the increase in traffic on his site is because I have been telling people to check out his articles, which I thought is now in line with the GRP messages. I thought he is finally beginning to understand the dysfunction in our society. But then he goes on to rant about me on his comment thread saying that I don’t have any credibility. Well, thanks a lot.

          After all this time interacting with us, he still would rather believe the lies an anonymous commenter said about me and those critical of PNoy. I thought he was above shallow speculations that have nothing to do with intellectual discourse. Sheesh.

      15. @Joe America, I don’t think there is any sort of “ganging up” going on here. Just flawed, lazy, and sloppy logic attracting insightful clarification. 😉

      16. @anti-liars: now you owe me 5 minutes of my life i will never get back so thanks a lot. geez

        that guy, who is so much fun to whip now and then, f.y.i., never runs out of gutter juice.

      17. Ilda,

        “which I thought is now in line with the GRP messages”

        Well, I don’t exactly line up with anyone in particular, working hard to just be sincere. And like the next guy (or girl), I make my mistakes. But I do admire someone who is willing to work hard going against the grain without descending into calling people names. I also appreciate the publicity, but you’d better stop now, as I expect to release a blog in a couple of days entitled “I Like Pesident Aquino”. That kind of thinking might be a little too much for those lined up here to absorb.

        1. @Joe

          I expect to release a blog in a couple of days entitled “I Like Pesident Aquino”.

          Don’t forget to give a fair and balanced assessment of PNoy. You might want to read this little newsbit before publishing it:

          ‘PH turning off investors by renegotiating contracts’

          http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/06/30/11/ph-turning-investors-renegotiating-contracts

          Here’s an excerpt:

          “MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is turning off investors by trying to scrap or revise the terms of contracts for projects such a Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) port project and a Laguna Bay dredging, said European Chamber of Commerce President Hubert d’Aboville.

          “Are we welcoming today the investors? Are we telling them you are going to invest 500 million euros, welcome for the next 20 years?” D’Aboville said in an ANC’s The Economy and The President forum. “The investor needs at least 20 years security, and today I am afraid they don’t see that.’’

          President Benigno Aquino this month ordered the cancelation of a Belgian project to dredge part of Laguna Bay, the renegotiation of a French port construction contract, and the review of a Chinese rail project. “

      18. Parallelaxe,

        Well, dear weasel, I actually did do some research about Banco Filipino. I even wrote half a blog, but it was shading toward a different issue, “judicial advocacy vs. judicial impartiality”, as that was the context of the Aquino quotes that I dredged up. As I understand it, he was irked that judges in a couple of instances (like the judge who issued an arrest warrant for the entire GSIS Board, and the judges on Banco Filipino) were engaged in the politics of the issue rather than the legal aspects. I gather your complaint is something more, like President Aquino’s personal relationships with Banco Filipino principals, but I could not find anything about that. You maybe could choose to enlighten me rather than continue your endless litany of insults. By the way, you engage in deceits number 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14 itemized in my latest blog. I fully expect 1, 6, 10 and 12 at any moment. Indeed, you may legitimately be the “Champion of Deceits”. Have you considered applying for a job with Fox? You’d be a natural because you can do this stuff without even thinking. For sure. Reference: http://thesocietyofhonor.blogspot.com/2011/07/science-of-deceit.html

      19. Ilda,

        “But then he goes on to rant about me on his comment thread saying that I don’t have any credibility.”

        Look, babe, you burned the personal credibility bridge with me when you fundamentally said I was a “liar” regarding BongV deleting my comments on AP. You’ll get credibility when you grant it.

        You retain intellectual credibility with me because you write well, make a lot of sense (82.7% of the time) and inspire me to think. You don’t descend to name-calling like some other twits in the GRP circle of compatible craniums, although you are not reluctant to cast an unfriendly aspersion on those who display an obviously errant tendency to disagree with you.

        1. @Joe

          you burned the personal credibility bridge with me when you fundamentally said I was a “liar” regarding BongV deleting my comments on AP

          I’d be interested to see where I specifically said that you were a liar. I seem to recall that it was you who called me lots of unflattering names at AP despite your disapproval of others using name-calling. I am not exactly waiting for an apology. Unlike some people here who I will not name, I can easily move on by taking things with a grain of salt.

          And just so you know, my penchant for casting an “unfriendly aspersion” as you prefer to call it, is not directed at those who disagree with me. They are directed at people who initiate the attacks on my character. You can even check out the comment section of the archives and see who made the first shot in the past just like how you can see who made the first shot on this particular thread.

      20. Ilda,

        1) Cancelling contracts that are determined to be financially bad deals may turn off the specific companies that struck the deals, but reflect favorably on President Aquino’s fiscal restraint, thus “turning on” the broad range of investors who are observing exactly this kind of fiscal responsibility, and like it. Moody’s, S&P, World Bank, and the investors who have poured money into the Philippines to strengthen the dollar. How else do you explain it?

        2) You never outright called me a liar, nor did I say you did. I qualified my words as you always qualify yours. You said something to the effect that I was making up stories, but no way will I go back to that cesspool to dig up the actual dialogue. That period was not exactly a joy for me, and now your friend Parallaxe is bringing the same style of interaction over here.

        3) Your comment above about my “rant” about your lack of credibility itself was less than honest. Here is my complete remark which you took the liberty of twisting to make you appear the victim. Victim. Get it? Twist. Get it?

        “My daily engagement is mainly with Benigno’s “Get Real Post”. Ilda, who writes there, still has to recover some credibility with me, as she was one of the thugs at AP. Still, she writes a lot of thoughtful commentary at “Get Real Post”, so I’ve set that aside. ”

        4) It is a different blog site now. I say BongV deleted my posts and I can prove it. What do you say? Do you take me at my word, ask for the proof, or tell me I’m making up stories?

        1. Wow, Joe. You call me a thug for defending my views?!? Gees. You also called me insensitive to other women on your site just for having the guts to respond to those who attack my character. That’s a lot of name-calling right there. It’s also very convenient of you to use that to insinuate that only a man can stand up for his beliefs. Your gender bias is really showing.

          Meanwhile, I can’t even remember why you still feel “hurt”. You do harbor a lot of ill feelings. Don’t you think it’s time you let go of the past? It’s not good to be holding grudges. It prevents you from having meaningful relationships with other people. It’s not even productive to be looking back at a time when things were run a little differently. We all need to grow up at some point. Don’t be too judgemental otherwise, I will assume that you have been inflicted with Pinoy mentality.

          I have never really understood why you take my criticism of PNoy so personally. I’m not the only one who sees his shortfall but you always single me out. Again, gender bias. This is precisely the reason why you were gullible enough to believe what that anonymous commenter said about me.

          Now if you will excuse me, I need to move on.

          P.S.

          Here’s the definition of a thug:

          1. a tough and violent man, esp a criminal
          2. (Historical Terms) (sometimes capital) (formerly) a member of an organization of robbers and assassins in India who typically strangled their victims.

        2. 1) Cancelling contracts that are determined to be financially bad deals may turn off the specific companies that struck the deals, but reflect favorably on President Aquino’s fiscal restraint, thus “turning on” the broad range of investors who are observing exactly this kind of fiscal responsibility, and like it. Moody’s, S&P, World Bank, and the investors who have poured money into the Philippines to strengthen the dollar. How else do you explain it?

          It remains to be seen. It’s not like I’m praying that investors leave in droves. I wish they would stay but if PNoy’s mismanagement is what is keeping them out, I have to point it out.

      21. Thank you for at least addressing one of the issues I raised. For your information, before you depart pulling your hair, BongV did indeed yank two of my posts. BK put them back. Perhaps we are too much alike to engage in these spats, the wrong ends of the magnets, as it were. And, yes, I remember those who insult me without even knowing me. I don’t consider it a grudge. I consider it an early warning system.

        Cheers.

        1. And, yes, I remember those who insult me without even knowing me. I don’t consider it a grudge.

          That’s just playing with words. Like I said, perhaps you ought to check who gave the first shot. My articles were not even about you. You just take criticism of PNoy too personally. I can only guess that someone close to you is a supporter of PNoy. I have a lot of people close to me who support PNoy but they don’t resort to branding me a “thug”.

          Perhaps we are too much alike

          I don’t think so. I do not go out of my way to malign other writers. I have never wrought havoc on other people’s comment threads. I don’t even visit Pro-Pinoy and don’t even bother to write a rebuttal to your blogs even when I strongly disagree with your views. Some people here on the other hand, don’t care if their careless words paint me in a bad light. But I trust that other intelligent readers can decide for themselves who among us makes more sense and who is just spreading hate.

      22. dear i.r. baboon (este, joe america),

        calling me weasel was a cheapshot, but then, only a true master like yourself can write such an enlightening post on deceit. we are not worthy (bow) (bow again) (bow once more). you did say in your blog post that you’ve got an m.s. on top of your b.s. in b.s. right? surely you practise this art everyday to maintain your chi and never ever retire, because you will never stop doing it, won’t you, i.r.?

        anyway, i’d like you to know that your diversionary tactics are glaringly obvious. of course you “couldn’t find anything” about it, because admitting that you did find anything reveals your lovely president’s giving free rein to his buddies to do as they please and not be held accountable. so like the ridiculously naturalised da pinoy that you are, you came up with the predictable lame excuse that all you got on banco filipino was that pnoy was irked by judges that he says were politicking rather than taking up legal merits, though in that very instance he was meddling with the judiciary and unwittingly (because you can’t use what you don’t have) politicking. the lights are on but nobody’s home. geez, your president can’t pass a stool exam.

        so please, i.r., stop acting like i need to enlighten you because you already know of your chief’s partiality towards his kkk, his buddies, finance secretary purisima included – but you just can’t admit it, can you?

        now, on the matter of who engages in which deceits, you most certainly are attempting to poison the well, you clever character assassin you, though only a complete idiot would fall for it.

        and you’re trying too hard – listing ’em, numbering ’em, making it sound like i’ve done soooo many horrible things to you. ladies and gentlemen, joeam is playing victim once again. it gets old really fast, i know. don’t baboons know any other dance moves?

        don’t feel too sad about not getting the job at fox news, i.r.
        they were too afraid you might take over. and i know you can, so hang in there, buddy!

        love and kisses,
        i.m. weasel

        *to your credit i will say your blog post is so well-written and clear, and it demonstrates your mastery of the subject. mmmwah

      23. *mreeeeow!*

        catfight! this thread is even more entertaining than the main article itself 🙂

        (grabs popcorn)

        now I’m tempted to go dredge up the archives and see just where this all started. Skipped most of the action at AP, but was a regular reader back in the FV days so there are rather large holes in this drama I need to catch up on. Wish real life came with its own synopsis…

      24. Dr. Noh, let me give you a synopsis and save you a lot of research time, though you may still enjoy the blood in the water at AP’s rancid blog site.

        Anti-Pinoy went to war with Filipino Voices because FV editors moderated contributions. AP principals in the push were BongV, Benigno and BenK.

        JoeAm showed up on AP to defend the right of a blog site (FV in particular) to edit content, as any publisher would. JoeAm was verbally beaten to a pulp and insulted, necessitating likewise response. Tats for tits, as it were.

        The presidential election neared and the AP crowd pursued an agenda to tarnish candidate Aquino. After the election, the dissing continued. JoeAm advocated a more respective line toward the new president, out of a motivation called the sacrifice of patriotism, and pointed out the strengthening of the peso upon election was a good sign. He again took it above and below the belt by the screaming banshees of AP.

        JoeAm wrote a blog declaring AP writers to be essentially similar to the old-school Filipinos that they criticize, that is, using intimidation to attempt to extract winning points, and not really wishing to engage in dialogue. JoeAm declared AP writers to be “thugs”. The specific article is here: http://thesocietyofhonor.blogspot.com/2010/07/anti-pinoy-thugs.html

        The comments to that blog are worth the popcorn, thought the blue type on gray backdrop is a little much.

        BongV started deleting JoeAm’s posts on AP, proving that honor among thugs is sketchy at best and hypocrites can even be found at sites proclaiming some holier than thou viewpoints. AP now also moderates I note whilst chuckling and slapping my forehead.

        Ilda and Parallelaxe were among collective of like-thinking displaying the diplomacy, tact, humor and grace you read above.

        Ilda is a bright writer who perhaps well-defines the consummate Filipino style. She has never met an objection she cannot slip out of. She is particularly skilled at putting people in boxes. For example, President Aquino is a bad president because he is going after President Arroyo on a litany of corruption issues. Of course, if he refrained from going after her, he would also be declared a bad president.

        Parallelaxe is a juvenile delinquent akin to the kids who run around breaking windows because it causes them great joy as they run off into the darkness feeling superior to whoever they brought down a notch by damaging their property. He is one fit short of being a Psycho (reference Benigno blog regarding such cretins).

        JoeAm is a really upstanding guy, but old and cranky when he does not get enough sleep. You should read his blogs, particularly the latest one, for it will really irritate those with preconceived notions (cemented notions at this point, for their esteem and reputations ride on making sure President Aquino is painted as a failure) that President Aquino is not a good president: http://thesocietyofhonor.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-like-president-aquino.html

        Benigno is a stalwart fellow who rarely descends into the mud. He has a brain the size and possibly shape of Luzon and the wisdom of Buddha’s lost brother Ralph.

        1. Dude, for me it is quite simple. The human mind is programmed by millions of years to summarise, synthesize and simplify. Perhaps putting people in boxes is one manifestation of that predisposition. I myself am guilty of that, and I make no apologies for it because, at the end of the day (to quote that tired cliche), it makes things easy for my own limited mind to make sense of the world.

          Indeed, GRP itself is a massively brilliant exercise in putting an entire nation — the Philippines — into a (very) little box. And you know what? Pinoys make it easy for people like me to do so because Pinoys are at the very VERY core of their essence simple, one-dimensional, and quite frankly utterly predictable. Thus the brilliant GRP Inc you see today is, like most great brands, a result of a successful productisation of a resource to serve an obvious need. That resource is groundbreaking INSIGHT on the ESSENCE of what makes Pinoys such chronic failures.

          So, dude, don’t pretend to be above “putting people in boxes” because no human mind is above what is inherently a neurological condition to do so. The above comment of yours itself is a testament to that fact.

          To give a bit of credit to you, perhaps some people are more skilled at putting people in boxes than others. I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you, as the success of GRP was achieved on the back of that very skill. GRP is the penultimate box in which Da Pinoy deserves to be stuffed into. And because Da Pinoy possesses very little substance to begin with, not much effort is required to do said stuffing.

        2. Joe likes putting me in a box as well. Unfortunately for him, he has very little success in convincing other people to take that box.

          He likes calling me names too, i.e. thug. Fortunately, majority of GRP readers can think for themselves. It’s so obvious that only people with “small minds” buy his story.

        3. @Joe America

          When are you going to stop using other people’s site to promote yourself? It’s so funny how this thread became about you again. Kindly look at the title of the article and the majority of the comments. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. You just have this annoying habit of directing everyone’s attention to YOU.

          I’ve been very polite at rebutting your insults but I’ve had enough. This is really unproductive and very, very silly. When are you going to grow up?

          What’s even more silly is when you agree with all my articles tackling Filipino dysfunctional behavior and yet you admire PNoy at the same time; PNoy who is the epitome of a typical Filipino who I describe in the same articles you agree with. Go figure. When I have time, I will dig out every comment you made complimenting my articles just to show everyone how inconsistent you are.

          Be warned Joe: I am going to delete the next ad hominem coming from you. It’s just distracting other people from the main point of the article. You’ve said all the nasty things you want. I can’t imagine what else you need to let out of your chest. You have been so lucky so far that we let garbage like your comment above get posted here while your idol site “Pro-Pinoy” does not even let your comments in. Go figure again!

          You are just a typical narcissist who like putting other people down just so you can look good.

          Stay out of my articles if you don’t like my criticism of PNoy.

      25. @dr. noh: joe tries to put me in a box all the time, but for some reason he’s the one who keeps ending up in the same old box with the words “HABITUAL VICTIM PLAYER INSIDE” written on it. might as well shake the box and kick it around, maybe knock some sense into the idiot who trapped himself in there.

        but it’s hopeless. joe america plays victim ALL THE TIME. it’s what i’ve always detested about the sanctimonious liar, right fom day one. don’t you hate it when you see pro athletes feign fouls and injuries? that’s exactly what joeam practises day after day.

        he misses fv because over there he’s an articulate god to the gullible, but on get real affiliated blogs he’s been revealed to be just another manipulative mouthpiece with a persistence that puts herpes to shame.

        joe calls some of us impolite, thugs, etc, but is too self-absorbed to realize that not everything is about him, and that i treat him the way his hypocritical emo behaviour invites me to treat him. it’s like wearing a bull’s eye while hamming up the self-righteousness, and all i’ve got is a pillow.

        so i put a bowling ball in it.

      1. COurt? ilang kaso ba ang tambak sa pilipinas? ung akusado patay na di pa rin na sesentexahan. parang alam mo naman ang Korte natin para lang sa may pera. wake Up!

        1. Then the system in place there is for people who want short-cuts. You should be advocating for the government to use the institutions that are already in place and not create your own army to “fix” things for you.

      2. “Ilda on July 7, 2011 at 3:53 pm
        Thuggery should not be tolerated. People are innocent until proven guilty in court.”

        what does this mean?

        that the mayor acted like a thug and should not be tolerated? but that she is innocent (and not a thug) until proven guilty in court (an investigation is underway and if its thuggery or not, let’s wait and see)?

        1. @Cess

          I was referring to the hired mercenaries or DDS that Concern Citizen was bragging about and the people they eliminate for supposedly violating the law.

    2. eep. such drama

      but I shall aspire to be as neutral as dear old Switzerland in all this.

      but a follow-up question for those in the know: what caused the eventual break-away of GRP from AP? (well, aside from the occasional randriod-ish creepiness of AP…)

  11. Revisiting my previous comment –

    “The father and daughter’s arrogance is beyond tasteless. And they are very proud of it.”

    Fact or fallacy?

    “The sad thing is this is what the majority of their constituents like.”

    Fact or fallacy?

    They are all undisputed facts.

    And according to lecter and illda: “wish ko sana naging taga Davao ka…”

    These people have the funny ways of making arguments throughout this commenting board.

    1. Trosp

      To clarify, I’m reacting not on the fact or fallacy of your perception but on what I perceive to be a very disdainful view that you have on the mayor, v-mayor, and their constituents.

      I see it as disdainful because this issue is not a matter of taste nor did it necessitate a put down of their constituents. This includes the “Pwe!” in your statement.

      Recap:

      Trosp

      “The father and daughter’s arrogance is beyond tasteless. And they are very proud of it.

      The sad thing is this is what the majority of their constituents like.

      Pwe!”

      Cess

      “This is demeaning. First, because in invoking taste, you have brought the issue onto a personal, therefore subjective, context.

      Second, to ridicule the Davao constituents by virtually spatting on them because they do not conform to your standards of taste speaks more of you than it does their lack of taste.”

      1. The “pwe” was for their being very proud of their arrogance.

        I was just stating the fact that this is what the majority of their constituent like. Which is an undisputed fact.

        Is that demeaning to you?

        They were not my perception. They are undisputed facts.

  12. REPOST: No matter how open-minded a person may claim to be, everyone makes presumptions about others based strictly on first impressions. Seeing someone for only a split second, we find ourselves making assumptions. We tend to judge people based on the way they look, by their sexuality,actions and by the typical stereotypes. There is no way we can make an accurate judgment of a person before you actually take the time to get to know them. Many of us are at fault of this

    KUDOS DAVAO! tama lang wag nyo Tularan ang IBANG LUGAR NA MGA HYPOCRITO! puro PORMA lang ang nalalaman.

    1. It does not change the fact that you guys tolerate violence. It’s all going to blow up on your face one day if you don’t do something about it. Remember the Ampatuan massacre?

      1. DONT COMPARE AMPATUAN AND DUTERTE, LOOK MAGUINDANAO AND DAVAO. try to go to MAGUINDANAO first before ur going to COMPARE. DYOS MIYO! 25 years na simula nagkaroon ng EDSA MAY NANGYARI BA? 1986 – 1996 di pa naka upo ang mga Duterte may nangyari ba sa DAVAO di nga pinapansin eh. during 1996 till now UMUPO ANG MGA DUTERTE sa SPAN NA YAN UMASENSO ANG DAVAO, kaya lahat nagkaroon ng INTEREST.

        1. Well, the only reason why I am interested now is because the Mayor used violence to get her way.

          Did I compare them to the Ampatuans? I’m just reminding you of the Ampatuan massacre.

          Historically speaking, people who stay in power for too long tend to abuse it. I sincerely hope the Duterte’s are not one of them.

      2. The Ampatuan massacare is a different case.

        I think there is a problem with some people from Luzon. I remember my freshman year at manila. My classmates were asking me if we have cable tv, internet and other stuffs. When they saw my PAL flying student discount card they thought that I was a pilot.

        Some are afraid to go to Davao because of the muslim community…in fact there are more muslims in Quiapo than here in Davao.

        1. I know where Davao is. I just mentioned the Ampatuans because they also use private armies and are not above using violence to get their way. My statement has nothing to do with Muslims.

      3. I compared him to Ampatuan, in giving the finger to the press. It reflects a failure to consider that the press is responsible for challenging and representing all the contrary views that are allowed to exist in a free society.

        I repeat, power and thin skin do not make good leaders.

  13. Davao City is the premier city and hub of Mindanao. It has the greatest economic activity, population, urban build-up and modern amenities on Mindanao. It is the most important economy in the island and the third most important urban center in the Philippines. It is also the largest city in the BIMP-EAGA Economic Circle. Current revenue statistics show Davao City to be the fifth-richest city in the Philippines in terms of local income and IRA – the only city outside greater Manila in the top five.

    – ok lang sana kung WALA NAGAWA ANG MGA DUTERTE SA DAVAO UNLIKE SA MAGUINDANAO.

      1. Ofcourse. Just so you know, it was not the Dutertes who forced the NPAs out of Davao City. Basically, my point is we are not stupid, and we could make our own decisions.

        We are not coward just like you people from the North. Your people are bathe with so much superiority complex and have forgotten that Philippines is not only NCR.

        Maybe, you really need to re-read one of your article and think again.

        http://getrealphilippines.com/2011/06/filipinos-need-to-work-on-their-ego/

  14. OO mali ung pananapak nya pero naman give her a benefit of the doubt ano ba ang punot DULO. PARA BANG WALA NA XA KARAPATAN MAGALIT, SABI NGA NYA LESSON LEARNED NEXT TIME PAG MANYARI UN ULIT LALAYO NALANG XA. BOTH of them MAY PAGKAKAMALI sheriff di nya nrespeto ang MAYOR na nakikiusap, Si MAyor nanapak dahil sa Di pagrespeto ng SHERIFF both of them may MALI, SHeriff Admited may pagkakamali xa, bakit ba MAHAL PA RIN NG TAGA DAVAO ANG MGA DUTERTE DAHIL MAY NAGAWA SILA SA LUGAR NILA NA VISIBLE NAMAN TALAGA. TUTOK NA TUTOK KASI KAYO SA PANONONTOK LANG PERO DI NYO NAMAN INAALAM ANG PUNOT DULO. (parang sa CRIME SCENE you cant tell na kriminal xa dahil hawak nya ang kutsilyo at naabutan ng police na sinaksak nya ung isang tao) maybe self defence ang daming angulo bakit nagawa nya ung pananaksak. )

    1. I don’t have a problem with her losing her cool. I have a problem with her using violence. And her family is even unapologetic and threatening.

      1. She really don’t need to apologize for punching the sheriff. That sheriff deserves that punch, and I believe more.

        I also believed that attending the Sheriff wound after the punch is a sorry enough.

        There’s only a need to apologize when your actions are not justified. She was apologetic when her anger resulted to halt the financial support to the judiciary.

        “Naapil nako ug generalized ang mga judges ug mga empleyado sa court (I included all judges and employees who are not involved),” Duterte said, asking for an apology.

        There’s a vast culture difference between Davao and the Capital region. You need to see that difference and you people need to respect that. As we respect that you people from the North elect corrupt Mayors, and city officials. Jeopardizing the tax that we paid. It’s what we find here abuse of power.

        And I challenge you to find the name of the Dutertes in any of the government projects in the city.

      2. @Algo

        That sheriff deserves that punch, and I believe more.

        Thank you for confirming that you condone violence. I hope you guys get what you deserve.

  15. SALAMAT SA LAHAT SA MGA RESPONSED and Lalo na sa BLOG NA ITO, THANKS WE SHARES OUR OWN OPINION, SALAMAT DIN SA BLOG NA ITO.

  16. we “intellectuals” are so out of it. i’m so pro diplomacy, pro talks, pro civilized discussions, i’m all for non violence and believe that everything can be talked about.

    however, on one hand when we take a look at the bigger picture and realize that the law seems to only apply most of the time, to a society of equals, it’s a different matter altogether.

    the sheriff and the mayor are only side characters to the real story. because the real focus here are the lives of men, women, and children in the slums who are facing eviction. they are the landless, the uneducated, the crude, and the bottom-dwellers.

    how petty of us to discuss about so-called ethics of local government officials and vigilantes when the reason of their existence are only symptoms of a far worse social malady. that is that we are a society of unequals and we have majority of our countrymen living far below the threshold of poverty that needs help.

    the sheriff must fight his own battle and stay determined especially if has strong grounds. us, “intellectuals” are mere spectators of the sheriff-mayor scuffle. and that issue is just the tip of the iceberg.

    http://opinion.inquirer.ne​t/7203/sara-and-the-sherif​f

    1. Indeed, we are just spectators in the spectacle unfolding that is the Philippines — like examining pond scum in a microscope and taking down notes. Bottom dwellers dwell on their poverty most of their waking hours while us who have the luxury of access to the Net, a first class private education, and superior command of the lingua franca of the thinking world make our brilliant musings known to the civilised world for fun and personal fulfilment.

      Such is life and such is the world order. We owe our being on the top of the food chain to something we, our parents, or our ancestors before them did right. The poor, for their part, owe their poverty to a misguided action or decision (or a series of these) that they or their ancestors before them made.

      In short, our fortunes (or lack of it) and how it may or may not be passed on to our progeny is our individual responsibility and no one else’s.

      1. if we’re talking just individual responsibility here then i should not be making comments in this post. thought this was a discussion related to local governance and the issues that revolve around being a community of sorts.

  17. So that I can’t be accused of judging the book by it’s cover, let’s see the performance of the Dutertes in eliminating crimes in Davao City since it is their pass in committing shameless acts as compared with other provinces/cities in Davao Region.

    Source: National Statiscal Coordination Board
    http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru11/products/statnews/2010/SN-06-05.htm

    Province/City Total Crime Volume Decline(%)
    1stQ2009 1stQ2010

    Davao City 2,430 2,244 7.65
    Davao del Sur 1,371 846 38.29
    Davao del Norte 2,093 370 82.32
    Compastela Valley 843 383 54.57
    Davao Oriental 753 633 15.94

    Davao City is the only component of the region which has a single digit decline in eliminating crimes. It is even neglible as if nothing has improved.

    Again, according to NSCB Fact sheet Oct. 7, 2009:

    “Meanwhile, among provinces and cities in Region XI,
    Davao City, the largest in terms of population, posted the highest crime incidence with 235 crimes per 100,000 population. The city’s crime rate is more than half of the region’s average of 117 crimes per 100,000 population in 2008.

    Furthermore, both the city’s INDEX CRIME rate of 73 per 100,000 population and non-index crime rate of 162 per 100,000 population were the highest in the region.”

    It seems his thugs are not effective.

    The data speaks for itself and does not require further explanation.

  18. ikaw pala may problema eh… sulat ka ng sulat, kulang naman sa research… law and order sa davao? joke? eh jan sa luzon??? ok ba? macocompare mo d2 sa davao? kahit nga taxi driver jan eh, manloloko… you shouldnt write in publications, i don’t think your credible…

  19. I have reposted the data from NSCB:

    Province/City: Davao City
    Total Crime Volume-
    1stQ2009: 2,430
    1stQ2010: 2,244
    Decline(%): 7.65

    Province/City: Davao del Sur
    Total Crime Volume-
    1stQ2009: 1,371
    1stQ2010: 846
    Decline(%): 38.29

    Province/City: Davao del Norte
    Total Crime Volume-
    1stQ2009: 2,093
    1stQ2010: 370
    Decline(%): 82.32

    Province/City: Compastela Valley
    Total Crime Volume-
    1stQ2009: 843
    1stQ2010: 383
    Decline(%): 54.57

    Province/City: Davao Oriental
    Total Crime Volume-
    1stQ2009: 753
    1stQ2010: 633
    Decline(%): 15.94

        1. What is your point in posting this article over and over? I’ve read it and it does not change the fact that she punched a person repeatedly.

        2. Please note that spam will be deleted. Only comments relevant to the topic will be retained. Thank you 😉

      1. I am curious, site-admins… are all the differently named Duterte-supporters here all unique IP’s or are some people using multiple aliases?

        Says a lot for the unified support of the Davao people for their ummm… “passionate” Mayor and vice

        1. @Dr. Noh

          There was someone who was trying to post as someone else repeatedly but we already removed his spam-like posts. It was a nice try but unfortunately, we don’t tolerate idiots.

        1. @kabayongtao

          Someone used your alternick earlier. He actually used quite a number of other people’s alternicks and posted spam. He then cried foul when his repetitive posts were deleted. As usual, pinairal yung “victim mentality”. Pinoy nga naman 😉

    1. What crime rate are you talking about? Imagine this., you are speaking of “DECLINE”… what could there be more to DECLINE when there’s almost zero crime rate here???

      Davao Oriental? Davao del Sur? Why not put-up your business there. Then, suddenly you’ll just realize that you have to pay 2 tax: one from the government tax, and the other for the revolutionary tax.

      Say what you want to say. Do what you want to do. Point is we from Davao are happy and confident. I hope that this Filipino crab mentality has to stop one way or the other!

  20. you have a nice blog here… i guess you’re right about most of what you’ve written here but, this might end up just a fallacy since aside from the fact that you haven’t stayed long in Davao, it’s stuck on a one-side opinion…
    punching the sheriff for instance, you’re just looking at the means without even considering the end. yes i do agree that the end does not justify the means, but it depends on what situation we’re looking at. what if we’ll look at the punching as a quick strategy to end the conflict and prevent further damage or possibly death? then that act would have been the best option, is it not?
    like Confucius said, “its better to do evil than to do nothing.”

    1. i agree nice blog and interesting exchange 🙂

      two “middle fingers” up . . . este thumbs up!

      cheers!

    2. @jet

      what if we’ll look at the punching as a quick strategy to end the conflict and prevent further damage or possibly death?

      I’ve seen the video footage of the punching incident. I didn’t really think it was necessary for her to do it. She didn’t stop there. She was even recorded pulling his hair.

      1. what i mean is, if that’s the only angle that you can see in the scenario, then your opinion is right…

      2. people turn their blind eye on other angles because they found themselves a more interesting controversy that would arouse the public’s curiosity on the obvious. thus, whats hidden would be buried further from public knowledge and understanding…

        1. Yeah, and some people turn a blind eye to what is so blatantly obvious even with video footages as proof.

      3. It was her frustration towards one person ruining a peaceful demolition. Big one, I should say.

        Imagine this… they planned MONTHS, and I mean MONTHS for a peaceful demolition. And only Abe Andres would destroy what they had planned just because 2 hours request was not given!

        I’m not sure why the news didn’t include the 10 years old girl who was brought to the hospital caused by the riot? It was just a general 10 others were wounded and a policeman shot by an indian pana.

        The riot could’ve been prevented if only Andres heed the Mayor’s request. He really deserved the punch!!!

        And knowing now from the recent updates that it was an illegal demolition.

        1. @Algo

          Well, whether it was illegal or not is beside the point. The point is, she punched a person repeatedly and that is against the law. Besides, she didn’t say that it was illegal before. In fact, it is on record that she was insisting that she wasn’t planning on stopping the demolition in the first place. Doesn’t that tell you that her office didn’t know about the illegality of the demolition at that time?

    1. true, there is always two sides of a story, sometimes things aren’t what they seem.
      never the less we should always respect each others opinion

  21. We don’t have to prove something to outsiders. What’s important is we love living in our peaceful and prosperous city. Ohhhh how I just love to roam around anywhere in our city having no fear of getting my phone snatched or being hold-up. If you’re a Davaoenos, you’ll get what I mean. :))

  22. This is really a tough situation for all of us that we must consider as a “unity opportunity”. What I’m trying to say here is if we can’t be a part of the solution, we shouldn’t make ourselves a part of the problem.

    Can’t you see guys? We are all fighting here, Filipinos are fighting here. Yes, we must quench the thirst on ourselves and defend our sides but let us look in a much more bigger picture. Let us not be prejudice, let us respect each other’s opinions.

    I really don’t understand why some people would think that it is much better to withdraw Mindanao in the state. Whew, what a great solution. If we would weigh, Philippines couldn’t go up on its progressive state without Mindanao. And why see Mindanao specifically Davao notably armed with violent government. Please.

    People, believe that Philippines could overcome this. With God in our hearts, we can do this.

    More power to Philippines.

  23. @Ms. Ilda: After all the negative and harsh criticisms leveled against you on this subject, it confirms my fear that most of the Filipinos are politically shallow and immature – they cannot even distinguish what’s blatantly wrong, i.e. punching a sheriff and being un-apolegetic about it. I believe this is ‘symptomatic’ of our local political leaders in their own provincial turfs which warrants a tough response from DILG and in-depth retooling of the Filipino political mindset. There’s no mitigating circumstance which should exonerate Inday Duterte on her behavior. She plainly ‘cracked’ under pressure and should assert herself to at least apologize for that incident and face the consequences – that should make her tougher than ever. I praise you Ms. Ilda for this mature article and I’m sorry for the majority of the Davawenos doesn’t even have the balls to condemn the mayor’s act – you deserve a better mayor.

    1. @Chong Maryo Jeddah

      Another rational comment among the sea of apologists. Thank you for that.

      The least she could have done was own up to her mistake. The sheriff is not planning on filing charges anyway. Now she is claiming that the demolition was illegal. But she didn’t mention that on that fateful day. In fact, she was even insisting that she had no plans of stopping the demolition.

  24. “You wouldn’t understand” that’s the typical words you would hear from Davaoenos. Why? Simple, because you don’t know how endear we are with our public officials. Unlike in the NCR or any provinces in the country, Davao’s local officers are like family. They are not just the people we voted to serve us, but they are more than that. They represent our us. This is the reason why we take offense when you badmouth our mayor and vice-mayor. We do admit that the Dutertes are not perfect and they have they own flaws, they get also get angry. But the difference between them and the rest of the government officials in the country is that they are not plastic. They are not the kind of people who promises things and smile on your face, but at the end of the day, they just sit in their office and wait for money to come.
    People only see the punching and the dirty finger incidents but they don’t see the bigger picture, or rather they refuse to see beyond it, because it would mean that we have a point. Would it kill the sheriff, if he waited for 2 hours? NO, but two hours would have save all those people who were injured. But of course you don’t see that because you only see the punching and fingers, which has been so overused by the media. (Well, that’s how they earn their ratings.) You say if we’re so progressive how come there’s squatter in our region, damn, as if you don’t have any in your provinces. Besides, the squatters there have lived for more than 30 years in the land, but they were kicked out from it because they don’t have that piece of paper. It was in fact been donated to them by the father of the owners, but the greedy heirs want it for themselves. Of course, you don’t know that.
    If you’ve seen the next days news here in Davao, you would know that those same squatters took their own houses so they could be relocated. That was the only thing that our mayor wants, she wanted the people to move peacefully. But you don’t know that, because its not a very good news.
    I often say to my mother, if you didn’t exercise your right to vote last election, you don’t have the right to criticize the officials. So I’ll telling everyone here, if you didn’t vote here in Davao, you don’t have the right to judge our officials. Instead of wasting your time, pointing the faults of our mayor, why don’t you just do it in your officials. But hey, I forgot, you can’t do that because you have a thick skinned officers.
    Its not that we don’t have the guts to persecute our officers, its just that we don’t want to. Why would we, when we stand by them. If you can’t accept that, we’ll good luck on that, you’ll probably get a heart attack wondering why we wont.
    As a native here in Davao, I’m proud of our mayor, because she took a stand. She once again proved to us that we comes first in the list. Unlike the president, who says ‘kayo ang boss ko’. Nasaaan na ba ang nagsabi? Ah, siguro namimili na bagong Porsche.

    1. @Davaoena

      You can be proud of your mayor for whatever achievements she has done for your city in the past but please, do not condone violence against another human being. You are only happy because she didn’t do it to you. Try putting yourself in the sheriff’s shoes and see how you would feel about being punched repeatedly.

      1. Have you tried to put your shoes of those less fortunate people? have you read all the articles in the Philippine Constitution? Try to read more. CAuse and effect … If he did listened, then the effect can be good.

        MAs bubutihin nya na lang masuntok ni MAYORA kesa mabug-bog ng mga SQUATTERS.

        Kung ayaw mo sa DAVAO, so be it!

        1. @Elinore

          You should follow your own advice. If you don’t like what you see here, so be it!

          Your squatters will not learn to obey the law because they can see that the authorities are the ones who get in trouble when they try to enforce it.

  25. What have become of you Davaoenos? Ms. Ilda is simply expressing her view on a simple act of unwarranted use of force by your feisty mayor, nothing else. I can understand your affection to Inday, but what’s wrong is simply wrong, can’t you at least ponder for a while and think ‘outside the box’ and stop being egoistic? Ms. Ilda is absolutely right when she wrote that most Filipinos need to work on their egos. Do we need a tragedy on a nationwide-scale as a stimulus to make it happen?

    1. I don’t know if these people are just clueless. If being clueless is a right, they’re already abusing that right.

      Civility and shame are not in their dictionary. (He he he, you can’t eat civility or shame, isn’t it?)

      The way I look at it, for them right is wrong and wrong is right if I’m going to based it from their comments in this commenting board.

      Kahit balu-baluktot na ang katwiran banat pa rin.

      Ah basta, hindi ka taga Davao!!! Mas grabe dyan sa Manila!!! Duh???

      1. “Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.

        It seems this idiom is not applicable for this situation.

        1. Yes. There are a lot of point missers on this thread. They actually think that I am putting the entire city down. I don’t know how speaking up against violence can be interpreted that way.

  26. I like how Davaoenos are active in this blog. I also like how they associate the city and their mayor to their individual selves. It is not surprising that Pilipinos take issues like this personally. I really expected some feedback but not to this extent.

    The frog in a pond know nothing of the great ocean, ika nga. The Davaoenos are lulled into a false sense of security using violence and aggression and even they tell themselves that it is good for them. Try seeing it from other perspectives, Davaoenos. The end does not justify the means. Then again, it would be hard to grasp a concept that you not familiar to. All I can do is wish you guys good luck.

    I love this site <3

    1. wow, pardon the grammatical errors.
      *A frog in the pond knows nothing of the great ocean

      bka may iba pa

    2. @Du Hasst Mesh

      The Davaoenos are lulled into a false sense of security using violence and aggression and even they tell themselves that it is good for them.

      Exactly. As I keep reminding people: what happens when the Duterte’s are not in power anymore? For sure there will be a power vacuum. It is still better when everyone is used to following the rule of law because they fear for the enforcement of the law rather than fearing an unknown entity.

  27. i think it’s time for davao to separate from philippines… separate country or republic kasi we can stand on your feet. hindi namin kailangan ng tulong ng iba nor criticisms kasi meron kaming sariling stand sa lahat ng actions namin… sa totoo lang lahat ng nakakatakot na balita naririnig namin sa manila… diba dapat ang manila as the city capital ang dapat role model sa bansa?

    nagkasuntukan sa senado, na issue ba yun? Kayong mga taga manila, wala na kayong masabi kundi pwe davao!

    Ano ngayong kung against kayo sa amin? May paki ba kami? Hindi kami natatablan sa mga criticisms ninyo. Nakakatawa lang kasi buong bansa against sa phil. Govt and only a few against davao.

    hindi naging abuso ang leader namin sa pagamit ng kanyang power by punching the sheriff, kung abusado sya eh sana matagal na… hindi naman sya manuntok kung wala syang kasalanan eh? At may ebidensya naman?

    Kung ang death squad is an abuse of power and what if mapatay ang hindi guilty, hindi nila papatayin ang tao KUNG wala silang nakitang ebidensya… May intelligence group na sila mismo mag encounter sa pusher. So kung ikaw pusher dito, be careful hindi sa kanila ginabentahan mo ng droga kasi bukas patay kana….

    go davao! we need a new republic for our place… Nakakahiyang part tau ng pinas at nadadamay sa mga kahihiyang ginawa ng govt official sa manila

    1. @dqueen

      i think it’s time for davao to separate from philippines

      Wow! Your solution is so drastic. Just because your mayor is being criticised for violating the law, you want to turn your back on the whole country. Don’t forget that the only reason the Duterte’s are in power is because of the laws of the country. And the only reason why they are still in power is because of our culture of impunity.

      hindi naman sya manuntok kung wala syang kasalanan eh?

      What is his “kasalanan”? The sheriff does not report to the Mayor.

      May intelligence group na sila mismo mag encounter sa pusher. So kung ikaw pusher dito, be careful hindi sa kanila ginabentahan mo ng droga kasi bukas patay kana….

      This statement is so funny. Only one group serves as judge and executioner. Good luck to you! I really hope you don’t get mistaken for a drug dealer.

  28. and sa pilipinas niyo lang makikita ang inggit sa kapwa pilipino. Its obvious na naiinggit kau sa davao kasi mas ideal place to live in ang davao knowing its just a provice and knowing its supposed to be the powerful city of manila? Kailangan man never kaming na inggit sa manila…. Pumuta ako ng manila nung first time at nasabi ko ‘ito ba ang manila?’ theres a fear in me all the time halos hindi ako makalabas hotel kasi natatakot akong ma snatch at ma hold up, lagi kung iniisip na wag mag labas ng cellphone.. Natatakot ako pag mag sakay ako ng taxi, natatakot ako sa driver na baka san ako dadalhin…

    May peace and order sa davao, simple lang buhay dito kaya maraming taga manila nag settle down dito.

    Kung mawala na si rody duterte, we will still vote his descendants kung dala parin ang leadership ng tatay nila kung hindi naman, careful kaming mag vote at kung ang new other pangit leader ang mamumuno, we will do our best to oust him.

    Ganyan kami ka solid. Kaya kaung taga manila, wag kaung mag pwe sa davao, nagpapakita lang kau ng aggressive character sa amin..

    Kami dito sa village namin, nag sesegregate kami ng basura sa bawat bahay.. Ganyan kami ka displinado, meron ba ang manila?

    Kung nagkamali man si sarah, para samin nagiging kampante kami.

    siguro dapat meron hired shotgun killer ang pinas, para kung sino yung corrupt at stupid official, isang bala lang and we’ll see kung hindi tutuwid ang pinas..
    Sabi ng aussie friends ko, yun ang kailangan ng pinas

    1. @dqueen

      and sa pilipinas niyo lang makikita ang inggit sa kapwa pilipino.

      It’s really amazing how you interpret this article as being “inggit”. We feel sorry for the sheriff. He is a human being. He is not a punching bag. Stop putting too much into this article. We recognise that your Mayor and her father has done a lot of good for Davao but you should not condone violence. Sara crossed a line. She needs to own up to her mistake. The sheriff does not answer to her anyway and was just doing his job.

    2. and sa pilipinas niyo lang makikita ang inggit sa kapwa pilipino.

      This is an exaggerated thought.

      First of all, jealousy among people happens everywhere. It happened once in places like East and West Berlin, South and North Korea, and many more.

      That kind of emotion is not exclusive for Filipinos. – if that may relieve you from your inferiority.

  29. I don’t know if these people are just clueless. If being clueless is a right, they’re already abusing that right.

    Civility and shame are not in their dictionary. (He he he, you can’t eat civility or shame, isn’t it?)

    The way I look at it, for them right is wrong and wrong is right if I’m going to based it from their comments in this commenting board.

    Kahit balu-baluktot na ang katwiran banat pa rin.

    Ah basta, hindi ka taga Davao!!! Mas grabe dyan sa Manila!!!

    Duh???

  30. @dqueen

    You need a lot of wisdom, and I hope you get it soon. Get well too – you sound too sick to understand logic.

  31. Why has this been a Davao vs Manila fight? The author has never implicitly and explicitly cite it in the article that Davao is being looked down on.

    When a person violates the law, even if 10 million people loves her, she still violates the law. If (God forbid) due to the repeated punching of Duterte, the poor sheriff died, are you still going to feel the same way and say, “lets look at the other side of the coin, the Mayor did not commit a crime because she just wants to prevent a riot.” (Morbid I know, but just pushing the point.)

  32. For the sake of argument, let’s pretend that what the Dutertes have done was right.

    Question: Can they do that without their bodyguards around?

    And for the claim that the peace and order has improved since the Dutertes took over, how about showing us the data?

    I have shown some in my previous comment and comparing it with other localities in Davao region, Davao City is the worst. Those were the ones that I can get from the web.

    1. Question: Can they do that without their bodyguards around?

      The answer is a big NO.

      Hopefully, someone from Davao would be kind enough to answer your other question.

      1. DAMN YES, so many times it happened..

        to wit:
        when a certain hospital denied a patient to be admitted just becuz they dont have money to deposit..rudy Duterte went to the hospital and slapped the management

        THATS HOW WE SELECT LEADERS, SMARTLY

  33. what!!!? Is this what you call responsible journalism? trying to influence others with your PERSONAL opinion????? duhhh…

    come on! If you haven’t experienced it personally, how could you comment like you’ve been here (or you’re from here), like you’re a local?

    You can’t be reliant on media reports ‘coz it’s a public knowledge that most of them are corrupted.

    i suggest you go here, stay for a couple of days, observe, and then blog about it. by that time, i’m ready to absorb whatever shit you’re gonna write.

    *peace

    1. @geeky

      Easy on the punctuation marks. I have been there. You may want to read the article again because I did mention that I have been to Davao.

      Are you saying that just because you think the media is allegedly “corrupt”, you don’t believe that it was wrong of Mayor Sara to punch the sheriff?

      What’s your point, really?

  34. I was once reprimanded by my father that, “you cannot right a wrong with another wrong.” I’ve gone over this incident many times but I cannot make heads or tails where the sheriff had done wrong. The Mayor is used in getting her way and when the sheriff supposedly did not heed her request, she was beside herself for all the world to see. A glaring display of arrogance and impunity was evident on that day. Nothing more, nothing less.
    We get sidetracked when we insert the fate of the informal settlers into the picture like what others are saying that we have to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Like the good mayor lost her cool out of humanitarian concern for the “squatters” overrides her misconduct. What sort of drivel is this?
    What about the hapless drug addicts who were summarily executed? Where’s the humanitarian concern for them? They too deserved no less. For a city that crows about being progressive and peaceful, the presence of these drug addicts and “criminals” speak volumes of the so called progress it has attained. Perhaps the goodies have yet to trickle down to the poorest of the poor or perhaps, to be blunt about it, they are just plain misfits and malcontents; scums to be expunged from the face of the earth. How convenient, isn’t it? Damn the law, forget about the sanctity of human life and just exterminate them. That my friends is the canon according to the DDS.

    1. @bubi78

      Berating the sheriff infront of hundreds of people and the camera was bad enough because he does not even report to her. That act alone was offensive in itself. She definitely needs to answer for punching him.

  35. geez.even zoomed out opera mini took more than 30seconds to view comments’ tail.

    unless the sheriff himself plays a big role in any cases (administrative, civil or criminal or whatever cases maybe) filed against mayor sara and whoever or whatever organization files it, the case will be like a burning wood put alone on a metal sheet.

    ~you can’t blame davaoenyos for loving davao city and it’s mayor.

    1. @gelo

      What Sara did to the sheriff is totally different from what she does in her job. We Filipinos are just not used to our public servants doing their job that when we see a little bit of progress in our surrounding, we tend to turn whoever is the administrator as a “hero”. They are just doing their job. There is no need to put them on a pedestal.

  36. i googled davao city crime rate. What i gotfrom different sources?lowest crime rate, lowest crime rate, lowesst crime rate to the nth even if you include extra judicial killings, the richest city outside manila, a city with an independent and strict government, and heck: the only city in the Philippines with central 911 (like in US and Canada-that makes us the third country to adopt such system!!) and a traffic light signalization system same in Los Angeles! Naman..ang cool! No wonder davaoenyos love dutertes..

    1. Well, I really hope it is sustainable. There is a term limit to mayors. We can only hope that the next one will continue what they started minus the punching 😉

  37. about what could have 2hours stopped- we should admit that informal settlers are really ‘palaban’ to the demolition party even if you tell them that demolition is by the law and what they are doing is illegal. They only behave when someone like city mayor works between them. Maybe that’s what mayor sara thought.. And regarding about people putting leaders on pedestal, you can’t blame them if they see their leader as a hero especially in a country filled with corrupt officials and are so good in impressing the media. I, too, am tired of politicos that are soo good in speaking and showing off in public and speaking and debating through mass media. Amazed i am to see the interview of mayor sara’s father doing a dirty finger in media, that is very rare in Filipino politicians knowing that ‘public servants’ generally have that mentality of being a goody in front of the media.

  38. (continuation, limited characters kaya mg browser ko)

    i am also a bit surprised about the TV patrol text poll if “mayor sara, may katwiran ba” over “mali talaga ginawa nia”, the result was 60/40, respectively. It only means two things: Either filipinos lack the judgment of what’s right and wrong, morally or legally, or filipinos are as well tired of paimpress na mga politiko.
    with all, mayor sara was wrong in punching and humiliating the sherif.

    1. @czar

      Duterte senior’s display of arrogance was disappointing and is evidence that he might be starting to become delusional about his influence in the community. But who can blame him though when the people turn a blind eye to their wrongdoings? The people create some of the monsters that are in public office.

  39. Hi ilda, 🙂 i’ve read your article and I am really interested about this. Are you a journalist or a blogger of some sort? Just asking,:)

  40. U havent lived here long enuf 2 know why this mayb necessary… ive been hre 8 years. 8 yrs of bullsht… Flips can be tne nicest people on the plnet or the most stubborn on the planet. 2 many times i have had 2 reply on the threat of doing harm b4 they would listen.. i hate that but its reality here.. the most self centered people on the planet live here, dive here and u will see.. a threat 9 times out of 10 will stop the situation. This is why dutertes use it… people tell the police 2 go fk off and thy go hide in the corner.. no joke seen it.. Punching someone’s face is not my cup of tea. Call me conventional but talking things over in a civilized manner is something that I would espouse especially when there is a camera to record everything. I wouldn’t call what she did having balls or having guts.

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