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May 1-14, 2016 Vol. XXXIV No. 15
A man personifying despair takes a breather to ponder his state along East Avenue in Quezon City. While everyone has their own opinion on who should be the country’s next President, almost everyone agrees that this just might be the most important election in recent Philippine history. Will the ruling class continue to be at the helm, or will a political outsider be elected into power? Photo by C. Jude Defensor. For more of his interesting snapshots of Philippine life, follow him on Instagram @judefensor
Is the Phl ready for this political outsider?
By CHING DEE
The 2016 Elections wrap-up
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ess than 10 days from now, Filipinos will be giving their one good vote to elect a new President who will be incharge of their affairs for the next six years, and who might very well change their lives for good. The past few months have been brutal. Campaign season was the usual dirty, noisy, and expensive shenanigan that it’s always been. Candidates spent billions to further their campaign, voters took sides and netizens flooded (and squabbled on) social media. Here’s a quick look at one of the most heated and talked about election seasons in the Philippines—and around the world.
Survey says… Despite being the last person to file his certificate of candidacy, and the recent backlash due to a few not-so-well-chosen words, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is now in the lead according to several election surveys conducted by various organizations and independent agencies. In the ABS-CBN-commissioned Pulse Asia survey released on April 24, Duterte got 34 percent of the 4,000 respondents, widening his lead over Senator Grace Poe, who’s in second place with 22 percent. Incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay is at third place with 19 percent, while current administration Lib-
eral Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas is at a close fourth place with 18 percent. Duterte’s rise in the surveys—despite his “gutter language” and recent insensitive comments on women and persons with disabilities—stems from people’s “frustration and despair,” according to Institute for Political and Electoral Reform’s Executive Director Ramon Casiple. “The top three issues are one, poverty and jobs; two, peace and crime, especially drugs; and three, corruption and government services. Duterte appeals to the frustration and despair of ordinary people on government page 3 actions regarding their lives.
Aquino to terror group: ‘Expect full might of the State’ By CHING DEE
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he recent murder of Canadian national John Ridsdel by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has earned the ire of the international community and continues to test the Philippines' ties with Canada. Ridsdel, 68, was kidnapped by armed men in September 2015 from a resort in Samal Island in Davao together with three other people, including another Canadian. According to reports, a severed head was found at the corner of Mayor Salih Yusah and Sari Ahmad Streets in Barangay Walled City in Jolo, Sulu on Monday night, April 25. It was later determined to be Ridsdel, as confirmed by authorities. 'Cold-blooded murder' In a statement released April 26, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is outraged by the 'cold-blooded' murder of Ridsdel. Trudeau adds, "Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostagetakers, and this unnecessary page 3