Duterte is Here, Change is Coming

Wazzup Pilipinas!

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his first speech as the 16th president of the Philippines, and what strike us most among the many statements he delivered is the line "I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I serve everyone and not only one."

He also said that "If change is to be permanent, it should start with us." True enough, no effort for change will be thoroughly effective if there is no cooperation among the constituents, and in this case, from all the Filipinos, may they be among the 16 million supporters who voted for Duterte, or the other groups who are up to now are still doubtful of the former Mayor of Davao city.

It was also good to finally see a Philippine flag symbol worn by the President, instead of a yellow ribbon worn by the outgoing Benigno Simeon Aquino III. People have been saying that the yellow ribbon symbolized inclination to only a few sectors of society and did not really represent the country as a whole. The yellow ribbon was more likely a vengeance symbol against the Marcos regime who once ruled the country for several years, and brought so many irregularities despite the numerous structures and developments during their leadership, or some would say, dictatorship.

Finally, we have a presidnet who does not read from his speech. However, when he said "I do solemnly swear," I had to laugh. He should have used "frequently" instead. Lol. Sometimes, if we have to cue cards, or "kodigo" to guide us, we either forget to mention important messages or go beyond what is expected. It was good he mellowed down and never uttered his usual favorite curses.

But now that the new president of the republic is in alliance with the Marcoses, as well as other groups considered controversial by many, we might be seeing some changes soon. It is just hoped that "Love of country and subordination of personal interests for the common good" will rise above all intentions and vested interests.

Heads of agencies are encouraged, or ordered, to "remove all redundant requirements." We have been burdened with so many long queues, massive document requirements and red tape, that the process of getting something from the government has been a tedious tasks. We look forward to seeing a more convenient and faster way to go about this cause of delay, like the traffic congestion that has taken away most of our productive hours stuck on the roads, with many enduring the crowded public transportation.

We are just a little concerned with the following statement: "You mind your work and I will mind mine." We all know that people can turn naughty and may be tempted to go the other way opposite what is right, if no one is watching over their move. Most of the time, we abuse our freedom and take for granted the trust. It will be no different from Duterte for he has never been a "saint" in the first place.

So when he said "My government is for the helpless, the hopeless, and the defenseless," I would assume many Filipinos who were monitoring the inauguration ceremonies must have sighed and smiled. We are definitely fed up by being called "resilient" which is actually a negative trait since it is better to never be complacent of what we have if we know we can have better, if we only strive hard and require the government to work harder, and smarter, for long-term solutions.

Inaugural Address of President Rodrigo Duterte

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here is the full Inaugural address or spreech of President Rodrigo Duterte during his Oath-taking of the President of the Philippines in Malacañang Palace on June 30, 2016:


President Fidel Ramos, sir, salamat po sa tulong mo (thank you for your help) making me President; President Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Senate President Franklin Drilon and the members of the Senate; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the members of the House of Representatives; Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court; His Excellency Guiseppe Pinto and the members of the Diplomatic Corps; incoming members of the Cabinet; fellow workers in government; my fellow countrymen.

No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.

It is the people from whom democratic governments draw strength and this administration is no exception. That is why we have to listen to the murmurings of the people, feel their pulse, supply their needs and fortify their faith and trust in us whom they elected to public office.

There are many amongst us who advance the assessment that the problems that bedevil our country today which need to be addressed with urgency, are corruption, both in the high and low echelons of government, criminality in the streets, and the rampant sale of illegal drugs in all strata of Philippine society and the breakdown of law and order. True, but not absolutely so. For I see these ills as mere symptoms of a virulent social disease that creeps and cuts into the moral fiber of Philippine society. I sense a problem deeper and more serious than any of those mentioned or all of them put together. But of course, it is not to say that we will ignore them because they have to be stopped by all means that the law allows.

Erosion of faith and trust in government – that is the real problem that confronts us. Resulting therefrom, I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system; the erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people’s lives better, safer and healthier.

Indeed, ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. But all is not lost.

I have seen how corruption bled the government of funds, which were allocated for the use in uplifting the poor from the mire that they are in.

I have seen how illegal drugs destroyed individuals and ruined family relationships.

I have seen how criminality, by means all foul, snatched from the innocent and the unsuspecting, the years and years of accumulated savings. Years of toil and then, suddenly, they are back to where they started.

Look at this from that perspective and tell me that I am wrong.

In this fight, I ask Congress and the Commission on Human Rights and all others who are similarly situated to allow us a level of governance that is consistent to our mandate. The fight will be relentless and it will be sustained.

I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal.

My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising.

You mind your work and I will mind mine.

“Malasakit. Tunay na Pagbabago. Tinud-anay nga Kausaban (Compassion. Real change.)” – these are words which catapulted me to the presidency. These slogans were conceptualized not for the sole purpose of securing the votes of the electorate. “Tinud-anay nga kabag-uhan. Mao kana ang tumong sa atong pang-gobyerno (Real change. This is the direction of our government).”

Far from that. These were battle cries articulated by me in behalf of the people hungry for genuine and meaningful change. But the change, if it is to be permanent and significant, must start with us and in us. [applause]

To borrow the language of F. Sionil Jose, we have become our own worst enemies. And we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves.

As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.

Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished – these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines. The ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest.

There are two quotations from revered figures that shall serve as the foundation upon which this administration shall be built.

“The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

And from (Abraham) Lincoln I draw this expression: “You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men.”

My economic and financial, political policies are contained in those quotations, though couched in general terms. Read between the lines. I need not go into specifics now. They shall be supplied to you in due time.

However, there are certain policies and specifics of which cannot wait for tomorrow to be announced.

Therefore, I direct all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, from the submission to the release. I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all.

I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong.

I abhor secrecy and instead advocate transparency in all government contracts, projects and business transactions from submission of proposals to negotiation to perfection and finally, to consummation.

Do them and we will work together. Do not do them, we will part sooner than later.

On the domestic front, my administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.

I am elated by the expression of unity among our Moro brothers and leaders, and the response of everyone else to my call for peace.

I look forward to the participation of all other stakeholders, particularly our indigenous peoples, to ensure inclusivity in the peace process.

Let me remind in the end of this talk, that I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I was not elected to serve the interests of any one person or any group or any one class. I serve every one and not only one.

That is why I have adapted as an article of faith, the following lines written by someone whose name I could no longer recall. He said: “I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.”

On the international front and community of nations, let me reiterate that the Republic of the Philippines will honor treaties and international obligations. On the domestic front, my administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.

Prescinding there from, I now ask everyone, and I mean everyone, to join me as we embark on this crusade for a better and brighter tomorrow.

But before I end, let me express the nations, on behalf of the people, our condolences to the Republic of Turkey of what has happened in the place. We offer our deepest condolences.

Why am I here? Hindi kasali ito diyan (This is not part of my speech). The past tense was, I am here because I love my country and I love the people of the Philippines. I am here, why? Because I am ready to start my work for the nation.

Thank you and good afternoon.

Election 2016: Voting for the Next Leaders of the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Whew! It took us 1 hour to vote. I believe that's longer compared to the last election. But this time, we were allowed to sit in line at the next classroom while we wait for our turn. However, it took us roughly only around two minutes to completely accomplish our voting. We knew who to vote for so we were done with our obligation as citizens of the Philippines that fast.

We rightfully deserved some halo-halo afterwards but I was totally disappointed with the halo-halo since the only attractive things about it was the toppings. The inside was nothing but ice and very little ingredients. This is probably similar to what most politicians are. They are only appealing from the outside but inside is the same almost empty and cold promises that you'll get after they get seated as winners.

It was hot and very uncomfortable in the classroom. The wooden seats good fro two persons (something similar to the ones we use in churches but smaller) were just too small and hard to sit for an hour, which made me think how I once managed to endure the same predicament at longer hours during my elementary school days as a student in a public school for three years.

Yup! I spent half of my elementary days in public school before finally going to private school all the way. I spent the first half (Grades 1 to 3) in a private school, then the other half (Grades 4 to 6) in a public school for personal reasons involving family matters, but went back to private school for the entire high school years.

I was always belonging the top section of every year level so I could confidently say I was among the brightest. I was focused on my studies but due to family problems, I was not well motivated to reach the top levels. I'm just your average student and the introvert kind who was also bullied by some of my classmates who thought I was too shy and the silent type.

For college, I studied at Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) and took an ECE course, and my means of commuting to MIT were using bus, jeepneys, and tricycles for more than 5 years. It took me that long because I had to work my way up to college as a service crew in three fast-food chains one after the other since these companies do not regularize or renew.

Going back to the voting, just like before, I decided on a vote that was not my original intention. There's a different feeling when you see yourself finally seating at the voting precinct and the ballot infront of you which led me to vote for what really is in my mind, minus the emotions which used to control.

Others think they are going to win by doing a protest vote against the previous administration so they would vote for the one who they think will fight for them. But sorry, with no concrete action plan in hand, they are just voting someone with the ideals of a mad man without the capacity to bring this country out of the rubble.

We all know that the previous administrations had their own corrupt and irregular ways, but who was ever faithful and honest to the Filipino. Every leader had something to hide and pocketed their own share of greed tat they got from being an authority in the Philippines. The VIP treatments and feeling of entitlement, the luxurious lifestyle and spending using the people's taxes, etc., However, they consider those as their perks and privileges in exchange of their expertise in building a nation. I do not approve of a public servant being treated as our superior, that is a practice we must remove from the government.

I believe using our common sense is the right thing to do since our emotions will prevent us from doing the right thing. Think of what will be good for our country on a global scale. Though I understand the plight of every Filipino, it is not enough to believe the promise of a politician without hearing the logical ways on how he plans to fulfill all those seemingly convenient promises.

With regards to national concerns, it is not justifiable to vote just because your candidate seems to represent the masses but without having any concrete action plans. It is so easy for them to promise the people everything but do they have the capacity and political will to accomplish such is always the big question.

I have never sided with any of the politicians but I would always side with those who could actually do what they offer based from his expertise and experience.

On a lighter side, my only wish is for the next president to get rid of all those teleserye junk which continues to dumb the masses. If you really want to "Ipanalo ang Pamilyang Pilipino," give them quality shows that will not just entertain but educate as well.

We should be able to discern well what is actually the best for them. ...and they will never be able to do that if our education system continues to be rotten because our leaders are afraid to turn the people to educated voters. We need voters who are well-informed and know how to properly research about their leaders, and not just rely on hearsay or what they read on social media.

BTW, this is just me so please do not hate me if this is what I believe in. If we have all the right to vote for who we want, we also have the right to share what we feel...unless the next President works on a way to suppress freedom of speech just like what happened during Martial law days then that will be a different and sad story for the Philippines.

Choosing the Lesser Evil Among the Presidential Candidates

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Only a few days to go before the national election in the Philippines, and yet many of us are still undecided on who to vote for on May 9.

Why, because we find no one among the presidential candidates worthy of the highest position in the country. Please do not call us perfectionists since you can hardly find anyone without any fault. But we believe it is because we are left to choose among the lesser evil.

The choices we have are quite unappealing which leads us to ask "Isn't there a more decent Filipino that could run for President?'

And when we say decent, it does not mean the "decent" that the Mar Roxas camp brands itself. We have our own meaning of the word decent and it does not reflect him at all.

The 2016 elections, just like every election before that, might turn out to be just another popularity campaign. Those candidates whose names are more actively proliferated throughout the many corners of the country, or highly grandstanded on a nationwide level, are those that win the vote of the masses. After all, not everyone is concerned of the nitty-gritty details about a candidate and just vote for the one who they originally favor in the very beginning. No more research since which of these information can you really trust nowadays. The Internet can be filled with so many propaganda stories especially if you have the funds to sell yourself online via release of so many positive news about you. It's usually the less talked about who really does the hard work, but he or she could not advertise their accomplishments that abundantly.

Overall, the world could be full of shit but many have the capacity to brainwash the people to believe those shit are good for us.

Below are some of our insights about the presidential candidates. Please read on and hope these information helps you vote wisely.

SAP Appoints New President and Managing Director of SAP Southeast Asia

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SAP today announced the appointment of Scott Russell as President and Managing Director for SAP Southeast Asia, further strengthening the senior management team of SAP Asia Pacific Japan. Effective immediately, Scott Russell will be responsible for driving SAP Southeast Asia’s sustainable growth strategy and operations. Based in Singapore, Scott Russell reports directly to Adaire Fox-Martin, President of SAP Asia Pacific Japan.

“As one of the world’s fastest-growing and competitive regions, Southeast Asia is a strategic market for SAP Asia Pacific Japan,” said Adaire Fox-Martin, President of SAP Asia Pacific Japan. “With Scott’s wealth of business and management expertise in the technology industry, we are confident that he will build on our strong growth trajectory and lead SAP Southeast Asia to continued success. Scott’s appointment further cements SAP’s commitment to help our customers accelerate digital transformation, overcome complexity and thrive in the digital economy.”

Scott Russell is a seasoned executive with more than two decades in the IT industry spanning across software, cloud and services. Scott was most recently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for SAP Asia Pacific Japan where he provides leadership and direction to SAP’s multi-functional sales and operations organizations in APJ, driving continuous productivity improvements and significantly contributing to the achievement of revenue and profitability objectives. Scott was also the interim President and Managing Director for SAP Southeast Asia for the last quarter, where he helped to ensure business continuity.