Seems Duterte means business.

hmmm seems those bridge supports have been painted green and a barrier added too.

LOOK: Past, present presidents meet in Malacanang
ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 27 2016 03:56 PM | Updated as of Jul 27 2016 08:57 PM

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Former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III went to the Palace on Wednesday for a National Security Council meeting with incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar
MANILA (UPDATED) - There's strength in numbers.

For the first time, five former and present Philippine presidents gathered together in one room to discuss policy and chart a course for the future of the country.

Photos taken by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar showed former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang Palace for a National Security Council meeting with incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte.

Malacañang said an overview of the road map for peace and development was presented in the first council meeting under the Duterte administration.

The council was also given an update on the government's campaign against illegal drugs.

Charter change and a shift to federalism was also discussed in the meeting.

Duterte decided to convene the NSC in the wake of arbitral tribunal's ruling invalidating China's massive South China Sea claim, the Palace said.

Ramos, a member of the council, earlier agreed to become Manila's special envoy to Beijing.

Malacañang earlier said Duterte would convene the NSC ''in order to agree on vital policies and strategies on important matters, including the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea."


The council is composed of 35 leader-members from the executive and legislative branches of government, such as Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the majority and minority leaders of both Houses of Congress, chairs of Senate and House committees involved in national security concerns, and various members of the Cabinet.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas told ABS-CBN News he also attended the meeting as part of the House contingent.


Former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, and Benigno Aquino III went to the Palace on Wednesday for a National Security Council meeting with incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar

All very impressive stuff.

Now the new boy just needs to start being polite to the U.S. again, plus the other countries who've been helping keep the Phils afloat.

... and was ready to pardon arroyo just as arroyo pardoned erap

I dont think "Pardoned" is the right word..She was never found guilty of anything as far as I am aware.. I think she was more of a political prisoner.
Many forget that it was during her term that the economic upturn began..The economy has been growing at about 7% ever since.
Duterte offered her a release order but she declined..She wanted the decision to come directly from the Supreme court..Thats what happened.

He was of the opinion that the judicial system was slow and was willing to 'free' her regardless of due process, that's what I understood.

And what, exactly, is wrong with the 'before' picture there?

It looks like a busy, thriving market. A much more interesting place than in the second one.

Probably just taken at a busier time anyway.

Missing illegal vendors are the difference...We watched on the news as all their carts and stalls were piled up in truck after truck..
Clear that mess away and the road has room for walkers and browsers and more room to spot the hundreds of pick pockets that plague both Divisoria and Baclaran..
You obviously do not have a clue about the issues in these public areas... Thats also easy to spot.

Overworked, underpaid Rody: It’s lonely at the top


In this July 1, 2016 file photo, President Duterte listens during the assumption of command of PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa at Camp Crame.
MANILA, Philippines - It has started to sink in. Despite the adulation of millions who gave him the biggest number of votes in history for any Philippine presidential candidate, President Duterte is now feeling lonely at the top – and agonizing over being overworked and underpaid.

“Do not feel shortchanged. My will to work is there. But if you ask me if I’m happy, I am not. It’s lonely. And even when I am home, it is still work,” Duterte said in an address to the officers of the League of Cities and Provinces yesterday.

“I am not used to this kind of life,” he added as he asked the officers to take their seats and address him as a mayor instead. The Chief Executive had served as Davao City mayor for decades. As mayor, Duterte would make the rounds of his city incognito or spend time with friends at his favorite piano bar after work, before calling it a day.

He admitted feeling uncomfortable being called or addressed as President, as he offered to resign and vacate his post in three to four years if or when the French model of a federal system of government is adopted in the country.

The 71-year-old Chief Executive said his guards would knock at his door each morning to wake him up to start the workday.

There were times, he continued, that he would shed tears while walking, remembering his father, or thinking about the problems facing him as President of the country. It is during these moments that he would simply tell himself “That’s life.”

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/07/29/1607780/overworked-underpaid-rody-its-lonely-top

@BlueberryCheeseCake and I watched his 'state of the nation' address with her translating the relevant parts of it that weren't in English.
Whilst it contained plenty of good ideas and talk, I was disappointed that it did not really contain the substance (such as how these ideas were going to be funded) - to back up the pretty ambitious changes that he is proposing. However, if he manages to do half what he wishes, then he will have been a success, since, as far as I can see, his predecessor did approximately nothing.

Good to see some clean up working happening so quickly. Those crowded areas always feel a bit dangerous. I well recall when @BlueberryCheeseCake and I walked through a market in Quiapo. She was so paranoid that she insisted on walking about five yards behind me to watch for anyone looking suspicious. ..

Admiring the attractive Baclaran scenery from Jollibee last month....

.

Nothing of any real lasting benefit. To Filipinos. Reportedly though, through his envoy, Trillanes, China benefited from his Presidency by the acquisition of an island.

Well sorry about that, Mr Superior. That'll be because I live in England.

What is clear, though, is that The Philippines is now in the hands of a gangster. Nicely painted bridges with dead bodies lying in the gutters doesn't do it for me I'm afraid.

Quite understandable given your usual and current location.. Forgiven.

I have no idea if he is a gangster or a future brilliant and iconic leader.. I just read and share stories that I feel may be of interest to members..
Thank you for your interest!!

You, like one or two others here, should really spend some time actually living in the country and not in four and five star hotels. After a few months of living and mixing with ordinary Filipinos you might begin to understand what life is really about. You would then refrain from making such holier-than-thou comments.

You're having a laugh mate.

Five more dead bodies in Tacloban yesterday, 3 men and two women. If you think this is fine then you're a mug.

As for the illegal sellers, well a lot of people rely on them as a way to be able to afford stuff.

You think I stayed away from real life and just spent time in 5 star hotels? Seriously? You know nothing. A couple of minutes with my missus would soon sort you out.

And who is really holier than though on here? You and your buddy see fit to bully and talk down to most of the decent posters on here to such a degree that they leave the forum. It's a poorer place because of it.

Looking forward to receiving my 'dumb' rating.

You are the one that talks down to people.
Your usual blas'e attitude towards any factual information does no one any favours living in the real world..
If you want to carry on burying your head in the sand, thats fine with me but dont expect that most members do not appreciate the truth..

I lost a European friend that was gunned down by 2 shabu addicts while he was driving along a quiet road with 50K on him on his way to pay his workers..
This drug related murder was not even in the local paper!

Then there was my Filipino friend whose son (shabu user) that got shot outside the elementary school that my nieces go to 1000 meters from my house..
The guys that did it were paid hit men of the local drug lord that he owed money to..
Meanwhile,the contents of his head were spilled on the kids school road crossing.
No justice or press reports in either incident..
10`s of 000`s of other drug related murders of local cops and ordinary Filipino`s and foreigners all over the country over the years.
Nobody cared except of course close family..Nobody.
Nothing they could do about it even if they did care.

I`m not saying that I think whats going on is OK..I just think most people round here are beginning to feel a lot safer since he took office and it is beginning to occur to me that thats why the people elected him to office in a landslide victory..
You are obviously ill advised and selective with what is a fact and what is fictitious..
Most people want the facts..
Your fantasy games and spinning of those facts is blinding and does no body any service.

This is a huge test of his Presidency IMO...The next will be his dealings with China..

Duterte gives communist rebels ultimatum to respond to truce


President Rodrigo Duterte is bent to lift the unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) if the communist group won’t heed to the government’s call.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte was “disappointed and exasperated” that the CPP has not reciprocated with a ceasefire.



Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/801093...s-ultimatum-to-respond-to-truce#ixzz4FrMrbJe3
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'Be patient,' Joma tells Duterte
ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 29 2016 10:03 PM

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President Rodrigo Duterte and Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison
'Don't expect quick submissions or instant surrenders'
MANILA - Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte should be "patient" after the chief executive issued an ultimatum to the CPP-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) to reciprocate his declaration of a unilateral ceasefire.

Sison, in a statement to ABS-CBN News, said the communist movement is still studying the military's actions after Duterte's unilateral ceasefire announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.

"But it would only be on July 26 that the SOMO [Suspension of Military Operations] of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] would be issued, with no clarity about many things, like no end yet of the end of ongoing AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] national and campaign military campaigns against the NPA and also the occupation of Lumad communities, schools, health clinics and barangay halls," he said.

"Only on July 27 did the PNP [Philippine National Police] issue a SOPO [Suspension of Police Operations], which among other things, provided for the continuance of 'legal offensives' in violation of JASIG [Joint Agreement between the GRP and the NDF on Safety and Immunity Guarantees], CARHRIHL [Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law] and the Hernandez political offense doctrine."


Duterte, a self-proclaimed socialist, earlier said said he is giving the communists until 5 p.m. on Saturday (July 30) to declare their own unilateral ceasefire.

He said he will push through with offensive operations against the CPP-NPA if the rebel group won't reciprocate.

Duterte's statement came following an ambush of government troops by the NPA in Davao del Norte, which killed one CAFGU.

READ: Duterte issues ultimatum to CPP-NPA

Sison said the CPP's Central Committee also wants to find out if political prisoners will be released through a general amnesty.

"President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick submissions or instant surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries," he said. "It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order."


"The CPP and NDFP [National Democratic Front of the Philippines] should be given enough time to study the implications and consequences of the GRP [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] ceasefire order and what will soon be the CPP unilateral ceasefire order to the NPA," he added.

Sison said Luis Jalandoni, peace panel chair of National Democratic Front of the Philippines, sent a July 25 letter to government panel negotiator Silvestre Bello III, saying that at the latest, the formal exchange of the documents of unilateral ceasefire can be done during the resumption of formal peace talks from August 20 to 27.