On alter-egos:
President Duterte is seemingly acting on his own on making critical decisions as he approaches the end of his term. While during the first half of his term flip-flops on controversial policy decisions were typical, the second half is appearing quite the opposite.
President Duterte is seemingly acting on his own on making critical decisions as he approaches the end of his term. While during the first half of his term flip-flops on controversial policy decisions were typical, the second half is appearing quite the opposite.
The President appears to no longer listen from his reasonable Cabinet members who were instrumental to changing his mind in key issues before.
@DOF_PH chief Carlos Dominguez, who is said to have the President’s ear, failed to stop Duterte from running after Manila’s water concessionaires and their valid contracts. Sources said the two companies have relied on Dominguez on negotiations with Duterte.
Now, Duterte also ignored warnings from Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin in terminating the VFA with the US.
The President seems to be making policy decisions more politically motivated, partly in a bid to capitalize on his enduring political capital. He justifies running after @ManilaWaterPH and @maynilad supposedly as a fulfillment of campaign promise to fight “oligarchs.”
He moves the country away from the US as a response to an ally’s cancellation of US visa, all while heaping praise to China as the Wuhan virus spreads. This has become too political that it even goes against Filipinos’ high trust and support of the US, the opposite for China.
As it appears, Duterte seems to be testing how far his political capital can bring him as his term nears end. The sad part is that instead of working to institutionalize reforms and ensure stability, he goes all political and make drastic changes just near the homestretch.
