Thread by @sejoalzir

ADDICT BEHAVIOR AS A PARADIGM FOR GOVERNANCE

In this thread, I'll focus on Duterte's public policy that mirrors the typical behavior of a drug addict. By public policy, I mean the set of actions adopted by the government—laws, plans, goals, programs, rules, projects, funds, etc.

If you ask the family of a drug addict about the latter's contribution to his household, you'll get depression, chaos, anxiety, destruction, fear, insecurity, hopelessness, conflict, pain, and what have you. What Duterte has done to Filipinos is what an addict does to his family.

Yes, there are murderous addicts. Their drug-induced paranoia makes them kill. Isn't Duterte murderous? Isn't he paranoid? Isn't he an addict? Isn't EJK his masterpiece? I do believe he's an addict. After all, he knows about Fentanyl, and he's neither a doctor nor a pharmacist.

His paranoia hasn't only killed drug addicts and dealers but also activists and journalists. His anti-US sentiment was displayed when he declared that CIA might oust him. Well, CIA is one of the fears of a delusional drug addict—Filipino or American—as though he's that important.

Duterte even boasted that China would always protect him. Addicts have "protection" narratives too--God in different forms or avatars, angels, saints, superheroes, aliens from unknown galaxies, friendly creatures from Philippine mythology, etc. Duterte and addicts are the same.

Even Duterte's "Mga sundalo ko" and "Mga pulis ko", his way of expressing that he is well-protected, have counterparts in the twisted minds of addicts--"mga protektor ko", "mga kapit ko", and "mga kilala ko", who may be real or imagined. Both Duterte and addicts need protection.

Cronyism? That plays out too in the reality of addicts who have tropa--exclusivity, secrecy, belongingness, and contribution. Addicts give and receive, share drug resources and opportunities to score and watch each other's back. Duterte's cronies' actions mirror those of addicts.

Dutertismo's "All for one and one for all" that requires worship and loyalty to Duterte and punishes betrayal and greed that exclude him is also discernible among addicts, especially the influential ones. Their "utol" or "'tol" is about loyalty. Their "idol" or "lodi" is worship.

Duterte has allowed his people to steal as long as they're part of his thieving. Among addicts, that's "Let me snort or smoke yours, and I'll let you snort or smoke mine"--damayan with two meanings: supporting each other and dragging each other's name when the shit hits the fan.

Like Duterte, addicts have a matrix in their heads too--the people they should ignore, the places to avoid, the hangouts they should erase in their routine, the suspected cars, the possible informants, the doubted suppliers, the adulterated drugs, the overpriced substance, etc.

Now let's talk about loans. Before "debt trap" became the buzz words of economists, addicts had already been debt-trapped by their dealers who took away the collaterals—cars, houses, pieces of jewelry, gadgets, etc.—because addicts could not pay their debts, the supply they got.

Like Duterte, addicts have the most debts relative to their incomes. That is so because of their cravings for drugs that push them to find money at all costs. In Duterte's case, his borrowing as president is for satisfying himself with endless funds—to addicts, their drug supply.

Selling stuff is also common among addicts. They peddle anything with value for drugs. Hasn't Duterte sold or declared to sell national assets, territories, and opportunities to gain or earn? China and Dennis Uy come to mind when a conversation is about Duterte and selling (out).

Drug addicts from wealthy families rely on their parents' or siblings' capability to pay debts. Isn't that the micromodel of Duterte's borrowing in which the fatherland/motherland is obligated to pay and the tax payments of his fellow Filipinos are set aside for debt repayments?

Like Duterte who has allowed Chinese gangsters to establish their crime-ridden black market in the country and is in denial about it, addicts, too, allow themselves to be part of the creation or expansion of the drug trade ecology in the country, and they're in denial about it.

Duterte's "Build, Build, Build", a token display of so-so projects he uses to justify borrowing and corrupt policies on public works and national infrastructure, is somewhat observable among addicts who are preoccupied with justifying and covering up their addiction and behavior.

Functional addicts create a facade, their performed sense of normalcy, to hide their addiction. The extreme ones, who can no longer function normally, build barricades, build caves and build thin walls to display their lonesomeness and solitude that disguise their drug addiction.

Although Duterte's cussing or foul mouth isn't within the scope of public policy, it does, however, show a lack of inhibition, his itch to offend, a hostile behavior that doesn't care and a streak of imprudence unexpected from public officials--the ingredients for bad governance.

Drug addicts are uninhibited too when they are high. They cuss at their neighbors they accuse of snooping and curse even their lamp-cast shadows. They are hypersexual in their offensive acts and gross noises—almost like Duterte's potty mouth that is salivating to lick anatomies.

Bong Go? Some drug addicts can't snort or smoke drugs alone. They need someone to serve or look after them. They need runners who will buy drugs for them. They need companions to feel safe. They just need someone. Aren't those Bong Go's roles as Duterte's obedient, fawning aide?

Recently, even Duterte's rabid supporters trashed Bong Go for orchestrating the cordon sanitaire around the presidential office. Some even thought that the alalay had been running the government or influencing government policies. Duterte to them seemed weak, feeble, and inutile.

Addicts are thought of that way too. Their families blame friends who hang around, dealers who exploit them, and partners who tolerate addicts' habits and whims. Drug addiction counselors have a term that describes Bong Go and Duterte's and addicts' relationships--codependency.

In codependent relationships, there's a code of silence, an extreme form of trust and a sworn loyalty. In Duterte's government, Bong Go knows a lot, but he won't be singing. He has even professed that he would die for Duterte. Even codependency among addicts is self-destructive.

What this thread is proposing is that addict behavior can be a paradigm for bad governance implemented by a drug-addicted leader like Duterte. After all, governing requires someone's mind, and a delusional drugged mind is prone to misgovernance. Look at Duterte and the country.

So, don't we have enough of Duterte's fentanyl-laced public policy and stoned actions in office? Do we need another addict to lead the country to political and economic perdition? Do you want Marcos to implement his cocaine-incited addict behavior as a paradigm for misgovernance?

Done.