Philippines Defence Forum

[Cossack25A1]

PMC to Acquire SMAW Rocket Launcher


PMC will use SMAW to destroy bunkers and lightly armored vehicles (photo : combatindex)

PN to set up maritime domain awareness centers; to acquire new weaponry
MANILA - The Philippine Navy (PN) announced on Friday that it will establish coast watch centers and related facilities in the northern part of the country.

The move is in line with the objective of boosting its maritime situational awareness capability.

Furthermore, in a related development, The Navy also announced that it is acquiring "shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapons" (SMAW) to give its Marine units the capability to neutralize bunkers and lightly armored vehicles.
Maritime domain awareness capability refers to the ability of a nation's armed forces to detect, monitor, and, if needed, drive away intruders from its territorial waters.

These were announced by PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad without divulging exact figures and locations for security reasons.

Taccad said the strategic goal of maritime situational awareness, "as stipulated in our Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy, is to ensure effective maritime information support in order to facilitate effective decision-making for credible deterrence and support to national and regional cooperation for maritime security and development and governance."
This project, he disclosed, is now undergoing pre-bidding, the PN vice commander added.

The SMAW, on the other hand, "is to fill the gaps in the direct fire support weapons capabilities of the Marines against different bunkers, concrete walls, light armor and other hard and 'soft' targets," PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said.

It is defined as a "rocket weapon with a maximum range of 1,500 meters. It will be issued to special Marine units who accompany fellow Marines in possible encounters with heavily-armed or fortified adversaries.
The weapon can be used for internal security and territorial defense operations.

Taccad added that SMAW is now undergoing evaluation and study by the Defense Acquisition System ad hoc committee.

(InterAksyon)

I was right about the Mk. 153 SMAW being needed to complement the RPG-7 although the latter is for the PH Army only...

 

[quang minh]

that during the PAF’s 65th anniversary in July last year,mDefense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin assured the PAF of the delivery of brand new and reliable air assets within the next two years. this, as he said, the job of the air force cannot be done by determination

The government has allotted P500 million to develop the Ulugan Bay base, including P313 million to improve the pier, harbor and support facilities at Oyster Bay.

 

[Aepsilons]

Good to see more development of Pilipinas!

 

[Pinoy]

PH becoming a mobile tech leader, innovation hotbed in SE Asia — GSMA

Friday, December 26, 2014

MANILA — The Philippines is now becoming a regional leader in mobile and digital technologies as well as an “innovation hotbed” due to a confluence of favorable circumstances according to a report by research firm GSMA Intelligence.

“The combination of a youthful and literate population that is ‘hyper engaged’ with mobile, a large proportion of English speakers, an improving economy and increasing interest from VC investors, and the presence of operators in the innovation space is creating a perfect environment for the development of innovative mobile services,” GSMA said in a country report on the Philippines released this month.

The report noted how mobile operators and being spurred to further innovate due to the “tough and continuously evolving competitive landscape.” Venture capitalists and other investors are now also taking notice of the country following the growth of innovation hubs for startups. GSMA also observed how mobile services are increasingly helping provide underdeveloped, underserved and poverty stricken regions “with the opportunity to overcome socio-economic challenges.” Key services that cater to marginalized sectors include access to financial services and the ability to pre-empt, respond, and assist with recovery from natural disasters.

“In sum, the Philippines is being transformed into a leader in mobile and digital technologies and an innovation hotbed in Southeast Asia — in many ways presenting a model that other countries can glean insights from in catalyzing their own innovation ecosystems,” the report said.

Consumer engagement

Due to the country’s strong economic showing as of late and the growth in mobile subscribers, GSMA also noted that the Philippines “has become one of the fastest growing economies and mobile markets in Asia.”

But more than the growing prosperity of the country, GSMA said that “it is the level of consumer engagement with mobile and technology that has come to differentiate it from other fast growing peers in Asia.” Proof of these is the monikers of the Philippines as “texting capital of the world” and the “social media capital of the world” over the last few years.

Digital inclusion

Amid the country’s promise, the report noted the issue of digital inclusion as a key challenge.

“(E)fforts need to be made to ensure further investment is put to the best use, and a key area is digital inclusion. The social and economic incentive to expand mobile and innovative mobile solutions into underserved provinces is now a key focus, building on the success that has already been demonstrated in high density cities,” the report said. “Narrowing the digital divide between advanced urban cities and outlying rural regions is of key importance.”

GSMA said the challenge can be addressed through multi-stakeholder collaboration that will focus on three key areas, namely improving mobile coverage in rural areas, establishing innovation centers in the provinces, and a more user-centric model of mobile services.

PH becoming a mobile tech leader, innovation hotbed in SE Asia — GSMA | Infotek News: InterAksyon.com

 

[Pinoy]

‘We are ready’ – DTI ‘Non-tariff barriers are a challenge’ – PCCI
December 28, 2014

“We are ready for the ASEAN Economic Community. We are very competitive,” declared Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo as the ASEAN economic integration moves closer to reality a few days from now.

Outside Singapore, Domingo said, the Philippines is the most competitive.

“We are ready because we were the first to liberalize in the region and so we already know how to compete. Trade liberalization is good for us,” he added noting that other ASEAN countries have more restrictions than us.

Naturally, investments would flow into a country where there are lesser business restrictions.

Domingo even stressed that the country’s liberalized economy has prepared businesses to compete in the global arena long before the AEC comes into force.

But business leader Alfredo M. Yao has cautioned that while Filipino businesses can easily look for foreign partners because doing business in the country has become very cheap, non-tariff barriers (NTBs) have also become more prevalent, not just in ASEAN but non-ASEAN countries, as well.

“It is very cheap to do business here so we can look for partners, but we are talking here of zero tariff, which means we have to look at the non-tariff side,” Yao pointed out.

He cited the case of the banking sector, which has been fully liberalized, but which the other ASEAN countries still heavily protect.

“We should look at non-tariff barriers,” stressed Yao.

While it is the private sector’s lookout, Yao has urged government to ensure that domestic industries are not being disadvantaged by the NTBs being implemented by other ASEAN countries.

“The government should assign one czar/trade attaché per country to just monitor the NTBs of other trading parties,” he said.

‘We are ready’ – DTI ‘Non-tariff barriers are a challenge’ – PCCI | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines



Asean-EU experts cite Philippines' economic performance
December 26, 2014

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ economic performance was cited as “the most encouraging news in Southeast Asia to date” by academic and business sector representatives at an expert roundtable discussion on “Prospects for ASEAN-European Union relations” held recently in Brussels.

Commenting on the current situation in ASEAN as a region, as well as in the individual member states, experts agreed that the Philippines is “a very attractive economy” and is also “in an enviable position” in terms of political stability and good governance.

Philippine embassy deputy chief of Mission and consul general Robespierre Bolivar cited the Philippines’ performance in achieving targets related to the ASEAN Economic Community. He highlighted Philippine initiatives championed by President Aquino at the recently concluded 25th ASEAN Summit, including stronger foundations for regional integration, inclusive growth, and the rule of law.

Organized by the EU-Asia Center, one of the leading Brussels-based think tanks dealing with Asian issues, the roundtable was convened to discuss possible directions the ASEAN-EU relationship could take in light of the change in the EU leadership and the impending completion of the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015.

Asean-EU experts cite Phl econ performance | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com



Philippines allows Christmas remittance peso boost
December 27, 2014

The Philippine central bank is allowing record Christmas remittances from overseas workers to give the peso shelter during a global selloff.

The currency gained 0.9 per cent against the dollar this quarter in Asia’s best performance, after an unprecedented US$19.9 billion of remittances in the first 10 months.

Philippine government bonds returned 0.2 per cent in the past month after Moody’s Investors Service raised the credit rating one level to Baa2, the second-lowest investment grade and surpassing Indonesia, whose debt lost 0.6 per cent, Bloomberg indexes show.

The central bank appears more inclined to let the peso appreciate, after the currency fell in December in the last three years, to keep inflation in check, according to HSBC Holdings Plc.

Moody’s attributed its decision to the Philippines favorable economic growth prospects and President Benigno Aquino’s success in reducing debt levels since taking office in 2010.

The ratings company noted that most of the nation’s current-account receipts come from manufacturing, services and cash sent home from overseas.

“Remittances are highly supportive for the Philippines and the current account,” Mark Capstick, a London-based asset manager at BNP Paribas Investment Partners, which oversees 497 billion euros (US$608 billion), said in a December 18 e-mail.

“Clearly, the investment rating upgrade from Moody’s will have further improved the country’s outlook for investors.”

Capstick said he’s positive on the peso due to the “stability the currency exhibits” in periods of risk and is holding Philippine bonds and non-deliverable forwards.


Oil, inflation

Remittances, which account for 10 per cent of gross domestic product, peak toward the last quarter as some 10.5 million Filipinos repatriate cash for Christmas and New Year.

While Philippine bonds offer the region’s lowest yields after accounting for consumer-price gains the central bank appears to be biased toward curbing peso weakness to meet its lower 2015 inflation target, according to HSBC.

Remittances are helping support the peso, Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco said in a mobile-phone message.

The plunge in oil should cut inflation, according to Moody’s December 11 credit statement.

Price increases eased to an annualized 3.7 per cent in November, the least in a year and below 2014’s average of 4.3 per cent, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Inflation will average 4.2 per cent this year and three per cent in 2015, according to central bank forecasts.

The current-account surplus will total US$6.6 billion in 2014 and US$6.8 billion next year, Tetangco said in a November 21 briefing in Manila.

Real yields

Philippine 10-year notes offer a real yield of 0.7 per cent after accounting for consumer-price increases, compared with 1.7 per cent in Indonesia and 1.6 per cent for Thailand, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The central bank raised its benchmark rate twice this year to four per cent.

“The recent ratings upgrade by Moody’s highlights the positive structural growth story that we are seeing,” Dominic Bunning, a Hong-Kong based currency strategist at HSBC, the most-accurate forecaster for the peso in Bloomberg surveys in the four quarters ended September, said in a December 18 e-mail. “This means it is unlikely we will see significant outflows even if negative real rates will make it harder to attract inflows.”

The Philippine currency is still vulnerable to dollar strength as the Federal Reserve readies to raise interest rates, according to BDO Unibank Inc.


‘Still vulnerable’

Strategists forecast the peso will weaken 2.1 per cent to 45.50 a dollar next year, from 44.56 as of 10am in Manila, the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey shows.

“The Philippines, despite all of our good fundamentals, is still vulnerable to external factors and one of them is a rising dollar,” Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at Manila-based BDO Unibank, said by phone December 19. “We still have a strong balance of payments and current-account surplus, which are good barometers of a strong currency.”

Aberdeen Asset Management Plc sees the peso as insulated from the global selloff by low overseas market participation. International investors hold 7.2 per cent of the sovereign securities, compared with 39.4 per cent in Indonesia and 28.6 per cent for Malaysia, according to a December 22 report by BNP Paribas SA.

The cost of insuring Philippine government bonds for five years using credit-default swaps fell eight basis points, or 0.08 percentage point, this quarter to 90, according to CMA prices. Similar contracts on Indonesian debt were at 160.

It’s a “rock star!” Edwin Gutierrez, who helps manage US$13.5 billion in emerging-market debt at Aberdeen in London and whose holding peso forwards, said in a December 17 e-mail, referring to the currency.

“It’s been a pleasant surprise. We have a core long on the Philippine peso and so have been enjoying its safe-haven status.” — Bloomberg



Inflation seen slowing down anew this month
December 26, 2014

MANILA, Philippines - Inflation is seen slowing down anew this month following the drop in prices of rice, oil, and jeepney fares, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said.

“The BSP’s latest assessment indicates further easing of price pressures, with December inflation projected to be within the range of 2.4 to 3.2 percent,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said in a text message to reporters.

“The lower rice prices, jeepney fares, power rates, and continued rollback of oil prices suggest a relatively manageable inflation picture,” Tetangco said.

Latest government data showed the nationwide inflation rate settling at 3.7 percent in November, slower than the 4.3 percent recorded in October and the 4.4 percent in September.

In the first 11 months of the year, the rate averaged 4.3 percent, well-within the central bank’s three to five percent target for the year.

“Going forward, the BSP will continue to monitor evolving price trends and adopt policies as may be needed to ensure price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth,” Tetangco said.

Monetary authorities has kept key policy rates steady earlier this month as inflation expectations remain anchored. Earlier, the BSP hiked the overnight borrowing and overnight lending rates to ensure inflation will fall within the target ranges for this year until 2016.

Inflation seen slowing down anew this month | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com



Market seen ending 2014 on positive note
December 29, 2014

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine stocks are expected to end on a positive note after a whirlwind 2014 ride as it concludes the year on a one-day trading week.

Analysts said investors are seen to do their last stock shopping for the year on Monday.

Raul P. Ruiz, RCBC Securities head of research, said the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) is seen to close at 7,200 to 7,300 level for the year.

Monday’s trading will be the remaining stock market trading day for the year.

Next year, trading at the PSE will resume on Jan. 5.

The PSEi ended on a four day winning streak on its last time in action in Dec. 23.

The benchmark index gained 0.66 percent or 47.05 points to finish at 7,186.32 while the broader all shares index climbed 0.55 percent or 23.19 points at 4,235.52.

“We expect to end the year on a positive note,” said PSE president Hans B. Sicat.

Market seen ending 2014 on positive note | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com



Armed Forces in transition to territorial defense
December 28, 2014 by Ishi Gonzales.

Philippine Navy is acquiring more weapons for the Marines that will boost both capabilities of the Armed Force of the Philippines to address internal and territorial security threats.

Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said a committee is now evaluating shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapons (SMAW). Having these will “fill the gaps in the direct fire support weapons capabilities of the Marines against different bunkers, concrete walls, light armor and other hard and ‘soft’ targets.”

Rear Admiral Taccad also said that a study is also being conducted for the acquisition of 60mm and 80mm mortars. “These are portable and high angle indirect fire weapons which can also be reliable in any type of terrain,” the navy vice commander said in a military modernization briefing as reported by government-run news agency.

The entire armed forces is now shifting its focus from internal security threats to territorial defense as evidenced by its recent acquisition projects.

“We are expecting the delivery of several equipment. The main reason they were acquired is territorial defense,” Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla. “We will use them as we gradually transition so we can include them in our doctrine. That will be our focus next year.”

Armed Forces in transition to territorial defense

 

[NarThoD]

I was right about the Mk. 153 SMAW being needed to complement the RPG-7 although the latter is for the PH Army only...

BGM-71 TOW should do the job. Those ATGM's are cheap and still deadly. let's say 500 launcher and 2000 missiles are good enough

 

[Cossack25A1]

BGM-71 TOW should do the job. Those ATGM's are cheap and still deadly. let's say 500 launcher and 2000 missiles are good enough

Possible we could consider that weapon, particularly mounting it in our Simba AFVs that are only armed with .50 caliber machine guns.

 

[Pinoy]

Joma backs Duterte for president under a coalition
By Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News
12/29/2014

MANILA – Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Joma Sison responded positively to pronouncements made by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that he was willing to form a coalition with the CPP should he decide to run for president.

In an article in the local publication Davao Today, Duterte reportedly said, "I will form a coalition government with them. I will accept their top officials if I'll become the President. We just need to agree on some issues. I will take control of the AFP-PNP to avoid chaos as we are working on how to address the problem and find the appropriate solution."

Sison responded on Facebook, saying, "Mayor Duterte should become president if he is willing to have a democratic coalition government with the revolutionary forces and other patriotic and progressive forces of our people.”

He said the Reds and Duterte can have a common program on “real national independence and territorial integrity, democratic empowerment of the working people, economic development through national industrialization and genuine land reform, social justice, a patriotic and progressive culture and international solidarity with other peoples for peace and development. What the revolutionary forces want is what the people demand."

Joma backs Duterte for president under a coalition | ABS-CBN News



Philippines ready to help search for AirAsia plane
December 29, 2014

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to deploy air and naval assets to help in the search for the AirAsia plane that went missing over the Java Sea last Sunday.

AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said military troops in Mindanao have been alerted in case Indonesian authorities make a request for additional assets.

“The secretary of national defense and the chief of staff directed the armed forces to alert all its units down south especially in areas close to the borders where the missing aircraft may be possibly found,” Padilla told reporters in an interview on Monday.

“The intent is to provide appropriate feedback to Indonesian authorities,” he added.

Padilla said military units have been instructed to be on the lookout for “possible unusual sightings.”

Philippine Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said their C-130 cargo planes may be suitable for a large area search due to their long endurance.

Padilla and Canaya, however, clarified that they have yet to receive a request for additional assets.

AirAsia Flight QZ8501 from Indonesia and bound for Singapore lost contact with air traffic control Sunday afternoon over the Java Sea.

A total of 162 passengers, including 16 children and an infant, were in the plane, which disappeared midway into the flight without sounding a distress call. There was no Filipino passenger in the said flight.

The Airbus A320-200 departed Juanda international airport in Surabaya, Indonesia at 5:20 a.m. and was expected to arrive in Singapore at 8:30 a.m.

Indonesian authorities said the plane may have crashed into the sea.

Philippines ready to help search for AirAsia plane | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com



SE Asia Stocks -Most higher; Philippine shares end 2014 with strong gains
Mon Dec 29, 2014

BANGKOK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets edged higher on Monday as domestic institutions bought large caps ahead of year-end but shares in Malaysia's AirAsia plunged after one of the company's aircraft went
missing on Sunday.

Singapore's key Straits Times Index rose 0.3 percent to 3,364.64, extending gains made over the past seven sessions, while the Indonesian key index added 0.2 percent, on track for a third straight rise.

The Thai SET index slightly drifted into negative territory at 1,509.25, after posting modest gains in the morning
session.

Broker Maybank Kim Eng Securities projected a trading range of 1,495-1,520 for SET for the day.

"A light trading volume will make the SET Index more volatile. However, window dressing and LTF money will help
supporting today's SET Index," it said in a report.

Long-term equity funds (LTF) are more popular towards the end of the year as they receive favourable tax treatment.

About 3.6 billion shares had changed hands on the Thai stock market by midday, compared with a full day volume of 15 billion shares on Friday, stock exchange data showed.

In Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia shares fell 7.8 percent, their biggest one-day drop in more than three years, after Sunday's
incident involving the airline's Indonesia unit.

The Bangkok-listed shares of Asia Aviation, the holding company of Thai AirAsia, in which the AirAsia group holds a 45 percent stake, were down 3.6 percent on Monday. Broker Asia Plus Securities rated Thai Asia Aviation shares 'buy' as it expected no financial impact due to Indonesia's AirAsia incident.

"The share weakness was due to an indirect impact in terms of weak sentiment on Indonesia's AirAsia. We keep our earnings forecast for Thai Asia Aviation," it said.

The Philippine stock index rose 0.62 percent on its last trading day for the year. It ended the year at a two-week high of 7,230.57, rising 22.8 percent in 2014, among the region's outperformers. That compares with a modest 1.3 percent rise in 2013. The Philippine stock market will be closed from Dec. 30-Jan.2, reopening on Jan. 5.

Among the actively-traded stocks in the region, shares of Singapore DBS Group Holdings climbed 1.1 percent,
Thailand's Kasikornbank was up 0.4 percent and Indonesia's Astra International gained 0.7 percent.

For Asian Companies For South East Asia Hot Stock reports, click;


SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change at GMT
Market Current Prev Close Pct Move
Singapore 3364.64 3353.68 +0.33
Kuala Lumpur 1765.76 1764.44 +0.07
Bangkok 1509.25 1510.41 -0.08
Jakarta 5174.78 5166.98 +0.15
Manila 7230.57 7186.32 +0.62
Ho Chi Minh 531.02 533.37 -0.44

SE Asia Stocks -Most higher; Philippine shares end 2014 with strong gains| Reuters

 

[Ayan81]

Joma backs Duterte for president under a coalition
By Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News
12/29/2014

View attachment 179575
MANILA – Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Joma Sison responded positively to pronouncements made by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that he was willing to form a coalition with the CPP should he decide to run for president.

In an article in the local publication Davao Today, Duterte reportedly said, "I will form a coalition government with them. I will accept their top officials if I'll become the President. We just need to agree on some issues. I will take control of the AFP-PNP to avoid chaos as we are working on how to address the problem and find the appropriate solution."

Sison responded on Facebook, saying, "Mayor Duterte should become president if he is willing to have a democratic coalition government with the revolutionary forces and other patriotic and progressive forces of our people.”

He said the Reds and Duterte can have a common program on “real national independence and territorial integrity, democratic empowerment of the working people, economic development through national industrialization and genuine land reform, social justice, a patriotic and progressive culture and international solidarity with other peoples for peace and development. What the revolutionary forces want is what the people demand."

Joma backs Duterte for president under a coalition | ABS-CBN News

Lumabas din ang tunay na kulay ni Duterte. All these talks about Duterte being the savior is complete BS. If you want to know what it feels like to be under a communist regime , go live in Davao.

 

[JayMandan]

Lumabas din ang tunay na kulay ni Duterte. All these talks about Duterte being the savior is complete BS. If you want to know what it feels like to be under a communist regime , go live in Davao.

I think he's worth a try kabayan. What's wrong with living in Davao? It's been the safest city for many years. it's been long due na rin that we really need 180 degree change in politics. We've been electing same trapos every election. aren't you intrigued of what his platform is going to be? I know he's extreme but we need someone who doesn't bow to anyone. I am excited.

 

[Cossack25A1]

I think he's worth a try kabayan. What's wrong with living in Davao? It's been the safest city for many years. it's been long due na rin that we really need 180 degree change in politics. We've been electing same trapos every election. aren't you intrigued of what his platform is going to be? I know he's extreme but we need someone who doesn't bow to anyone. I am excited.

The problem is Joma, a well-known commie and affiliated with CPP-NPA.

 

[Zero_wing]

Let speak but do not mind him his maoist and maoist are evil

 

[Aepsilons]

Duterte will be an excellent choice, have you seen the investments in Davao? It even challenges Cebu City.

I think he's worth a try kabayan. What's wrong with living in Davao? It's been the safest city for many years. it's been long due na rin that we really need 180 degree change in politics. We've been electing same trapos every election. aren't you intrigued of what his platform is going to be? I know he's extreme but we need someone who doesn't bow to anyone. I am excited.

It is time for a change of these political dynasties in Manila. Duterte will be a much needed force in Manila politics, hopefully he will open Philippines to greater foreign investment.

Btw, Duterte is a friend of Japan's Keidren Kaikan. I expect to see a much greater integration of Japan and Philippines.

 

[Bob Ong]

Joma backs Duterte for president under a coalition
By Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News
12/29/2014

View attachment 179575
MANILA – Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Joma Sison responded positively to pronouncements made by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that he was willing to form a coalition with the CPP should he decide to run for president.

In an article in the local publication Davao Today, Duterte reportedly said, "I will form a coalition government with them. I will accept their top officials if I'll become the President. We just need to agree on some issues. I will take control of the AFP-PNP to avoid chaos as we are working on how to address the problem and find the appropriate solution."

Sison responded on Facebook, saying, "Mayor Duterte should become president if he is willing to have a democratic coalition government with the revolutionary forces and other patriotic and progressive forces of our people.”

He said the Reds and Duterte can have a common program on “real national independence and territorial integrity, democratic empowerment of the working people, economic development through national industrialization and genuine land reform, social justice, a patriotic and progressive culture and international solidarity with other peoples for peace and development. What the revolutionary forces want is what the people demand."

Joma backs Duterte for president under a coalition | ABS-CBN News

Only handful of people have that gut and only Duterte is probably winnable candidate. We need to bite the bullet to have change. With his vision to change the system and the will to do it, I will definitely vote for him if he run for President.

The problem is Joma, a well-known commie and affiliated with CPP-NPA.

well you should give these leftists a chance to prove their worth. Maybe they have something to share in economic progress in the country, instead of being a mere critic.

Duterte will be an excellent choice, have you seen the investments in Davao? It even challenges Cebu City.

It is time for a change of these political dynasties in Manila. Duterte will be a much needed force in Manila politics, hopefully he will open Philippines to greater foreign investment.

Btw, Duterte is a friend of Japan's Keidren Kaikan. I expect to see a much greater integration of Japan and Philippines.

Exactly! He's definitely far more capable than any of the current 'presidentiables'.

 

[Aepsilons]

Only handful of people have that gut and only Duterte is probably winnable candidate. We need to bite the bullet to have change. With his vision to change the system and the will to do it, I will definitely vote for him if he run for President.


well you should give these leftists a chance to prove their worth. Maybe they have something to share in economic progress in the country, instead of being a mere critic.


Exactly! He's definitely far more capable than any of the current 'presidentiables'.

I hope that Binay won't have any presidential plans. It's time to clean up Pilipinas, and time to develop the other regions besides Manila.

For example; Cagayan De Oro, Bacolod, Butuan, Dipolog, Tagbilaran, Iloilo should be developed further.

As for Davao City; I've been there before, it has the potential to rival Cebu and Manila.