“How would you assess the first year of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration?”

“My professor once told our class that the essence of democracy is to advance the interests of the majority while respecting the rights of the minority. However, the President’s actions during his first year in office have made me question whether or not the Philippines is still under a democratic system. Duterte has blurred the lines that separate a liberal democracy from an authoritarian regime to the point that I am no longer able to determine which political system is dominant in the country. His refusal to entertain the interests of opposing political groups as well as his intolerance for criticism from foreign delegates are testimony to this. This past year, we have seen that Philippine democracy is slowly declining and starting to lean towards rightist ideology. I can only hope that in the coming years, the lines that separate democracy and authoritarianism are not completely wiped out.”

Sean Berango

3 AB POS

“It has been the craziest year for everyone. Old entrenched traditions, both bad and good, are being uprooted by the new ruling order. It gave me some joy to see the old traditional politicians (i.e. trapos) panic over the sudden great losses of power, but they’re being replaced by similar trapos, just ones Duterte considers his friends. His crass, offensive manner of speech revealed stubbornness, sexism and arrogance rather than determination, humor, and sincerity (or as [his supporters] put it, ‘hindi trapo’).

While this first year was probably the worst we’ve had administratively (except for the attempted trapo cleansing), I’d say it was the best for us survivors of year one: we’ve finally realized how all this time we’ve been protesting for our own selves in our tiny little bubbles and echo chambers. We’ve woken up to and reevaluated our positions in this nation: who do we include and exclude, who benefits and suffers from our efforts, who benefits and suffers from our truths? We’ve grown bolder in calling people’s shit out and pushing for humane and equal treatment for all–and I mean all. It is sad to think we needed a crazy president to pop all these bubbles and to show us that corruption is more than just traffic and long waiting lines and crime rates, but of class and privilege and ignorance and apathy. But the worst shall also pass.”

Oey Mirabueno

4 BS PS

“Personally, I’m disappointed. People I know voted for him because he had Davao to show. Pero this past year, even though masasabi kahit papaano na may ginawa, he seems more concerned with keeping up this macho image. Also, he ran on a stance na he’s a no-nonsense-get-stuff-done kind of guy. With his recent appointments however, it makes you think differently. Though he certainly deserves to get a lot of flak for what he’s doing, blaming him for everything would be a bad thing then. If ever he becomes unpopular, people are going to use him as a scapegoat probably.

Bryan Antonio

3 BS LM

“Duterte’s first year in office was nothing short of contradictions. His promise of a clean and cooperative government was ultimately followed by scandal upon scandal. He promises straightforward service and competence, yet travels lavishly with his underqualified posse. The past year has also been grossly undemocratic from all the political flexing against dissenters (i.e. [Senator Leila] De Lima, the Liberal Party), and the drug war’s [number of casualties] is about to exceed twice that of the 1972 Martial Law’s. But oddly enough, he enjoys high trust ratings in the sectors most affected by the drug war. While the infrastructural plans and tax reforms are welcome developments, the abovementioned call for a state of vigilance to combat the spectre of authoritarianism.”

John Borja

4 BS LM

“The first year of the Duterte administration is both a failure and a success depending on what aspect is to be looked at. There are successes like the recent smoking ban and the 911 system (albeit still in its roll-out phase), but there are failures like the massive collateral damage in the war on drugs. The Marawi siege was handled fine because the damage was at least minimized, and the martial law in Mindanao did help manage the expansion of Maute group albeit at the expense of the Lumad community.”

Ivan Zoe Dimaculangan

4 AB EC

“Despite what he lacks in composure and civility, Duterte’s done a pretty decent job as president so far–he’s made unconventional but significant alliances, and his emphasis on infrastructure and law enforcement is a testament to his roots in the local government; and this, I can say, is a step in the right direction. But I think a pressing issue that will always loom over the Duterte administration is this so-called ‘war on drugs,’ and admittedly, I’ve taken that into account when assessing his first year in office, not only because of how problematic it is, but because it is proof of something that has plagued our country for decades–unemployment, an issue that seems to have gone unattended in this administration’s first year. President Duterte has a lot of good ideas, but he needs to look at the bigger picture if he wants real change to come.”

Robert Giles Tan

3 AB POS

“The first year of the Duterte presidency promised change. However, it shows us a man who is unable to change himself. President Duterte cannot seem to leave the mindset of a mayor behind. His actions are as decisive as promised, but short-sighted, and more apt for a smaller scale. The war on drugs, for example, begs us to ask: what will be left after his term ends? How long will the fear and the loyalty of the people last after the administration changes its face? In my opinion, President Duterte needs to quickly develop a vision that goes beyond the next five years.”

Seline Go

3 AB COM

“President Duterte’s first year in office has been known for his unconventional, and often vulgar, means of communicating. There were countless moments when he was inconsistent with his statements, action plans, principles, and intentions. Likewise, one can recognize a Duterte speech by the number of cuss words said, rape jokes, threats, biased statements, promises, and offensive remarks. As such, we as citizens, should often be aware of the consequences of his words as a society and as a nation. We should continue to fight for what’s right, understand the many perspectives of people, promote intellectual discourse than bash each other online, and move towards unity and our development as Filipinos.”

Russell Santos

4 BS MGT

“President Duterte’s first year in office is summed up as a turbulent year for the country. This has been manifested in a number of ways, such as the controversial extrajudicial killings that violate human right laws, the sudden shift of ties with China as opposed to the previous administration’s efforts in the [Permanent Court of Arbitration], and the plummeting of the economy as reflected in the power of the Philippine Peso. The President also has been making waves in the other countries and supernational [sic] organizations by his comments–some of which are considered derogatory to women, using foul language to high officials in the UN and the EU, and even to the Pope. Even though there have been a great number of controversies revolving Duterte and his administration, we must continue to remain active agents as the youth in keeping an eye on the future years under this administration.”

Lia Alejo

4 AB DipIR