ClimateWatch
The Philippines

The Philippine Congress recently confirmed Rodrigo Duterte as the 16th president of the Philippines, ushering in a new government fueled by populist disaffection and characterized by uncertainty. A lightning rod of controversy, the tough-talking former mayor of Davao City in the south of the country has supported vigilante justice in crime-riddled cities (including against those suffering from addiction), the reinstatement of capital punishment, and paternalistic policies on smoking, alcohol consumption, and youth curfews. His unfiltered style has been likened to U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for both his casual misogyny and penchant for offensive jokes.

But Duterte, the Philippines’ oldest president, has also expressed support for minority representation and protections, backed by a record of gender and minority inclusiveness during his time as mayor. His election has already been celebrated for breaking political regionalism in the country: Duterte has become the first president from the historically marginalized island of Mindanao. Now having to scale his leadership from the local to the national level, he inherits a range of difficult issues impacting historically disadvantaged communities, including land and environmental rights for indigenous peoples, reproductive healthcare for women, and political autonomy for Muslim groups in the south.

With international observers and diplomats concerned by Duterte’s unpredictability, his record with and plans for vulnerable communities have been scrutinized as political analysts attempt to predict what the next era of Philippine politics will look like under his leadership. Here is an overview of recent local and international commentary on the impact of Duterte’s election:

Election & Governance Analysis

• “Philippine Congress proclaims Duterte winner of presidential election” (Reuters)
• “Philippines Under President Duterte: Dawn of a New Age?” (The Huffington Post)
• “The Philippines’ new president is no “Trump of the East,” but he’s terrifying in his own right” (Quartz)
• “Duterte’s victory signifies major political, social and economic change in the country” (The Philippine Star)
• “The Philippines’ Death Squad-Loving New President Has Some Surprisingly Progressive Plans” (VICE News)
• “Philippine death squads very much in business as Duterte set for presidency” (Reuters)
• “Duterte says he believes in God but not in religion” (The Philippine Star)

Representation & Enfranchisement

• “More Muslims, women? Duterte gov’t to be well-represented” (The Philippine Star)
• “Duterte presidency to have more women leaders” (Rappler)
• “Muslim officials laud Duterte’s choice of Piñol as DA secretary” (Manila Bulletin)

Women

• “Duterte’s criticism of the Church is good for women, their families, and the country” (The Manila Times)
• “Philippine Officials: Duterte Violated Law on Women’s Rights” (AP via ABC News)
• “Duterte to arrest parents who allow kids on streets after 10 p.m.” (Inquirer.net)

Indigenous Peoples (IPs)

• “Will the Lumad of Mindanao have a better future?” (The Manila Times)
• “Tribal leader urges Duterte to defend IPs” (Davao Today)
• “Cordillera IPs challenge Duterte” (The Manila Times)
• “Duterte urged to nationalize mining” (The Manila Times)

Muslims (Moro)

• “No BBL: Next Congress to focus on federalism” (The Philippine Star)
• “Filipino Muslims ask Duterte to pardon wrongly accused” (Andalou Agency)
• “Muslim groups back Duterte, ask Aquino for clean polls” (Inquirer.net)

Sexual & Gender Minorities

• “Davao City holds 1st LGBT Pride March on June 1” (Minda News)
• “Duterte to consider legalizing same-sex marriage if he becomes president” (CNN Philippines, February 2016)
• “Davao council bans discrimination vs gays, minority, differently abled” (Inquirer.net, May 2012)

(Image Credit: Bullit Marquez/AP, via Quartz)