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A Duterte Reader: Critical Essays On Rodrigo Duterte's Early Presidency
With essays by leading experts in diverse fields, this book offers a penetrating portrait of a volatile administration poised between a troubled past and an uncertain future. The research is thorough; the writing eloquent; and the insights myriad. This is critical reading for anyone who wishes to understand this perplexing moment in the ever-changing, ever-fascinating politics of the Philippines.
— Alfred W. McCoy, author of In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of US Global Power
This book offers timely, incisive, and well-grounded analyses of the rise of Rodrigo Duterte from child of a crisis-prone postcolony wracked by intense intra-elite electoral competition, revolutionary challenges from various sectors of society, and authoritarian rule and top-down developmentalism to long-time mayor of Davao and first Mindanaoan president of the Philippines.
— Caroline S. Hau, author of Elites and Ilustrados in Philippine Culture
The irony doesn’t escape us: A Duterte Reader packs a lot of rigorous thinking into its pages to give coherence to a man who eschews rigor and downgrades facts. Still, public intellectuals cannot shirk from their civic duty to civilize the national conversation.
— Marites D. Vitug, author of Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court
— Alfred W. McCoy, author of In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of US Global Power
This book offers timely, incisive, and well-grounded analyses of the rise of Rodrigo Duterte from child of a crisis-prone postcolony wracked by intense intra-elite electoral competition, revolutionary challenges from various sectors of society, and authoritarian rule and top-down developmentalism to long-time mayor of Davao and first Mindanaoan president of the Philippines.
— Caroline S. Hau, author of Elites and Ilustrados in Philippine Culture
The irony doesn’t escape us: A Duterte Reader packs a lot of rigorous thinking into its pages to give coherence to a man who eschews rigor and downgrades facts. Still, public intellectuals cannot shirk from their civic duty to civilize the national conversation.
— Marites D. Vitug, author of Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
337 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 3, 2020
An interesting scholarly examination of the factors that gave rise to President Duterte. The contributors to this collection of essays conduct this examination from a wide range of perspectives (e.g. securitization of illegal drugs; presidential regime changes; celebrity politics; hetero-patriarchal social structure; etc.), and consequently help us understand Philippine history, society, and democracy better. The book was written ~6 months into Duterte's presidency, so reading the book now creates an opportunity to reflect on what it says in light of more recent developments.
April 9, 2019
"Perhaps we should first ask, how can the world pay better attention? To effectively condemn, it is first important to listen."
Written 6 months into the presidency, this important book is a collection of essays looking at the historical and social contexts that allowed our President's rise to power.
I once heard it said that "everything is political," and this book perfectly exemplifies this.
From Teehankee's situating Duterte's rise against past presidential regimes, to Evangelista's analysis of the President as merely a symptom of the problem that is the hetero-patriarchal social structure... From Arguelles' indictment of a mnemonic regime socializing us to forget Marcos atrocities to serve a sinister political purpose, to Lamchek's disturbing analysis of public support legitimizing a mandate for mass killings of our countrymen...from Coronel's depiction of murder for police profit to Quimpo's assertion of the hyped up mass hysteria over a "narco state" despite evidence to the contrary...
Even though the book is written in layman - friendly language, it still makes for disturbing reading. But it is important we do so, if only to answer the burning question, "Why?“
In these divided times, when emotions run high and one can never be too sure whether one is engaging a real person or a troll in debate, these articles written by rational minds are all the more welcome as they invite the public to understand that this country's ills will not be solved (and cannot be blamed) on a single leader.
Written 6 months into the presidency, this important book is a collection of essays looking at the historical and social contexts that allowed our President's rise to power.
I once heard it said that "everything is political," and this book perfectly exemplifies this.
From Teehankee's situating Duterte's rise against past presidential regimes, to Evangelista's analysis of the President as merely a symptom of the problem that is the hetero-patriarchal social structure... From Arguelles' indictment of a mnemonic regime socializing us to forget Marcos atrocities to serve a sinister political purpose, to Lamchek's disturbing analysis of public support legitimizing a mandate for mass killings of our countrymen...from Coronel's depiction of murder for police profit to Quimpo's assertion of the hyped up mass hysteria over a "narco state" despite evidence to the contrary...
Even though the book is written in layman - friendly language, it still makes for disturbing reading. But it is important we do so, if only to answer the burning question, "Why?“
In these divided times, when emotions run high and one can never be too sure whether one is engaging a real person or a troll in debate, these articles written by rational minds are all the more welcome as they invite the public to understand that this country's ills will not be solved (and cannot be blamed) on a single leader.
June 28, 2020
3.5 stars- The book enriched my understanding of the rise of Duterte in the Philippines. Although the writing could have been better (ideally less pompous), I would recommend this to anyone interested to go beyond the simplistic assumption that Filipinos don’t care about human rights or that Duterte supporters are stupid. The contributions in this volume present varying narratives of ‘national’ aspirations that sired Duterte’s presidency. Duterte rose to power for a reason; this book provides the many reasons why.
May 17, 2021
"To effectively condemn, it is first important to listen."
This is the last statement on the epilogue that encourages us to reflect on our views. Prior to winning a national seat, Duterte is already a controversial figure who reformed a crime-prone Davao City into one of the most progressive cities in the country. His victory promised that a big "change is coming" to our country. True enough, his war on drugs caught the attention of the world as EJK in the Philippines became more drastic. But this is not the only issues at hand. His misogynistic tendencies, online trolling, and even the political drama are put into light.
There are three particular essays that I find interesting:
🔸Quimpo's discussion on what securitization is, how it is utilised on the war on drugs campaign, and the implications to our society
🔸 Why the police treat the war on drugs campaign as an enterprise
🔸 The rise of online trolls and how it tweaks the mindset of the people
The contributors have effectively discussed the early days of Duterte presidency by looking through the lens of "gender, generations, geography, security, or citizenship." While the title itself focuses on the 16th Philippine president, it is impossible to trace back the past regimes and how they define our present situation.
Now that Duterte is nearing the sunset of his presidency, I have three questions to contemplate:
1. With the promise of change, are we solving the root causes of the issues we face?
2. How can our justice system restore hope among people?
3. Is it really the system that needs changing or the people behind it?
Let's think about it.
This is the last statement on the epilogue that encourages us to reflect on our views. Prior to winning a national seat, Duterte is already a controversial figure who reformed a crime-prone Davao City into one of the most progressive cities in the country. His victory promised that a big "change is coming" to our country. True enough, his war on drugs caught the attention of the world as EJK in the Philippines became more drastic. But this is not the only issues at hand. His misogynistic tendencies, online trolling, and even the political drama are put into light.
There are three particular essays that I find interesting:
🔸Quimpo's discussion on what securitization is, how it is utilised on the war on drugs campaign, and the implications to our society
🔸 Why the police treat the war on drugs campaign as an enterprise
🔸 The rise of online trolls and how it tweaks the mindset of the people
The contributors have effectively discussed the early days of Duterte presidency by looking through the lens of "gender, generations, geography, security, or citizenship." While the title itself focuses on the 16th Philippine president, it is impossible to trace back the past regimes and how they define our present situation.
Now that Duterte is nearing the sunset of his presidency, I have three questions to contemplate:
1. With the promise of change, are we solving the root causes of the issues we face?
2. How can our justice system restore hope among people?
3. Is it really the system that needs changing or the people behind it?
Let's think about it.
February 25, 2020
At best it’s cautiously curious and at worst it’s plodding and bogged down by academic rhetoric, concealing often surface level investigations of the regime, as they would be given the strange notion of trying to analyze the situation merely half a year into its start. Some essays are quite enlightening (“The Mindanaoan President” or “Murder as Enterprise: Police Profiteering in Duterte’s War on Drugs”), while others are a chore to sit through (“Queering Rodrigo Duterte” or “Rodrigo Duterte: A Fascist Original”) so I’d say my experience overall was middling.
December 29, 2022
This will be the last book I'm writing a review for 2022. It also seems fitting since former President Duterte's term ended this year.
Electoral insurgency and citizen-led political action that disrupts traditional campaign practices (Curato, 2017) are some of the scenes we've observed during the 2016 and 2022 presidential elections.
The former year was that of PRRD, while the latter was of VP Leni. The difference, however, is that during the VP's electoral campaign, misinformation and trolling are rampant.
The contributors gave clear descriptions of Duterte's early years of presidency and included observations about his campaign trails, strategies, and what made him appealing to the mass. Each chapter also discusses the positive and negative actions that were taken during his presidency.
At the end of his term and after I finished reading, I was left with so many questions to reflect upon. Let me share two.
1. What were really the changes that the Philippines had experienced during his term?
2. How did the spread of misinformation thrive during his term?
Let's reflect.
Electoral insurgency and citizen-led political action that disrupts traditional campaign practices (Curato, 2017) are some of the scenes we've observed during the 2016 and 2022 presidential elections.
The former year was that of PRRD, while the latter was of VP Leni. The difference, however, is that during the VP's electoral campaign, misinformation and trolling are rampant.
The contributors gave clear descriptions of Duterte's early years of presidency and included observations about his campaign trails, strategies, and what made him appealing to the mass. Each chapter also discusses the positive and negative actions that were taken during his presidency.
At the end of his term and after I finished reading, I was left with so many questions to reflect upon. Let me share two.
1. What were really the changes that the Philippines had experienced during his term?
2. How did the spread of misinformation thrive during his term?
Let's reflect.
January 21, 2018
A must-read for people interested in the sweeping rise of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. The book discussed the different portrayals of the President as a reformist, repudiator, media manipulator, fascist, populist, and pluralist. This anthology is balanced, promising, easy to read, and gives a penetrating glimpse of the current regime and the Philippine politics (in part fledgling democracy) as a whole from the various vantage point. This book helps you understand Rody!
September 18, 2020
Paano ba dapat "basahin" ang pangulo? Sa paraan ng pagsasalita lang ba? Kilos? Pananamit?
Ang simpleng pag-intindi lamang sa personalidad ng pangulo ay hindi sapat upang maunawaan kung bakit siya naluklok sa pwesto. Sa mga sanaysay na nakapaloob sa libro, sinubukan ding unawain ang kalagayang pulitikal na nangingibabaw sa bansa.
Ang simpleng pag-intindi lamang sa personalidad ng pangulo ay hindi sapat upang maunawaan kung bakit siya naluklok sa pwesto. Sa mga sanaysay na nakapaloob sa libro, sinubukan ding unawain ang kalagayang pulitikal na nangingibabaw sa bansa.
September 1, 2020
Interesting essays on current Philippines leader Rodrigo D.; rich details provided on the Philippines history, culture, geography and politics. A good read for someone interested about Philippines on a contemporary aspect.
July 9, 2021
Ang ganda ng librong to very objective. FAX ONLY NO PHOTOCOPY. Salamat sa school library kasi merong ganito. Dami ko natutunan without leaning onmy own biases. This is soooooooo good!!!!
house the turtle <3 the best pepsodent in the universe !!!!
house the turtle <3 the best pepsodent in the universe !!!!
April 2, 2023
It gives a whole new perspective as to why people voted for this man, not because they were stupid but ph politics is just a very dirty game full of coverings a blocked medias, which contributes to misinformation about certain issues.
September 15, 2025
Literally the blueprint of my thesis.
Good read, still hoping for justice for the EJK victims.
Good read, still hoping for justice for the EJK victims.
December 8, 2019
I bought this book at Popular Bookstore on Tomas Morato Avenue during a trip to the Philippines in September 2017, and sped read it to the finish seven months later while on a plane over the Pacific as I flew back to the country to attend the 7th National Congress of the Akbayan Party-list.
The book is a good primer on the phenomena of Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who ascended the Philippine presidency in 2016 with overwhelming support from the electorate, carrying a populist message that cast drugs, and the liberal, elite, democratic governments which ruled the country since the fall of dictatorial rule in 1986, as enemies of, and sources of woes for, the people.
Akbayan's principles put the party on a direct collision course with Duterte, who brazenly violates human rights with extrajudicial killings of poor drug addicts and pushers low on the totem pole of the illegal drugs trade; weaponizes power with impunity against opponents of his human rights violations via his effective hegemony over the executive, legislative, and, soon, judicial branches of government; maneuvers to impose outright dictatorial rule; and postures reform with nothing substantial to show beyond loud boasting.
Akbayan is a progressive political party dedicated to "end(ing)...the old politics of patronage, elitism, exploitation, patriarchy, and people’s disempowerment," "guided by the principles of democracy, justice, freedom, human rights, gender equality, respect for diversity, and environmentalism," "committed to promot(ing) a new politics of principles, platform, and accountability, (and) women’s and people’s empowerment," and convinced that these ideals may be peacefully and effectively realized...in active solidarity with all like-minded and like-spirited, national, and global parties and organizations and peoples movements..."
The book, a collection of articles from contributors, delves into the rise of Duterte, his political character, the tools he uses to wield power, and the new lens through which those who are fighting for the deepening of democracy, instead of its destruction, must understand the current situation in order to change it.
Akbayan's congress was inspiring, and enlightening on what is to be done in the sobering times with Duterte ahead. “Solidarity in a time of darkness” is how Senator Risa Hontiveros characterized the party's gathering. Hope prevailed that democracy will ultimately triumph over tyranny, and that it is democracy, strengthened, that will ultimately lay the foundation for true reform and social justice.
The book is a good primer on the phenomena of Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who ascended the Philippine presidency in 2016 with overwhelming support from the electorate, carrying a populist message that cast drugs, and the liberal, elite, democratic governments which ruled the country since the fall of dictatorial rule in 1986, as enemies of, and sources of woes for, the people.
Akbayan's principles put the party on a direct collision course with Duterte, who brazenly violates human rights with extrajudicial killings of poor drug addicts and pushers low on the totem pole of the illegal drugs trade; weaponizes power with impunity against opponents of his human rights violations via his effective hegemony over the executive, legislative, and, soon, judicial branches of government; maneuvers to impose outright dictatorial rule; and postures reform with nothing substantial to show beyond loud boasting.
Akbayan is a progressive political party dedicated to "end(ing)...the old politics of patronage, elitism, exploitation, patriarchy, and people’s disempowerment," "guided by the principles of democracy, justice, freedom, human rights, gender equality, respect for diversity, and environmentalism," "committed to promot(ing) a new politics of principles, platform, and accountability, (and) women’s and people’s empowerment," and convinced that these ideals may be peacefully and effectively realized...in active solidarity with all like-minded and like-spirited, national, and global parties and organizations and peoples movements..."
The book, a collection of articles from contributors, delves into the rise of Duterte, his political character, the tools he uses to wield power, and the new lens through which those who are fighting for the deepening of democracy, instead of its destruction, must understand the current situation in order to change it.
Akbayan's congress was inspiring, and enlightening on what is to be done in the sobering times with Duterte ahead. “Solidarity in a time of darkness” is how Senator Risa Hontiveros characterized the party's gathering. Hope prevailed that democracy will ultimately triumph over tyranny, and that it is democracy, strengthened, that will ultimately lay the foundation for true reform and social justice.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews