The easiest solution to a crime problem is to make legal whatever is currently a criminal activity. Of course, that sort of defeats the whole purpose of criminalizing an activity that society would like to stop. However, the idea of what constitutes a “criminal activity” is fluid not only over time but from place to place.
Iran executes homosexuals caught in acts of sodomy, while other nations enshrine “gay marriage” as a human right. You would think that after 5,000 years of relatively civilized society, humans would have a reasonable standard of acceptable and nonacceptable behavior. No such luck.
Morality aside, even the relatively simple “Thou Shalt Nots” of the Judeo-Christian principles are subject to vast interpretation, explanation and discussion. However, if you look at it closely enough, there seem to be a general pattern of pragmatism behind most rules and laws. Traffic flows better if everyone keeps to his or her own side of the road. It is probably better for society if men are held financially responsible for the children they sire rather than making the group pay for the results of every guy’s one-night fling. But the drug issue is more complicated, since this is a so-called victimless crime until it isn’t victimless. There have been many recent calls for a change in the Philippines to make drugs—if not legal—at least for possession and personal use to be “decriminalized” with only civil penalties and requirements. Instead of putting people in jail, the government and society should pay for drug users to be rehabilitated from using dangerous drugs.
That sound all well and good, but memories are short. In the United States 100 years ago, drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin were totally legal. In fact, “Heroin” is not a scientific name but a legally registered brand name for a cough syrup patented by German pharmaceutical company Bayer.
The only reason heroin was made illegal was when New York City found out in 1906 that almost 10 percent of the adult population was addicted.
Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001, and is used as the shining example of what all nations should do. It has the lowest percentage of drug-overdose deaths in Europe. But here again, it is all a trade-off.
In 1995 8 percent of Portuguese teenagers had tried recreational drugs. By 2011 that percentage had gone to 16 percent and with children under 13, it was the highest in Europe. Even while touting the benefits of decriminalization, the Portuguese government says the 40-percent increase in homicides since 2001 is related to drug use and HIV transmission related to intravenous drug use is among Europe’s highest. Even Dr. Joao Goulao, the chief architect of Portugal’s decriminalization policy, has said, “It’s very difficult to identify a causal link between decriminalization by itself and the positive tendencies we have seen.”
There is no simple or easy solution to the rampant drug-abuse problem. And looking for “simple and easy” solution may cause greater harm.
43 comments
Susuportahan ko ang panukala ni Leni kung maghihitit sya ng shabu kasama mga anak nya sa harap ng kamera naka televise sa buong bansa.
Sorry, but we are talking about meth here. I’m okay with cannabis.
Both are illegal in Portugal. Portugal’s decriminalised, not legalised drugs.
Wow what a typical shallow article. If you want to go by the “legalize drugs” path, make sure you do your research thoroughly and detail your solutions including specifics on where you will get the money to support the initiative. The problem with people who insist on the idealistic and moralistic path is they spew out ideas that are actually unachievable with the present situation. They speak out like its soooooooooooo easy to do but they leave it to others to do the dirty work. VP Leni, if you want to go by this then prove it! Do something about it and be proactive and not just say something in your speech just so you have something opposing to say against Duterte and his administration. Puro pa-PR kasi ang inaatupag at paninira. Pano uunlad ang Pilipinas kung lagi may taong katulad mo! Saying you are naive is too nice. Alam mo na siguro kung ano yung alternative adjective.
It’s riddled with factual inaccuracies.
The research is there if only people like you would actually read them. VPLeni is working hard, if only people like you would keep your head out of fake news sites – then you will know. You will also know that your economy is spiralling down. From a surplus of 850 million to a deficit of 550 million with in Duterte ‘s 5th month. Peso value plunging, investors and allies (except communist) running away. Job losses, your presidents dealings with the most corrupt personalities of the country. WPS issues, Bribery scandals, incompetent govt appointees, Abu Sayaf and NPA roaming free and grabbing houses they don’t own. Korean death at camp Krame, gossip and slander can get you kidnapped and killed. And so much more… The country is headed for disaster and people like you faces the other way and keeps on cheering!!
HAhahahaha…. where you got all your fake information?
Your ignorance is really sad.
now look who is talking. hahahaha
Only 3 kept on liking each other, D. Spencer, Ronnie Molina and Alexander Amproz. Hahahaha… a very significant data.
@Leni, next time please suggest Pakistan Rape idea. Legalize Rape as long as the rapist will marry the victim….
Not all ideas from other countries are wise.
Unless they’re backed by figures and statistics to be effective.
Statistics can be manipulated along with the figures that support the so called findings. There are cultural and economical differences between countries and populated areas. The population of Portugal is miniscule compared to that of the Philippines. There is no model that will suit the Philippines until one has been formulated by Filipinos. The best way to get information is to live locally and experience the social caste system in the PI. Sadly, the middle and upper middle classes don’t have a clue what life is like for the the poverty stricken classes where Shabu has a deadly stranglehold.Those who live below the poverty line comprise almost a third of the population. The drug was openly sold in side streets of the cities. Unrecorded deaths due to Shabu are a matter of routine, and the WHO do not have accurate facts to support any sort of findings. Govt corruption, an inadequately paid and technolgically retarded police force, and a culture of irresponsible denial by an oligarchic ruling upper class compound the problem. No one realised how bad the Shabu problem was until the present excavation. The Filipinos are on a learning curve in regards to Shabu. Personally, I believe the drug is dangerous, unacceptable and uncontrollable if allowed to flourish. It is poisonous. Australia with it’s Drug Courts, and Rehab support for Ice dependent users is struggling with the problem now.
Yes, Bayer sold Heroin. I know this all very well. We sold China opium after all, which again, at the time was completely legal.
8%-16%? That’s a extremely low figure, from where I’m from, where it is illegal, it’s closer to 40%.
I know that the claim about HIV transmission increasing because of intravenous drug use is nonsense, Portugal has a needle swapping programme, which is universally and statistically the most effective of all policies. Just read the case studies from Drug Policy and the Public Good (Oxford University Press).
I know specifically because I’ve done a case study for the UN about the Philippines for a friend, a consultant at the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, that HIV infection rates amongst drug users has steadily declined since 2006. Portugal has some of the lowest HIV infection rates amongst drug users in all of Europe.
“The Portuguese government says the 40-percent increase in homicides since 2001 is related to drug use”. This claim immediately set off alarm bells because of how ridiculous the figures are. It’s based on a misrepresentation of the evidence. The 40% increase (from 105 to 148) was for ALL homicides, defined as any ‘intentional killing of a person, including murder, manslaughter, euthanasia and infanticide’ – they were NOT ‘drug-related’. Portugal does not collect data for drug-related homicides. The Portuguese don’t look at every crime or every bit of irregular behaviour and assume it’s drugs, it’s not the Philippines.
“It’s very difficult to identify a causal link between decriminalization by itself and the positive tendencies we have seen.” – You should look up the full article, it’s available at the British Medical Journal, it’s part of an article, which you’d have to read in it’s entirety. I have a subscription.
No, this policy isn’t simple or easy, it’s an amalgamation of heavy statistical and factual research, monitored by the Portuguese government to ensure that their policy meets targets. Duterte’s policy is based on nothing.
Based on nothing? Really? Where did you get the facts on that? It seems like you work with facts and I almost believe you but in the end it only shows that your so called “facts” is only the ones that what you think is acceptable to you.
Yes, it is based on nothing. What exactly is his plan? What precedent is he using? How did he formulate this plan? Did he look at scientific data, or did it just come to him randomly one day? Portugal formulated theirs extremely carefully, with a team headed by a doctor, and generally across the board it’s been a success.
You think we haven’t tried Duterte’s policies before? He certainly isn’t being innovative with a fantastic new plan that we’ve never seen before.
“The 40% increase (from 105 to 148) was for ALL homicides, defined as any ‘intentional killing of a person, including murder, manslaughter, euthanasia and infanticide’ – they were NOT ‘drug-related’. Portugal does not collect data for drug-related homicides. The Portuguese don’t look at every crime or every bit of irregular behaviour and assume it’s drugs,it’s not the Philippines.
How is it accurate if “Portugal does not collect data for drug-related homicides.”?
How is it classified as not drug related or not? – “The Portuguese don’t look at every crime or every bit of irregular behaviour”
So you are saying they have a magic wand that just a flick will tell them that is not drug related crime/death?
Philippine National Police collect data to identify possible cause or motive of death, from legal police operations, warring gang/drug lords, etc.. So they can tell exactly the numbers and not assuming.
Duterte has a plan, eradicate all people involved in drugs. Stopped destroying our future generation and get rid of living Zombies in the Philippines so our family can live and sleep at night peacefully.
Portugal has already failed their future generation. “If you can’t beat them join them”.
I’m saying that Portugal doesn’t have a separate count for crimes committed by drug abusers. Statistically too insignificant to do so, which is correct because in other countries where drug abusers do commit crimes, it’s largely a smaller percentage of addicts, and usually only petty theft.
Which is why when Duterte claims that 75% of crimes committed in the Philippines are made by drug abusers, the world being rational and educated, do question why people in the Philippines actually believe him.
No, I’m saying the Portuguese don’t assume that crimes are committed because of drug abuse because of statistical insignificance. The police work using fact, not arbitrary bias. The police and the people don’t sit back and say “Oh well, must be drugs.”
Yes, and foreign governments and international groups including NGO’s and the media do dispute the official figures. After all, the Philippines doesn’t exactly have a good track record of being transparent. Which is why the UN want to conduct their own official investigations like last time. Foreign Press already have, and the consensus is that the government and police are to blame for a substantial amount of the killings.
Yes, that is the plan, but can you be a little more specific? What’s the detailed plan? When a company tries to attract investors, they don’t just simply say “We’re going to sell products and make a profit. We’re going to beat our competition”.
I’d also want to see the reports and experts Duterte brought in to justify his war on drugs. Unless of course, he’s just arbitrarily come up with that plan because he thinks it’s good despite not being an expert on the field.
Portugal has some of the lowest drug abuse rates in the EU. Portugal is an example that foreign governments regularly use to help formulate their drug policy, whereas the Philippines is a model for nobody.
75% of crimes committed in the Philippines before Duterte was drug related and could be true. Why do we believe him, because that what the Filipinos felt now not just the PNP data which you said “doesn’t exactly does not have a good track record”. What about the Dr. Joao Goulao data provided to the world, is it “exactly” has a good track record. Or the data you are using does have a good tack record? What are the details and specifics?
How many of this foreign government and international groups including NGO’s and media does to help the Philippines before Duterte? Does their “consensus” makes our life safer to the living Zombies walking in our street? For all I know, the consensus of selected “few” compare to millions of Filipinos worldwide who believe in his capacity to clean and make the Philippines a better place to live matters most.
Why now a concern to a “life those who choose to be a garbage” that hurt or even kill innocent people? Duterte has a plan to improve the lives of the Filipinos. What more specific do yo want? He will protect the “faithfuls” and will eradicate those hurting and killing the “faithfuls”. If you are talking about economic plan, I suggest you update, get the specific and see. Visit this website: http://www.build.gov.ph Or google “build build build Philippines”.
You claimed that Portugal has the lowest drug abuse? Really, what are the specific? “statistically insignificant to collect”, this is not correct. How many of this data were insignificant? For all I know the devil is in the details, “read the fine prints”.
Who followed Portugal out of 195 countries in the world as their model? (other than Medical Marijuana). Duterte does not intend to copy anyone. We support him in having our own identify. You should respect and understand that.
I don’t think the Police keep a historical statistic of crimes committed by drug abusers. I’ve yet to see a nation that keeps such a statistic. It’s pretty laughable to suggest that. The Philippines would be the most peaceful and law-abiding citizens in the world if he’s true, because drug abusers disproportionately commit most of the crimes. I personally haven’t fact-checked that figure, but I’m completely certain that isn’t the case, simply because of my observations that Filipinos do tend to blame drug abuse on pretty much anything that happens irregularly without any evidence whatsoever, probably due to the lack of understanding.
The most significant statistics are is that youth drug abuse is down, as well as the incidences of HIV amongst drug users, which isn’t a surprise. Social stigma about drug abuse has disappeared, more and more people do come forward to get treatment, rather than being forced to by the state.
Well, the international community does help the Philippines, just look at aid and investments, especially during a crisis. They also help formulate policy, but contrary to popular belief, the Philippines is a sovereign nation and they ultimately decide whether or not to implement them, more often than not, the government doesn’t.
Okay, my question to you is then are these millions of supporters qualified to have an appropriate understanding of drug abuse and policies to prevent it? Have these people read Drug Policy and the Public Good for example? When a government legislates for drug policy, they consult a team of experts because they understand that you have to combat this problem scientifically, not arbitrarily which is what Duterte is doing. I’m not saying it’s impossible, what Duterte is doing could work well for the Philippines, but from what I’m looking at so far it isn’t and from an international historical perspective, it won’t.
Portugal isn’t exactly an original model. I believe they based their policy largely on Scandinavian and other European examples. The Portuguese looked at data from the US and around the world to formulate their policy. So they sort of pieced it together like Lego. Whereas Duterte just got up and just decided himself what would be best, which isn’t normally how governments make decisions like this.
Furthermore Duterte’s policies aren’t exactly unheard of. There have been many people like him in the past, and a few like him today. Duterte isn’t anything new. Which is exactly why no nation has rushed to implement his policies on drug abuse. A free Philippines? Don’t you mean an independent Philippines? Well, no nation is stopping the Philippines from whatever it is they want to do. They’re allowed to voice their issues with what the Philippines is doing, most that do have substantial stakes within the Philippines itself. If you don’t want any of that, just withdraw from the international community, close off the economy. But even then, just look how closed off North Korea is. Doesn’t exempt them from consequences.
You “don’t think the Police keep a historical statistic of crimes committed by drug abusers. I’ve yet to see a nation that keeps such a statistic. It’s pretty laughable to suggest that.” You need to check out the PNP website. You can actually request data as Duterte has issued an Executive Order No. 2 “Freedom of Information Order”. The first, after many presidents. Exec Order 1 – faster Anti-Poverty Services, fyi.
“the international community does help the Philippines, just look at aid and investments, especially during a crisis.” We are talking about help to eradicate, rehabilitate (if you wish) and integrate those “who chooses to be drug addict”. Can you name at least one, who build rehab centre or has special mission about illegal drug prevention or any related?
“these millions of supporters qualified to have an appropriate understanding of drug abuse and policies to prevent it? Have these people read Drug Policy and the Public Good for example?”. Why go to those million supporters? How about you, did you read your drug abuse policy to prevent them, if you have any? I did not on our own, you may ask why? Coz’ I do know the basic law. “Do not use illegal drugs, sell and manufacture”. remember the words, “do not” and “illegal”. What is so hard in understanding the words?
Duterte leadership style is “pragmatic’ and within the bounds of our Philippine Laws. Nothing more, nothing less. “Duterte’s policies aren’t exactly unheard of. There have been many people like him in the past, and a few like him today”, contradict your statement. How come unheard of if there are people like him, past and now? The bottom line, majority of “we” Filipinos are happy and supports the way he handles our country’s issues. Latest survey SWS, 75% satisfied, 63% net satisfied = very good.
Isolate Philippines from those who have substantial stakes? And who are “those”, can you name them or at least one? If this is the case why for the first time in our history, Philippines has already earned a $$$Billion of foreign aids and investment less than a year in position? Have you visited the “Build! Build! Build! Phillipines”?
We Filipinos are the ones who has the most stake in the Philippines. Not foreigners, its own citizen. I do hope you clearly understand that.
These is what I am seeing from your statements,
You are looking only on what you wanted to see.
You are reading only those you wanted to know.
You are listening only on what you wanted to hear.
Now may I suggest, even for a short time leave that space of yours and step into the wonderful changes that million Filipinos in the Philippines have been seeing, feeling and hearing that we crave for since Duterte became our President.
“It is not clear where the president’s media team got the 75 percent figure. The booklet identifies the source of the number as the Philippines National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM). But six officials in the office responsible for the booklet and at the DIDM were unable to point to a specific study or explain how the figure was calculated.
Nimfa Reloc, who monitors heinous crime cases for DIDM, said the office had released no such data or analysis and did not know where the number came from. She said 15 percent of heinous crimes are drug-related. Benjamin Reyes, the DDB’s chairman, said there was “actually no data” on crimes committed under the influence of drugs.
An estimated 18 percent of convicted prisoners worldwide are in jail for drug-related offences, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).” – Reuters
Drug-Free ASEAN 2015: Status and Recommendations – https://www. unodc. org/documents/southeastasiaandpacific/Publications/ASEAN_2015. pdf
Along with my own personal case-study and recommendations for the Philippines for 2017 for the UNODC, still being worked on.
Are we arguing about effective drug policy, or the Philippines drug policy? It’s up to the Philippines to have outdated traditional and ineffective drug policies, but still, I don’t see where extrajudicial killings are legal in the Philippines.
Duterte? Pragmatic? Do you even know what that means? So he’s not breaking the law when he personally admits to executing people, or promising the police protection, or endorsing the killings? He’s different as in he makes no effort to hide the killings as well as his overall distasteful style and persona. You do realise that public support for Duterte is precisely what makes the Philippines look so bad internationally right?
EU for one, I work for a company that depends on trade with the EU. The EU do have minimum requirements for trade and the trade relationship won’t likely be upgraded with Duterte around. As for trade policy, what has Duterte actually done? He’s repeatedly said that he knows nothing about economics and trade and the last economic conference I was in which Duterte attended, when asked about his detailed economic policy, replied with “Money and Investment” or “Money and Growth” (I forget). Furthermore you do realise that large, long term investments do take a long time to negotiate, they don’t just happen overnight. Businesses are banking on economic fundamentals and ideal demographics to fuel growth, that’s why the company I work for set up shop in the Philippines. The high profile aid and investments Duterte’s most responsible for are from China, regarding the Philippines sovereignty and influence as chair for ASEAN and from Japan (despite from widespread criticism from the Japanese people), in response to the growing Chinese threat, that’s a pragmatic move. Aside from that, new private investments to the Philippines has overall been very weak.
You do realise how much the Philippines depends on foreign trade right? The Philippines is a largely import based economy, dependent on foreign investments for growth, as well as foreign aid. Just because people are happy with the government is no indication of any actual performance or improvement. You have a blatant disregard for the facts. Feelings aren’t factual. You’re basically just riding on a hype. Even that wave is diminishing, his popularity is at an all-time low. (I can’t link you the original FT report, requires a subscription) https://retirementgenius. co. uk/duterte-losing-support-among-philippine-poor/
75% is survey result from SWS, not from president’s team. SWS is a private non-stock, nonprofit social research institution.
79% of Pinoys approve of Duterte admin’s fight vs. crime – Pulse Asia. Pulse Asia – is a private enterprise. Both saying “VERY GOOD” performance of Duterte. They are not president’s team or government funded. Google their website, educate yourself.
I do know “pragmatic” means. Do you?
In Philippine law, it is not crime to threaten criminals. Do you have a proof that duterte killed anyone? I like to know? Not a hearsay from other other people.
Where do you got “new private investments to the Philippines has overall been very weak”. Do yo leave under the rock or somewhere? Philippines need investment from all possible sources, not just within. Less than a year, Duterte’s investment deals were $B24 – China, $B8.7 – Japan and $900M – MIddle East. Close to PhP1.7 TRILLION in today’s exchange rate. The first in Philippine history. And you are not happy with as a Filipino?
And where is EU? All they did to listen to paid adverts and media’s fake news. You can ask your employer to pack up and leave Philippines if they are not happy the way thing happening now. Can you do that? I bet not. If your company cannot leave, it only means they are enjoying doing business here, regardless.
Get the facts straight from the sources. Not from third party.
I bet you haven’t checked the “build! Build! Build” Philippines” and the PNP website to educate yourself. Yeah?
Survey? What are you talking about. Duterte claimed that 75% of all crime into he Philippines involved drugs.
As for popularity, Financial Time’s Confidential Research, the FT’s independent research service puts Duterte’s approval rating at 61%, and political sentiment at 53%. It’s been decreasing ever since he was elected.
As I said before, investments in the Philippines has been primarily been driven by China, and reluctantly Japan. But that skews investment figures for the Philippines. It’s not sustainable, private investments have decreased significantly.
Every authoritative economist I know, as well as most of the international media, agree that the previous government has made the Philippines less corrupt. Whereas Reuters and other media sources had recently just reported Chinese money influencing the Philippines during the ASEAN summit.
Right, because the Philippines government has always been such a trusted and transparent source. You are aware of Occam’s Razor right? Either the Philippines government is lying, or the entire international media, from public broadcasters to private media, from international press to local regional papers. It’s not just the press. It’s also international organisations like the UN and NGO’s.
No, I don’t happen to take propaganda from Asian nations very seriously. I take fact-checked figures only.
Claimed 75% by Duterte, where is the proof?
Reluctant Japan? Really? You really leaving somewhere?
Yeah! Philippines data lies during the time of PeNot. That is true.
You fact-checked figure only? Do you know what you are saying? You never presented me any figure you claimed
https://www. reuters. com/investigates/special-report/philippines-duterte-data/
The world can see through his blatant BS.
Yes, the Japanese public were outraged that their government gave so much in aid and investments to the Philippines because of Duterte. Much like how Singaporeans get offended when someone compare him to Lee Kuan Yew and the anger at the New Zealand government for allowing Duterte to stopover after APEC.
I’ve given many figures throughout this article. Not going to repost them again. Furthermore, you can easily check economic performance and corruption. The company I work for wouldn’t have set up shop during Aquino’s presidency had they not met those two requirements reasonably.
Given me many figures? I never seen one. All of your claim in this article were unsubstantiated by fact, one sided and a hearsay. To know the fact, you need to get both or all sides of the story. You know that, do you?
Have you surveyed Japanese people? where is the proof?
And why is your company still in the Philippines if they do not like what is happening now under Duterte?
I suggest you go over my posts again.
There is no such thing as “the other side of the story”. There is only one truth and fact. You can get the other side of opinions, for sure.
Because the Philippines is known for weak press freedoms and from my experience with the Philippines press, it isn’t really very good. Especially when reporting world news, which I believe is why some people think that the UN, EU etc are focusing the Philippines.
Is that a Twitter hashtag? Seriously? Social media?
Yes, there is no real Duterte survey in Japan, as there is no Duterte survey in New Zealand, but you can feel it from the political climate. The Japanese economy is weak, and Abe decides that it would be a good idea to invest in Duterte’s Philippines? Furthermore, I do have friends from Japan. Last time I was there was about a year or two ago. But that’s besides the point. You can just ask the Japanese yourself.
When did I ever mention “internal investment”? Everyone knows that internal investments within the Philippines is strong, an economist with the most basic understanding of the Philippines economy would know that. I mentioned foreign private investments, not internal investments.
You read your post again a day ago. You said , “new private investments to the Philippines has overall been very weak”. Now you’re denying it. And contradicting it, you saying now it is “strong” even on foreign investment.
Then why claim Japan and New Zealand? And what is the percentage of your so called “friend” to country’s population?
Philippines has weak press freedom? And yet all of your sources were from foreign presses and their sources were the Philippine press.
The IRONY of your statements are now showing up.
Are you sure you are what you trying to show?
I mean private foreign investments. Local investments within the Philippines are obviously quite strong.
Because I live in New Zealand, but because of the nature of my work I get to travel a lot. I do remember there being a lot of criticism regarding Japan’s investments to the Philippines, and New Zealand’s opposition to Duterte entering the country. Duterte is almost universally hated everywhere, except amongst his supporters. Go to Australia, the UK, France, Germany, especially Germany…
Nope. The international media do have reporters on the ground in the Philippines. I remember watching France24 live when they had reporters on the ground there covering recent protests about a day or two ago.There is such a thing as fact-checking. Usually with reports on the Philippines, for example from the BBC, local media input probably makes up about 10%, as supporting evidence, for insight or opinion.
Well, I’ll be…
France’s Macron picks PM from the right, blowing apart old boundaries…
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/frances-macron-picks-pm-blowing-apart-old-boundaries-130349303–business.html
I approve of his choice. Les Republicans isn’t exactly right though. It’s centre-right. Always was a Fillion supporter until the corruption scandal.
More important right now to right French ship & help improve their economy is the “whole security issue.” Jobs/wealth creation always suffer when investors & business leaders can’t rely on their own security —instability (including corruption scandals) will negate a lot of positive things.
No, France’s economic weakness isn’t due to security issues. Besides, it isn’t even that bad. I feel safer in Paris than I do in NYC. The security issue is overblown because of terrorism, which is an easy fix. Just reform the security services, actually get them to work together, put more resources in surveillance. As of now, France can only afford to allocate resources watching important people, than watching potential terrorists. But economic reforms would bring about more positive economic change than security reforms would.
Can’t blame you on NYC, it’s run exclusively by weak-kneed democrats & liberals muslim appeasers… just like Paris (6 brutal attacks in 3yrs cannot be that security-reassuring).
People who knows about money-matters & business, investors will not invest unless they know that their investments can be protected and there’s a healthy ROI. Terrorism is bad for business. If there were zero attacks in France in last few years, Security won’t even be an issue but it’s that big elephant in the room and if they remain PC about this serious matter & remain at status quo, it’ll be same-o, same-o… insecurity & instability is expected in the next few.
WE CONDOLE & STAND WITH U.K.!!! FIGHT & CARRY-ON…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH01MgxpekE.
Watch this, EU leaders to invest 9.1 TRILLION EUROS.
Hear the comment at 1:55 2:00 – “EU leaders retracted the proposal due to 40% kick back was being ask during the past administration”. Who was that? AQUINO Administration.
Hear the comment at 1:30 -1:35 “EU investors will come back due to the good news about Duterte administration”.
This video news broadcast was in Aug 2016, a month after Duterte became the President. I stand corrected about EU investment.
Seriously? Perhaps it’s a Philippines thing, but when you spew out BS, people tend to try to make it believable. Aside from the fact that I’ve never heard of what would’ve been a massive agreement with the EU, you think the European Union was going to invest 9.1 trillion Euros to build a rail network in the Philippines? A rail network the value of the entire British, French and German economies? That’s absurd, let me put that in perspective for you. FDI would’ve increased by 115000%. Total trade with the EU would’ve gone up by 70000%. That money could run the UK’s National Rail for the next five centuries. Doesn’t it seem odd to you that the EU’s just decided to build an entire high speed rail network for the Philippines, when developed nations use perfectly acceptable low speed rail? I try not to insult other people, but seriously, if you believed that then you’ve got to be seriously stupid.
Two major companies just recently put Philippines investments on hold, one of them choosing to invest in Vietnam instead. Because of Duterte, blue chip companies are investing less and less, the company I work for included.
Furthermore, the EU Trade Commisioner recently mentioned that GSP+ agreement, affecting up to 6,000 items from the Philippines, might be scrapped. That means, more tariffs for products from the Philippines. The Philippines has options, trade war with the EU, which wouldn’t be wise, being a smaller, poorer import-based economy. Or ignore it and lose business to most ASEAN nations who already have better trade relationships with the EU.
hahahaha… … hahahaha. You really wanted to see what to you want to see. Check also the other side of the coin. ghahahaha
No matter how effective you think this is to the Portuguese and no matter how you think things should be based from statistics, but culture and national characteristics often get muddled away from your simplistic science-based approaches where a black is black and a blue, blue (with some varying degree of wavelengths, no?). We need to have more urbanity as the Portuguese or Dutch in order to make such thing also true for us. Thanks for your advice but no, such is simply too European or American. Government decriminalizing shabu use and cartels will spontaneously sprout everywhere with competitions reaching to the skies. Cartel wars will come next and imagine the scenario, I don’t need to paint the picture vividly. It’s so good to have a white guy advising us, which you guys are good at since you came from the blue waters abroad filled with savior complex. The West is again waging another kind of Opium War (part 3), this time not by means of bullets but by means of propaganda, trying to destroy yet again another Asian spirit, discrediting our point of unity, our president. We Asians love to have an apex and the people below, as children. We are not a people of many apexes. Please preach that to the Americans who are more in tuned with your ideals. I wonder why the Mexicans did not apply the Portuguese model to their problem. Please tell us why.
Dr. Joao Goulao, the chief architect of Portugal’s decriminalization policy, has said, “It’s very difficult to identify a causal link between decriminalization by itself and the positive tendencies we have seen.”
This doctor is completely blind… read again from the news article.
1. In 1995 8% of Portuguese teenagers had tried recreational drugs. By 2011 that percentage had gone to 16 percent and with children under 13, it was the highest in Europe.
2. The Portuguese government says the 40-percent increase in homicides since 2001 is related to drug use and
3. HIV transmission related to intravenous drug use is among Europe’s highest.
How can a citizen of the their country live with peace of mind when 16% is a living ZOMBIE walking in the street?
Who are paying for the rehab of these “Zombies”? Build those drug havens? Tax payers money?
What positive tendencies does this article is talking about?
LENI IS A MODERN DAY TRUE IDIOT!!!…
This article basically says “the drug problem isn’t as simple as that” and then stopped there. So…?
The rest of EU have not even followed suit, not even the Netherlands with its liberal marijuana use policy. Despite the strong legal structures in EU member states, they haven’t jumped in to copy the Portuguese model and now Leni wants us to copy Portugal?