The triumphant Trump

The unimaginable has happened: Donald John Trump is now the 45th president of the United States. It was, without doubt, a day of triumph for the man whose run for the presidency was dismissed as a joke, and who Barack Obama said would never be president – notwithstanding the fact that he has the lowest approval ratings for any incoming president in the last four decades, with various polls showing numbers that range from 32 to 48 percent. 

An estimated 28,000 security personnel from local and federal agencies that include the US Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Transportation Security Organization, US Capitol Police, the National Guard and local Washington police, among others, were deployed to maintain peace and order for the more than 900,000 people who showed up for the inauguration – composed of supporters and protesters that underscores the deep political divide that is happening in America.

Critics of the new president says the “Trump era” heralds fear and uncertainty – most likely because he has shown utter disregard for the establishment and shaken up the existing political system that many Americans – especially the middle class – say has failed them. People who voted for Trump believe he is the candidate who would listen to their concerns, uphold their interests and deliver on what is needed: jobs, education, social services and economic prosperity.

Even his 16-minute inaugural address sounded more like a campaign speech, saying that the event marks the transfer of power not from one party to another but to the American people. He blasted the establishment saying Washington has prospered while the people have not, railing against this “small group” that has “reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.”

Observers say the speech – the shortest inaugural address ever – was a masterpiece as far as populism went because it resonated with those who feel that the system has neglected, abandoned and forgotten them. He painted a bleak picture of an America that has been ravaged by crime, lawlessness and drug addiction, of people grappling with poverty under a government that has done little to help or protect them.

“What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people. Jan. 20th 2017 will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now,” he said, referring to the recent events that led to his election as a “historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before.”

Donald Trump also made his foreign policy clear: America first – railing at foreign industries that have gone rich at the expense of American industries, deploring the depletion of the military while the US subsidized other countries’ armies, defending other nations’ borders while leaving America’s borders defenseless. “We’ve made other countries rich while the wealth, strength, and confidence of our country has disappeared over the horizon,” he lamented.

While some regard Trump’s words as combative and disturbing for the rest of the world, many also view it with optimism, saying it augurs a changing era where friendships and alliances with other nations will be sought and encouraged but without the requisite “strings” attached to such alliances, with other nations’ interests considered in the equation.

“We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world – but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first. We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow. We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones,” Trump said, promising to “unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth.”

Obviously, it is too early to tell where things will go with Trump now in the saddle, but we are certain that relations between the Philippines and the United States will take a turn for the better given the similarities between Trump and President Duterte not only in their unorthodox style, but that Trump will most likely not lecture on human rights issues and will allow each nation to take care of their own problems in the way they see fit.

Mindanao’s economic boom

The “unprecedented” meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and the country’s business tycoons augurs well for Mindanao. As described by our friend Manny Pangilinan, the dialogue was productive because it enabled the businessmen to express their concerns while the President also shared his development plans for Mindanao, most especially the conflict-affected and poverty-stricken areas. During the meeting, the tycoons gave their commitment to help the government create more jobs and boost economic growth in the region.

Mindanao has been dubbed as the food basket of the Philippines and many also view it as the “new frontier” considering the untapped mineral wealth sitting on the region (estimated at $1 trillion). Decades of conflict and the breakdown of peace and order have stalled progress and hampered efforts to maximize the full economic potential of Mindanao, but President Duterte vowed to solve it soon.

The Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN should usher in more investments as it will serve as a platform to showcase the vast opportunities offered by Mindanao. With the energy crisis now practically over and more power plants expected to go online, Mindanao is becoming more attractive.

One thing is clear – with a Davaoeño as president, Mindanao will see an economic boom never seen before.

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