Rodrigo Duterte, the then-mayor of Davao, on the cover of Esquire Philippines in March 2015. Photo: Esquire Magazine / Jason Quibilan Rodrigo Duterte, the then-mayor of Davao, on the cover of Esquire Philippines in March 2015. Photo: Esquire Magazine / Jason Quibilan
Rodrigo Duterte, the then-mayor of Davao, on the cover of Esquire Philippines in March 2015. Photo: Esquire Magazine / Jason Quibilan
Karim Raslan
Opinion

Opinion

Ceritalah by Karim Raslan

Has Rodrigo Duterte squandered his one chance to transform the Philippines?

  • The economy is doing well, but the Philippine president’s much vaunted ‘Build Build Build’ infrastructure programme appears to be flailing
  • And recent moves against the media and the US reveal his propensity to go after personal enemies, even if it isn’t in the country’s best interests

Karim Raslan
Karim Raslan

Updated: 3:24pm, 27 Feb, 2020

Why you can trust SCMP
Rodrigo Duterte, the then-mayor of Davao, on the cover of Esquire Philippines in March 2015. Photo: Esquire Magazine / Jason Quibilan Rodrigo Duterte, the then-mayor of Davao, on the cover of Esquire Philippines in March 2015. Photo: Esquire Magazine / Jason Quibilan
Rodrigo Duterte, the then-mayor of Davao, on the cover of Esquire Philippines in March 2015. Photo: Esquire Magazine / Jason Quibilan
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