"Domestic policies are shaped by both domestic and international interests. Good leadership is needed to manage competing claims and steer a common vision that serves broader goals and interests. The election discourse clearly underlined a popular demand for inclusive growth where many ordinary Filipinos expressed their frustration over the elites’ privileges in reaping economic benefits. It brought to the fore the need for a fair and effective legal system, the delivery of public services by competent and apolitical bureaucracies, a safe and secure environment, and a level playing field for economic opportunities." ~I Deinla, 9 June 2016, FB link
"Equality and fairness are at the heart of the rule of law." ~Imelda Deinla,
"God's love keeps pouring. I count my blessings - and move past the challenges, Challenges are a good way to know our strenghts and weaknesses." ~Imelda Deinla
"Having generated a maelstrom of controversy during his campaign, Rodrigo Duterte has analysts scrambling to understand what his presidency will mean for the Philippines and the region." ~Imelda Deinla, 9 June 2016, FB link
"How do we develop a culture of responsibility and accountability - amidst the prevailing culture of opportunism, populism, papogi-ism and in the face of competing claims of various other 'isms'? After the euphoria of Pope Francis' visit, it seems that aspirations of positive, emotive, and accountable change have just dissipated into thin bubbles of air. It seems that both institutional and behavioral change are a long way to go - and would remain an aspiration than reality." ~Imelda Deinla
"It's time to heal - and unite. The new President Rodrigo Duterte has been elected - and by Heaven's grace, Leni Robredo will be our Vice President. They are a unique but good combination to deliver what many Filipinos have clamored for and articulated in this election. This elections has shown what democracy is -- that people have the right to demand accountability, expect better governance and delivery of public service, and to experience that the laws are enforced in a fair and equitable manner. This elections has taught us that people mobilize on their own and that there is potential to demonopolized power by a few. Let us thank however our past President Noynoy Aquino for his hard work in delivering economic growth, for improving our economic fundamentals, and for introducing accountability of public officials in practice. But the elections was not about his achievements but the desire of people to be given more economic opportunities, to receive better public service, and for a level playing field. Let us acknowledge that PNoy's administration has raised the bar of governance and that's perhaps the reason why people have wanted more. It is also time to acknowledge those who made this elections orderly, generally fair, and for lesser incidence of violence: the people for their restraint but vigilance in ensuring their votes are counted, the COMELEC (despite glitches, including yours truly being stricken off the list) and independent election watchers, the police and military for their neutral stance, for social media especially Facebook for providing the space for all to participate in the discourse - and last but not the least, the school teachers and other public servants who braved and toiled till midnight to ensure that 2016 elections is peaceful, orderly and fair." ~Imelda Deinla
"Jet bugged -- that's the price to pay when travelling long distance." ~Imelda Deinla
"Only the soft whisper of the wind reminds us how faith and courage serve us through the test of times." ~Imelda Deinla
"... Societal transformation is never achieved by the application of 'neutral law' but by reasoned judgment and consideration of realities - and by thinking outside of the box." ~Imelda Deinla, FB 19 March 2015
"The gun can kill you until the grave, but the media can kill you until infinity." ~Imelda R. Marcos
"The new president-elect (Rodrigo Duterte, 9 May 2016 Philippines Election) therefore faces a colossal task of sustaining the momentum of economic growth but also in ensuring that democracy and the rule of law deliver their promise of equitable distribution of wealth, fairness of the justice system, and responsive and accountable bureaucracies. The task remains however for the Filipinos to safeguard that democratic processes remain open and that the law balances the exercise of government power." ~Imelda Deinla, Australian Outlook 12 May 2016)
"The wave of EJKs has been perpetrated to create an illusion that narcopolitics is the biggest problem in Philippine society. A convenient solution' to inequality, bad governance and social injustices. It also stoked fear that led to acceptance of daily killings of alleged criminals. MAGISING NA! Hindi Adik ang tunay na problema kundi ang mga taong nasa likod nitong EJKs na may mas masahol na layunin para sa bayan." ~Imelda Deinla, 22 August 2017
"There are high expectations of the Duterte administration on both the domestic and international fronts although it is too early in the day to judge whether he can meet these. But his ‘can-do’ and ‘problem-solving’ attitude has captivated a broad spectrum of Filipinos and President Rody, as he wants to be called, may well just surprise the critics." ~I Deinla, 9 June 2016, FB link
"Truth is a function of power. We should engage and resist this 'normalized truth of power politics in order to denormalize the status qou - corruption, clintelist democracy, and inequality." ~Imelda Deinla (April 23, 2016)
"(Nakakasuka!) What kind of society and people have we become? The past few days people from all races came to see me about intensifying deaths, imagine 32 killings in one night! And yet even many Filipino migrants here in Oz are applauding. These are suspects brazenly killed for small quantities of drugs allegedly found in their possession and yet due process is served on these mostly foreign nationals. Allegations against a relative are just dismissed. The fact that many of us are condoning these measures is what make this condition more sickening and barbaric. Are you proud of what's happening??" ~Imelda Deinla, 18 August 2017
(Imelda Deinla, Author, ANU
"Rule of law deficit behind voter dismay in Philippines" 4 May 2016)
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