Renowned Filipino thought leader Agot Isidro is on the warpath, and the object of her ire is no less than Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. In a treatise against his government posted on Facebook, the showbiz artist issued a pointed diagnosis to Duterte. According to Isidro, he is a “psychopath”…
Unang-una, walang umaaway sa iyo. As a matter of fact, ikaw ang nang-aaway.
Pangalawa, yung bansa Kung saan ka inuluklok ng 16 million out of 100+ million people ay Third World. Kung makapagsalita ka parang superpower and pilipinas eh. At excuse me, ayaw namin magutom. Mag-isa ka na Lang. wag kang mandamay. Hindi na nga nakakain ang nakararami, gugutumin mo pa lalo.
Pangatlo, may kilala along psychiatrist. Patingin ka. Hindi ka bipolar. You are a psychopath.
Translated to English, it reads:
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“First of all, nobody is quarrelling with you [addressing the President]. As a matter of fact, you are the one picking fights.
“Second, the country of 100 million of whom 16 million voted for you is a Third World country. The way you talk, it is like the Philippines is some kind of superpower. Excuse me, we do not want to go hungry. Go hungry on your own if you want, but don’t drag the rest of us with you. People go hungry as it is and here you are causing them to go even hungrier.
“Third, do you know a psychiatrist[?] You should see one. You are not bipolar. You are a psychopath.”
This was in reaction to the Rappler article Duterte to EU, US: Withdraw aid, we will survive.
Isidro is a good case study of the impoverished mindset that keeps Third World countries like the Philippines, well, impoverished. The cornerstone of her argument against Duterte is that the only thing keeping Filipinos from starving to death is foreign aid. Therefore, following Isidro’s logic, Duterte’s actions — construed by mainstream media as putting this vital umbilical chord with the First World at risk — would result in mass starvation in the Philippines.
What Isidro is suggesting, in essence, is that Filipinos will simply roll over and die in droves when deprived of First World dole outs. Funnily enough, many Filipinos bought into this logic — that Filipinos will be the usual hapless victims in Isidro’s hypothetical scenario in which the First World shuts down its fat pipeline of aid to the Philippines.
What seemed to fly way above many Filipinos’ heads was the loser mentality that Isidro encouraged them to embrace. While Duterte expressed admirable confidence in Filipinos’ ability to survive without foreign aid, Isidro’s statements was an absolute indictment of Filipinos’ ability to be a truly independent people.
According to Agot Isidro, Filipinos may as well die when deprived of foreign aid.
She does have a point. Third World countries owe their enormous numbers to modern medicine and health care — both of which are First World inventions. In essence, Third World capital sustains the Third World’s billions of hungry souls. They survive — just barely — by getting by on a trickle of this foreign intellectual capital. But what sets apart the men from the boys in the global economy is the ability of a society to become net capital creators and leave behind the pathos of being a net capital consumer or even a net capital beggar.
The first step in this journey to becoming a truly great nation is for a people to wean themselves off dole-outs and start being self-sufficient. Duterte, at least, is capable of imagining a Philippines on its way to achieving just that. People like Agot Isidro suffer from a profound bankruptcy of imagination. It is this bankruptcy of the mind in Filipinos’ thought leaders that is the real cause of the Philippines’ chronic impoverishment.
benign0 is the Webmaster of GetRealPhilippines.com.
She’s wrong. Of course we need imported goods like meds but we certainly won’t starve. It just calls for a tightening of our belts if we truly want to be independent, to require each of us to help in any way we can for our country to survive and not put all the responsibility on the shoulders of one man – our Prez. We are a resilient people and we are resourceful too. I know we can find ways to survive and start on our own to find ways to improve, develop as a nation. It’s only people like her who would not leave her comfort zone, perhaps her luxuries who would think like the way she does. I remember one time in the life of Korea when its citizens literally gave out what they could give for their country, including their jewelries. That is what I call “a true love of country and aspiring for its sovereignty.” Look what is South Korea now……. Prez Duterte is not looking for a quarrel, it’s the way he expresses himself. Why call a national leader who wants to pave a way for his country to be truly independent, assert its sovereignty a “psychopath?” I heard that this woman is a grad of the State U. from which I graduated too. This subject of “true sovereignty” has been discussed time and again in our history& political science classes, that was, within the 4 walls of the classroom, and which my schoolmates (they were in college, I was in high school) shouted on the streets before Martial Law was declared. So, where was she when this was discussed all the time in the classroom? This just shows her “burgis” mentality and a colonial one at that, who would prefer that our country remain in the status quo for fear that changes would diminish the comfort and luxuries in life she currently enjoys. I’d rather that we all “work” to improve our country & make it self-sufficient than for us to remain like beggars, waiting for dole-outs from those first-world nations. The beginnings I know would be very difficult but the reward would be greater still and more meaningful & valuable for each of us and our country.
I agree with you.
Some valid points, the big but is whether your country is actually ready to be entirely independent? It is an admirable goal to work to improve the country and become self sufficient. Would it be better to reach a point where aid is completely unnecessary before cutting the cord though? The fact is that people are starving to death right now in the country.
Here are my thoughts if they are of any interest…
Agot Isidoro and Duterte – Why does anyone care?
And here’s a counterargument that explains why it’s time to step out of the mendicant mindset that afflicts a lot of Pinoys.
The virtue of independence
She seems blissfully unaware that most “aid” ends up first in the pockets of rich Filipinos, and flows thence into the pockets of rich foreigners.
I’ve never heard of any government-sponsored aid actually reaching poor people, and certainly in the form of a daily dole-out of food.
I don’t think she’s unaware of it. She’s one of the elites. Me thinks she’s lashing out because her pockets won’t be filled with foreign aids from now on.
haha .. that wouldn’t surprise me in the least 🙂
One of you best work yet.
Right, as Marius said, people are still dying deprived of foreign, since a lot of it likely got stolen.
Looks like they’re bringing out more celebrity shills again.
… deprived of foreign aid…
Nobody is going to starve any more than they already have been. We’ll buy foreign food if we have to. We don’t need for it to be given to us.
Besides, a lot of aid does not come in the form of foodstuffs. It could be technical assistance and what not.
What I’m saying is, you can’t jump to the conclusion that people will starve simply by the withdrawal of aid.
Guys, words matter. And it matters more if you are a leader of a nation. The essence of Ms. Isidro’s criticism was very simple: Pres. Duterte should not be a war freak and speak with arrogance and act irresponsibly.
There’s nothing sinister or subversive in what she said. It was a casual observation shared by people who are starting to notice something is amiss in the current administration.
And that’s (imagining) what I’m afraid of. Weaning ourselves to become independent of foreign aid/assistance will take MORE than imagining. Deep thinking and a well-thought out plan will be the best place to start such endeavor. And chances are, it will take a very long time (not six years) for such dream to come to fruition. And let us not forget the willing participation and better understanding of the people in the pursuit of the plan.
One last thing, based on the present situation, one person alone imagining a hazy and unclear vision will never accomplished anything. ????
Agree, OFWS leave because in our country, GUTOM, no food at all literally. Basic needs such as education can’t be provided. Why think first before you speak.
I don’t how the country will cope with hundreds of thousands, if not millions of unemployed before the holidays. Investor confidence is deteriorating and I don’t think Russia and China can fill the gap when investors start withdrawing. His intentions are good but his methods are really really bad…And she’s absolutely right in her observation.
Ms. Isidro’s mendicancy, has gone already in her subconcious mind…Many Filipinos are this way, because, they allow their children to be dependent on them; even if they are married, with children ! In the western mindset; children at the age of 18, are kicked out from their parent’s houses; and are on their own !
We have to learn to take care of ourselves, without foreign aids . Foreign aids are like Shabu…they make us : dependent/addicts, indolent and lazy. It encourages us to be irresponsible people. It destroys our initiative; remove our “can do” attitude. Instead, it is the “can’t do” attitude, that prevails in our conscious and subconscious minds.
Ms. Isidro, you are continuing the colonial/slave mentality of our people, by your mendicancy mindset ! Please grow up !
This actress just told the World Philippines is at their mercy and can’t survive without their help. She’s oblivious to the reasons of Government corruptions during the past Administrations as to why Philippines were dependent on foreign aide. Now there’s a President who, upon looking and knowing the vast resources the Country have, is confident that if Government corruptions is suppressed, revenue coming in from taxes, etc will be utilized properly for its intended purpose like infrastructures, etc, instead of going to some corrupt officials pockets. He’s confident that if criminality and drugs are also suppressed, investments from all over will increase which means more revenue and jobs. He’s confident that if the rest of the Filipinos can learn discipline like the people of Davao City, the whole Philippines will thrive and has a chance to become richly independent. Who wouldn’t want that. He knows how rich Philippines is, especially in Mindanao alone. The US, EU and everyone out there knows that, but some of them provides aide expecting a lot in return. They want to control also. #PresidentDuterte is aware of their past behaviors and will no longer tolerate them treating the Filipinos as the little brown brothers only. He wants Philippines to have a better standing. And, realistically it can be done if most of the people will make an effort. We see positive changes already and more people are starting to see that the #DuterteAdministration is determined to make a Better Philippines. We Filipinos can make it a reality sooner, not later, if we want it too. There’s already a President who vows an honest government, the best Filipinos can do is help this Administration, not put them down and keeps criticizing and bashing them, especially the President Applaud them when positive changes happens so they will be inspired to do more. #UniteFilipinos be a #PartnerForChange
For the wealthy, money is a tool. For the impoverished, it is the rule.
I guess it’s easy to say, we want independence. But with our Country? No matter how hard you work, you can’t meet daily needs without somebody leaving the country to work. Filipinos choose to sacrifice and leave their families because of that word….GUTOM
Why is she a celebrity? I have never even heard of the woman. Secondly, who cares what she says on facebook. She is addressing her equally dumb and brainwashed friends.
Why are we even talking about this? As if she’d be a word renown thinker. The woman is obviously just another pudding headed Philippine “celebrity” who over estimates her importance in the world.
Oh, she is a tuna sales lady! No wonder she thinks her opinions are important. Not!
Yeah, sales ladies are beneath you. ????
It’s not about her, it’s about her view. You are taking it personally.????
Because what she said make sense. Look, even you cannot contradict what she said that is why you talked the opposite.
C’mon man, if you think she’s wrong just say so and why. Making nonsense talk is just that, nonsense.????
I said: “She is addressing her equally dumb and brainwashed friends.”
That obviously included YOU!
I don’t need to contradict things which are obviously incorrect and crackbrained.
I leave it to you and your yellow brand to provide justification for such incongruous claims.
That’s it? That’s your response to Ms. Isidro’s comment? That’s dumb, man. Ms. Isidro exercised her right to speak and all you can come up with is an insult? Booooo!!!! ????
Yeah, yeah you don’t need to contradict because you are incapable of doing that. The woman spoke her mind and you responded by making a joke out of your self. I tell you, you’re not funny. ????
Why is it people like you see “Yellow” every time another person does not agree with you? Is the world divided between you and the yellow people? Crazy as a psychopath. ????
Incongrous claim? Well, we’ll never know that until you learn how to properly disagree with a dissenting opinion.
Man up, Jim, man up! ????
@gnogid: Sorry, I’m missing something here… What is it exactly that Isidro said that “makes sense”?
Let me just reprint/quote what I said above.
And I agree with what she said. I think you also implied in one of your writings that Pres. Duterte should talk less or something to that effect to lessen controversy.
This article focused on Isidro’s key argument — that the Philippines is essentially dead meat without foroeign aid.
So I ask you again:
Is there anything in that argument that makes sense to you?
benigno, that is how you understood what Ms. Isidro said. I took it the other way because nobody will believe that we’re going to be dead meat without foreign aid. ????
@gnogid: There you go. This is the Philippines, might I remind you — where the words of celebrities are taken as gospel truth.
And you think it might be a problem that Ms. Isidro’s statement maybe be taken as gospel truth? Is that what you’re implying? Well, you may have a point there because during the election celebrities like of Aiza Sequera, Freddie Aguilar, Robin P., etc., endorsed Pres. Duterte. Granting you are right, I don’t’ think, compared to those celebrities, Ms. Isidro have that pull or influence on the public.
Bottomline, her criticism, to me, makes sense because Pres. Duterte as a new president, don’t seem to have an intention or desire for stability. He doesn’t seem to enjoy telling people to be one and united and be with the government. Usually, incoming presidents takes advantage of the goodwill and makes it a priority to project a sense of unity and cooperation. But that is not what is happening. Like what Ms. Isidro said, “walang umaaway kay presidente”. ????
@gnogid: Absolutely right. So we both agree that Philippine politics merely reflects the character of its constituent parts. Celeberities are seen to be the foremost opinion shapers and, as such, whether it is Duterte or an Aquino in power, the fact is, Filipinos deserve what they get.
I see where you are coming from. You actually think it matters to me which celeberity endorses which politician and that I will justify one celebrity (like Robin Padilla’s) over another (like Isidro’s) just to prop up one or the other politician you imagine me to be a “supporter” of. Goes to show you are debating with someone you do not know too well. But then again I think you do. It was another commentor, Felipe, who pointed this out to you (or David, whatever), what GRP is REALLY all about…
So what we’re talking about here is Isidro’s view in this instance. And I call it out as idiotic. Hers (and your) idea of a president making it “a priority to project a sense of unity and cooperation” may be different from others. To some, that is just what Duterte did in his first 100 days. To others, perhaps to the average emo, the style he used is just too badass for their tastes. It’s just a matter of perception.
Ummm, I don’t exactly agree with those in caps. In fact, I don’t know of any ‘celebrity’ that engages in opinion sharing/publishing that, because of their status, shapes public opinion in the process. But do they help a particular candidate during campaign season? Yes. Do they decide elections? No.
I don’t know about Felipe or David. I don’t take things personal here. All I know is I agreed with the view of Ms. Isidro.
No, I don’t think celebrity endorsement matters to you. That is not why I’m sensing in your logic. I’m not even saying you were scared by Ms. Isidro’s statement. What’s obvious though is you appears to be imparting that Ms. Isidro have no right to exercise her right to speak or criticize public officials. Right or wrong that is the signal I’m getting.
Idiotic or not, she’s within her right to express herself. You don’t agree with her you are free to destroy her statement and show why it is idiotic. But just labeling it as one will not wash.
With regard to ‘matter of perception’, that’s an alibi if you will ask me. There is nothing to perceive with Pres. Duterte because he was so transparent, so categorical that any misunderstanding in what he’s says and do is the fault of one who tries to ‘interpret’ it. ????
@gnogid: You keep repeating: “she’s within her right to express herself”.
Where exactly did I argue against this point?
You think she’s not within her right to say what she said?
Actually, you called her comment idiotic. Will I argue with you on that? No. That’s your take on it, that’s your right. All I can say is that I happened to agree with her. If you think I’m wrong in agreeing with her because what she said was ‘idiotic’ it’s your call. To me, she did not just opened her mouth and says nothing. She said something that some people either got rattled or shake their heads in agreement. ????
There you go. That wasn’t too hard, was it? If this is all you wanted to say, then this is all that you should have just said.
I did actually at the top (Oct. 10). I think it’s on the first 12 posts. ????
Simply Agot Isidiot…????????????
I understand the separation anxiety, we have never been through this path before. We are allies with the United States, we shed blood together, we are brothers. I read in one case decided by the Supreme Court, one Justice of that institution call the U.S. our mother and the Philippines her child.
But we must trust the current leadership and the foreign policy it has chosen. Name calling does not help at all. It will be difficult, we are not used to it, the economy too might suffer. Let us give this new administration a chance. It is too early to pass judgment to its designs.
WORLDBREAKING: Actress Agot Isidro is dating two Drug Lords, One killed in Police raid
MANILA — A research done by DW-TV3 investigative journalist Andrews has revealed that Filipino ace Actress Agot Isidro is dating two Drug Lords of which one died in a recent raid by the Police.
The information gathered indicates that the other Drug Lord who name is Alexandro appears on Duterte’s list of drug peddlers.
DW-Tv3 is in possession of exclusive photos of Actress Agot Isidro and the said drug lords and we would be releasing them if she comes out to deny.
It is too early to tell if her recent attack on Duterte’s administration is as a result of the crackdown on drugs which has led to the death of her lover.
Actress Agot Isidro trended on Twitter on Sunday for her strongly worded remarks against President Rodrigo Duterte, whom she called a “psychopath.”
I agree that there is nothing wrong with taking in foreign aid, since we need to get every asset we can get. But I guess the fact that it came from the mouth of an actress of the Yellow Network makes it rather suspicious; probably because her oligarch pals will lose a source of easy income. Plus, if we are to instead open up our economy instead of relying on aid, another effect will be the entry of TV stations willing to show better programs, thus making them lose an audience to their morally and intellectually-degrading programs. Yeah, they also need to encourage victim and mendicant mentality because people like that can be easily controlled……XD
You cannot really fault the Yellows (and many other Filipinos) for having that beggar mentality.
They made that conscious choice to accept the beggar mentality as their reality: With their eyes closed, they believe that they are lying down on a bed of roses and that their lives are prosperous and peaceful, when in reality, they wallow in filth and violence… I see nothing wrong in people choosing that reality, except when they want to force others to accept their reality.
It is like the Matrix. Before Duterte came, there was no other choice but the blue pill.
When Duterte came, he started offering us the red pill. Unfortunately, many are already hooked to the blue pill and don’t want to wake up.
Her comments are ignorant. First, the Philippines better stop being a moocher country/society, and begin to become an adult country and self-supportive. Second, what will happen if aid is cut off in the future, such as in the event of a global financial collapse? Third, as a previous poster pointed out, the “aid” is looted and doesn’t even reach the victims. After Yolanda a tremendous amount of foreign money was donated; where did it go? With all the aid send Tacloban should look like a small Manhattan. What a joke.
In the U.S. there are millions of people on taxpayer assistance. Many of them take advantage and have kids they know they cannot support. They are like children who need help, despite being adults. What happens if their free check doesn’t come? They will steal or starve. Does this woman want the Philippines in perpetual dependency like a big child?