I arrived here toward the tail end of the Duterte administration. I live just outside the City of Iloilo. It just so happens that the Island of Panay, the City of Iloilo and the: Province of Iloilo voted two thirds for Marcos Jr.'s progressive opponent, even though Marcos Jr. won overwhelmingly nationwide. I was fearful of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., having been historically familiar with his father. I have been pleasantly surprised by his administration and by him.

I have found the Philippines to be relatively free and Democratic, with a relatively free press. I've seen in the Manla Times criticism of Marcos and his positions as well as praise. The courts have reversed many of the political cases brought by Duterte, including every case so far against Maria Ressa that was brought under the Duterte regime. I do not follow social media, and DU is the only place I give my political opinion.

Culturally, the Filipino's frown upon foreigners (Kanos) voicing their opinions of Philippine politics. I was warned before I got here by my wife, "do not, under any circumstance, give your opinion about the Philippine government, pro or con". And Filipinos are not very interested in American politics.

So, the only place I can give my opinion is here at DU because I always follow my wife's advice, especially here in the Philippines.

And it's reassuring to learn that somewhere in the world that freedoms are moving in the right direction. And I sure never thought that we'd have the threat we're now experiencing here in the U.S.

The Philippines has just one six-year term for President. Duterte transferred his power peacefully. The Supreme Court has an independent commission that produces three names to fill a vacancy. The President chooses one of those three names. There is no confirmation. As a result, the Supreme Court acts more independently here than in the US.

The one flaw that I've found in the Philippine Constitution is that, even though they choose their President by popular vote, its winner take all- in a one-time election. In other words, a person can win in a crowded field with 35% or 40%, which was the case with Duterte. There is no runoff. this leaves the country vulnerable to a radical minority candidate winning a 6-year term.

Marcos Jr. won more than 55% of the vote.

Which has repeatedly disenfranchised millions of voters here in the U.S.