Inter-elite fighting in Philippines to be resolved thru elections--for now.

So, the Duterte issue is to be resolved thru the 2019 mid-term elections. This elections is significant for two (2) reasons: first, it is test whether Filipinos had gone past their populist likings and second, a gauge of public support of Mr. Duterte.

The political booty in this elections? Trillions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects, thanks to TRAIN law, government is now collecting billions from the hard-earned monies of the ordinary citizen.

For those who know their history, existing conditions mimic those in 1969 when Ferdinand Marcos campaigned for his second term. There's a raging insurgency in the countrysides while the centre of commerce grapples with serious problems such as foreign investment outflow and a weak bourse. Political oligarchs are busy trying to maintain the status quo while their counterparts in the economic sector try to maintain their balance sheets in the black.

So this election is very important because it will determine the political future not just of Mr. Duterte but of succeeding leaders of the new generation. There should be a harmonious succession otherwise whatever happens in 2019 might define future polls.

A violence-prone elections could provoke or justify military intervention which to my mind, could damage democratic institutions.

A win by the opposition will surely and further weaken Mr. Duterte's hold on to power. The so-called administration party enjoys one thing--funding. Those who are in the running know very well that in actual political battles that they face, funding is an important element to success.