Duterte in 2018

As Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte moves into 2018, the third calendar year of his time in office, the tough-guy leader’s policies on many critical issues remain unclear. Sure, Duterte is known for his straight-talking rhetoric, which has helped keep his popularity high—a September poll by Pulse Asia showed that about 80 percent of Filipinos have trust in Duterte, an impressive figure. Yet on three important issues, his talk and actions have been muddled and contradictory. What does 2018 hold for these three important areas? For more on Duterte’s approach to the economy, the relationship with the United States, and militancy in the southern Philippines, see my new column in World Politics Review.