

Spare the Rodrigo: Philippine elections
May 13, 2019
In this discussion, Sloveya Csakova, The Economist’s healthcare correspondent, highlights the upcoming Philippine elections where personal loyalties outshine policies. She explores the complex political landscape shaped by President Duterte, revealing how individual candidates are becoming pivotal. Furthermore, Csakova tackles the urgent challenges in antibiotic development, illustrating the paradox of a growing need against waning incentives for production. The conversation also touches on the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance and its implications for public health.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Philippine Midterm Elections
- Over 18,000 government positions are being contested in the Philippine midterm elections.
- This includes around 300 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 Senate slots.
Personality Politics
- In Philippine politics, personality often outweighs policy.
- The midterm elections are seen as a test of Rodrigo Duterte's popularity.
Duterte's War on Drugs
- Duterte, elected in 2016, launched a bloody war on drugs.
- He compared himself to Hitler, expressing a desire to kill drug addicts.