Phifocy Activity:June 5, 2010

1. What is the mandate of the Department of Foreign Affairs in terms of being the principal arm to implement foreign policy? What other institutions help or assist the DFA in realising foreign policies?

MANDATE OF THE DFA:

1. Preservation and enhancement of national security

2. Promotion and attainment of economic security

3. Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas

ASSISTING INSTITUTIONS:

1. Department of National Defense (DND)

· Armed Forces of the Philippines

(Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Marine Corps)

· Office of Civil Defense

· National Disaster Coordinating Council

2. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

3. National Economic Development Agency (NEDA)

4. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

5. Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO)

6. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

7. Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA)

8. National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO)

2. Enumerate the Eight Foreign Policy Realities of former President Arroyo. For each reality find 2-3 related news articles and then make an analysis as to what extent did the Arroyo administration work to implement the said realities.

EIGHT FOREIGN POLICY REALITIES OF FORMER PRESIDENT ARROYO

1. China, Japan and the United States and their relationship will be a determining influence in the security situation and economic evolution of East Asia;

News Clippings:

a. China-ASEAN Free Trade Area sets example for mutual beneficial, win-win regional co-op

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/01/content_12741761.htm

b. US ponders China's Southeast Asian rise

Source: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LC10Ae01.html

2. Philippine foreign policy decisions have to be made in the context of ASEAN;

News Clippings:

a. ASEAN human rights body fails kin of massacred journalists

Source:http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/29/10/asean-human-rights-body-fails-kin-massacred-journalists

b. Manila foreign policy set in context of Asean

Source:http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25951:manila-foreign-policy-set-in-context-of-asean&catid=23:topnews&Itemid=58

3. The international Islamic community will continue to be important for the Philippines;

News Clippings:

a. Philippines to compensate Muslim war victims, resume talks

Source: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=60775

b. Malacaňang cool on Muslim protests over caricature

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/303/malaca328ang-cool-on-muslim-protests-over-caricature

4. The coming years will see the growing importance of multilateral and inter-regional organizations to promote common interests;

News Clippings:

a. RP calls on Asean members to build on common interest on climate issue

Source:http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=33%3Aeconomy&id=23986%3Arp-calls-on-asean-members-to-build-on-common-interest-on-climate-issue&Itemid=60

b. Asean agrees to further promote integration of traditional medicine

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=538589&publicationSubCategoryId=75

5. As an archipelagic state, the defense of the nation's sovereignty and the protection of its environment and natural resources can be carried out only to the extent that it asserts its rights over the maritime territory and gets others to respect those rights;

News Clippings:

a. Tighter maritime security after Zambo kidnapping—PNP chief

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100405-262499/Tighter-maritime-security-after-Zambo-kidnappingPNP-chief

b. Philippines - trash, oil spill, toxic mine and marine reserve

Source: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/philippines-seen-and-heard/

6. The country's economic policy will continue to be friendly to both domestic and foreign direct investments;

News Clippings:

a. Philippines offers good investment opportunities

Source: http://www.propertywire.com/news/asia/philippines-offers-good-investment-opportunities-20080115123.html

b. Aquino says Philippines will be more investor-friendly

Source:http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/06/30/10/aquino-says-philippines-will-be-more-investor-friendly

7. The Philippines can benefit most quickly from international tourism

News Clippings:

a. Philippine tourism explores new frontiers

Source: http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?sec=2&id=5422

b. Philippine Tourism: Sustaining Growth in a challenging environment

Source: http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/blog/2009/08/02/philippine-tourism-sustaining-growth-in-a-challenging-environment/

8. Overseas Filipinos will continue to be recognized for their critical role in the country's economic and social stability.

News Clippings:

a. OFW remittances - an economic booster

Source: http://www.philippinestoday.net/index.php?module=article&view=1180

b. OFWs help attain 7% growth

Source:http://globalnation.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20100706-279505/OFWs-help-attain-7-growth

ANALYSIS OF REALITIES’ IMPLEMENTATION

The PGMA administration failed to implement almost all of its foreign policy realities. First, the conflict in Mindanao is still highly prevalent. Instead of helping ease the conflict, the government even heightened the issue through the very controversial memorandum of agreement. Second, the great question regarding the maritime security and sovereignty of the Philippines. In addition, this would include the preservation and protection of the environment. There were various maritime disasters that took place in her administration and this includes a number of ships, who allegedly are not following the proper standards and protocols in sea travel. Moreover, the natural resources of the country are greatly and massively killed. This is prevalent most especially in Visayas and in Mindanao. Other countries, such as the United States, are conducting various activities such as illegal mining, which exploit the environment, extensively. And third, the benefit of international tourism. How will the Philippines be able to advance its tourism industry when first of all, the budget is not enough for the conduct of all activities and promotion of the country. On the other side of the sphere, the PGMA government was also able to create some programs to achieve some of the realities. The OFW’s are well recognized, the country handles its relations to multilateral and inters regional organizations with great extent and the country had received many investments. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) International, the Philippines had the most number of investments received as compared to other ASEAN states.

3. With the assistance of different bureaus, institutions as well as interest groups, it is the President that drafts state policies. What do you think will be included in President Noynoy Aquino’s foreign policy list now that he has assumed the Presidency? Identify five issues and find news clippings (at least one for each issue) to support your answer.

I think that President Noynoy Aquino will still include three of PGMA’s Foreign Policy realities which are: First, the country's economic policy will continue to be friendly to both domestic and foreign direct investments; Second, the country's economic policy will continue to be friendly to both domestic and foreign direct investments and Third, the Philippines can benefit most quickly from international tourism.

This is due to the fact that among his major points in his inaugural speech were: First, to improve infrastructure, tourism and trade projects; Second, to clean up customs, strengthen tax collection; Third, he promised a predictable & consistent place for investment; and Fourth, he said that a clean and honest governance will start with him and his Cabinet. This would show us his main objectives for the Philippine Foreign Policy. Moreover, he also wants to ensure that the officials of the DFA will be able to execute clean and honest governance.

My top five issues includes: First, the refusal of a number of PGMA’s appointees to return back to the Philippines and leave the post. Second is regarding the relations of the Philippines with the United States of America and most especially the very controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (YFA). Third, one of the major points of Pres. Aquino’s speech is job creation. With this, how will we ensure that these jobs will be able to sustain the Filipino people’s daily living and would lessen the number of Filipinos going abroad? Fourth, why did President Aquino retain Alberto G. Romulo to be his DFA Secretary but we all know that he is one of PGMA’s very loyal and trusted officials. And fifth, what is the policy or stand of Aquino regarding the illegal use or exploitation of our natural resources especially in the Mindanao area. Most importantly, these natural resources are also major reasons why tourists go and visit the country.

News Clippings:

1. Aquino retains Romulo at DFA (By Gil. C. Cabacungan Jr. – Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Source:http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20100627-277856/Aquino-retains-Romulo-at-DFA

2. GMA’s political ambassadors trickling back home (By Michaela P. del Callar – The Daily Tribune)

Source: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100619hed6.html

3. Miriam hopes Noynoy will review Visiting Forces Agreement (By Aurea Calica - The Philippine Star)

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=585040&publicationSubCategoryId=63

4. OFWs to Aquino: Create more local jobs (By Edith Regalado - philstar.com)

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=580110&publicationSubCategoryId=200

5. Environmental groups to Aquino: Be green (By Ronalyn Olea – Philippine Online Chronicles)

Source:http://www.thepoc.net/thepoc-features/politi-ko/politiko-features/7812-first-100-days-noynoy-aquino.html

4. How significant is the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Philippine foreign policy?

The ASEAN is very significant in Philippine Foreign Policy. First, the Philippines is one of the founding member countries of the ASEAN. Thus, we should be the first country to coordinate our foreign policies in with the principles of ASEAN. The existing policies and agreements in the ASEAN must be noted in the formulation and implementation of the Philippine Foreign Policy. Second, the Philippines, through the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), is able to dialogue with the various partners of ASEAN from all over the globe. They discuss various topics that are very important to the security and development of the Southeast Asian Region. Through the ARF, the Philippines is able to extend and strengthen relations with other countries, a very important element in the achievement of the Philippine Foreign Policy. And third, the Philippines is one of the key and driving forces of ASEAN together with Indonesia. Last year, the DTI International reported that the Philippines had the most number of investments received as compared to other ASEAN countries. The ASEAN is very significant to the Philippines Foreign Policy, vice-versa.