I was glad that the President of the country, finally, was able to give a speech regarding its foreign policies and goals. But after reading the speech I felt that even though he was able to point his stand and actions on specific international issues, he was not able to present them deeply. I have three major points on his speech.
First is his statement that the country “will continue to participate in discussions on issues of concern within the region, and abide by the ASEAN Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea”. I believe that participating and obeying the code is not enough. I expected him to say something that would sound like strengthening our claims on the South China Sea and ensuring that the national territory and the citizens are greatly protected. The country must learn that action is needed now. But with the various problems and issues confronting the government and the President, will he still be able to act on these various international issues. I am also afraid that the 2015 target of the ASEAN community would fail. I just hope that the country still would be able to perform its duty in the region side by side with its duty of the Filipino nation.
Second, in his speech, he said, “I am tasking the Chair of the Commission on Higher Education and the Secretary of Education, to see to it that this Charter is disseminated in our schools”. I agree that the youth must be informed on the ASEAN and the charter. Among the other ASEAN members, I see that the Filipinos are not really aware on ASEAN and as a founding member, it should be the case. Moreover, the Filipino people must be involved so that they know on how they can help in the achievement of these programs.
And third, I have to agree with him stating that “the greatest antidote to war, the most effective instrument of peace and mutual understanding, is cultural exposure and cooperation”. It is really true. The current generation, especially the youth, must be involved in the country’s development. And the country is able to provide these programs such as its bilateral agreement with South Korea which includes a Youth Exchange program between South Korea and the Philippines. The youth has a big role in the country. For now, it may not be that visible but in the future, we will see it clearly. We should see culture as a uniting force rather than a force that will divide us.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The long quest for change
There is complex interdependence in international relations. Everything is interconnected and in the current era of globalization, countries need to adapt to the various changes that have been occurring in world politics today.
The Philippines establishes various agreements that are conducted in an executive, bilateral or multilateral level. Last meeting, our group was assigned to report on a country, wherein the Philippines needs to establish or strengthen its relations. My group chose the Republic of Korea. We elaborated that the Philippines and South Korea posses deep mutual relationship, wherein it has just celebrated its 60th year of the establishment of bilateral ties. We need to strengthen our relations with them and create new policies, programs and agreements that would enable a stronger relationship. This may be centered on cultural exchanges between the youth, economic and financial cooperation between the two countries, state visits, and more. In the last four years, the number of Korean students going in the country has immensely increased. In DLS-CSB alone, more than half of the international student community is Koreans. We need to strengthen ties because the South Korea can be a major aid to the country in its goal towards national economic growth and development and vice-versa. Friendship between the two must be enhanced and promulgated towards mutual benefit.
I am also glad to learn the difference between trade creation and trade diversion. This shows how great the current connection is between countries wherein trade can not only occur directly but also indirectly. What more can we expect in the future? There is totally more to look out for and our relations with various countries would be of great help in our quest in looking for solutions to the current and future problems of this country.
The Philippines establishes various agreements that are conducted in an executive, bilateral or multilateral level. Last meeting, our group was assigned to report on a country, wherein the Philippines needs to establish or strengthen its relations. My group chose the Republic of Korea. We elaborated that the Philippines and South Korea posses deep mutual relationship, wherein it has just celebrated its 60th year of the establishment of bilateral ties. We need to strengthen our relations with them and create new policies, programs and agreements that would enable a stronger relationship. This may be centered on cultural exchanges between the youth, economic and financial cooperation between the two countries, state visits, and more. In the last four years, the number of Korean students going in the country has immensely increased. In DLS-CSB alone, more than half of the international student community is Koreans. We need to strengthen ties because the South Korea can be a major aid to the country in its goal towards national economic growth and development and vice-versa. Friendship between the two must be enhanced and promulgated towards mutual benefit.
I am also glad to learn the difference between trade creation and trade diversion. This shows how great the current connection is between countries wherein trade can not only occur directly but also indirectly. What more can we expect in the future? There is totally more to look out for and our relations with various countries would be of great help in our quest in looking for solutions to the current and future problems of this country.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Where is an independent Philippine foreign policy?
The Visiting Forces Agreement needs to be ratified and renegotiated with the United States. I see two major points that is within the VFA. First is the national security of the country and its nationals and second is the development of the country’s military.
Undoubtedly, the VFA totally strikes our national security. First are the nuclear weapons. Why does the government allow passage of nuclear weapons? It is very unconstitutional and didn’t we also sign an agreement with the ASEAN for a nuclear free Southeast Asian Region? Second, when the American soldiers commit crimes, they cannot be subject to Philippine law? It is so nerve-wracking. How can the government allow such agreement? It’s undermining the people’s right and the country’s sovereignty. It’s as if the Philippines is not an independent country. It seems like we are a puppet government of the US and whatever they will tell us, we should follow. The unforgettable Subic Rape Case is one. The American soldier stayed in the US Embassy and lived as if he did not commit any crime. It is totally unjust. And third, the agreement is vague, specifically to the term “activities”. Can you just imagine the country immediately engaging in war due to the role reason of the VFA? The Philippines is not ready for war but when it comes, we can’t just say to our opponents that we are not ready.
And the second one is pertaining to the development of our navy and air force. We are very much lagging behind our Southeast Asian neighbors. We believed that the US will aid the country in times of war or conflicts with other countries but nowhere in the VFA is the US obliged to come in our side in case of such conflict with a third party and the US is also not obliged to aid in modernizing our weapons system. An example would be the South China Sea conflict where the Philippines is a claimant together with other countries including China. Do we expect the US to take our side and not China? It will never happen. It is time for the government to improve our military most especially our navy since we are an archipelagic country.
I hope the current administration will pursue an independent foreign policy geared towards the protection of the nationals and the total recognition of our national sovereignty.
Undoubtedly, the VFA totally strikes our national security. First are the nuclear weapons. Why does the government allow passage of nuclear weapons? It is very unconstitutional and didn’t we also sign an agreement with the ASEAN for a nuclear free Southeast Asian Region? Second, when the American soldiers commit crimes, they cannot be subject to Philippine law? It is so nerve-wracking. How can the government allow such agreement? It’s undermining the people’s right and the country’s sovereignty. It’s as if the Philippines is not an independent country. It seems like we are a puppet government of the US and whatever they will tell us, we should follow. The unforgettable Subic Rape Case is one. The American soldier stayed in the US Embassy and lived as if he did not commit any crime. It is totally unjust. And third, the agreement is vague, specifically to the term “activities”. Can you just imagine the country immediately engaging in war due to the role reason of the VFA? The Philippines is not ready for war but when it comes, we can’t just say to our opponents that we are not ready.
And the second one is pertaining to the development of our navy and air force. We are very much lagging behind our Southeast Asian neighbors. We believed that the US will aid the country in times of war or conflicts with other countries but nowhere in the VFA is the US obliged to come in our side in case of such conflict with a third party and the US is also not obliged to aid in modernizing our weapons system. An example would be the South China Sea conflict where the Philippines is a claimant together with other countries including China. Do we expect the US to take our side and not China? It will never happen. It is time for the government to improve our military most especially our navy since we are an archipelagic country.
I hope the current administration will pursue an independent foreign policy geared towards the protection of the nationals and the total recognition of our national sovereignty.
P-Noy SONA vs PGMA SONA
The most notable difference in the SONA delivered by PGMA and P-Noy is the language that was used. PGMA used Taglish but most of it was in English while P-Noy used entirely Tagalog. Though it was not really original because former President Erap was the first one to do it during his inauguration, I still liked the idea of P-Noy using Tagalog. I have two major reasons for such.
First, the president is addressing the Filipinos and not really the international community. I had an impression in the past administration of PGMA that she was trying to impress the foreign community rather than trying to enlighten and to inform the Filipino people, especially the poor. It was as if the president was trying to get the approval of the foreign community rather than trying to get the cooperation of Filipino people, again especially the poor. Undeniably, a State of the Nation Address written and delivered in Tagalog language will be able to inform and empower the Filipino people as compared to an English one. And my second reason is that there are some things simply better said in Filipino or other local dialects. During or after PGMA has delivered her SONA, I would hear in the news that Filipinos are complaining because they didn’t understand the entire speech, which shouldn’t be the case. Every Filipino must understand it fully. How can the Filipinos help in the country’s progress if first and foremost they doesn’t know the president’s agenda and how they can aid on them? Yes, the Filipinos are commended, across the globe, for speaking good English but that is that enough reason for the president not to use Tagalog.
Upon reading the past SONA of PGMA I noticed that she was able to mention a lot of development and progress that will or that has happened to the country. These include a strong and free economy, doubled tourism industry, strong government bureaucracy and a lot of infrastructures and I mean a lot. These infrastructures include housing, roads, bridges and more. I was really disappointed with PGMA’s SONA. It was not fully honest and empowering. I guess the various controversies had affected the State of the Nation. But was the Address given by PGMA really the “true” State of the Nation?
P-Noy’s SONA in contrast with PGMA is very tact and honest. For me, he was really able to present the “true” State of the Nation yet he lacked solutions to these problems. There were also various issues that were not presented such as the relations of the country with other State and with IO’s such as the UN, the Hacienda Luisita issue and the governments plan or policies in addressing climate change and other environmental issues. Well, since the SONA was fully delivered in Tagalog, it was an indication that P-Noy wanted to focus on the domestic sphere of development. And I believe that in his last SONA he will be able to present developments but I think that he will not be able to solve all of the problems confronting the country. It was said, 6 years is too short for a good President but too long for a bad one. One thing that I must say, I have hope with the current administration and I was totally empowered. God bless the Philippines.
First, the president is addressing the Filipinos and not really the international community. I had an impression in the past administration of PGMA that she was trying to impress the foreign community rather than trying to enlighten and to inform the Filipino people, especially the poor. It was as if the president was trying to get the approval of the foreign community rather than trying to get the cooperation of Filipino people, again especially the poor. Undeniably, a State of the Nation Address written and delivered in Tagalog language will be able to inform and empower the Filipino people as compared to an English one. And my second reason is that there are some things simply better said in Filipino or other local dialects. During or after PGMA has delivered her SONA, I would hear in the news that Filipinos are complaining because they didn’t understand the entire speech, which shouldn’t be the case. Every Filipino must understand it fully. How can the Filipinos help in the country’s progress if first and foremost they doesn’t know the president’s agenda and how they can aid on them? Yes, the Filipinos are commended, across the globe, for speaking good English but that is that enough reason for the president not to use Tagalog.
Upon reading the past SONA of PGMA I noticed that she was able to mention a lot of development and progress that will or that has happened to the country. These include a strong and free economy, doubled tourism industry, strong government bureaucracy and a lot of infrastructures and I mean a lot. These infrastructures include housing, roads, bridges and more. I was really disappointed with PGMA’s SONA. It was not fully honest and empowering. I guess the various controversies had affected the State of the Nation. But was the Address given by PGMA really the “true” State of the Nation?
P-Noy’s SONA in contrast with PGMA is very tact and honest. For me, he was really able to present the “true” State of the Nation yet he lacked solutions to these problems. There were also various issues that were not presented such as the relations of the country with other State and with IO’s such as the UN, the Hacienda Luisita issue and the governments plan or policies in addressing climate change and other environmental issues. Well, since the SONA was fully delivered in Tagalog, it was an indication that P-Noy wanted to focus on the domestic sphere of development. And I believe that in his last SONA he will be able to present developments but I think that he will not be able to solve all of the problems confronting the country. It was said, 6 years is too short for a good President but too long for a bad one. One thing that I must say, I have hope with the current administration and I was totally empowered. God bless the Philippines.
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