THE speech of President Rodrigo Duterte regarding economic and military independence from the United States of America had solicited varied reactions. Some say it is the start of a new great economy. Others say it is the end of democracy. The worst thought is that the President has sold the country to Russia and China and has cut off its relations with the US. What is the real score?
The three different schools of thought had shaped a lot of reactions. The extreme thought that the country had cut off totally its ties with the US is once again a misinterpretation. The President is correcting the notion and the use of words should be taken into consideration. In an interview, Duterte said he did not say he would severe the ties with the US, but rather he said that he wants to simply become an economic and military independent from the US. In short, he wants the Philippines to be standing on its own and not be a beggar to the US or other countries.
The second school of thought is that it will end the good relationship with the US. This thought is baseless and US would not want to severe the ties with the Philippines lest they would be a sitting and lame duckling in the world. Once they tell us they would like also to stop their links with us, they will be the loser and not us. The US needs the Philippines. Imagine no exports of food and sugar. This is a devastating reality for the US. We do not need their products, it is our produce that they need. What are the US products? Chocolates (not even theirs) and nothing. So if they cut off their ties with us, the US will not be a power to be reckoned with.
The third school of thought is that it will bring prosperity and supremacy for the country. This school of thought is the one I will buy. The statement of the President only brought fear to those who are dollar-dependent families and businesses; multinational and international companies; and all those with the great American dream (colonial mentality). For the majority of the Filipinos, this would simply spell change and equality.
Most Filipinos are not dollar-dependent. Daily income earners do not put their fate in the Forex, but they break their bones for daily wages to feed their families. The dollar has controlled the Philippine economy for more than a century. The President’s statement will surely put the dollar on top but the country has nothing to fear for we now become an independent economy.
The multinationals are silently observing. Analysts say they might pull out their investments from the country. Then, there is nothing to fear for they need us. They need the Filipino worker. Be not afraid for they will surely not pull out as they have to pay the price for staying with us. They have to pay the Filipino worker higher and with all the benefits they are paying in their countries. This is what the President meant of an independent economy.
The Philippine military should also become independent, that we can fight our internal battle with papers and pens and not with the US-supplied killing machines that would destroy the nation eventually.
Mabuhay ang bagong Pilipinas!
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St. Ezekiel Moreno; St. Lorenzo and Pedro Calungsod; Pope St. John Paul II; Mons. John Liu and Su; Fr. Cornelio Moral, OAR; Manoy Bill and Sir Faraon Lopez, pray for us.
