SENATORS were one in saying that the government must have a strong and unified foreign policy in dealing with the international community.
Senator Bam Aquino has filed Senate Resolution 158, urging the government to clarify the country's stand on different foreign policy issues and to inquire into President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to end the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).
Aquino said that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the committee on foreign relations, had expressed willingness to conduct a review of the government's foreign policy to clarify the direction it wants to take in terms of international relations.
"Mahalagang malinawan tayo kung anong direksiyon ba ang nais tahakin ng pamahalaan pagdating sa foreign policy," Aquino said.
Aside from the Edca issues, government officials also issued contradicting statements on different foreign policy issues, such as joint maritime patrols and the stationed American troops in Mindanao.
"I hope we can clear up these statements soon so that our strategies to protect our territory and develop our economy are aligned with the administration," Aquino said.
As provided in Article 2, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution, Aquino said a clear strategic foreign policy is integral to the country's development.
"Our relations with members of the international community have bearing on our ability to protect our territory and environment, develop our economy, and promote the welfare and well-being of our citizens," he said.
Duterte reportedly made pronouncements seeking to cut ties with the country's key ally, the United States, which has spooked the country's creditors as well as affecting the country’s currency valuation and credit ratings.
Duterte said on Monday that he would visit Russia and China this year to chart an independent foreign policy and "open alliances" with two powers with historic rivalries with the US.
Most of the South China Sea has been claimed by China through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam are having rival claims.
An arbitration court in The Hague in July has invalidated China's claims to the waterway in a case brought by the Philippines. Beijing has refused to recognize the landmark ruling, which favored the Philippines claim.
Also expressing concern, Minority Leader Senator Ralph Recto said that whatever the President pronounces has an impact on the country.
"Linawin natin 'yan. What is his pivot all about, even to Russia or China, kung saka-sakali? Pero one thing is for sure. Yung hindi magandang salita ng Pangulo, lahat tayo magbabayad diyan. We will all pay the price for this," Recto said.
Recently, the international credit rating agency Standard and Poor's has maintained the country's credit rating but predicts that no upgrade in the next two years considering the unclear policy shifts the country has been taking under the Duterte administration.
According to Recto, the last paragraph in the country's credit ratings sheet is always political risk, and that the same has been echoed by another credit rating agency Fitch.
Recto said, the pronouncement of the chief executive will create a big dent to the country's economy and will affect many lives as he further said that Filipinos will have to carry the heavy load in case the government fail create a harmonious relationship with other countries like the United States and other allies.
"May mga predictions na pwedeng humina ang piso hanggang 50 is to one. Pero like I said, eventually, we Filipinos will pay the price for this. I don't think it is proper for the president to make offensive remarks to the President of the United States, hindi ba? Sa tingin ko, mali yun, at sino ang magbabayad niyan? Tao rin ang magbabayad niyan. He's speaking for all Filipinos," Recto said.
Duterte made the headlines once more when he recently told US President Barrack Obama to go to hell.
But Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III brushed off the recent comments of the President saying he is confident that the pronouncement of Duterte will not affect the country’s diplomatic ties with the US.
"I don't think so. Hindi naman, countries are not that shallow," Pimentel remarked on comments as he also urged the Chief Executive to be more careful in his statement and pronouncement.
Pimentel who expressed belief that the President will learn in due time remains optimistic that the President does not mean to cut off all ties with the US.
Pimentel said the President is only expressing the need to have an independent foreign policy.
"We should not be seen by the rest of the world to have an umbilical cord connected with the umbilical cord of the United States,” he said.
Pimentel sees nothing wrong too that Duterte is very vocal about his friendship with China and Russia as he further said that the Philippines are also friends with countries like India, Pakistan, Brazil, and Peru.
The Senate leader said the Edca is a formal agreement and should there be any changes it will follow the official agreement.
Pimentel said that under the unitary system of government, the President is the country's chief diplomat and the executive branch takes charge of foreign relations.
Pimentel said that the proposed changes in the Constitution can give more power to a new Senate to be more involved in foreign policy or foreign relations.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, for his part, warned the present government against the anti-American sentiments of the President saying it should not sway the country's security policies.
Trillanes reminded Duterte that as the President, he is now responsible for the lives of millions of Filipinos who will be greatly affected by his words, actions and decision.
The Filipinos, he said, entrusted to him their lives and it is the obligation of the President to make sure that the country will be not affected by his strong pronouncement and disappointments against leaders of other countries.
Earlier, Senator Richard Gordon, a strong supporter of Duterte reminded the President to stop using foul language and to stop talking too much to avoid further damage to the country in the international community.
But the President said he will not allow anyone to control him as he is only speaking his mind and heart and as President, it is his prerogative if he wants to stand his ground on many issues. (Sunnex)