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By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
FILIPINO officials are confident the Obama presidency will maintain
the “special relations” between the Philippines and the United
States.
The US has been supportive of the Philippines in
its economic and security needs and, according to Executive
Secretary Eduardo Ermita, “you can be sure this can be true for
the upcoming administration. We are quite optimistic our bilateral
relations with US will continue to improve and will redound to [our]
mutual benefit.”
“We have a Mutual Defense Treaty since 1951
and we hope that they will continue the engagement with us in
Balikatan [war games] as well as determine our security and economic
needs.”
President Arroyo has said she was looking
forward to closely working with the new US president in
strengthening cooperation between the US and the Asia-Pacific
region, as well as addressing the concerns of Filipino World War II
veterans.
Obama, in turn, has outlined issues and concerns
between both countries, Malacañang said in a previous statement.
These include climate change, food security, poverty reduction, the
future of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), human
rights in Burma and defense reform.
In a message to President Arroyo, Obama
expressed confidence in successfully addressing these challenges
given “our shared history and the Philippines’ role as Asia’s
first democracy,” as well as “the Philippines’ special bond
with the United States.”
“This bond is enriched by a vibrant and
successful Filipino-American community that has made such enormous
contributions to [the United States],” he said.
Obama noted the historical road that both
countries have journeyed over the years, such as the fight
“against fascism during World War II and . . . against a common
adversary during the Cold War,” to the present “common struggle
against terrorism and extremism.”
Green advocate
“Obama is a green advocate. He is pushing for
the shift from fossil to renewable energy,” says Sen. Edgardo
Angara. This is good, he explains, because it means American
investors will promote renewable energy worldwide (and) “we have
just enacted the Renewable Energy law.”
On the other hand, he sees Obama’s negative
impact on local agriculture. “He is a protectionist president, and
this is not very good for the Philippines. He has been supporting
American farmers and this means our agriculture products have very
little chance of gaining more headway in the US market,” said the
former Agriculture secretary.
“I think Obama will treat the Philippines in a
very good manner kahit Bush friend tayo,” says Cebu Rep. Antonio
Cuenco, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Relations.
“Obama is always known to help Third-World countries.”
“The United States and the Philippines has
been a long-time friend. Any improvement in their economy would
surely rebound to us,” he added.
In particular, Cuenco wants Obama to give
preferential benefit to Filipinos such as in Veteran’s Bill passed
in the US Senate but pending in the Lower House. It will give the
same benefits to Filipino veterans as those available to their
American counterparts.
“I believe that it will be acted upon during
the term of Obama,” he pointed out.
-- With reports from Efren Danao & Jomar Canlas
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