THE word on the street is that for the next six years, the Philippines will “cross the Rubicon” with the United States, an idiom which means to pass a point of no return.
This was stated by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte to reporters on Monday, Sept. 26, wherein he recalled his previous meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos earlier this month.
He also revealed that the Philippines could enter possible economic alliances with Russia and China, countries he called that are on the “other side of the ideological barrier.”
“We had a one-on-one meeting and I said, ‘I think I’m about to cross the Rubicon with the United States, at least for the six years [of my term]. I will need your help in everything – trade, commerce – and I will open up,” Duterte said.
However, Duterte clarified that the Philippines has no plans to cuts its ties with the U.S. Asked to explain what he meant with his “cross the Rubicon” remark, Duterte pointed out an apparent loophole in the defense agreement by the two countries.
“There is an RP-U.S. Pact that was in the ‘50s. It says that an attack on the Philippines would be an attack of the United States. But in the United States Constitution, it says that before a President can declare war, with anybody in defense of an ally, he has to go to Congress for permission to go to war. That’s the problem. So if Congress will not give him that authority, what will happen to us?” Duterte said.
For his part, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. who just came back from his visit to the U.S., said that the president was just expressing his desire to pursue an independent foreign policy.
“He was saying that to dramatize what he feels are the areas that would need further strengthening insofar as our relationship with the US is concerned,” Yasay said.
For decades, the Philippines and the U.S. have maintained strong bilateral relations based on support for international security, joint strategic goals in the Asia Pacific, a mutual commitment to democratic values, and historical ties. Such immutable partnership has been strengthened for years by vibrant democracies that are committed to each other in strength and prosperity.
The U.S. has always recognized the Philippines as an indispensable partner for upholding vital American interests in the region.
The people between the two countries have also shared a tradition of working together from countering extremism, to strengthening economic ties and international security, and to fighting poverty and creating opportunities for prosperity and growth.
Unless both countries commit to the same goals, this enduring partnership will jeopardize the mutual political, economic and strategic benefits they have for their people. (AJPress)
