Filipino World View
The Philippine Star
The nation owes a debt of gratitude to three individuals: Delia Albert, Domingo L. Siazon Jr. and Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco. Both Ambassadors Albert and Siazon were career foreign service officers who became Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Albert (a replacement has been announced) and Jun Siazon (co-terminus with President Arroyo) are ambassadors to Germany and Japan, respectively. They have been outstanding ambassadors. Whoever replaces them will have a hard act to follow.
On the other hand, Tony Boy has been chairman of the Museum of the Filipino People since the time of President Fidel V. Ramos. As chairman for the last 12 years, he has been exemplary in the management of the museum and sustained in his financial support. His leadership will be sorely missed by everyone who, as I do, value this important institution.
The world is watching us
Because the world community does not vote in our national elections, candidates and parties don’t really seem to care about how the rest of the world is looking at them and at the upcoming political exercise. It’s a mistaken view that we might quickly come to regret.
Having an election in itself is no guarantee of a positive reputation. There are plenty of examples where countries that held elections wound up worse off image-wise after the balloting than before it
For the Philippines, believe it or not, our democracy and electoral process have not received the global endorsement they should. And this is largely because we have not shown, so far, any real capacity for managing our elections well. Besides not being able to quickly canvass the votes, we are prey to chronic instances of poll fraud and violence, which are only highlighted by challenges from losing candidates and the media.
One ambassador assigned to the Philippines once told me that the world always takes a deep breath and prays whenever we hold elections in our country. They never know what’s going to happen.
Candidates and their campaign strategists may be tempted to say, “So what, the international community can’t vote anyway.” But in fact, legitimacy for both the balloting and the winners in the eyes of the world is of great importance.
Already, we see this in the decision of the Millennium Challenge Corp. to defer the grant of $500 million to the Philippines for anti-poverty and anti-corruption programs until after the elections. And we will surely see it in the coming months in the performance of the stock exchange.
But more important, in my view, is the fact that a credible election and a credible presidential winner could rally the world behind our country, and the new government would have a chance of hitting the ground running in terms of international affairs when it takes over. This is because the goodwill and support of the international community is imperative for the success of the new administration. We will need foreign investment to drive the economy forward because we simply don’t have sufficient capital to invest in all of the new infrastructure and major economic strengthening programs we require. We will need other countries to open their markets to our products. And we will also need them to continue opening their labor markets to our workers.
When you come down to it, some two-thirds of our GDP and GNP are dependent on our ties with the world. So there’s no dismissing the foreign perspective of the May elections. It is in this light that I have long advocated that the presidential candidates should spell out their stand on foreign policy issues and how the world figures in their vision for the nation. It would be unfortunate if we wound up, for example, with a president who does not know world geography or the basics of current international affairs.
That brief time in 1986 when the whole world respected us is long gone. International admiration has been dissipated by all that has happened since – the many crises and adversities, and the sense of opportunities not being used to national advantage.
But it is also true to say that, although the luster of EDSA did not last, the nation has not been exactly without achievements as we elect our 15th president in May. The Philippine economy is today one of the more credible economies in Asia. Management of the macro economy has been good and there are sectors – like services and outsourcing – where we are arguably a leader. On the political and social fronts, there is a certain level of stability despite all the contentiousness around us.
This is something to build upon as we go into the May election. In my view, we have certain opportunities in this political exercise which, if successfully seized, can be a major plus for the nation on the international stage.
The first opportunity is for us to demonstrate in May that we can make the automated election system really work. It’s a big question, but if automation works effectively and efficiently for at least 80 percent of the entire country, it will be a major plus for our democracy. The world will heave a great sigh of relief and hail our democracy. It will at least dramatically confirm the legitimacy of the results with the losers licking their wounds rather than crying foul.
Second, the presidential candidates and their parties can do much to strengthen our international image by showing political maturity and greater appreciation for the importance of world affairs. Of course very few presidents come into office with credible foreign policy expertise. Much of it is gained on the job. But a demonstration of appreciation for this dimension certainly would bode well. Presidentiables unnecessarily hurt themselves by showing disdain for this international dimension to national life. I am reminded of Sarah Palin who famously said she has foreign policy expertise because she was governor of a state bordered by two “foreign countries” – Russia and Canada.
Finally, we can use the May elections as an opportunity to show the world that there is meaning and significance when we say we are the oldest democracy in Asia.
It may be that the coming elections will serve as a watershed for our national life. As I watch the campaign unfold, I sense a quickening of public interest. The media has never been more engaged in covering an election campaign as it is now. And I am pleased that I am not alone in my appeal to candidates to explain themselves more specifically and clearly to the people.
It could be that because of the size of our challenges, we are starting to outgrow the smallness of our politics. It could be that civic interest in the elections is forcing the candidates and parties to do better. Or it could simply be that we all sense that it’s now or never for us. We can’t afford to miss this boat.
Others may disagree, but I believe the fact that everyone seems to be engaged in the May elections is positive. I am not troubled that the political families – the Aquinos and the Marcoses among them — the Left and the Right, the Christians and the Muslims, and virtually every group and sector are involved. With all participating, if we have a successful election and manage a good political transition, we could forge a clear path towards a brighter future.
With the world watching, a new day could dawn on the Philippines. But I say this with my fingers crossed and my heart and mind in prayer
Former DFA Secretary Romulo makes a lot of sense when he says, But a demonstration of appreciation for this dimension [by showing political maturity and greater appreciation for the importance of world affairs] certainly would bode well. Presidentiables unnecessarily hurt themselves by showing disdain for this international dimension to national life.
I am not a diplomat and never have been nor will ever be — not in the official or political sense, but my job experiences have afforded me the privilege of observing some seasoned diplomats at work as well as the opportunity to see close up how, in some instances, RP “mis-appreciation” or “mis-handling” of efforts by potentially excellent foreign government partners have put the Philippines at a serious disadvantage.
In a comment I left at a fellow “Facebooker’s post” this morning, I recalled one such experience:
As you may well know, France was the first foreign country to recognise Cory’s revolutionary govt (ahead of the US) and had pledged a great deal of help, a lot of which Mitterand’s govt honoured. RP failed to reciprocate in terms of good governance.
At the time, RP could have had everything they wanted from France in terms of modernising, eg., technology, industry, etc., but the Aquino govt didn’t take advantage, worse, they failed to see the importance of a strong Franco-Philippine relation. There was very little follow up. Basically, after having tasted the champagne and the foie gras, RP, forgot all about l’entente plus que cordiale with France.
Tant pis! RP’s loss — RP needed France more than the other way around. Pity! In fact, I can say that the absence of a strong relation put RP in a very awkward position during the campaign for the UN secretary general election. RP had a strong contender, a Francophile to boot (one I admired and still do), who could have counted on a strong French lobby but the mediocre relationship that RP’s Aquino govt offered to the French all those years was a major reason (in my book) why the contender didn’t stand out in French official quarters. France’s French-speaking nations “bloc vote” in the UN was susbstantial. The candidate needed the support of France if only to be taken seriously as heavy lobbying by one candidate was being handled by the US. But RP didn’t seem to show any interest and so the contender lost even before the nominations began.
(I know that for a fact because I was a member of the French lobby group fighting in France for RP’s contender to get French state support for the then upcoming UN sec gen election.)
Ellen,
Triple R wrote that for the Philstar? Whoa! Had Max Soliven been alive, that would not have been possible.
In sum, Cory’s govt failed to capitalise — in tangible terms — on the French and European goodwill that post Edsa had garnered for RP.
Despite the fact that FVR and Gloria travelled widely to foreign shores, there is that impression that RP’s politicians and leaders only “take and take and don’t give back.” I believe that’s very much due to that “disdain for this international dimension to national life” that Triple R describes in his article.
I heard similar speeches or write-ups. It makes sense, but corny. Not to say that I disagree with what the x-Foreign Secretary writes about. Only thing is he himself did not set an example to stand his ground when it comes to GMA’s crap.
In this time where commerce and trade is on the Global scale, no country, no matter how wealthy it is, can stand alone, let alone a poorer one. One country can produce goods and services where it has comparative advantage over the other and import those produced by others who have also comparative advantage over it.
The Philippines Government as a start been provided with all kinds of support from developed economies, hoping that someday it will be Like the Koreans, Vietnam, Taiwan and other countries in the Region that those developed countries may deal in trade and commerce to their comparative advantage while keeping the Philippines Economy humming. But Good Governance, complacency, and the fragmented society that can not rise beyond politics did not make them all possible. And only time will tell if changes will come sooner.
Anna, re #4:You are correct.
RRR writes a regular column in the Philippine Star now. I think that was Star’s way of making up to him for the shabby treatment he got from Soliven.
“The Philippine economy is today one of the more credible economies in Asia”.
Romulo must be kidding. Everybody knows that the Philippine economy is being kept afloat and supported by remittances of the OFW. Without these modern day heroes, the economy would have been down the drain.
“On the political and social fronts, there is a certain level of stability despite all the contentiousness around us.”
What stability is he talking about?
How can the country be politically stable when until now the legitimacy of Gloria’s government is never resolved? The country has never been so polarized since she grabbed power and since Hello Garci came into existence. Foreign businessmen never invest in a country that is not politically stable, that’s why investments are hard to come by.
How can the country be socially stable when justice system had been repeatedly bastardized; being used to persecute political enemies and favor those in the good graces of her majesty? Justice is hell if you are against, but heaven if you are under her skirt and you are her puppy.
How can be socially stable when there’s no peace and order; no job out there, no food on the table and life become harder by the day; the poor becomes poorer and the rich becomes richer?
How can the country be socially stable when you have a gang of thieves led by a big and fat guy known as the godfather whose family’s wealth grew by leap and bounds and can support maybe up to their grand-grand-grand and grand kids in the future?
Now does Romulo knows what he’s talking about?
Roberto R. Romulo is hallucinating. Halatang sip-sip kay Gloria Arroyo. Paano naging credible ang Glorianomics? Matagal ng dino-doktor ang nga data.
From Larry:
Many of us don’t really get it; the situation which the Administration is creating is a “Fire Sale.” This means that they are creating scenarios for the system to either come crushing down or, should the people come to realize it, create civil unrest. From the time of Ondoy, when the dams were advertently opened, up to the appointment of the Chief Justice, these are all meant to agitate the people. They’ve got it all covered, either we go through elections or not, they already know what path to take. We have been idiots reacting to every seemingly dastardly act of the Administration but the fact is that we are all being pushed to a spot when we will have to bite back. They are all experts in Psy-war that we have been practically eating food from the tip of their hands. We are being attacked on all fronts, concurrently, yet each one thinks that the Administration is doing one act at a time. In the mean time we are all waiting and awaiting. We are like frogs slowly dying in a slowly heating caldron.
There is but one solution. We need an exterminator. But who?
The only way we can forge a clear path towards a brighter future is when our so called leaders, especially our national leaders from known political families and dynasties to include those from the military, RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW. When they themselves police themselves from excesses, and when they themselves adhere not to protect and patronize their kind who breaks the law. Also, when they themselves promote GOOD GOVERNANCE! At the same time, when our Judiciary shows real independence from whatever political influence and act accordingly and proactively when promoting and dispensing justice as called for and not delay everything…then and only then the possibility of progress is probable!
Nasaan kaya itong si former Secretary Roberto Romulo noong mga panahong inuumpisahan ng walanghiyang pamilya ang kabikabilang pambababoy sa ating Saligang Batas at pagsalaula sa lahat ng institusyon ng gobyerno?
‘Antagal niya ‘atang nakatulog, ah?
Bakit ngayon lang lumabas at nagsalita?
Ano bang uri ng mga lider meron tayo at ipinagkikibit balikat lamang ang mga katiwalian at kapag gahol na sa oras ay saka lamang magsisilabasan?
Paano na ngang hindi mawawala ang respeto ng ibang pamahalaan sa ating gobyerno kung mismong mga inaakala nating may kakayahang mamumo ay inuuna ang pagtutulugtulugan at kikilos lamang kung malapit nang higitin ang huling hibla ng hininga ng buong sambayanan?
When you come down to it, some two-thirds of our GDP and GNP are dependent on our ties with the world. So there’s no dismissing the foreign perspective of the May elections. It is in this light that I have long advocated that the presidential candidates should spell out their stand on foreign policy issues and how the world figures in their vision for the nation. ——–Roberto R. Romulo
************************************************************
Stand on foreign policy issues ? What a laugh !! The way they see it, Gloria and all other mediocre, greedy, and president wanna-be’s like her envision the world as one vast milking cow from which coffers they would pocket the bulk of foreign financial development aid packages and dole outs for their political perpetuity and self- enrichment.
If these nincompoops, the likes of Gloria , never addressed aged-old and pressing local issues, how do you expect these assholes to even have a stand on foreign policy issues ? We are asking too much of these hooligan non-achievers.
The only foreign policy they know is to go abroad with a mile-long entourage of “patay-gutoms” and eat at posh restaurants in up-scale New York and Washington DC and spend $20,000.+ for a taste of caviar and foie gras.
Nice one, jawo. I need not say more.