A DILEMMA, basically defined, is a choice between two undesirable options.
That’s the tightrope President Duterte is navigating today. It’s his ambiguous, if oftentimes, unmistakable posture over the current dispute over territorial rights in the South China Sea with China.
But there are other voices, disagreeing with and uncomfortable with the President’s unchanging stance. The latest of which is that of former Senator Rodolfo Biazon, who tried to be as polite and respectful as possible, in describing a territorial and security problem as a matter of confusion. Essentially, he meant internal inconsistency within the Administration.
Parsing his previous remarks, whispered and not, the President seems to love China more, or probably more correctly, scared of its gigantic shadow than his people’s relative silence on the nagging, dogging issue.
He would have been more blunt had the senator called a spade a spade: nobody appears to be in charge. But Biazon has matured as a politician and statesman, playing both hats well without compromising either. He is no through yet with both.
Confusion, he said, breeds more confusion from within and without, throwing into uncertain directions policy wonks and implementors, allies and foe (assuming we only have one) alike. Confusion can lead to chaos and chaos, who knows?
If you listen to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, it’s Duterte’s independent foreign policy, stupid. Confusion as the driver of foreign policy? Diplomacy rather than war. But, who said someone has suggested the President drew his sword out of its sheath?
“War is an ugly thing,’ John Stuart Mill said, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing is worth a war is much worse”.
So much about patriotism under the current dispensation.
Duterte has tried to rein in confusion by limiting to a trinity the source of statements about the South China Sea. He assigned himself, Roque and the diplomatic zealot, Teddy Boy Locsin, as the triumvirate.
Biazon, who understand security better than the trinity, is not impressed. Perfection is not the issue; if it were, neither perfection nor security is attainable. Unity is, and feasible, even under the prevailing atmosphere of confusion.
So he proposes the convening of the National Security Council to come up with a single, unified position on the Philippinese claim over the West Philippine Sea in view of the Arbitral Award won. It will be a non-partisan group to hammer out what’s best for the country. Never mind even if Sen. Bong Go, the permanent Malacanang whisperer, is part of the group. Any color of the cat, as long as it catches mice, is okay.
Malacanang balks. Biazon’s idea is ideal, but may not be realistic. Instead, the President is considering a meeting with former presidents where his chance of getting his desired result is higher. Former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo can be counted as plus. Former President Erap Estrada is a wild card. His predecessor, Noynoy Aquino, is definitely not buying his pro-China stand.
Sounds reasonable, and a win-win strategy at that. 3-2, even a possible 4-1, is not bad. At the NSC, it will predictably be a lopsided loss for his side.
After having former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile for dinner, the likelihood is to have the four exes as possible guests in a, well, closed door meeting. The outcome should be predictable. No need to offend China with the Arbitral Award.
Back to square one.
Apparently, Biazon is not alone with the NSC convening push. Sen. Grace Poe is adding her persuasive voice to it. So have others. So will others. How to drown out these credible voices is the newest problem that has emerged out of the confusing policy over the South China Sea.
Don’t hold your breath.
There’s a not too remote possibility that Aquino will even decline Duterte’s invitation. In fact, there’s even that real possibility that Duterte will not send him the invite. One or the other may not be at home with the lion — or beast – on the doorway. He may be Kris Aquino’ Joshua’s favorite uncle, give him some good sense, too.
Biazon or Poe, or the others, may not give up too easily.
Everyone knows there’s a small margin of error for a tightrope walker. It can be dangerous. China’s recent ban on fishing in the South China Sea is testing our unity or division, exploiting Biazon’s point about internal confusion. The Chinese are playing chess; it’s a gambit. They are materially ahead; position-wise, not so. Let’s see how the other side moves strategically, not reflexively.
Time to man up. Fish or cut bait.
