If it wasn’t for either, you would simply say, it’s family feud. There must be a deeper reason than the usual sibling rivalry between the sister-senator and brother-president. On the other hand, the real issue could be true patriotism or plain politics.
While the president is ramping up efforts to bring the Philippines into stronger defense pacts with Western countries, the senator seems to cast doubt on the wisdom of the brother’s move. She cautions the nation in a television advertisement that trusting foreigners is fraught. Sometimes, she acts like she’s the contra-pelo or spoiler to her brother.
This contrararian position must bewilder a nation seeking not only a unified stand but an effective solution to the unending aggression of China in the West Philippine Sea that appears to get worse each day before it gets better. Were it not for cooler heads or weaker capabilities from the Philippines, the conflict would have turned into a more violent confrontation.
As far as the president goes, it is clear that teaming up with the stronger allies like the United States,Australia, Japan and others is the way to deter China’s bullying ways in the waves as it asserts its nine-dash line fiction over territorial claims in the WPS. In fact, it’s the most pragmatic thing to do in the face of the threat and unbridled aggression.
For the president , it must be a damn-if-you don’t or damn if you do. As China continues to flex its muscle as a growing hegemon, the Philippines must at look at the bigger picture: like it or not, it has to address the issue of collateral damage as a small player in the politlcal equation of world powers.
It’s no secret that China is salivating to invade Taiwan as early as 2025 . Beyond Taiwan, there’s more to add in the grand plan in accordance with the so-called mandate from heaven. The WPS is hard to resist. Other nearby oceans beckon for future expansion and, ultimately, world domination. But something gets in the way.
The US is well aware of what experts call the Thucydides Trap, a situation where a rising power threatens the existing one,leading to possible war. Other countries like Australia, Japan, France and Great Britain equally share the view with great concern
Fortunately or unfortunately,the Philippines lies in a strategic spot where China’s ambition can be monitored and checked by these countries to thwart her moves every step of the way. The motivation may not simply to help the Philippines defend its territorial backyard. Western allies have been eager to sign pacts or align with the Marcos Administration means protecting their own too.
The president , knowing the incentives, has come to the stark realities of defining the right defense options. As a former Philippine Marine officer commented recently, being militarily weak requires the need to have a military strong ally. As it now, there’s has never been a time when the Philippines is better able to meet external threats.
But it has its own risks, too. Sen. Imee Marcos has recently sounded off the possibility that China’s must be aiming its missiles at several US sites in the Philippines, no less than 25 sites from Luzon to Mindanao. China has denied that there is such a move. The senator’s source is doubtful but the intent is hardly, given what’s stake. The threat of existentialism has never been real.
Even the worst of the cynics cannot fault the senator for expressing that great fear. At the heart of it is the real concern for the Filipinos future.She may have chosen the political side of the Dutertes, she’s not necessarily out -and-out for China like Duterte patriarch had sounded like. Politics may be in her blood; but you cannot discount genuine patriotism even if is often called the last refuge of scoundrel.
At this point, it is not too late for the senator to look forward to a better place in Philippine politics. It is often said that her late father was more impressed with her than the only son. Politically,she’s displaying the ability and stubborness to display her strong independence in investing with the Dutertes and having a purely visceral view China’s behavior.
But she maybe taking the longer shot. Many Filipinos may share her fear but are nevertheless realistics. To many, she might as well be acting like an ostrich burying her head in the sand while China is trying to steal away the WPS. Her first cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez , apparently is locked in step with the President’s efforts politically and diplomacy.
It is fair to say that he will also keep the presence of the US and other Western allies to deter China’s ambition. That makes him a fair choice to be the president’s possible successor in 2028. He appears to be working hard in that direction to be just as acceptable the leaders of Western allies.
In the meantime, the senator may find it difficult to extricate herself from her present view on China ,all things properly considered. The medium is the message , and it’s unmistakable,and the senator may not to take the right reading.
The Filipinos, like their Western allies, are a moral people. That is one more argument why Sen. Imee should consider her own view of China’s transgression in the WPS, notwithstanding the fear that it creates. That may influence her to agree with his brother more and more , especially in light of the facts.
