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MALACAÑANG said on Sunday that the country would maintain its “long-standing” diplomatic relations with the United States under the administration of President-elect Joseph “Joe” Biden.
This as international observers now eagerly await how Biden intends to address the issues that plagued the tenure of his predecessor, United States President Donald Trump.
In a statement Sunday, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the country will continue its strong cooperation with its traditional international superpower ally.
“On behalf of the Philippine nation, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wishes to extend his warm congratulations to former Vice President Joseph ‘Joe’ Biden on his election as the new President of the United States of America,” said Roque.
“We are committed to further improving relations with the United States under the Biden administration,” he added.
US President Trump, who is seen as having cordial relations with Duterte, lost his bid for reelection in a close race that reflected how deeply polarized the United States had become.
Roque previously said that Duterte is open to fostering a similar friendship with Biden.
Good sign
Several Philippine bishops hope that the victory of Biden, who is Roman Catholic, can translate into more pro-life policies in the United States.
“If you are a true Catholic, you must follow God’s teachings on the sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death,” said Manila Apostolic Administrator Broderick Pabillo.
The Archbishop of Ozamiz, Martin Jumoad, said he hopes Biden will “restore morality in the United States by banning abortion.
“A nation that kills its own children is a nation without hope. Let’s pray for the new president-elect. May the Holy Spirit guide your presidency, ”Jumoad said.
Meanwhile, Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos hopes that the United States will pursue more progressive immigration policies under Biden’s leadership.
“We anticipate good signs, a relief especially for the so-called ‘dreamers’. Immigrants could be safe citizens, qualified workers could travel and seek work and the reunification of children separated from their families for work reasons, ”said the prelate.
Biden’s leadership will restore closer relations between the US and the Philippines while opening opportunities for Filipinos and thus be good for the Philippine economy, according to the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. , Joey Sarte Salceda.
“A Joe Biden [administration] it will alleviate the stalemate in the US stimulus talks, which would positively affect the country, since the United States is one of our largest trading partners, export markets and sources of investment, ”said Salceda, an economist. The Philippines may also have access to the Covid-19 vaccine under a Biden administration, he added.
“Biden is likely to reestablish closer relationships with America’s traditional allies, like the Philippines. Biden is likely to reduce the “America first” policy on global cooperation, and will re-emphasize multilateralism. This bodes well for the Philippines’ access to the Covid-19 vaccine, should it come from the Philippines, ”he said.
Salceda added that the Biden administration will also be more likely to revert the United States to a global leadership position in international development, saying “there are opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the United States and the Philippines in this regard.”
“Biden will also inherit from [former President Donald] Trump, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, a development finance institution with capital of $ 60 billion. Biden is likely to use this more aggressively than Trump has to compete with Chinese investment and aid in the Philippines and in Asean in general. This would allow us to get the best of both worlds and take advantage of our relationships with both powers to obtain the most favorable financing rates, ”he said.
Biden, Salceda noted, is also more open to multilateral trade deals than Trump.
“A shift from Trump’s hard-line stance on trade will open up opportunities for trade deals with the United States. Biden will start from a very low base, when it comes to business relations with Southeast Asia. Trump pulled the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact on his first day in office. In 2019, he did not even send a senior official to that year’s ASEAN summit in Bangkok, “he said.
Geopolitics
On geopolitics, Salceda said a renewed U.S. presence in Southeast Asia under a more global-looking Biden presidency will likely make China more inclined to be on the good side of the Philippines on the issues of the Western Philippine Sea, so that let’s not get any closer to the United States.
“This should allow us to seek more favorable terms in all resource extraction ventures in the area,” he said.
On climate change and environmental efforts, the House leader said the Biden administration will likely rejoin the Paris climate accords.
“As the Philippines is emerging as a net financial beneficiary of the terms of this agreement, the participation of the world’s largest economy in this international effort will help the Philippines to get more out of this agreement. This would also open opportunities for the Philippines to undertake efforts such as monetizing its carbon emission rights in deals with the United States and other highly industrialized polluters, ”he added.
Straight socket
For his part, President pro tempore Ralph Recto of the Senate expressed his confidence that the “man from Manila in Washington DC”, referring to Ambassador José Romualdez, “is well positioned to help direct the interest of our country through any change that a Democratic White House brings PH-US relations. “
Recto added that “long before allowing himself to be drafted into foreign service, Ambassador Babe Romualdez already had enough contacts in the US capital to be considered a Beltway infiltrator.”
Recto added: “Changing geopolitical tides, changing global trade winds, and a world ravaged by the pandemic call for an agile foreign policy that is dictated solely by our national interest, not in favor of Beijing or in favor of Biden, but in favor of the Filipinos.
“I am sure that with Secretary Locsin at the helm of the DFA, and with a capable man in our detachment in Washington DC, what is good for our country on the diplomatic front will always be pursued and protected.
Fascism relief, division
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the Philippine Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, commended Biden and Harris for “awakening a strong sense of purpose among their voting public.”
“This momentous occasion serves as an ointment to the world’s wounds from the division and progressive fascism of recent years,” Hontiveros said. “As a beacon to the world, I would like to thank the people of the United States for showing us that a full-fledged authoritarian can be stopped by presenting a clear, near and hopeful future for all.”
Stripped of power
Local union leaders hope that Biden’s victory will translate into better policies in the United States.
The Center for United and Progressive Workers (Centers) said the result of the US elections is a sign that “authoritarianism” like Trump’s is now losing popularity again in the international community.
“Trump’s defeat is a powerful warning to strong men like Duterte: People stripped of power will not allow them to stay in power forever,” Sentro said in a statement.
During his four-year tenure, Trump implemented controversial political decisions, including the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation, a tough stance on undocumented immigrants, and involvement in a trade war with China.
However, Sentro admitted that Biden’s election will not immediately translate into lasting reforms in the United States, especially since many Americans still support Trump.
“The most difficult task of rebuilding and deepening democracy begins. With more than 70 million popular votes in favor of Trumpism, the next steps necessary to build a broader socio-political base for radical democracy are more overwhelming, ”said Sentro.
The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) hopes that Biden’s presidency will at least lead to better treatment of workers in the US, especially as its economy reels from the effects of Covid-19.
