US-Philippines society

Many have been skeptical of why selected members of the Manila business sector have invested in this endeavor.  The cynics believed it was only because President Aquino launched it in Washington, DC last year. Yet when Yolanda hit the country, the Society was one of the first to appeal for relief funds. The Society was able to reach out to American organizations such as the Starr Foundation, Direct Relief, the Libra Group with matching employee contributions and the McLarty Associates.  It was equally noteworthy that that there were 320 individuals who donated through the Society’s website. 

Fund-raising is not the primary objective of the Society but their presence as the saying goes “sur place” in Washington, DC  has made a significant difference. The board of trustees is from the American and Filipino private sectors. John Negroponte is the US chair and Manuel V. Pangilinan is his counterpart in Manila. Its mission is to build on the rich and longstanding historical ties between the two nations and help to bring that unique relationship fully into the 21st century at a junction when US policy interests are increasing their focus on East Asia. Their programs cover trade and investment, strategic and political, cultural and educational. I strongly recommend you visit their website: www.usphilippinessociety.org.

As a 501c3 non-profit, non-partisan, and independent organization, the Society receives no funding or direction from either US or Philippine government institutions and relies on the generosity of donors and active member support to develop and carry out programs. Its goals are for the good of the nation as we continue our effort to enhance bilateral relations with the government and American people.  Moreover, it transcends partisan politics. 

Its long term goals depend on the sustained support of the private sector. May I appeal to other members of the private sector to support the Society.

Secretary of State John Kerry

I understand that he will visit Manila next week. He will meet with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the President. He will also go to Tacloban. Allow me to repeat what I said in a recent column.

When Secretary Kerry postponed his trip to Manila citing Tropical Storm Santi (Nari) as the reason, one writer lightheartedly asked if America is just a fair weather friend. The immense effort that they are expending in helping us provide relief to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda has certainly proven that America is a foul-weather friend of the highest order. In the face of such generosity and concern, it might seem ungrateful to bring this up. But I feel that question – rife with irony now – is worth raising at this point. I am referring to the political and security storm that China is stirring in the West Philippine Sea. Despite the trumpeting of an American pivot to the Pacific, it has not been backed up by decisive action including major redeployment of resources. The Middle East remains America’s foreign policy priority. They commit billions every year to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel and until recently Egypt. One can only wish, that the US would be just as committed – even at a fraction of those billions – in helping the Philippines not just during calamities, but in the everyday challenge of facing up to security threats with not only national but broad regional and global implications. For one, despite the fact that the Philippines is the only other country in Asia – Japan being the other – with a Mutual Defense Treaty with the US, there is still unease as to how committed they are given America’s ambivalence in its relations with China – part enemy, part collaborator. But there should be no ambivalence in guaranteeing freedom of passage in one of the most important waterways in the world – something that cannot be guaranteed under conditions of a single hegemony.

I have recently suggested to the US embassy that Secretary Kerry should consider speaking at an early breakfast meeting with Filipino opinion leaders prior to his departure.  It would be an opportune time for the Secretary to share the American perspective on China’s growing assertiveness and its implications for peace and stability in the region within the context of the “pivot to Asia” policy which has been viewed with a certain degree of skepticism locally and within the region.

Aside from the geopolitical dimensions, I would hope that the Secretary can also describe its economic dimensions as well and more particularly as it applies to the Philippines. I believe that the area of economic cooperation provides an appropriate and meaningful follow on to the laudable support given to us in the aftermath of Yolanda.