Stepping out of bounds

The name of the game is thinking outside the box. Surely, this administration has been making bold decisions to the point of going outside conventional boundaries. In short, they have become unreasonable.

On the West Philippine Sea issue, the President has been making conflicting pronouncements. It is weakening our stand to fight for our sovereignty. El Presidente is hurting the country. To make things even worse, he brought in Enrile and made him some sort of a “guru.” Susmariosep! Does he think Enrile’s presence would improve his approval ratings?

During the national telecast of an “iskul bukol” (school) set up, Duterte was asking his guru questions about the West Philippine Sea. Then, he was seeking approval for the actions he had done on the WPS. Enrile, on the other hand, was very careful not to step on Duterte’s fancy. He made vague statements and tried to get away with things using the excuse, “I forgot.” Well, history is well documented and the blunders of this session have been posted now on social media.

The very low point of this zarzuela happened when both said that we cannot do anything about the issue on the WPS because we have a weak defense system. They said that we need to acknowledge China’s strength and our weakness. It is as if they are telling the Filipino nation to give up on our sovereignty. Sanamagan!

If the President continues this line of thinking, then we will face the threats not only from China’s unwavering stance on the WPS but also endless uncertainties brought about by this administration’s understanding of the issue.

Where is the Philippine President who once told world leaders in the UN 75th General Assembly in September 2020, that the Philippines would reject all attempts to undermine the 2016 Hague ruling that affirmed the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea?

Last month Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, together with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, reiterated their calls on China to abide by the 2016 arbitration ruling issued pursuant to the Law of the Sea Convention. Secretary Blinken also reaffirmed the applicability of the 1951 US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty to the South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also spoke to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III about the WPS issue. On the other hand, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group, together with the apmhibious ship USS Makin Island are already operating in the South China Sea.

AFP chief of staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana has also called on the Chinese to respect the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its territorial waters and EEZ. Perhaps it is time to revisit the joint patrol agreement between the US and the Philippines of the WPS which I believe was not pursued by President Duterte because it might displease Beijing. Sanamagan!

It must be noted that the Philippines is the current country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. As such, according to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs and Philippine ASEAN SOM leader Elizabeth Buensuceso, “The continued deployment and lingering presence of a large swarm of maritime militia vessels within the Philippines’ maritime zones remains a serious concern and we reiterate that a conducive environment is crucial for the COC (Code of Conduct) negotiations.”

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The Palace’s and Department of Health’s instructions to local government units on not announcing the brand of vaccines was reckless and irresponsible. How can you not inform the patient of his right to know what medicine he is taking or vaccine he will get? As a doctor and the most trusted one in the Philippines by President Duterte, why wouldn’t you know the rights of the patient to be informed? Many doctors are disbarred from doing such actions. And here you are making such a directive? Hopeless!

Six local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila said that they will adhere to the national government’s order to only disclose the brand of COVID-19 vaccine to recipients once they are already in the inoculation site. But Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco disagreed with the order, saying it will only further discourage people from getting vaccinated. He is right.

MMDA chair Benhur Abalos, on the other hand, said that a person who goes to a vaccination center would be screened by the doctor in charge, who will decide which of the available brands would be suitable for him or her and inform that person accordingly. These different approaches confuse the public all the more.

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Now, let’s talk about Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar. Why is the President allowing this man to destroy our agricultural sector by promoting importation? Remember a few months ago, he highly recommended the importation of hogs to the disadvantage of our hog raisers. After Senate and Congress stepped in to veto Executive Order 128 on pork importation, Dar came up with another brilliant idea. He now wants to import rice. Why Mr. Secretary? Why are you so gung-ho on importation when our rice farmers are doing well?

Reports say that despite the pandemic, the agriculture sector grew last year. Palay production reached 19.44 million metric tons. Projection for this year’s yield is even higher, at 20.4 million metric tons.

Filipinos are now enjoying lower rice prices. This is good, especially for the poor. But more than anything, the rice industry can now focus on means to raise productivity, further improve farm yields and at the same time lower costs. You have major explaining to do, sir!

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Anyway, these are all examples of how this administration is going berserk. The President has even given clear instructions to his Cabinet just last week that his palace spokesperson Harry Roque will do all the talking. Did we hear the President right? Unthinkable!

Indecision shows how this administration continues politicking. Stop power tripping and confusing the people. Get back on track!

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The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.  – Thomas Jefferson