Hitting a nerve

We all know President Duterte's ire towards America. We know the insults, the name-calling, the harsh criticism --maybe not to President Trump-- he often throws at the country's longtime ally, particularly former US president Barack Obama.

He has threatened to cancel agreements such as the Mutual Defense Treaty. He has expressed his wish not to continue joint US-PH military exercises. And to further move the country away from US dependence, he has sought to purchase weapons from China and Russia, countries he would prefer to be “best buds” with. He has visited China five times and will visit Russia for a second time. He has yet to set foot in the US.

Surely, this new development would ignite Duterte's fury once more. The US Senate, led by two senators, has approved a proposal to prohibit the entry into the US of Philippine government officials involved in the “politically-motivated” detention of Sen. Leila De Lima, a known fierce critic of Duterte.

Duterte's anger at De Lima is no secret. The senators believe the arrest and detention of de Lima is due to the latter's criticism of everything about Duterte, from his bloody war on drugs to his human rights violations. Some countries were likewise subjected to the same conditions such as Egypt where American citizens have been arrested and detained.

No surprise that the Palace immediately reacted. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo has stated this as continued evidence of America's interference with the country's internal affairs and sovereignty, with the US treating the country as an inferior state. It is an insult to the country.

They do not know the details of De Lima's case so they have no right to interfere. The Palace's litany continues but for now will not issue retaliatory action. It's a different story with Duterte's known cheering squad such as senators Sotto and Go who want the two US senators that led the proposal also be banned from entering the country. Honestly, like they care. Senator Gordon has likewise chimed in, calling the US action as interference and likened it to China's bullying.

The country's ambassador to the US is more wary of the ban and hopes a retaliatory move will not materialize as he believes we still have good relations with the US. I think he might be the only one who believes that right now. Duterte himself has yet to issue a statement. I expect fire and brimstone, if he does.

I wonder who those Philippine officials are? Surely, the public wants to know too. I doubt this would have any effect on De Lima's case, at least not while Duterte is in power. It would truly be difficult for a country to interfere in another's legal proceedings. But the US Senate seems to believe De Lima's case differently. Another known critic of Duterte, former senator Trillanes is likewise facing many cases, all hell-bent to send him to jail. For now, De Lima seems to have found herself some allies in the US. The US proposal may have hit a nerve with the administration, but I doubt if it will have any influence on her case.