Watching the reports from the news agencies here in Europe about the Trump-Putin tete-a-tete in Helsinki, on how the president of the reputedly most powerful country practically went over his head and kowtowed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, convinced me all the more that our president’s decision to re-direct our foreign policy to one of true independence is right as it was prescient.
The foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Heiko Maas rued Trump’s statements by saying that “we can no longer completely rely on the White House.”
He further suggests that Germany, a staunch US ally which hosts military bases even, “must readjust our partnership with the US.”
“The first clear consequence can only be that we need to align ourselves more closely with Europe,” said FM Maas. It is the same Europe that Trump now disdains and undermines.
Many Filipinos have gotten so used to dependence on the US of A that they were quite skeptical about President Duterte’s immediate declarations of a truly independent foreign policy. They recoiled when he bad-mouthed outgoing US President Barack Obama after the latter criticized his war on drugs. They warned him about aligning our country closer to China, fearful about possible repercussions from the US.
Now it should dawn upon us all that it’s time to think and act like Asians and not like little brown Americans. Just as the EU—from Macron to Merkel—is beginning to realize that the US under Trump can no longer be trusted as a true and genuine friend, we too should strengthen our Asian alliances.
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Just as we rejoice over the return of world champion Manny Pacquiao back to boxing greatness by his spectacular performance in Kuala Lumpur, I was so bowled over by the jubilation across France when they won the FIFA World Cup last Sunday.
Even in the small towns of Alsace, everybody was dancing and prancing in the streets. Football fever is really so hot in Europe.
The French and Croatian presidents flew to Russia to witness the championship game and give moral support to their respective national teams. Earlier, the French and Belgian leaders also cheered their players during the semifinals.
French coach Didier Deschamps must be particularly triumphal. He played for France when it won its first crown in 1998, and 20 years later he coached a young and relatively inexperienced team to their second World Cup.
Across the globe, Senator Manny Pacquiao had not just a knockout victory. He was honored by the presence of two heads of state —Duterte and the durable comeback “kid,” Mahathir.
Maybe the good senator should now heed President Duterte’s advice that it’s time to hang his gloves and be a full time public servant.
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The latest public opinion surveys show how deeply the people trust the President. I myself was surprised at the pre-Catholic “blasphemy” result from Pulse Asia. I thought that the economic hiccups, particularly rice and oil prices, would take a greater toll.
Despite inflation, despite other issues real and concocted thrown at him, Duterte is holding fast.
Senator Panfilo Lacson may be right —that Duterte’s cussing is read as sincerity by the people.
Nagpapakatotoo.