Senators Bongbong Marcos and Chiz Escudero agreed that it would not be good for the two countries’ relations if American businessman Donald Trump would win the United States (US) presidential elections.
“Hindi ko po nakikita na magiging maganda para sa relasyon ng ating bansa ang panguluhan ni Ginoong Trump (I don’t find that a presidency by Mr. Trump would be good for relations with our country),” Escudero said during the vice presidential debate at the University of Santo Tomas.
Marcos, who was asked the same question, said he is “hesitant to say Donald Trump” would be best for the alliance of the Philippines and the US “because he seems rather belligerent.”
“So I have no interest in waging war against any country,” he said.
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Trump has been known for giving racist and sexist remarks while campaigning for the US presidential seat.
The two senators were asked for a message to the next US president and how they would want the two countries’ relations to evolve. They were also asked if the Republicans’ Trump or the Democrats’ Hillary Clinton “would be best for the alliance.”
Marcos said that the Philippines and the US are “longtime allies” but it should be clear that the “Philippines is working towards the national interest.”
“Not for Washington. Not for Beijing. But for the Philippines,” he said. “And that must be the guiding principle in all that we do.”
Escudero also emphasized that the two countries should have “equal partnership.”
However, he said Americans still see Filipinos as “little brown brother(s).”
“Masyadong minamaliit…dapat equal footing,” he said. “Hindi sila dapat mas mataas porket mas mayaman o mas malaki sila.”
(We shouldn’t be belittled…we must be in equal footing…They shouldn’t be higher in stature just because they are richer or bigger.) CDG
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