Trump’s win draws mixed reactions from PH senators

Senators have mixed reactions to Donald Trump’s   victory in the US presidential race as some were optimistic  that the Philippine-US  ties  would continue  while others were  worried  over the possible loss of jobs  for  Filipinos.

For  Senate  President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III,  the new US  administration  could mean a “clean slate” for the  relations between Manila and Washington.

“This is no longer President (Barack) Obama who commented on the program of our President in a negative way,”  Pimentel said,  referring to US’ reported criticisms on  the alleged human  right abuses   under President Rodrigo Duterte’ war  on illegal drugs.

“There is a new US Ambassador, it is no longer Philip Goldberg. We have a new president- Trump man o (Hillary) Clinton, who has not yet negatively commented on any program of the Philippine program. So clean slate,” he said in an interview even before  Trump was officially declared  winner  in the US election.

Despite the change in leadership in the US, neophyte Senator Win Gatchalian expressed hope for the continuation of “stable” trade relations between the two  nations.

“Throughout decades of constant change in the political landscapes of our respective countries, the Philippines and the United States have always maintained close economic ties,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on economic affairs, said in a statement.

“I hope President-elect Trump and his government will be willing to continue the cordial trade relationship between our countries in pursuit of mutual growth and development for our respective economies,” he said.

Gatchalian said Duterte might have  also met his “stylistic match” in Trump, who  he said is being  compared to Duterte  because both  are frank, have strong personality, and “rockstar-like” following among their constituents.

“I think that the first Duterte-Trump meeting will be one of the most anticipated meetings between two Heads of State in a long time. Who knows, maybe they’ll even become friends,”   the senator added.

But in an interview before the winner in the US poll was announced,  Gatchalian expressed concern  over the possible  effect of Trump’s  victory  on the  jobs for Filipinos.

“With Hillary (Clinton) comes with certainty and a lot of the policies but with Trump a lot of uncertainties,” he said.

“What’s worrisome are the jobs, which is being provided here by the US, especially our call centers because from what I hear from his policies, it’s going to be more protectionist policies. Giving jobs to the Americans first, bringing home jobs,”  Gatchalian said.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the Philippines also  noted Trump’s  earlier   pronouncements against immigrants.

“Judging by the statements that were uttered before by Mr. Donald Trump, hindi sya mahilig sa mga immigrants kaya tingnan natin kung ano ang magiging national policy America…”

“Si Clinton kasi, the national  policies that are in place as far as the Philippines is concerned, will stay. Nakakasiguro tayo  na walang bastang magbabago dun but with the new policy that will come [under a] Trump [administration], that’s a different story,”  Sotto added in a separate interview also after Trump’s win.

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