Digong, Donald seen hitting it off
Duterte and Trump: Similarities in personality —AFP
Some lawmakers believe President Duterte will “hit it off” with US President-elect Donald Trump, but one says the two will likely butt heads over the South China Sea disputes.
Speculation grew rife among lawmakers about the future relationship between the two unpredictable leaders whose ascension to power in each of their countries seemed to bear an uncanny resemblance.
“Because of personality similarities, I think he and (Mr. Duterte) will hit it off. May be the best thing that happened to Philippines-US relations,” said Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque.
The lawmaker predicted that Trump would choose not to escalate tensions in the South China Sea “because of his focus on the US economy.”
“He may be more protectionist to Chinese goods but will care less about foreign policy,” Roque said.
‘Long live’ Trump
In Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Duterte congratulated Trump on his election win and said he would stop quarreling with the United States, recalling his anger at the Obama administration for criticizing him about human rights abuses in connection with his deadly war on drugs.
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Donald Trump. Long live,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech to the Filipino community during a visit to Malaysia.
“We are both making curses. Even with trivial matters we curse. I was supposed to stop because Trump is there. I don’t want to quarrel anymore, because Trump has won,” the President said.
The maverick leader, dubbed “Trump of the East” for his unrestrained rants and occasional lewd remarks, has repeatedly hit out at Washington in recent months, threatening to cut defense pacts and end joint military drills.
Mr. Duterte, who won the May election by a huge margin, was viewed as an alternative candidate outside of national politics.
He campaigned on a populist, antiestablishment platform and struck a chord among ordinary Filipinos with his promises to fix what he called a broken country.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, a member of the independent minority, suggested there might be friction between the two leaders particularly on the simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
He recalled Trump mentioning during the campaign that he would strengthen the US military, indicating that the United States would try to send a clear message about its intentions in the disputed waters.
“Remember, Trump does not speak well of the Chinese and [China’s] aggressive actions in the South China Sea and criticized [President Barack] Obama for losing the Philippines to China,” Alejano said.
“We will expect bolder freedom of navigation operations in South China Sea,” he said.
Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said Mr. Duterte might feel more comfortable dealing with a President Trump than the latter’s predecessor “because he perceives that they think the same.”
But the opposition lawmaker cautioned that Trump, like the Philippine leader, was not a diplomat.
“He has expressed anti-Chinese sentiments. And he wants American military might to regain its former glory. The ‘Make America Great Again’ [slogan] could be a new imperialistic design,” Baguilat said.
Hostile leaders
Akbayan Rep. Tomasito Villarin said it seemed the United States was copying the Philippines by electing Trump.
“We are now in a volatile world with hostile leaders taking over,” he said.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said winning elections seemed to be a question of the “loudness” of a candidate’s message.
Relations between Manila and Washington have cooled in the wake of Mr. Duterte’s anti-US rhetoric and cozying up to China and Russia.
His allies in the House, however, sounded optimistic about the future of Philippines-US relations under Trump.
“It is my hope that under a Trump administration, longstanding Philippine-American relations will continue to prosper on the basis of mutual trust and respect, mutual benefit, common adherence to democratic principles, and shared commitment to freedom, equality, justice and peace,” said Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
The surprise win of Trump has made the wisdom of the “hedging” strategy adopted by the Philippines more apparent.
According to the Philippine Association of Chinese Studies president, incoming Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana, hedging would reduce the risks for the country faced with uncertainty in the United States.
