JCM: Philippine Presidential platform of government which the country watches over once elected

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Philippine Presidential platform of government which the country watches over once elected

ISSUE NO. 1 – STAND ON PHILIPPINE SEA

Tony Velasquez (Moderator)

Philippine Sea. We are aware that China is agressive in claiming part of our maritime. This is not just a threat to the country’s security, but even the livelihood of the fishermen. Please listen carefully to Mang Carlos’ story.

Carlos: To everybody who’s running for president of the country, what are your programs for the fishermen so that the Chinese Coastguard would not drive us away so we could maximize our baiting?)

Hope you could address our concern and the problem of fishermen who are currently in the West Philippine Sea.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 1 – STAND ON PHILIPPINE SEA
	3	1
You know buddy, I understand the difficulty that you guys are enduring. Imagine, previously fishing was free. As a priority, I will craft a means to be able to talk to the government of China to allow you fishing while maritime claim is still under arbitration. (1) However, while under settlement, I will see to it that you will be provided with capital to be able to have a livelihood. (1) Third is the need, that’s why you’re fishing because of your desire to support the education of your children. We will provide free education for your children. (2) That’s why you’re fishing for your medicines and hospitalization, these are free. (3) The government is there for your other daily needs.
COMMENTARY:
1). Since maritime dispute calls for an urgent action, time table is important in coming up with a resolution in this stand-off between the Philippines and China because this has been putting the lives, livelihood of the fishermen, and national security at risk. The vice president should have made it clear how long would it take for him to settle this dispute using his emissaries.

	SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 1 – STAND ON PHILIPPINE SEA
	1	1
The government can help you in two ways. First legal. And second, diplomacy. Through legal means, if they are in our maritime and still catching our fish – just like what I said when I was Immigration Commisssioner, I will call the cost guard, I will bombard them. (1) The second approach is through diplomacy. We will talk to them. And we will tell them, We have the world public opinion behind us.” (1) The world believes that the maritime really belongs to us. So they should not behave like that. That’s all.
COMMENTARY:
1). I could not fathom Sen. Santiago’s mind whether she said it rhetorically or seriously but charging the cost guard to bombard those encroaching the area (even if it’s on a legal basis) is not doable because first and foremost the country has no enough resources in terms of artillery in case of defensive attacks when the other responds with aggression. The country has no other way out but for a self-defense in case of a mulish neighboring country but diplomacy is always the best aleternative as much as possible.

	MAYOR RODRIGO DUTERTE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 1 – STAND ON PHILIPPINE SEA
	3	1
You know, we should establish where are we now? We have submitted ourselves to an arbitration. Like a court, international. And we have submitted our papers and documents, or claim. (1) On the other hand. China has insisted sovereignty that it is theirs but do not submit to jurisdiction. But anyway, whether they will submit or not, the court or the arbitration court can go and hear the case. (2) Now, China disagrees that we are pronounced as a winner, I will not go to war. The two distinguished speakers say,”I will go to China.” (3) Now, if they like it, then I will ask the navy to bring me to the nearest boundary in Spratly Scarborough. Taking the Philippine flag, I will go down, ride my jet ski, go to their airport and lodge it. Then I would say, “This is ours and do what you want with me.” It’s all up to you. (1) I would state that claim…and if they want to – you know I’ve been dreaming to be a hero. If they’ll kill me there, it’s all up to you to weep here in the Philippines.
COMMENTARY:
1). I don’t know if Mayor Duterte is sincere on saying that he’s willing to surrender his life than charging his men to fight, as a heroic approach as he claims it. But doing such would just bring him to be the laughingstock because surrendering one’s life without self-defense is not heroism but foolishness, which cannot guarantee that the people he spares in exchange of his life will not defend the country when some worst happens to him.

SENATOR GRACE POE

RATINGS

REALISTIC

IDEALISTIC

ISSUE NO. 1 – STAND ON PHILIPPINE SEA

I sympathise with your problem. The truth about it, the other Asian countries really protect their fishermen. Indonesia is like that.

China provides two-way radio to their fishermen and once they encounter us they call their coastguard and they are rescued. While on our end, we have no one to call to. (1)

First, we should add coasguard ships. We can order that even in Cebu. (2)

Second, we will provide radios to our fishermen so that they are assisted. (3) Are you aware of the story in Infanta? There is one stoning the Chinese.

Now, it’s right, you need other necessities like scholarship for your children (4) and acquisition of new equipments for fishing. (5) All of them are included in our program.

Commercial fishing vessels are prohibited within 15 kilometers from the shoreline. No one should encroach you in those areas so the local government should be appealed to for your assistance. (6)

But this is not private – West Philippine Sea is not a Chinese personal aquarium. It is ours supposed to be (1) so we should encourage our allies, if they’re true friends, they will really help us and we should not give it up. (7)

Thank you.

COMMENTARY:

1). If West Philippine Sea is not a Chinese personal aquarium, then legal ownership should be established in court In the most soonest possible time as this issue has been for a long time, before it could create a more severe damage to the community and the country as a whole.

When this will be settled, as this dispute has already been about 5 years in the making? This quarrel between the Philippines and China at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal started in April 2011 when Philippine forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species in the area.[1]