By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. is in unenviable position today.  His recent saber-rattling vs. China is not only overshadowing the trumpeted success of his series of overseas travel but is projecting a potentially frightening loss of Filipino lives in weeks or months ahead.

He has clearly made his position clear that his administration will strongly oppose China in consonance with USA’s interests in the West Philippine Sea claim dispute. It’s all good for the call to patriotism.

Unfortunately, his recent saber-rattling statements roused more fears about loss of Filipino lives and are not helping him gain headway in his campaign for unity in the country via his Bagong Pilipinas movement.

His critics warn of grave consequences on being played by the US government in the latter’s interests to protect Taiwan from the China’s clutches, not PH’s interests. In this regard, I share this fear. It is not likely that the US will go to war vs China over PH’s claim dispute over a shoal!

I suspect that the US will likely do so if it would help the US’ agenda with Taiwan.

With the US ongoing engagement in Ukraine vs. Russia, and in Middle East in Israel war vs. Palestine ideologists, what are the chances of PH getting a share of the mighty US military assets in our fight over rights over a shoal?

Reality check tells us, the import of PH to the US is but a dent to the US-Taiwan bond.

The way things stand today, PH is alone with US vs. China. The ASEAN members have been reluctant to join PH in its efforts to push back China notwithstanding the fact that Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have similar claims vs. China.  It is evident  that The ASSEAN countries do not want to risk losing their successful trading agreements with China.

Then, the UN is also not willing to enforce the our touted UNCLOS win.

So, what do we have? We see ourselves clutching at straws in this row with China.  What’s aggravating the situation is PBBM is closing PH’s doors to a dialogue with China on both our claims.

Are we ready for an offensive military action from China? Are our fishermen in Infanta willing to risk their lives over fishing rights? Or should PH make a play for another “gentlemen’s agreement” with China?

From where I sit, PBBM saber-rattling is not serving PH’s interests except provide the distraction from his inability to resolve domestic economic problems.

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Still on PBBM. The initial charge of ex-PRRD about his “polvoron” habit is gathering storm on social media.

Tidbits of proofs are beginning to be shared. The sources of “exposes” have not waned in their efforts to prove the claim.  Of course, these are met with denials after denials from the Palace.

I am told to watch out for the finale on or about June. Abangan?

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HOSTAGING THE MOTHER-CHILD HOSPITAL. The decision of the 7epaLiFes (Councilors Red Erfe-Mejia, Alfie Fernandez, Celia Chua-Lim, Dada Reyna-Macalanda, Alvin Coquia, Irene Lim-Acosta and Marilyn Fernandez) to raise unresolved political aspects of the Mother Child Hospital as a reason to continue withholding support for the hospital project is most detestable.

I had expected them to raise issues like a nonsensical “perceived implications of the project,” but certainly not a “political issue”. Their move can only be interpreted as a move to further weaponize the hospital project while holding it hostage.

Did they actually mean to say but didn’t say that the memorandum agreement should state that “the MCH was an initiative of Mayor Benjamin Lim, and followed up by Mayor Brian Lim!” ?

Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the intention having seen how they have been conducting themselves since 2022 like HS student council officials.

Dagupeños will not even make a distinction who did what for the hospital as long as they see an operational hospital tending to their medical needs.  The self-serving position of the 7epaLiFes is a reflection of the barkada egotism.

On second thought, why not? That should make Dagupeños remember that it was the 7epaLiFes who held the MCH hostage for the longest time from what was purely an administerial event.

But curiously, why didn’t they realize that the credit they wanted for their patrons could have easily been granted by the people if they appeared earnest from the very beginning in passing the resolution endorsing the project from the DOH?

Obviously, what was foremost in their juvenile minds is to block a program that could earn Mayor Belen Fernandez some brownie points from their constituents.

This week, I still expect the 7epaLiFes to drag the issue down and continue to resist lending their support. Will they prove me wrong… or right?

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