Babe's Eye View article

We Filipinos take so much pride in our colorful history and the rich legacy of our past. But one of the sad parts in our history is the fact that after freeing ourselves from the shackles of Spanish rule, we wake up only to discover that we have become a colony of the United States. Those who remember President Manuel Quezon know how outspoken he was against American rule in this country, acknowledging the help given by the United States but nevertheless asserting that “we don’t want to be colonized; we want our freedom.”

At one time, he even warned that Filipinos only accepted American rule because they believed they would eventually be given full independence. But if it became clear that the US had no intention of leaving, Filipinos would make it “a very expensive task for the American government to govern the islands.” But perhaps the most famous line of Quezon is the one where he declared that “I prefer a country run like hell by Filipinos to a country run like heaven by Americans.” However, I believe the current system patterned after the US model isn’t working, because it has spawned more corruption. No doubt we need to change our system into one that is more appropriate for Filipinos.

In retrospect, the words of Quezon rang with so much pride and defiance at the time. But considering the situation today, people couldn’t help but think his words have become sadly prophetic with all the controversies and scandals that are giving Filipinos such a bad reputation before the world—compounded by the perception that after all these years, we still have not kicked off our dependence on the US and other international institutions that influence certain government policies and decisions.

Take the World Bank for instance. This institution has been giving loans to the Philippines for some development projects. And because we need their money, naturally they have a say in this country, particularly through the conditions attached to the loans including “suggestions” regarding market policies and the like. As a matter of fact, such is their influence that a report supposedly detailing the bid rigging being done on WB-funded projects has created such a furor in this country. Their refusal to cooperate and share a copy of their findings is making everybody feel frustrated, to the point that senators have snapped against each other during the Senate hearings.

While we do not question the integrity of the World Bank, it is understandable if some, particularly those being implicated including the First Gentleman—feel that the accusations are nothing but hearsay if the complete report remains unavailable. (According to reports, the World Bank just gave the Ombudsman a nine-page referral report summarizing the findings of its Department of Institutional Integrity on the alleged bid rigging on road projects.) Perhaps the only time when the guilt or innocence of the First Gentleman will be clear is when the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is over.

Even the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) underscores our continuing dependence on the Americans. This was signed at a time when the problems in Mindanao were beginning to escalate with the Abu Sayyaf creating havoc through bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and other terrorist activities. No matter what people may say against it, there is no denying the fact that the assistance provided by the Americans has been essential in the military’s operations against the rebels. After all, hundreds of millions of dollars in the form of military aid as well as technical assistance have been poured by the US into this country through the VFA.

Unfortunately, the VFA has also brought corresponding problems, the most contentious of all being the case of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith who was convicted of raping a Filipina in 2005. Questions over custody and detention became a bone of contention with Article 5, Section 6 of the VFA stating that “The custody of any United States personnel over whom the Philippines is to exercise jurisdiction shall immediately reside with United States military authorities, if they so request, from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings.” An agreement between Ambassador Kristie Kenney and DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo also allowed Smith to be detained in the US Embassy.

However, even the Supreme Court’s ruling that Smith should be detained by Philippine authorities has not been enough to quell the rage being felt by anti-VFA groups, since the SC also upheld the constitutionality of the Agreement. Everybody can keep screaming that it is unfair and unpatriotic, but the fact of the matter is, the government signed the agreement, it was ratified by the Senate and as far as the US is concerned, this should be binding.

What’s ironic is that anti-US groups find it so easy to condemn anything and everything against Americans, telling them to get out of the county and stop meddling in Philippine affairs when it is convenient and expedient for them to do so. But in the same manner, people are also quick to demand for US help and even intervention when the Philippines finds itself in a tight crunch, like when there is an impending rice shortage or when the security situation is critical and we need them to secure our borders.

This “love-hate” relationship between the Philippines and the United States only goes to show that even today, with Filipinos running this country like hell, there is still that underlying dependence on the Americans. The only time when we can finally get out of this cycle of dependence is when we as a people start getting our act together and cliché as this may sound—put the interest of the country first.