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Thursday, November 06, 2008
Arroyo on Obama's win: RP-US ties to remain strong
MANILA –- Most Filipinos hailed the election of United States Senator Barack Obama as the next US president but Catholic leaders are worried over the implementation of his foreign policies.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on the other hand, said with Obama's election, RP-US relations would "remain strong and stable as ever."
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Arroyo would seek a meeting with Obama when she goes to the US on November 12 to 13 to join world leaders in a special session of the United Nations General Assembly to promote global dialogue on religion, culture, and common values.
The President also looks forward to working with Obama in strengthening regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, as well as in addressing the concerns of Filipino World War II veterans, who have been pushing for the passage of a bill in Congress that seeks to give those benefits.
"As I am aware of the political and economic challenges that the new US president will face that will, in turn, bear on the global scenario, my family and I pray that Senator Obama be guided always by wisdom from the Almighty God, and wish for this continued success and well-being," said Arroyo.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Obama's victory augurs well for the bill on Filipino World War II veterans because Obama expressed support for Veterans Bills Benefits and Enhancement Act in a statement during Arroyo's visit to the US last June.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, at the same time, congratulated the Americans for "demonstrating the strength, stability and soaring spirit of American constitutional democracy, even in the midst of national crisis."
Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said: "No one can help but be moved by the profound historic impact of how the US presidential election has come to its dramatic end."
In Cebu City, Obama won a mock election in a Cebu City mall Wednesday, but apart from the outcome, it was the speed of the results that impressed local observers.
“I wish we could have the same in the Philippines. It makes voting less costly. You don’t need watchers. You get the results very quickly,” said Representative Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu Province, 6th district) after she “voted” using one of three machines flown in by the US Embassy in Manila.
Asked what he thought of the voting machines at the “election watch party” the embassy hosted at the SM North Wing, businessman Sabino Dapat quipped: “Only one word: Envy.”
“How I wish we could have something like this in the Philippines, so we won’t have to go through several days of anxiety and there would be fewer opportunities for people to cheat,” said Dapat, a trustee of the church-based group C-Cimpel, which has monitored elections in Cebu since 1992.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said he finds it “unbelievable” that voting and counting technologies already in use for decades have yet to be widely used in Philippine elections.
Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones, who led the embassy’s 30-member team in Cebu, explained that each state, not the federal government, decides what machines to use for the elections.
But more important than the technology used, he said, was the reminder of “what both our countries share, which is our commitment to democracy.”
Dabawenyos also hailed the election Obama as the next US 44th president.
"We look forward to working closely with the new leadership in America, especially in these critical global economic times. The work ahead just to revive the economy is tremendous to say the least. Elections are over and it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get to work,” House Speaker Prospero Nograles said.
“Under the Obama presidency, I am hopeful that the global financial market, which is on a roller-coaster pattern, will stabilize and signal the beginning if US economic recovery,” he added.
Davao del Norte ex-vice governor Anthony del Rosario said Obama’s victory signals a new age in US politics.
Compostela Valley Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy said Obama’s win is a “new paradigm shift for the whole world, new direction, new hope.”
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu, for his turn, expressed delight on the way US politicians reacted quickly to the outcome of the election.
“President Obama promised to reduce USA involvement to global war. That is good to us and the world,” Kabalu said.
Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat hopes that Obama’s promise of a positive change will spread out from America to the global community.
Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Duterte is also hoping that Obama’s promise of change will be swift and meaningful.
North Cotabato Representative Bernardo Piñol Jr. said he does not believe Obama will lift a finger to help Mindanao and its people.
"There are indications that US interest is on how to put in place their military in Southern Philippines and that is not help after all," he said in a text message.
Church concern
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church is particularly worried over the population control program once Obama assumes office early next year.
"What we are afraid of is that the US government would again be very aggressive in influencing the Philippine government on the promotion of contraceptives and population control," Fr. Melvin Castro, Executive Secretary of Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said in an article posted on the CBCP news website.
San Jose, Nueva Ecija Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara said Obama, being a pro-choice lawmaker, might be pushing for the practices being opposed by the Catholic Church.
"I watched a video, which featured a question-and-answer session on family and life and it was clear, Senator Obama is pro-choice," the prelate added.
Likewise, he pointed out the many implications regarding the issues on abortion, gay/lesbian marriages, among others.
Fr. Romeo Intengan, former Jesuit Provincial said the US policy on population control might be immensely promoted since it is likely to get more funding.
"They may restore the distribution of contraceptives from their foreign mechanism which the Republicans removed," he said, adding that the Republicans are more publicly concerned with family and life values but tend to be pro-big business.
Strong peso
News about Obama’s feat in winning the US Presidency buoyed currencies in the region with the Philippine peso closing better against the US dollar Wednesday.
The local unit improved by P0.35 to P48.06 from its 48.41 finish Tuesday.
It even touched the 47 level at 47.90 against the dollar during mid-trade at the Philippine Dealing System.
This, after the peso started the day at 48.10 from 48.62 Tuesday.
Its 47 level trade for the day was its strongest during the process while its weakest registered at 48.28, still higher than the previous day’s 48.89 plunge.
Average trading for the day also improved to 48.07 against day-ago’s 48.70.
Traders said another factor for the local unit’s strength is the higher inflows of remittances from Overseas Filipinos (OFs) in time for the holiday season. (Sunnex with reports from JMR/FP/IDA of Sun.Star Cebu/BOT of Sun.Star Davao)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (November 6, 2008 issue)
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