THE United States of America, the most powerful country in the world, has voted for a new president. He is Joseph R. Biden Jr., popularly known simply as “Joe Biden” in his political career of 47 years. He will take his oath of office on January 20, next year, after declared protocols had been meticulously and strictly met. Biden will serve as the 46th USA president.
Joe Biden, the Democrat candidate, won 290 College Electoral votes against 214 of President Donald Trump of the Republican Party. He also won the highest number of popular votes in the history of the US presidential elections by garnering more than 74.5 million votes across the country.
(US presidents are voted into office by winning 270 Electoral College votes or more, which is allocated to the 52 states based on population. So when a candidate garners the popular vote in a particular state, he scoops all the Electoral College votes. Winning a popular vote across the country is not the barometer to win the presidential race. A vote for the presidential candidate is also a vote for the vice-presidential candidate.)
Jubilation erupted everywhere after major TV networks Friday afternoon reported Biden surpassing the 270 EC vote mark to become the 2021 to 2025 president-elect. Supporters in triumph took to the streets in every city and township, waving large and small American flags with chants of victory and lively music.
Biden’s message to the American people on Saturday evening was focused on unity, following legal maneuvers of losing re-electionist President Donald Trump to contest the results of the November 10 elections.
Trump has not conceded as of this writing and legal battles are presently being fought in several courts in selected states. Lawyers for the defeated president are also intending to seek the intervention and final arbitration of the Supreme Court.
Transition protocols for the incoming president, however, are in motion for the January 20th inauguration in Washington D.C.
So what are the implications of President-elect Biden sitting at the White House to RP-US social, political, security and economic relations? A specific issue is the security of the Philippines vis-à-vis the occupation by China of our claimed islands in the Spratly area?
What would now happen to the RP-US visiting military forces agreements forged between President Duterte and outgoing President Trump?
Will the Biden presidency maintain or strengthen RP-US trade relations even with China’s huge economic and infrastructure loans to the Philippines?
These are a few issues emailed to me by our readers, friends and compatriots.
Reading through the internet, we noted several speculative opinions forwarded by Pilipino intellectuals as well as pseudo-intellectuals (LOL) with claims of expertise on RP-US relations and foreign affairs on top.
Yet none seems to hit the central issues as President Duterte has not sent a congratulatory message to the incoming US President days after his clear victory. It is not surprising for the silence from Russia, China, Turkey and Brazil. It is obvious.
But, not the Philippines whose netizens value that century-old special relations with Uncle Sam. They are anxious about a Malacanang decision.
If we can recall, Duterte flaunted good relations with Trump despite his criticism of atrocities committed by the American colonial past. Earlier, he busted then-president Obama with a “PI” that observers believed strained his relations with Democrats.
As a Pilipino, I would leave it to Mayor Duterte. After all, he is our President who must decide the best for his countrymen.
For the moment, we cross our fingers and sing along with the popular Latino song: “Que Sera Sera” (Whatever will be, will be).