On July 10, the think tank Asian Century Philippines Institute for Strategic Studies (ACPH) presented a comprehensive and truthful analysis aptly titled Foundational Lies of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The presentation was all over the internet and social media. This was timely because many Filipinos are still being misled by the Stratbase Institute and the Tarriela-Carpio cabal to embrace their fallacious and manipulative interpretation of the July 12, 2016 award of the The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration.
While the meat of the think tank’s position on the WPS, the contested islands and features, and the Award itself was delivered with clarity and intelligibility by Herman “Ka Mentong” Laurel and Ado Paglinawan, along with RJ Javellana, the participation of former Senator Nikki Coseteng in the discussion is well appreciated by the audience.
Noting on the outset that she was just invited by Ka Mentong Laurel to ask questions about the issues, Nikki proffered all the right questions and provocative leads that enliven the discussion and provided a welcome feminine touch on the otherwise serious discourse.
Nikki wondered how the ongoing incendiary debates and scorching arguments came to be, especially the one about the geopolitical quarrel between China and the Philippines—one thing that did not manifest in her years as senator.
Coseteng, who has maintained her grace and exceptional beauty through the years, correctly pointed out that many Filipinos, especially the present young generation, have become desensitized to current issues. Some of them suffer mental health issues as economic and psychological problems weigh them down. Many of them are disappointed at the government which refuses to hear their concerns like risks of geopolitical conflict or war itself, livelihood and survival matters, etc.
Nikki believes that whatever differences the Philippines and China are grappling with should be resolved through dialog, and without the interference of the United States which is 12,000 miles away.
She noted that China was able to lift one billion people out of poverty, and if China and America would just join forces in fighting poverty and hunger they would probably free the whole world from want and suffering.
Coseteng criticized the US for its war economy and propensity to create trouble all over the world, especially when the leaders of various countries courageously adopt nationalist policies. When a president or prime minister declares he or she wanted the natural resources of the country developed for the tangible benefits of that country’s people, the US would create trouble like coups, kidnappings, and violent demonstrations to effect a regime change—to further its own interest.
She cautioned Bongbong Marcos to heed the wish of peace-loving Filipinos to follow an independent foreign policy, and refuse the dictation of the US which are anti-Filipino.
“This is the big cause that I have dedicated my life to. It is a never-ending crusade. All causes are worth fighting for,” she concluded.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews