FATIMA J.

SAQUILAYAN

Goodafternoon Atty. Fargas, worthy opponents, ladies and gentlemen. The

connection of Philippines and The United States run deep- it is not only
embedded in our history but is reflected through our Constitution, education,
sports, and most especially our way of life. These reflections of Uncle Sam in our
country can be viewed as a manifestation of covering and forgetting the cruelties
and hardships that we Filipinos went through during the Spanish era with which
America has been our savior whether we believe it or not. And as Filipinos strictly
raised to honor values above all, it has been our bounden duty to always repay
our debt of gratitude, and what better way it is to show our gratefulness to
someone who came to our aid during the time we needed it most than to always
remember them by making them a part of us, by making their traces like family.
Which lead us to the question: Should Philippines cut ties with United States?
I believe ladies and gentlemen that we should not and we cannot afford it. To
make you further understand my standing on this, I would take this liberty to
dissect what I want to say in three simple questions. First, is it necessary?
Philippine cutting ties with US would alter tremendous changes, not only within
the Philippine itself but throughout other countries as well. Not having US back us
up would make us vulnerable and susceptible of being bullied even more. In the
recent Global Firepowers Power Index which measures each nations military
strength, the Philippines ranked 37 out of 106. Now, you might think that it is a
good headstart but it is not, because such GFPI does not take into account
nuclear capability and current political and military leadership. Furthermore, the
Philippines lack tanks, self propelled guns or multi launch racket system. Also oil
resources were taken into account as it is deemed the lifeblood of any fighting
force, wherein our country was able to produce 12,000 oil barrels per day viz-aviz its consumption of 315,000 oil barrels. What makes us stronger in rank is the
labor force that we can sacrifice should any war came our way. The top 3 major
powers on the other hand are US, Russia, and China. Now, being favored by the
strongest and being backed by them which can be seen on how they tried to help
us recently in dealing with the territorial disputes we have right now by sending
their men to our aid and being somehow involed in matters that does not concern
them, just because we lack resources and equipment, I see no necessity in
cutting ties with the one country who has our back especially during these crucial
times that we needed it most. Going back to my first point that US has been
embedded to our roots and reflected in our way of living, cutting ties with them
would mean erasing every footprints they have in each and every corner of our
lives-and are we that much willing to overhaul everything and take the risk of
being vulnerable for the sake of throwing away a friend, a strong friend with the
intention of pleasing someone who we wanted to be on our side, whom we had a
dispute on the first place and would never, history proves it, never give up what
they claim to be is theirs. Which leads us to the second question, is it beneficial?
CNBC reporter Chandran said that Philippines cutting ties with US would hurt our
economy. Trinh Nguyen, an Asia-Pacific economist at investment bank Natixis said
that the Philippines depends on the US not just for military cooperation but also
for economic support. American firms have invested a lot in the electronic
industry. Remittances from the US are large, and a lot of BPO is also by American
firms into the Philippines. Remittances and the BPO sector are key pillars of the
Philippine economy, contributing 10 and 6 percent, respectively, to annual gross
domestic product. Cutting ties would mean hitting the economy in terms of trade
and labor movements which lead me to the last question, is it practical? I see no
rationality in throwing away a relationship which does not only gives us strength
but gives us financial capability in exchange of venturing into another which does
not have any rock solid promise or assurance that we would not be betrayed and
bullied in the end. United States may have bases here in the country, and we
might be remorseful with that, but ladies and gentlemen, arent we benefitted
and secured with having them here? Knowing that we have an ally in our country
which does not only gives us promises and handshakes, but solid results as well.

FATIMA J. SAQUILAYAN

We are a nation of heroes, we are unbreakable, and we are true. And I believe
that we are not stupid to let go of our best interest that is not only for one man,
but for the whole nation. Cutting ties with United States would be like taking a
part of our body, and a part of our soul as well.