Mr. Speaker, officials and key
leaders of the entire House of Representatives as well as key
national security, police and military agencies in the
government are currently falling all over themselves in
preparation for the visit of United States President George W.
Bush this coming October 18. President Bush is the most powerful
man in the entire world, the leader of the undisputed
superpower; and based on the preparations the public is now
witnessing, his visit is seen by the Philippine government as an
event of national import.
The Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo government is drum beating this visit as an
expression of the strengthening of the supposed friendship
between the US and the Philippines. Leaders of both countries
are wont to say that RP-US relations have
come a long way since it began in 1898 when the US declared a
genocidal war against the Filipino people, killing over 600,000
in the course of the Fil-American war. Now, the two
countries are supposedly allies in the war against terrorism.
Mr.Speaker, there
are many similarities, commonalities between these two
presidents. They are both the children of two former presidents.
They were both sworn in to the presidency on January 20, 2001.
They both became presidents not through victory in the polls.
Mr. Bush became president through a decision of the United
States Supreme Court. Mrs. Arroyo ascended to the highest office
because of People Power 2 and also on the say-so of the Supreme
Court. Both have been hounded by election-related scandals -
Bush was haunted by the contributions made by Enron, while Mrs.
Arroyo is being linked to money laundering charges through the
"Jose Pidal" accounts.
But among the
biggest similarities between them, Mr. Speaker, are their
die-hard commitment in pushing the so-called war against
terrorism, their perennial problem of plunging popularity and
approval rates in the wake of this die-hard commitment, and,
most crucial at this point, is their intent to remain in power
beyond 2004.
This, then, Mr.
Speaker, is where the similarities end. Let us make no mistake
Mr. Speaker, and think that these commonalities are indicative
of equality in their stature, or equality in the power they
wield as leaders of governments.
This
representative would like to firmly register the position that
Mr. Bush’ s upcoming visit is not the sort a friend makes to
another. Rather, the nature of this visit is one a master does
to the home of his slave, an emperor surveying the territories
of his empire, and inspecting the lay of the land.
Pres. Bush’s arrival in the country
exemplify the strengthening of the unequal, one-sided and
exploitative relations between the Philippines and the US since
1898.
But before this
representation delves further into that discourse, Mr. Speaker,
it would be best to give a background on the current leader of
the Philippines’ supposed closest ally. Allow this
representation to share a short background on the personal
history of the man the House leadership wants sorely to feel
welcome and honored, US President George W. Bush.
Bush Junior is
the 43rd president of the United States. He was born
on July 6, 1946 to Barbara Pierce Bush and George Herbert Walker
Bush. Bush Sr. accumulated the bulk of his wealth by mining oil
in Texas. He then used his economic power to build political
power and enter the system of governance. He eventually became
the 41st president of the US.
As for Bush Jr,
it was earlier determined that he was not made of the stuff that
makes academic achievers. As his own teachers would testify,
Bush Jr’s intellectual powers were limited, but on the influence
of his surname, Bush was able to get into Yale University and
get his bachelor’s degree in 1968. As the joke goes, he finished
in the top 80% of his class.
After Yale, Bush
joined the Texas Air National Guard. He became a 2nd
lieutenant, but again, as his instructors would point out, it
wasn’t because he possessed any extraordinary flying ability but
because of his influential surname. After getting his rank, Bush
went AWOL for more than a year.
Closing that
phase in his life, Bush entered Harvard University to get his
MBA. After that, he returned to Texas to become a CEO in a
company he himself established, the Bush Exploration Oil and Gas
Company. This company lasted 11 years before going belly up. The
failed experience, however, taught Bush that the oil industry
was very important to the US economy, and, more importantly,
private American corporations seeking to expand their wealth.
With the backing
of his father and every ounce of influence his surname could
exert, Bush Jr. was elected governor of Texas. He is the first
governor to be elected in two consecutive terms. It’s not
surprising because his candidacy was bank-rolled by the biggest
oil companies in Texas.
Bush Jr.
attracted the attention of the Republican party. Despite the
limits posed by his intellect, lack of political acumen and
experience, the Republicans made him their standard bearer. He
proved to be malleable candidate, apart from possessing the name
of Bush. He also had behind him the strong support of the giant
oil and energy monopolies in the country whose economic interest
he shared. He got for his running mate a former CEO of energy
monopoly Halliburton and a major defense contractor of the US
government Dick Cheney.
Mr. Speaker, it
would be interesting to note that Bush Jr. accepted and utilized
a record $190 million in campaign contributions from giant oil
and energy companies. Because of this, it comes as no surprise
that he will be forever beholden to these monopoly business
interests because it was through their financial backing he was
able to reach the White House. This also strengthens the
assertion of millions of anti-war activists that
Bush pushed hard for war against
Afghanistan and Iraq because he and his allies in the monopolies
wanted to take control of these countries’ oil deposits; that
the war he waged against humanity were wars in the name of oil
and profit.
When his biggest
campaign contributor the Enron company was exposed to have
facilitated the biggest stock market fraud in American history,
Bush and his vice president Cheny washed their hands of the
scandal.
Let us now
proceed to Mr. Bush’s achievements as president.
In the US, he cut federal
spending on libraries by $39 million, cut $35 million in funding
for doctors to get advanced pediatric training, cut by 50%
funding for research into renewable energy sources, cut funding
by 28% for research into cleaner, more efficient cars and
trucks. He also suspended rules that would have strengthened the
government's ability to deny contracts to companies that
violated workplace safety, environmental and other federal laws.
Bush also cut $200 million of
work force training for dislocated workers. He repealed
workplace ergonomic rules designed to improve worker health and
safety. He cut $700 million in capital funds for repairs in
public housing. He also closed the White
House Office for Women's Health Initiatives and Outreach.
Bush also proposed and imposed a $2 trillion tax cut, of which
43% will go to the wealthiest 1% of Americans. He signed a bill
making it harder for poor and middle-class Americans to file for
bankruptcy, even in the case of daunting medical bills. Finally,
he is also seeking the dismissal of class-action lawsuit filed
in the U.S. against Japan by Asian women forced to work as sex
slaves during WWII.
But beyond the
damage he has wrought in the lives of the American poor and
working people, Bush was also able to wreak direct death and
destruction in two nations. He ordered the military attack and
take-over of Afghanistan and Iraq. He
ignored and overturned the authority of the United Nations, and
single-handedly swept aside international law. He also holds the
record of accumulating the biggest budget deficits, allocating
the biggest fractions of the US budget to military, and bringing
down the standards of living of millions of Americans.
As a result of
all this, Bush became the public official most targeted by
political protests in the United States and in other nations. On
February 15, 2003, over 15 million citizens of the world came
out into the streets to denounce Bush and his war-mongering
against Iraq.
Mr. Speaker,it’s
only recently that Bush has been exposed
to the world as having used falsified intelligence reports to
justify the attacks against Iraq and the take-over of the once
sovereign nation. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has also
admitted that its reports on the supposed weapons of mass
destruction in Iraq were not water-tight and completely
credible. Even as this Representation delivers this speech, not
a single weapon of mass destruction has been unearthed in Iraq.
On the other hand, over 400,000 Iraq civilians have been
rendered homeless, arrested by occupying forces, and killed in
the attacks and continuing operations.
Given all this,
Mr. Speaker, it becomes very morally unconscionable to welcome
such an official, such a person to the country. The outrage this
Representation feels at the idea of the Philippine government
rolling out the red carpet for such an individual is barely
containable.
Mr. Bush is going
to spend eight hours in the Philippines, but this is already
more than enough for his government to conduct a loyalty check
and secure guarantees that the Philippines continues to abide by
the orders, dictates of the US, including the program and plan
of action regarding the “war against terrorism” and the complete
liberalization of the economy.
Mr. Speaker,
allow this Representation to make a few well-thought out
predictions. It’s easy to determine the contents of Bush’
speech. First he will thank Pres. Arroyo for her ‘invaluable
support’ to the campaign against terrorism, nevermind the escape
of the terrorist Fathur Al Ghozi. Then he will repeat his
attempts at flattery, and remind the Philippine government of
the label he granted it – that of being a ‘major non-NATO ally.”
Then, after all
the pleasantries and platitudes have been done away with, Mr.
Bush will begin making his government’s exactions on the Arroyo
administration.
On the matter of
the so-called war against terrorism, the US is demanding more
expansive access arrangements for US military forces. This
through the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) and the
Balikatan Exercises. The Philippines is a virtual military base
because of the constant and sustained presence of US troops in
the country in the guise of joint exercises. Even before talks
of Bush’s arrival to the country were finalized, there have been
several confirmed reports of the entry of US military officials
and psy-war experts in areas such as Panay, Bicol and General
Santos.
In the meantime,
President Bush will also not neglect to thank the
Macapagal-Arroyo government for its quick response to the US’
“request” that US troops in the country be given immunity from
criminal prosecution. Upon the US’ prodding, the Arroyo
government has not only refused to ratify the country’s
membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC), but it has
forged an executive agreement exempting US military personnel
from any criminal liability while in the country.
For its part, the
US government through Bush will flaunt the military aid it has
given the Philippines. Mr. Speaker, this so-called military aid
has made the Arroyo administration fluff its own feathers and
preen, nevermind that in truth, the aid was in the form of old,
much-used equipment. The American military even have an
interesting name for these - Excess Defense Articles.
Doubtless, too,
Bush will thank Pres. Arroyo for the support she continues to
give to the US war against the people of Iraq. Despite the
widespread local and global protests against the war, Pres.
Arroyo has veen sent a motley crew of “peacekeeping forces” in
Iraq.
This, again,
favors the US who constantly sees multilateral support for its
troops, and added finances to sustain its occupation of Iraq.
Pres. Arroyo believes that the US, in turn will show its
gratitude by providing overseas Filipino workers with employment
in Iraq. After all, the strategic industries in Iraq are now
being controlled by American monopoly firms.
In the economic arena, the US
will push for trade arrangements that fell through in the last
World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in Cancun,
Mexico. Bush will attempt to push on with these arrangements by
demanding bilateral trade agreements. These will entail the
increased liberalization of the economy, liberalization in the
areas of finance and ownership rights of foreign businesses in
the Philippines.
It’s highly unlikely that new
jobs will be created in the wake of Bush’s visit. It’s the US’
dictate-policy of Liberalization that kills employment in the
country. Already, joblessness rates have registered an all-time
high in the last year.
If the US does give anything
resembling a ‘economic package,” it’s dead certain that there
will not just be strings attached but strong ropes tied to them.
If the US will grant any “trade concessions,” for sure they are
concessions that will heavily favor the US. The US remains the
Philippines’ biggest trading partner, it is where 40% of the
country’s exports go.
In the area of politics, hands
down, Mr. Speaker, Pres. Arroyo and her remaining supporters are
waiting with bated breath for Bush to declare its support for
Pres. Arroyo’s ambitions to remain in power beyond 2004. In the
history of this country, the US has always played a key role in
the determination of who will become president.
There’s a big fly in this
ointment, however. Pres. Arroyo cannot depend on Bush’s support.
It’s not a done deal yet. Why, Mr. Speaker? Because Bush himself
is planning to run for a second term next year. It will be to
his disadvantage if he allows himself to be too closely
associated with a neocolonial government that is steeped in
corruption scams, political controversies, and military
instability.
The Arroyo administration,
doubtless, knows all this. This is then the reason why it is
breaking its back bending over backwards to ensure that Bush’
visit will be a success. Already, the administration has already
spent P10 million beautifying and fortifying security measures
of the Ninoy Aquino International airport (NAIA). Malacanang
itself is also under renovation, and who knows how much the
administration is shelling out for that.
Mr. Speaker,
millions of citizens all over the world –
poor and working people, professionals, academics and religious,
denounce the US as the number one terrorist government in the
world. There is strong basis for this, because behind very
bloody, violent and brutal war in the world, the US is behind
it. The US holds the bloodiest war record in the world,
and it has added to its list of the wars it backed or waged this
recently introduced century.
Under no circumstances should the
almost one million Filipino killed during the duration of the
Fil-Am war be forgotten. Neither should
the people forget those who were poisoned and killed by the
toxic wastes from the American bases, or those shot when caught
allegedly trespassing the area around the bases. Neither
should the leaders of the Philippines be allowed to ignore and
deny the last 100 years of colonial and neocolonial relations
between the two economies that have resulted in the stunted,
mutilated development of the Philippines.
Mr. Speaker, members of this
august chamber, the impending visit of Bush all the more exposes
the subservient character, the colonial character of the current
administration. This visit will all the more isolate the swiftly
weakening Arroyo regime. This is also evidenced by the
intensifying acts of repression the government’s police and
military forces are perpetrating against the people.
The "No permit, no rally" policy
has caused shocking police brutality; execution of youth
activists, the most recent being the four Maco activists from
Anakbayan and an SK chairman from Compostela Valley; and the
numerous vicious police attacks on striking workers.
Finally, Mr.
Speaker, it should be understood that the protests against Bush
are actions sanctioned by history,
enforced by the collective, political will of the Filipino
people as they struggle to free this nation from the shackles of
oppression and exploitation.
Bush as an individual and as a leader of
imperialist nation has committed grave crimes against humanity,
and he does not deserve the respect much less the emulation of
this nation’s leaders. The crimes he has perpetrated against the
people of the world should not be swept under the rug for the
sake of propriety, hospitality, politeness. The infamous,
brutal role of the government he represents in subjugating other
nations in the world should be exposed. So should be the
one-sided, and exploitative relations between the US and the
Philippines.
For the Filipino
people, the only alternative to the hopeless, backward and
anti-people economic and political set-up is an independent
system of economics and politics. Now more than ever the nation
should forge an independent foreign policy, unchained,
unfettered by the dictates of foreign powers. All this can only
be achieved by ending the unjust relations of slave and master
between the United States and governments it places in power in
the Philippines.
Mr. Speaker,
beyond the demand of the officers of this august chamber for the
representatives to observe protocol, the challenge for us
lawmakers is to take a stand for national interest and dignity.
In the end, Mr.
Speaker, it is the Filipino people who
will make all this come to pass.
Thank you very
much and good evening. #
