The Philippines should learn its lessons from other ASEAN states. It should have a more independent foreign policy and be less dependent on the West. It is unclear if the US and NATO would be there if conflict erupts.
Can the Marcos Jr. government, which deems itself beholden to Duterte popularity for winning the 2022 election race, navigate itself through the EU by invoking the two conditionalities as non-negotiables?
Perhaps, the VACC was right. The new administration has to investigate what happened. The OPV deal might be a larger controversy than the Pharmally deal, the education department’s laptop project, and other irregularities in the Duterte administration.
“Kung gusto nilang dagdagan ang pahirap ng sambayanang Pilipino sa panahon ng pandemya so be it. We will accept that as history repeating itself. Tama na iyang mga diskusyon na iyan! Gawin nila ang gusto nilang gawin! Sa mga panahon na ito, if they want to implement it, go ahead!” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said during a virtual presser.