Editorial

official figures are based. Still, vaccines and infections have created sufficient immunity for people to resume many prepandemic activities. Those who suffered grievous loss are picking up the pieces of their lives and moving into a post-pandemic normal.

The lifting of mobility restrictions has allowed the reopening of the economy and recovery of livelihoods. This long Holy Week break has been a boon for travel and tourism and the downstream industries, which were among the worst hit during the lockdowns.

This Holy Week, many people are also emerging from the grief of personal loss caused by COVID: the death of loved ones and friends, the loss of jobs and shutdown of businesses. The threat isn’t over; as of Holy Wednesday, April 7, the official COVID death toll in the country stood at 66,396, with the 9,120 active cases bringing the total infections since 2020 to 4,082,580. The cases are widely believed to be underreported because people are no longer getting RT-PCR tests on which the

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

THERE’S hardly enough time for Easter break in Washington, DC as we expect a flurry of activity starting with the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on April 11 of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ricky Manalo and Defense OIC Charlie Galvez with their U.S. counterparts, State Secretary Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The policy-level dialogue is expected to solidify the alliance between the Philippines and the United States even more, with discussions to center on mutual concerns that include energy security, strategic trade and investment cooperation, critical and emerging technologies and infrastructure, supply chains and other areas that would help both nations achieve mutual economic prosperity.

The talks will be a great opportunity for both nations to modernize the alliance which has been in existence for over 70 years, and determine courses of action to effectively counter terrorism and other transnational

The tragedy created by a killer pandemic heightened awareness of the fleeting nature of life and brought many people closer to their Creator. Contemplation of mortality was heightened during the Lenten season, even as Easter’s message of salvation through the Resurrection of Christ has louder resonance.

It’s a new and better day; there is much to celebrate this Easter Sunday. (Philstar.com)

Two plus two plus six crimes. The agenda will certainly include regional security, considering that the treaty allies are both keen on fostering a free and open as well as a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region.

The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was established in 2012, with the second one held in 2016. However, it took seven years for the third iteration to happen, which is why the dialogue this April will be very significant as it will set the long-term direction of the security and defense alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines, including future engagements.

As explained by our Defense OIC Charlie Galvez, there are “hundreds of activities” that are being lined up until 2028 for American and Filipino troops, among them joint maritime patrols, inter-service training with coast guards and navies and people-to-people engagements.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the 2+2 ministerial dialogue will happen on the opening of the 38th U.S.-Philippines Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between Filipino and American troops with other like-minded nations joining as observers. This will be the biggest iteration of the exercises with around 12,000 U.S. troops and 5,000 Filipino forces taking part, with a small contingent of Australian forces participating for the first time.

Defense OIC Galvez said other allied nations can join in the future, especially in the navy-tonavy and air force-to-air force exercises. The Balikatan 2023 exercises are expected to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines develop its external defense capabilities and contribute to international efforts to counter terrorism and other threats in the region.

We have also arranged for Secretary Manalo to be the keynote speaker at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leadership Forum, where he will share his “insights about a new era in the alliance in the context of the Philippines’ pursuit of its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its efforts to advance a more peaceful and prosperous region.”

Shortly after the 2+2 ministerial meeting, the Philippine economic team composed of Finance Secretary Ben Diokno, Bangko