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september 9-15, 2016 • OC/Ie AsIAN JOUrNAL
From the Front
SC extends halt order against... PAGE A1
Calida argued the controversy was “beyond ambit of judicial review” and warned that granting the petitions would be tantamount to an “intrusion upon executive power.” “As the father of this nation, President Duterte decides to begin the long overdue heal-
ing of our nation and to exorcise the ghost of enmity and bitterness that prevent us from moving forward. Unfortunately, the wisdom and propriety of President Duterte’s well-meaning desire to put a closure in this divisive issue has pinched the nerves of some who cannot
Former pres. Ferdinand marcos philstar.com photo
forget their travails during the martial law era,” the solicitor general said. He noted that the former presidents have exercised the same powers as President Duterte when they decided on the return of Marcos’ remains to the country during their respective term. “If the prerogatives of these former Presidents were respected by this Honorable Court, so must it be with President Duterte,” Calida added. Rebutting the earlier point made by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that Marcos lost his privilege to be buried at the Libingan when he was ousted by the historic EDSA People Power revolution in 1986, the solicitor general explained that once a Medal of Valor was awarded, it cannot be diminished nor nullified. “Marcos was never dishonorably discharged from military service nor convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. Dishonorable discharge can only happen through court martial,” Calida said. “Based on military standards, given to a Medal of Valor awardee, former President Marcos fits to the definition of a hero,” he added. Calida also noted that Marcos would not be given state honors but only simple mortuary rites befitting his position as former president, commander-in-chief of the armed forces and a soldier.
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Page PH calls on ASEAN countries to be ‘partners... PAGE A1
world,” an obvious reference to Duterte’s campaign slogan “change is coming”. It also contained the phrase “partner for change,” which is being used by Malacañang to refer to the supporters of the president. Duterte said the theme of next year’s conference reflects the Philippines’ resolve to consolidate ASEAN’s community to enable it to take its rightful place in the international community. “We will pursue initiative and enhance cooperation with global partners to ensure that ASEAN citizens live in peace, stability, security and growth, all the while remaining ASEAN’s centrality, unity, and solidarity, we will maintain for all times,” he said in his acceptance speech. “The Philippines is ready and willing to steer and guide the association. But crucial to the realization of our goals is the cooperation and support of all ASEAN member states and our dialogue partners.” The Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the ten-member regional bloc. “During the Philippines’ chairmanship, we will highlight ASEAN as a model of regionalism and a global player, with the interest of the people at its core,” Duterte said. “Towards this end, I invite you to be our dynamic and vibrant partners as we guide ASEAN in
president rodrigo Duterte arrives at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, Laos for the Association of southeast Asian Nations (AseAN) summit on tuesday, sept. 6. malacañang photo by toto Lozano
2017.” Duterte congratulated Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith for the success of this year’s conference. “You guided us with the timely motto of ‘Turning Vision into Reality for Dynamic ASEAN community.’ You ably did your part in deepening integration to move us towards the realization of a rulesbased, people-oriented, peoplecentered ASEAN community,” the Philippine leader said. “In the last two days of our meetings, I have benefited immensely from our discussions and exchanges, providing me with insights on how best to build upon Lao PDR’s efforts in community building.” Sisoulith said this year’s con-
ference had “comprehensive and fruitful discussions” on strengthening the ASEAN community. “I trust that under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2017, in addition to the meaningful celebration of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, the ASEAN community will continue to gain new achievements,” the Lao prime minister said. “The Lao PDR will continue to extend its full support to the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship and cooperate with ASEAN member states, ASEAN dialogue partners, external parties and friendly countries and regional and international organizations to contribute to the further strengthening of the ASEAN community,” he added.
Relations with PH ‘rock solid... PAGE A1 latter’s expletive-laden outburst. Before leaving for Vientiane on Monday, Sept. 5, Duterte was asked by a reporter how he would respond if asked by Obama about the mounting deaths of drug suspects. Duterte responded that the Philippines is not a US lapdog and it would be disrespectful of Obama to raise the killings during their meeting. He questioned Obama’s right to challenge him on human rights and called the US President a “son of a whore,” in remarks widely reported by the international press. Duterte issued a statement expressing regret over the outburst on Tuesday, Sept.6. US State department spokesman Mark Toner admitted that the US scrapped the meeting because Duterte’s statements raised questions about the chances of a productive discussion. “Words matter, and we want to see an atmosphere that is cordial and open to strong cooperation,” Toner said in a news conference in Washington. The Philippines is the US’ oldest Asian partner, and is designated as a major “non-North At-
lantic Treaty Organization ally.” Clinton, Trump US presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump weighed in on the tiff, with the former saying Obama was right to cancel the meeting. “President Obama made exactly the right choice,” she told reporters in her campaign plane. “When the President of the Philippines insulted our President, it was appropriate, in a very low-key way, to say: ‘Sorry, no meeting.’ And since then, there’s been an apology and an expression of regret which is appropriate,” she added. Clinton however acknowledged the need to maintain ties between the two nations. “We have a lot of ties between the United States and the Philippines. And I think it’s very important that we have a relationship, but there has to be a certain level of respect that is expected on both sides,” said Clinton, who as secretary of State was an architect of Obama’s policy of emphasizing the importance of the Asia-Pacific to US interests in the face of a rising China. Trump appeared to taunt Obama, whom he had criticized for being weak on foreign policy.
In a tweet, the Republican candidate said the reception that Obama received from the Philippines, as well as China, was “terrible.” “China wouldn’t provide a red carpet stairway from Air Force One and then Philippines President calls Obama ‘the son of a whore.’ Terrible!” he said. Boats from the US In a sign that relations between Manila and Washington have not been affected by Duterte’s outburst, the United States is giving the Philippines two used military aircraft. The Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday the vessels would help it expand sea patrols in the face of territorial disputes with China. The two Sherpa 30-seater aircraft will be delivered in December, coast guard spokesman Commander Armand Balilo told AFP. “It will help us in the movements of the Philippine Coast Guard like patrol missions,” Balilo added. Balilo said the Sherpas would help the coast guard augment its meager air patrol capability, now comprised of two old BrittenNorman Islanders.
Duterte’s obscenities directed to... PAGE A1
The reporter in question asked: “Sir, there have been concerns on extrajudicial killings, sir. And you will meet leaders, any line of communication that we have prepared to address this issue in front of other foreign leaders?” According to Duterte, the reporter “just threw questions and statements” to which Duterte responded with his trademark offcolor manner of speaking. “Iyong mga kolumnista diyan na ‘wait until he meets,’ who is he? (There are columnists out there that write headlines such as ‘Who is he?’),” Duterte told the media, referencing anticipatory media reports preceding the meeting. “I am a president of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony. I do not have any master except the Filipino people.” “You must be respectful,” he continued, speaking directly to the reporter. “Do not just throw questions and statements. Putang-ina, mumurahin kita diyan sa forum na ‘yan (Son of a b****, I will curse you in that forum).” Fil-Am writer Nizza Gueco clarified the Philippine president’s comments in a column on liberal news site “Liberal America” in which she translated and contextualized Duterte’s remarks. She said that Duterte’s choice phrasing was an attempt to uplift Filipinos and emphasize the autonomy of the Philippines. “As Filipinos, we have already accepted the fact that he does that a lot. He curses in public and it’s not that big of a deal for us,” Gueco wrote. “It’s not because we want to be seen as a country without class or breeding, but it is because we know it is just his expression that is being taken out of context.” Following media reports falsely reporting he directed these comments to Obama, the White House confirmed that the much anticipated bilateral meeting between
the two leaders was canceled. The two were scheduled to meet privately on Tuesday, Sept. 6 during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and western leaders summit in Vientiane, Laos. Leading up to the summit, Duterte said that he would not discuss human rights issues with Obama until the U.S. apologizes for the pacification campaign of the Moro people in Mindanao at the turn of the century in which 600 died. He even told American officials to look into the police shootings of black men in the U.S., saying they are “still human rights violations.” Obama responded to Duterte’s vulgarities, offering a reason for the cancellation. “He’s a colorful guy,” Obama joked. “I always want to make sure that if I’m having a meeting that it’s actually productive.” The White House later confirmed on Tuesday night, Sept. 6, that the meeting was cancelled due to the vulgar remarks. Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security advisor said that the comments were “not constructive” and would not have lead to a productive meeting. “Given the important issues that we have, having a meeting where all we were gonna discuss was a series of comments, frankly did not strike us as the most constructive way to approach a bilateral meeting,” Rhodes said in a press conference in Vientiane. Later, Duterte expressed regret for his comments that have caused local and international uproar. “I do not want to quarrel with him. He’s the most powerful president of any country on the planet,” Duterte said of Obama after arriving in Laos for the ASEAN summit Tuesday. Hillary Clinton said that Obama’s decision to cancel the meeting was “appropriate” considering
the nature of the comments. “With respect to the Philippines, President Obama made exactly the right choice,” Clinton told the media on Tuesday. “When the president of the Philippines insulted our president, it was appropriate and a very low-key way to say, ‘Sorry, no meeting.’” Clinton also noted that Duterte’s apology and expression of regret were also “appropriate.” “We have a lot of ties between the United States and the Philippines. And I think it’s very important that we have a relationship, but there has to be a certain level of respect that’s expected on both sides,” Clinton added. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump took to Twitter to comment on Duterte’s remarks, denoting the “terrible” treatment Obama has received on his Asia tour. “China wouldn’t provide a red carpet stairway from Air Force One, and then Philippines President calls Obama ‘the son of a whore.’ Terrible!” Trump tweeted on Tuesday. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. said that the bilateral meeting will be postponed to a later date. “While asserting the intent to chart an independent foreign policy and promote closer ties with all nations, he expressed his deep regard and affinity for President Obama and for the enduring partnership between our nations,” the embassy said in a statement released Tuesday. “[Duterte] looks forward to ironing out differences arising out of national priorities and perceptions, and working in mutually responsible ways for both countries.” As the Asian Journal previously reported, the leaders were to discuss a variety of issues including the South China Sea dispute and the human rights concerns amid the escalating drug-related killings in the Philippines.