It’s
good that the incoming leader of China has expressed readiness to
improve relations with the Philippines. Left to its own devices, the
Philippines was starting to look like a clown in foreign affairs.
Events in recent days can only reinforce China’s argument that the
Philippines has been inconsistent in its territorial claims over the
West Philippine Sea.
Here
is the Department of Foreign Affairs officially declaring that the
country is standing firm on its territorial claims, particularly in
Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, and wants a multilateral resolution of
the dispute. And there is a Philippine senator, reportedly telling
the Chinese that Filipinos are not interested in Panatag anyway and
the dispute should be settled bilaterally – the exact position of
Beijing.
Or
at least this is what we have heard from Senate
President Juan Ponce Enrile,
who, seasoned lawyer that he is, maintains that he has evidence to
back his story about Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s dealings with the
Chinese. Since Trillanes has chosen to stage an infantile walkout
rather than refute Enrile’s detailed accusations,
the Senate President so
far has the edge in credibility. Trillanes may have a valid point in
his beef with Enrile over the bill on Camarines Sur,
but the neophyte senator cannot simply shrug off the
counter-accusations against him.
No
one can even say who approached whom in this mess: Trillanes and
Malacañang are pointing at each other as the initiator of
back-channeling with China. This has to be the noisiest
back-channeling in diplomacy. Worse, when Trillanes was told by the
Palace to shut up already, pretty please, the senator – true to
form – continued to shoot his mouth off about his idea of
back-channeling, and against the man he admits trying to unseat:
Enrile. Like Trillanes’ bizarre misadventures as a military
officer, this coup plot against Enrile has also failed – so far –
with Malacañang denying involvement in the attempt.
Trillanes
also refused to have his passport stamped at the airport immigration
counter in departing for some of his trips to China, according to
Enrile. Those who think they are above the law should have no place
in the legislature.
Trillanes
has often come off as a loose cannon, exhibiting symptoms of a
superiority complex bordering on the messianic. It’s curious that
someone like him was entrusted by the administration with such a
delicate task in an area where mature circumspection is crucial.
Whatever gains Trillanes might have achieved in easing tension
between the Philippines and China are being overshadowed by his
tantrums.
Beijing
must be laughing itself hoarse. It’s a disaster, and it reflects
badly on the ultimate authority in crafting Philippine foreign policy
– President Aquino himself.
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