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Batas Mauricio

SO, how are Filipinos supposed to react with the threats coming from the United States that President Duterte may be subjected to “people power”–or ouster from the presidency through peaceful means, just like what happened to President Marcos in 1986 and President Estrada in 2001–if he continues his anti-US posturing?

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I am asking this question because, undeniably, with his 91 percent or so popularity rating three months into his six-year presidency, Duterte is surely capable of warding off any people power attack against him and his government easily, even if the possibility of a people power uprising against him seem to be orchestrated by top American officials no less.

Yet, threats of a people power revolution, coupled with the weakening of the value of the peso as against the American dollar and announcements from US-led agencies like the World Bank which harp on an alleged unfavorable business climate in the Philippines brought about by Duterte’s anti-US policies, certainly could weaken Duterte’s leadership and bring shock waves that could undermine the economy.

Indeed, the threats against Duterte’s hold to power seem serious enough. The first threat came from US Defense Secretary Ash Carter no less. In an interview, Carter blurted out that Duterte’s pronouncements against the US are “deeply troubling” for the American people.

What was more bothersome here was his follow-up statement that Duterte’s anti-US stance notwithstanding, American leaders view the bilateral relationship between the two countries as “ironclad”–signalling that the US is not about read to simply give up its long-standing economic and military ties with the Philippines.

What Carter was saying, from where I sit, is that, the US can (and may maneuver sharply) let go of Duterte, but it would do everything in its power to continue holding on to the Philippines as an ally, or even as a colony, in view of the strategic advantage that the Philippines enjoys in providing much-needed security for the US from the Pacific.

The second threat against Duterte was the more pronounced yet from the US State Department. In a statement released to media US Secretary of State Daniel Russel the other day, there was no mincing of words: “I think it would be a serious mistake in a democratic country like the Philippines to underestimate the power of the public’s affinity for the US. That’s people power.”

Russel then added, for good mesure: “All politicians have to be responsive to both the mainstream public attitude and the national security and economic interests of their country. All of that leads to continued close ties between our two countries.”  Of course, this is couched in diplomatese, but the layman’s translation is simple: a revolution will be thrown against Duterte if he does not soften up on the US.

So, I ask again: how are Filipinos supposed to react to this threat against a president who is greatly loved by them? If we seriously think about it, I am afraid to admit there is really nothing Filipinos could do if the US stirs up a revolution to oust Duterte. Given that, I suggest we should all start praying together against this revolution, and start strengthening our relations with God by reading the Bible and obeying its commands.

E-mail: batasmauricio@yahoo.com

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