‘Manchurian’ two as Pinoy clone

Does China have a “Manchurian candidate, Pinoy version, for the 2016 presidential elections? 

That’s a lift from earlier movies on brainwashed former prisoners-of-war who morphed into stalking horses for their captors.

 

Cambodia played that puppet role when it chaired the ASEAN summit. It tried to rig the final communique into endorsement for Beijing’s claims. President Benigno Aquino protested. And for the first time since its organization, ASEAN adjourned without a final communique.

In April 2014, the Aquino government lodged protests in the United Nations that China was engaged in massive land reclamation activities in Philippine waters. That included the Mabini Reef.

Beneath Philippine shoals are billions of barrels of oil. So, China wants a pliant candidate to win the May 2016 polls, writes Rodel E. Rodis journalist and educator,

Mr. Rodis wrote “Telltale Signs” column in California and Philippine papers. He served as President of the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Community College District.

In 2014, the then mint-new Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua hosted dinner at his Makati residence for the Binays. “The smart money is betting Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay will be that candidate, writes Mr. Rodis

Days later, Mr. Binay declared, on a Visayan radio station,   that if elected President, he’d back China’s call for “bilateral talks” to resolve the territorial dispute. He peddled   engaging in “joint ventures” with China. And his staff   plastered media with press releases.

However, the latest Social Weather Station survey, spanning late December through January2014, found an overwhelming majority  (93 percent) of  Filipinos back the government’s efforts to defend the national territory” against China.  Two plus two equals four. Majority would spurn a Pinoy clone of the “Manchurian candidate”.

Mr. Binay’s net satisfaction rating continued to slump, posting its lowest since he assumed office in 2010, SWS reported. In March 2014 Mr. Binay racked up +73 percent.  It has plummeted since to   +31 percent—and is still skidding. Dissatisfied survey respondents bolted to 28 percent from last quarter’s 20 percent. 

In contrast, the neophyte Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares’ ranking surged from 10% to 18% in the survey. “She is the biggest beneficiary of Mr. Binay’s decline in numbers.”   

Senator Poe said she was “humbled” by the SWS survey. “I view it as positive appreciation and validation by a good number of our countrymen of my work within and prior to the survey period,” Ms. Poe said

“It inspires me that our people approve of what I have been doing,” she added. “And I will continue to do what I think is right and for the best interest of our countrymen.”

Ms. Poe appreciated former President, and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, for saying he’d choose her over Vice President Binay in case they both run for presidency in 2016. “Eh, bahala na siya,” Erap said.

Ms. Poe has so far, balked at seeking the presidency.  But certain quarters are pushing for Ms. Poe to team up with   Rep. Leni Robredo, widow of the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo, to form a tandem in 2016, Rappler reports.

Mr. Binay pooh-poohed the Aquino administration’s lodging a claim against   China with the UN International Tribunal of Law of the Sea.  No point, he said in a radio interview. China will not abide by the decision, Mr. Binay claimed.  All China has to do is wait a month after the expected adverse UN tribunal’s decision.

“And will the Philippine claim will be, withdrawn, if Mr. Binay ever makes it to Malacañang? Rodel asks. That would mean he accepts China's position: Beijing    has “indisputable sovereignty” over almost the entire South China Sea 

China's foreign ministry said that it was "extremely concerned" after leaders of Southeast Asian countries expressed worry about land reclamation and navigational freedom in the disputed South China Sea.

After their summit in Kuala Lumpur, the 10-member ASEAN protested: China’s reclamation work “eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea.”

In Beijing, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said that China was “extremely concerned” over the ASEAN stance. “China has exercised extreme restraint," he said, repeating that China believed the dispute should be resolved via direct talks between the claimants. There were no problems with freedom of navigation in the waters

Tell that to Mr. Binay.  For now, he peddles “joint ventures” in accordance with the Philippine law”. But China asserts that it should be their laws that should apply."

It’d be unconstitutional for anybody, let alone Mr. Binay, to give China any control over Philippine shoals and the oil and natural gas underneath them. A “joint venture” with China requires the venture must be under the “full control and supervision” of the Philippines.

Will a “President” Binay protect coral reefs of the Philippines?

Surveillance photos taken by Philippine Air Force jets confirm that China is building military bases on at least seven of the Philippine shoals including one on Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef). This is only 85 miles from Palawan. 

Not a peep from Mr. Binay on just .exactly on how a he’d ““faithfully uphold” the Philippine Constitution?  Will he? Or  is he still smarting from being totally ignored in Jakarta after President Aquino  secured consent to spare a  Filipina maid from firing squad execution.