Love thy ASEAN neighbors?

China had no right to set conditions on the visit of the Philippine president to attend the 10th ASEAN-China Expo (CAEXPO), an international trade fair in Nanning.  How can they use this event as a pawn to get what they want from us? It has nothing to do with the dispute in the West Philippine Sea. Why did the ASEAN Secretary General H.E. Le Luong Minh from Viet Nam allow this to happen? Why did our ASEAN brothers abandon us?

Allow me to refresh your memory on what the ASEAN is all about. The ASEAN is an organization of countries in Southeast Asia set up to promote cultural, economic and political development in the region. It was officially formed in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.  The original five members included Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Through the years, the ASEAN has grown into 10 member countries.

The ASEAN Plus Three is a forum that functions as a coordinator of cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the three East Asia nations of China, Japan, and South Korea.

This year’s expo was intended for economic and trade exchanges to advance business opportunities for cooperation and industry development between China and the ASEAN. How can this goal be achieved if China continues to behave like a brat and be a bully of all bullies?

What happened is alarming because it is clear as day that the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member nations are not strongly united and one in the organization ‘s objective and that they can easily be influenced by a power such as China.

How can this organization allow China to bully the Philippines, one of the founding members of the ASEAN? Why did our little ASEAN brothers not speak up? Sanamagan!

I am not mad at our President because all these happened. He did his job. He stood firm in the defense of our national interest. We must back him up and be proud of him on this particular issue. His fight continues. No one can lay claim on what is rightfully ours – be it the West Philippine Sea, Spratly islands or other islands involved in territorial rows.

It is unfortunate that our past administrations have made different types of negotiations with our ASEAN brothers on the issue of geopolitics. Sadly, they sent mixed messages to the different ASEAN governments making promises left and right to the detriment of our beloved country.

History tells us that the Philippines is an archipelago with 7,100 islands. We are a mixture of many races – from the Negroid people, the tool makers of Tabon cave, to the seafaring Malays of Indonesia. Our culture and tradition has been influenced by migrations from China, India and Indonesia. We are a country rich in natural resources. We must remember our national heroes who died fighting for our freedom.

Therefore, it is our duty as Filipinos to protect our country from foreign interference or “bullying” and preserve our dignity at all cost.

If the ASEAN continues to treat us this way, then, I think it is time that we revisit our participation and involvement in this organization. There is just too much politicking (a common trend of this day and time) going on. This is not good for us.

What we can do is stand united as a nation and look at the possibility of working with other countries from north to south and from east to west. We don’t need to be stuck in Southeast Asia anyway. In fact, we are the only nation in this part of the world who is different. We are the only Christian nation and this alone sets us apart.

Bottom line: If they don’t need us, we don’t need them too! End of story.          

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When Janet Napoles was arrested and brought to jail, I couldn’t help but remember the time my father, the late Maximo V. Soliven was imprisoned by Marcos. My father was a political detainee in Fort Bonifacio along with Ninoy Aquino, Pepe Diokno, Chino Roces, Napoleon Rama, Teodoro “Teddy” Locsin, Soc Rodrigo, Ramon Mitra, Voltaire Garcia, and Jomari Velez. Marcos arrested them at the struck of midnight and placed them in prison cells. No VIP treatment was given. They followed the general procedure a prisoner should go through.

Today, we seem to categorize the prisoners. How do we classify them? According to social – economic status? According to their criminal offense record? According to their civil case? Have we forgotten that this person has made a clear legal offense of operating an allegedly non-existing and non-operational foundation with bogus employees? That mere act can already be a conviction for a criminal offense. And here we are treating her like a VIP.  Of course Malacanang denies this. This Administration seems to be sending all the wrong messages to the people. Susmariosep!

I cringe at the thought that one morning we wake up and hear that this woman has vanished into thin air. And all these talks and cries for justice will die a natural death leaving no trace of a troubled legislative branch. God help us!

The President must never ever forget how long his own father suffered in the prison cell with no clear evidence of a criminal offense. Whenever I remember my own father locked up in bars, I feel sad, very sad. Whenever I remember the times we visited him (we were only allowed to visit every Saturday) for only an hour – I get the chills and tears would fall.

I remember that before visiting the prison cell, we had to go to a building and wait for clearance. We had to go through a body search, a bag search and then ride an armored military vehicle to reach him. I was very young then and I had to go through this standard operating procedure. We respected it. We did not complain. Our lawyers followed the rules, asked no questions and offered no alibi. Of course those were martial law years and we were all scared.

But today, no one seems to be scared. We have lost control of law and order. Chaos pervades the air. Prison or detention centers are not places people fear anymore. Criminals come and go. Nobody cares. Jail rules can be bended (if not change for a VIP) anytime especially for high profile inmates. But for those who are not, the future looks grim. There are no restrictions that would help in the reformation of the prisoner. How ironic indeed that our city and provincial jails have become a haven for more crimes.

Something should be done with our jails and the penal system in this country.  We still have a lot of solons and political personalities to keep behind bars so that this country can get the justice back.

Those government officials (local and national), those solons in the Upper and the Lower House better watch out because the people are about to speak if we are not contented with what we see, know and hear. You have stolen too much from this country. You have failed us. We will not allow you to further damage us. If you cannot lead this country well, then I suggest you resign! This could be the best legacy you can leave behind.