The Summit is more important

This media circus about the filing of graft, extortion and money laundering charges against former Justice Secretary Nani Perez is getting to be a bit ludicrous. The Ombudsman has already filed charges, so everybody should just wait and let the courts decide whether Perez is guilty or not. Scandals are a dime a dozen in this country, many of them old hat, some of them even concocted. Actually, people are tired of exposés and scandals and those who ride on them are probably just publicity hungry. At this time, the issue about Perez is really unimportant – the real story is the ASEAN and the related summits in Cebu.

An estimated 1,000 local and foreign journalists are covering the Summit, so all eyes will be focused on this country once again. Aside from trade, transnational crimes and terrorism are major concerns for the participating countries. Though organizers blamed Typhoon Seniang for the postponement of the Summit last December, people suspect it was really the warnings issued by the US, Australia and Britain about possible attacks by terrorists that caused the sudden postponement.

Unfortunately, the blasts in General Santos City, Kidapawan and North Cotabato early this week which killed six people jarred a few nerves, and these were carried with a certain degree of prominence by the international media. While the blasts occurred in the South, far from the Summit venue in Cebu and with the police trying to downplay the impact, the explosions still underscore the fact that this country is vulnerable to terrorism. No one has come forward to claim responsibility for the explosions, but the military is looking at al-Qaeda linked Islamic militants as possible suspects.

I am told there is credible information that a big one could happen in Asia, and this is really no surprise considering that the threat of terrorism is no longer confined to just one country’s borders but transcends nations and boundaries. Obviously the Philippines is a key player in the fight against terrorism especially with the presence of Jemaah Islamiyah militants operating in Mindanao. A report filed by members of the US 9/11 Commission in 2004 said that "Southeast Asia, from Thailand to the Southern Philippines to Indonesia" is a most likely base for terrorist activities, with analysts pointing out that terrorism in Southeast Asia is no longer just confined to the Jemaah Islamiyah organization.

The adoption of a legally-binding agreement on counter terrorism would be timely not only because it would strengthen cross-border cooperation between the Philippines and its neighbors, but would also improve intelligence sharing and training and possibly restrain the inflow of funds for suspected terrorist organizations. After all, porous borders as well as traditional networks have largely prevented the effective implementation of counter-terrorism measures. Sadly, the Philippines has yet to pass the Anti-Terrorism bill, which has been approved by Congress but which has been questioned and debated many times over but continues to be in limbo. Meanwhile, Filipino lives continue to be lost with bombings and other terrorist activities.

An important item on the agenda is the pact on migrant workers which would give our OFWs improved working conditions and better legal protection in host countries. The Philippines is one of the Asian region’s main providers of skilled and unskilled laborers, many of whom work for low pay and under oppressive conditions. Without our OFWs, countries like Malaysia and Singapore would face serious economic problems since they are deeply dependent on migrant workers.

Another key issue that concerns ASEAN dialog partners, especially China, is energy security to lessen the region’s dependence on oil imports from the Middle East. China right now is highly dependent on coal which fuels its booming economy, but the accompanying health risks are threatening its people and the environment, so the Chinese government is planning to spend billions of dollars for cleaner and more efficient plants. Japan’s expertise could help because it already has a technology that would convert coal to synthetic oil. There are several proposals on alternative energy sources ranging from putting up a communal gas pipeline to the production of biofuels, the most popular of which is ethanol from sugarcane or corn.

The very recent announcement by the Department of Agriculture that the government would be developing new areas for planting sugarcane for possible ethanol production is perhaps opportune because it would help ensure energy security for the country. Asia can learn from Brazil’s success story in cutting down its dependence on oil imports with its alcohol-driven cars, now numbering more than two million. It took more than two decades for Brazil to do it, but at least it proves that it can be done. Of course, trade is also on top of the agenda and leaders want to speed up plans to establish a free trade zone by 2015. ASEAN is also pushing for the revival of the Doha Round trade talks which were suspended indefinitely in July last year over the refusal of the United States to reduce their agricultural subsidies.

No question the success of the ASEAN Summit will be good for the Philippines not only to prove that this country can host important international conventions, but to show that it is an integral part in the community of nations as they seek solutions to common issues and goals. Clearly, this is the story, not the usual exposés or corruption scandals that have become so common, people are already throwing up – having them for breakfast almost everyday.

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