A tale of two stories

Circa 1898. The first story comes from O.D. Corpuz’s “Saga and Triumph.” It tells how Filipinos failed to achieve the independence they sought by armed struggle. They were misled into thinking that having fought so bravely for their independence the “nobility and justice” of other nations would recognize their right to self-determination. 

It was not to be. Corpuz cites an article, “The Fate of the Philippines” that was first published in the London Spectator and reprinted in Singapore on June 7, 1898. The article said Americans alone could not decide the fate of the Philippines; there were other imperialist powers to contend with.

“The spirit of undiluted imperialism still ruled world politics during the 1890s and the article put it racily:

“Already, fierce jealousies and far-reaching ambitions have been awakened throughout Europe...(where all the chancelleries) are already twittering with excitement and putting our little feelers and looking at Manila like little children at a cake which they want badly but think it decorous not to ask for or see.”

At the time the imperialist powers were European, Russia and Japan. Spain’s power was fading and the United States had just come into the picture and had yet to prove its mettle.

Unknown to our forefathers, Aguinaldo et al, their fate was being decided by other countries in their capitals. Our leaders saw little of the diplomatic skirmishing. Other powerful countries decided they would not fight over a weak but courageous country that triumphed against Spain.

The article said “Their moves were governed by the balance of power principle.” The principle was invoked when the leading colonial and naval power at the time - England - decided to allow the US to take over the archipelago.

When our leaders declared their independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, they had hoped for the support of “civilized nations.” The support never came because “civilized nations” had no taste for liberation struggles other than their own.

Filipino leaders may have read the Spectator article but did not connect this with the intent of the powers on our fate as a nation. 

While Filipinos sought recognition from other countries, they would “remain true to their ideals”. They had a capable leader at the time - Emilio Aguinaldo - who instead of cowering in fear issued a “call to unity” to all Filipinos. He asked his countrymen to unite in “noble association” through a message he sent out on June 23, 1898. At the same time he established the Revolutionary Government to continue the struggle for independence.

Stung by rejection by other countries, he did not shirk from taking the necessary steps to preserve gains made at the cost of so many lives and fortunes. With no country willing to recognize the Philippine proclamation of independence our leaders realized that “the liberation of Filipinas rested on Filipinos alone.” Corpuz’s analysis is supported by historical documents. 

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Circa 2010. The players and problems may be different today but the same dilemma exists. Should we depend on other countries to affirm our right to self-determination? There is a lingering doubt on how the Smartmatic conducted the first automated voting system in the country. It may be true that the task of Congress is simply to proclaim winners by tabulating the COCs. But when the COCs are themselves in question, then what are they counting? I tend to agree with those who say that the automated voting system’s results have to be looked into before counting these as votes that would proclaim winners and losers.

With that issue still in question, the ambassadors who visited Times Street have preempted the results of the investigation whichever part of government would do it. Happily, there are leaders amongst us who understand this and have put forward their views on ambassadors paying courtesy calls on the president apparent.

Granted that Noynoy Aquino was the winner on May 10, it remains true that under our Constitution he is not president until Congress proclaims him so. Therefore, the ambassadors of the countries that decided to disregard the proclamation process dealt a slap on Congress. Waiting for the proclamation of Congress may not be important to outsiders but it should be to Filipino citizens living under a Constitution.

Fortunately, there are Filipinos who are willing to stand up to demand that the ambassadors of these countries respect the country and its laws.

Despite political differences, Filipinos ought to support former assemblyman Homobono Adaza’s threat to file charges against US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. and Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao before the Office of the Ombudsman. Adaza said Thomas’ and Liu’s visits to Aquino at his residence preempted Congress’s proclamation. But to what avail? I don’t know if his suit will go very far because of diplomatic immunity, but at least Adaza made a point. He accused them “for conspiring to “proclaim” leading presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the duly elected president of the Philippines,” instead of waiting for Congress to do so. The inference is that once they have visited the president apparent in Times Street, he is as good as proclaimed. Or is it their agenda as competing powers for hegemony in the region that prompted them to overstep their diplomatic status and disrespect our institutions?

It is too late now for the American, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese ambassadors who have contravened ordinary diplomatic courtesy. It is ironic that two former colonizers were the first on the beeline to Times Street. Adaza has threatened other ambassadors who would follow suit. They have been put on notice.

Perhaps the countries concerned regard Filipinos too weak to object to this insult to Congress. But you know Adaza. It is more important for him to speak boldly than to be afraid of being labeled a fool.

Senator Angara who is as level-headed as politicians come in this country, said the same thing in less fiery language. “It was ‘premature’ for foreign diplomats and leaders to congratulate Senator Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III when Congress, as the official canvassing body for the presidential and vice presidential races, had not yet counted the votes nor proclaimed the winners.”

But he was quick to soften his criticism by saying that he did not think the congratulatory gestures made by the foreign officials were “ill-intentioned.” Aren’t diplomats supposed to be aware of their countries’ relations with respect to the host country? Or are we back to circa 1898 when other countries protected their own agenda rather than care for our laws and sensibilities?