About that cancelled visit by President Obama

The US Government is on “Shutdown” mode simply because US President Barack Obama would not budge when the Republican led Congress refused to fund Obamacare. To us Filipinos, we know little about Obamacare, but we know enough that it has been a very divisive law and has put the most powerful nation on earth on the brink of a fiscal collapse. Of course, Pres. Obama pins the blame on the Republicans… but in truth, the blame is placed squarely on Pres. Obama who just won’t compromise on his law.

Incidentally a close friend of mine (he was godfather to my firstborn and I was godfather to his firstborn) came home to Cebu with his wife for a very short visit and we exchanged photographs of how the kids had grown. Then he proudly showed me a formal photo taken with his family and Pres. Barack Obama in Chicago and so I thought he voted for Pres. Obama.

Well, this friend of mine admitted that he voted for Obama for Senator… but when he ran for the Presidency, he no longer voted for him… because of Obamacare, which literally stopped the growth in the medical field. But he was all curses against Obamacare and believes like what many Republicans believe that the US government should not be giving any funding for abortion…which Pres. Obama refuses to compromise. Obamacare is in the center of this controversy that caused the US to shutdown.

So with the US Government shutdown now on its 4th day, the planned trip of Pres. Obama to Asia (which should start today) has been cancelled. Pundits in the US say that the cancellation of Pres. Obama’s Asian tour was very embarrassing for the President who needs to strengthen its position in Asia amidst the growing influence of China in the region.

Meanwhile a few weeks back, the beleaguered Palace Rasputins joyously announced the coming visit of Pres. Obama to the Philippines, which comes at a most critical time when Pres. Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III needs this crucial American support in the light of the numerous accusations of corruption which has now permeated the nation’s consciousness. But then the unexpected US Government shutdown came with the announcement that the US President’s trip to the Philippines has now been officially cancelled. 

But lo and behold… Pres. Obama’s trip to Asia wasn’t cancelled after all. He is still going to Bali, Indonesia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, and in Brunei for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. So why has the Philippines been dropped from his travel plans? Could it be that the US Intelligence Services that are monitoring the political upheaval in this country advised the White House that it was best to stay out of the Philippines when it is having a political crisis of this magnitude?

Meanwhile, in lieu of the US President visiting the Philippines, we are getting US State Secretary John Kerry to visit us. For sure a visit to the Philippines by high US officials at this time is needed in order to boost the current negotiations between the Philippine Government and the US on the supposed increase in rotational presence of US Forces in the country.

Frankly speaking, I don’t believe that the Aquino regime should allow US Forces to be stationed in Philippine soil because there really is no need for it. I was one of those who were vehemently against the removal of the US Bases in Clark and in Subic in 1991, but then the Senators at that time saw it fit not to renew the RP-US Bases Agreement. But then somehow Mt. Pinatubo was more convincing in having the US withdraw immediately or else they would have been literally blown away. So when the US Forces were out of Philippine soil… the Senators then made their historic vote.

If the US Government wants to have a presence in the country, they should allow the US 7th Fleet to come and visit the Philippines for their rest and recreation. One thing that Filipinos have learned from those naval visits is that, many downtrodden school buildings are helped by US Navy volunteers who fix or paint their schools. It does great things when the US Navy goes on these goodwill visits… not to mention that these three-day visits would be a boost to our tourism industry.

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The President’s arrogant dare against his critics to have him impeached has angered many Filipinos and allow me to share this text message that went viral. “A cocky President dared one and all to impeach him. He has reason to be cocky. Bribery is an impeachable offense under the Constitution. But who will impeach him? Who will convict him? The Congressmen whom PNoy bribes with PDAF/DAP will not impeach him for bribery. The Senators whom PNoy bribes with PDAF/DAP will not convict him of bribery. PNoy with his absolute control over PDAF/DAP and his own trillion peso pork, is now above the Constitution and the laws.” Indeed we “The Boss” are at a loss on what to do now that the democratic channels no longer work? This is why people are saying it’s back to the streets for more rallies against PNoy.

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