We are now seeing the consequences of the financial budget of 20th December 2019 in the United States. Which there was some stipulations, where the United States and the Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will sanction officials connected in the their deemed “illegal” arrest of Senator De Lima.
There is no official stance nor anyone listed in the Philippines, as this is just one statute and one promise. As the Department of State have to prove evidence and be able to connect the dots of the arrest and the charges put on the hostile President Rodrigo Duterte critic, Senator Leila De Lima. With that in mind, it didn’t take long before President Duterte retaliated against the U.S. and the ones sponsoring this sort accusation.
Now we know the deal and it is a reality. The President has already restricted Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Partick Learhy and the third Sen. Edward Markey. These are the authors of the amendment, which states this about the Philippines.
Clear as the message sends, the Philippines doesn’t accept being a whipping-boy or one whose getting humiliated by the United States. As they are already on the daily basis now doing human rights violations on their borders, detaining kids, separating kids and toddlers from their parents and not even having hospital conditions for the refugees and asylum-seekers. So in this regard, as there are thousands of lives in jeopardy on the Southern Border of the United States. Maybe, the Senators in the U.S. should focus on them for a minute.
In regards to De Lima, she is most likely in jail because she’s defying the President and got into legal trouble because of that. Just like former Senator Antonio Trilanes too. All who dares to defy to a certain amount of level gets into trouble. One way or another.
What I do like about this, is that the Filipino administration dares to retaliate. Even if it is to opposition Senators in the United States. It would have been more provoking, if the Filipino went after Republicans and the others who voted it in. As the Senate needs Republican support to get it through. Even if this is just one mere amendment.
The U.S. likes to have the upper-hand and expect everyone just to bow down. I like the touch of returning of the favour. Even if it amounts to nothing. Not like Durbin, Learhy or Markey have any investments, anything substantial to gain from the Filipino republic. Still, the sentiment I like. Because, it shows pride and courage of their sovereign state.
While the U.S. are allowed to this, use their legal framework to sanction people. But when they dare another sovereign. Expect to be retaliate against. Not just begging and kneeling underlings asking for mercy. That will not happen from this administration and certainly not from Duterte.
What I really wonder about: Is this really worth it all? Even for criminal injustice? The reality is that the men amending the law in the U.S. doesn’t change the charge nor the incarceration of De Lima. Only amplifying the Filipino to be more hostile. If they wanted legal justice for her, they should maybe have used more diplomatic means. Than, using the sanctions this way.
I might think the charges on De Lima is wrong, but the outcome of using your means this way. Will not do anything constructive. Especially, knowing the administration your dealing with. It is like these naive Yankees didn’t know. Yankee Doodle Ho. Peace.
MinBane 