Major Concerns of Philippine Foreign Policy August 16, 2010

Philippines shall promote its interest on Regional and Multilateral Arrangements such as trade, investment and technology transfer. Philippines believe that, diplomatic initiatives will be achieve through active involvement on promoting country’s interest in agriculture, infrastructure and intellectual property.

Since Philippines committed to combat terrorism. Philippines will support peacekeeping operations of the UN in war- torn areas. And to actively participate in regional and international cooperation exercises. Philippines also want to strengthen legislation ang legal framework and structure of institutions

Philippines with China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan has conflict claims on the South China Sea that’s why would like to protect its territorial rights specially on the South China Sea

Philippines will also support direct foreign investment in infrastructure and export oriented programs. Philippines direct investors are US, China, Japan, Europe and other ASEAN country.

Protection of Nationals is one of the primary goal of Philippines. It aims to protect OFW’s from it’s vulnerability on other foreign country’s. Amendments of the Foreign Service Act is being reviewed.

Speech Of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines On the Occasion of ASEAN Day

President Noynoy Aquino's first speech regarding Philippines foreign policy focuses on the ASEAN. PNOY said that " In my administration, we will be more conscious of our commitment to fostering improved ties with our ASEAN neighbors. We will be a good neighbor, a productive partner, and a consensus-builder as we work towards our common goals." P-Noy wants that, Philippines will continue to participate in discussions on issues of concern within the region,which is very important so that Philippines would have a its own "say" regarding some issues concerning Philippines and its neighbor. Regading Philippines participation on economy P-Noy said that free trade agreements which were forged before his time, Philippines will ensure that these agreements increase employment and expand the market for our goods and that of other nations. P-Noy also believes that the most effective instrument of peace and mutual understanding, is cultural exposure and cooperation. He suggest that Philippines can foster the success of our common goals through culture and the arts. which I think is very effective.

Philippines Relation to US, China, Japan, ASEAN and The OIC

Philippines bond with the United States is very strong with the help of VFA or the Visiting Forces Agreement between the two states. US and Philippines practices common political tradition. Since Philippines is somehow being Westernize.

China and Japan are knwon to be the most powerful nations, since the Phiippines benifits a lot on the Regions economic and political development.
China is a member of the WTO or the World Trade Organization and also a permanent member of UN'S Security Council that's whyit is important for the Philippines to have a close relation with china.
JPEPA or Japan- Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement strengthens Philipinnes and Japan's economic and political relations. Japan is the second largest trading partner of the country next to China. Japan is the country’s top export market, buying 579.98 million dollars worth of Philippine products (16.2%), while the
US ranked next accounting for 574.5 million dollars.

Philippines is one of the founding members of the ASEAN. Philippines fully supports the vission for a more united ASEAN community. ASEAN is also used as an instrument towards the security of the region.

Organisation of The Islamic Conference or the OIC is an International Monitoring team. OIC squeezed from two Philippine secessionist groups a commitment to work together for peace in Mindanao.

Visiting Forces Agreement Lecture August 2, 2010

Visiting Forces Agreement is the latest in a long line of military agreement between Philippines and United States that’s why VFA is considered as the framework for all US Philippine agreement. This agreement is used for the development of Philippines Military force with the presence of United States military force. VFA is considered as an affair agreement between U.S and Philippines. This is a unilateral agreement used to extend the power of the US In South East ASEAN country. This agreement gives American soldiers immunity privileges in and out of the country. It was signed on February 10, 1998 and was ratified on 1999. In the United States VFA is just an Executive Order. While in the VFA is considered as a treaty. But still these two parties should act on good faith. United States needs ports, training facilities and logical bases. To keep Philippines pro United States to spy China. VFA is needed by US to support base.

VFA’s provision is against Philippine constitution. That’s why Filipino’s think that Vfa is a bastardization of Philippines sovereignty since US nationals has no respect on Philippines law and regulations. At some point VFA is used by the US as an “EXTRA Territory of the United States Considering that in the VFA it was not also mentioned who among the Philippine official’s approve the so called “ activities”. And it does not set the number of American Troops.

The special privileges of US soldier under VFA are; exemption from Philippine regulations such as passport and visa, drivers license, vehicle restrictions and payment of custom duties and taxes. Criminal Jurisdiction is one of the most unbelievable privileges that VFA provides US nationals since they have special process in Philippine Trial Court. Another privilege that US nationals receive is that they are allowed to use restricted nuclear arms that can destroy Philippines environment

Actually VFA is not the problem rather the so called “extent of activities” that Philippines provide for US military force. Philippines is vulnerable to conflict because of the VFA.