A week of public diplomacy

Shortly after arriving from Washington, DC, we started off our public diplomacy engagements by taking part in a forum hosted by the US-Philippines Society (USPS) during the annual directors’ meeting of the bi-national board of directors co-chaired by former US Director of National Intelligence Ambassador John Negroponte and Ayala Corporation head Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

I was requested to give remarks about the Philippine perspective on the political transition currently underway in the United States. Since it is my second time serving under a Trump administration – having first presented my credentials as Philippine Ambassador to the US in November 2017 during President Donald Trump’s first term in office – I suppose I am uniquely qualified to speak on this political transition. During the presentation, I also shared the view of an analyst from the Brookings Institution who said that this transition was actually four years in the making.

From the Philippine perspective, the appointment of Cabinet officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio as well as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz reflects a more deliberate attempt on the part of President Trump to maintain a strong US presence in the Indo-Pacific. It was extremely essential that we immediately connected our respective Foreign Affairs Secretary and Defense Secretary with their US counterparts, who both affirmed the “ironclad” commitment of the US to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, but we are all aware of the work that lies ahead to ensure that the alliance will continue to be enduring and that support for our military modernization and our economic transformation goals will continue.

While we are well aware that President Trump favors good deals that align with his America First agenda, I see this as an opportunity for us to project branding and messaging. It is also important that our ASEAN friends and allies within the region must reframe our collective interests in the Indo-Pacific as not only a good deal for the United States, but an essential deal as well.

As an independent and non-partisan organization, the USPS has been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding of the dynamics that underpin the longstanding relationship between the US and the Philippines. The Society also plays a very important role in providing continuity in the relationship, serving as a bridge that connects both nations amid political changes and transitions.

The forum was very successful in providing members with deep insights into prospects for bilateral trade relations and identifying potential investment prospects, opportunities as well as challenges in light of the Trump administration’s agenda. As I have reiterated on several occasions, economic diplomacy is key in building up the Philippines’ economic prosperity that in turn would bring about economic security. There is absolutely no doubt that an economically strong Philippines could potentially become a reliable and strong partner of the United States.

We hosted a welcome reception for the USPS board of directors and members at the historic Goldenberg Mansion that served as a perfect venue in celebrating the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and the United States. Originally built by the Eugster family in the 1870s, it later became the residence of Arthur MacArthur – the American military governor-general of the Philippines in 1900 – following the defeat of the Spanish Navy in the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898. The mansion very likely became a hub of activity as the US established its presence in the Philippines.

Last Wednesday, I was honored to receive the Journalist of the Year – Diplomacy award during the Manila Overseas Press Club Grand Journalism Awards night that recognized the country’s outstanding journalists in print and broadcast media. This is only the second time in 80 years that the MOPC, which is the first and oldest press club in Asia, is giving these awards. More than anything, what is more important for me is the recognition given to fellow honorees for the passion, dedication and integrity that they put into their work, especially today with the advent of other platforms that peddle fake news and spread misinformation.

Having a column at The Philippine STAR – recognized as the Newspaper of the Year – is a responsibility I take very seriously because it has been an extremely effective public diplomacy platform to share our advocacies and our activities in strengthening the relationship between the United States and the Philippines.

We at the Philippine embassy in Washington, DC are also utilizing public diplomacy to reach out to our kababayans to inform them about their rights and provide legal advice regardless of their immigration status. It’s really very unfortunate that there are groups out there that are creating panic and confusion, coming out with biased and unverified claims which, sadly, some media outlets are accommodating without verifying the whole issue or asking concerned government agencies first before putting out news reports.

During my recent engagement with students at the American University School of International Service on the topic of “Public Diplomacy and the Future of US-Philippine Relations,” I told them that my weekly column at The Philippine STAR allows me to share insights about my work as ambassador. The rise of mass media and now social media has expanded our reach, enabling us to engage not only with our counterparts but various public audiences – making it increasingly important for diplomats to be skilled communicators and convey messages clearly, accurately and in a timely manner.

On my part, I make it a point to be available for as many engagements as my schedule allows in Washington, DC and across the US, knowing that the effective use of public diplomacy can contribute greatly in further enhancing US-Philippine relations.

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