Insights on Washington

WASHINGTON, DC – Our business trip to Washington, DC where we joined the “Philippines Eminent Persons Group” spearheaded by Philippines, Inc. and organized by Ernest Bower of the prestigious Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) impressed me as one of the more substantial trips I’ve ever had to Washington, DC compared to the numerous ones I have made over the years. The Washington-based CSIS is a powerhouse group of strategic thinkers and analysts who provide policy insights on a wide range of issues such as defense and security, regional stability, global development and economic integration. Ernest Bower happens to be a leading expert on Southeast Asia and is president and CEO of business advisory firm BowerGroupAsia.

The visit gave our group an insider’s perspective on US foreign policy and key trends in Washington politics. Our dinner with the 82-year-old former US Senator Richard Lugar was very enlightening as he provided us with astute views that put US strategic plans into context. Senator Lugar has very deep ties with the Philippines and in fact, visited Manila in October 2012 as a “farewell” gesture before his sixth and last term ended in January 2013.

Prior to our tour of the Capitol and the US Speaker’s office, we met up with Barry Jackson who was a senior adviser to President George W. Bush and also worked with House Speaker John Boehner. Not many people know Mr. Jackson since he prefers to be low key and out of sight to media people, but those in the know describe him as a “key political asset,” an unflappable man who “designs the roadmap to get things done” – relentless when it comes to achieving the objectives of the Speaker and his group.

The two-day series of meetings with key officials of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the National Security Council and the Pentagon, among others, gave us straightforward assessments on how the relationship between the Philippines and the United States stands on mutual security and trade concerns. We were totally impressed with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario who showed remarkable energy, adjusting his hectic schedule to join our group for lunch with Ambassador Joey Cuisia and US Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel. Secretary Albert has really done a good job in putting the right context in our relationship with the US.

Our briefing at the Pentagon with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear and Brigadier General David Stillwell (Joint Staff J5) gave us an overview on the pivot to Asia policy of President Obama. David Shear, who was Ambassador to Vietnam before his confirmation as Assistant Defense Secretary last July, served in several Asian cities. BGen Stillwell, a career fighter pilot, is responsible for planning and policy and implementation of the national security strategy in Asia Pacific and provides politico-military advice to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense.

Considering the current situation with China and the global threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), there is no doubt about the critical importance of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in counterterrorism efforts and in monitoring movement and alleged recruitment activities of militant extremists in Mindanao. As pointed out during the briefing, we need the cooperation of allies like the US in our own fight against terrorists especially with the suspected presence of transnational groups in the country. While there are those who continue to be skeptical of EDCA, it is worth noting that the cornerstone of our alliance with the United States is the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). EDCA, it must be stressed, provides a framework agreement that simply enhances the scope of the MDT.

The discussions we had with US business leaders, executives of the Export Import Bank and senior interagency Trade officials on project financing, infrastructure and the future of Philippines-US business ties including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was equally productive. Just this March, trade officials from both countries conducted a dialogue on bilateral issues under the auspices of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement for expanded engagement on bilateral and regional issues, with the Philippines expressing interest in the TPP.

I must admit the Philippines is very much on the radar screen and we really must seize the opportunity to open up our economy. Many business groups see the benefits of the TPP as it can help reduce tariff and define standards for numerous issues including labor rights, environmental protection and intellectual property – which is why the government wants the Philippines included in the TPP so as not to lose out on market share and thereby sustain economic growth.

We have been to Washington so many times before for all sorts of meetings with various people but the visit organized by CSIS was totally comprehensive as it provided a deeper look at policy formulation, as well as a better perspective on Washington’s current views on issues that are important to both the US and the Philippines.

Dindo Manhit of Philippines Stratbase did all the collaborative efforts in organizing such a visit, which clearly showed us that the success of any substantial trip hinges on meeting the right people on the ground. Our trip was capped by a very successful and substantive meeting at the White House with Evan Medeiros, NSC Senior Director and Adviser for Asia to President Obama. National Security Adviser Evan Medeiros travelled to Manila last April with President Obama and will be with him again for next year’s APEC meeting. He is also by the way a close personal friend of US Ambassador Philip Goldberg – which is good for us.

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