Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate leadership has urged the entire government to prepare for a US policy that may impact the country’s interest on a number of fronts under a Trump administration.
In a statement on Monday, Nov. 11, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the government should begin “drawing up scenarios in the Trump era and preparing a response to each.”
“From trade to security to immigration, what he said he plans to do, some on day one of his administration, would certainly impact us,” Escudero said, referring to US President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump’s historic victory was on the back of a number of campaign promises, including cracking down on illegal immigration and promising mass deportation, which could potentially impact over hundred of thousands of Filipinos.
Protect undocumented Pinoys
“How many of the estimated 300,000 vulnerable Filipinos will be in the first wave of expulsion?” Escudero asked, noting that repatriating even a fraction of this number would pose a significant challenge.
Senator Imee Marcos, the president’s sister and chairperson of the committee on foreign relations, said the Social Welfare Department’s proposed budget for 2025 includes funding for only 4,152 distressed and undocumented overseas Filipinos. Last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs was able to assist 72,206 overseas Filipinos.
\”What will happen if the number of distressed overseas Filipinos suddenly triples? Are the government agencies prepared to rapidly and adequately respond to their needs?\” Marcos asked in a separate statement.
Boost defense
The two senators noted the importance of establishing a self-reliant defense posture, citing potential changes to the military alliance that reached new heights under the Biden administration.
“On the security front, will a second Trump administration be hawkish or dovish against China? Dapat handa tayo kung sakaling may bagong posisyon ang Washington [We should be prepared should Washington changes in position],” Escudero said.
\”In the end, no matter how many and how strong our allies are, we can only depend on ourselves, the Filipinos, to defend the Philippines,\” Marcos said.
Marcos said it is high time the Philippines steps up its role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and takes the lead in crafting a new consensus on US-China relations. The country should also engage in bilateral talks with each claimant, given the lack of a unified stance on the South China Sea dispute, she added.
Trade
Meanwhile, Escudero expressed concern over Trump’s plan to impose higher tariffs.
“Kung dahil sa kanya lalakas ang dolyar, ano ang epekto nito sa atin kung ang dulot nito ay ang paghina ng piso? Siguradong lolobo ang halaga ng ating foreign debt [If because of him the dollar strengthens, what will be the effect on us if it causes the peso to weaken? Our foreign debt will surely balloon],” he said.
He added that even Trump’s proposed diplomatic pivot to reduce global tensions could impact the Philippines, as cheaper oil would result in lower tax collections from oil, which the government depends on to fund social programs.
