Why are we setlling for breadcrumbs from the U.S.?

I have been in favor of abrogating the VFA for some time now, especially after seeing how lopsided the treaty has become. Here is the statement I issued today to the press on this matter:


After over a decade of the VFA, are we more secure as a nation? Are our armed forces better-equipped and trained to address security issues? Have we benefitted militarily as envisioned by the agreement? Or has it been a lopsided arrangement favoring the Americans, who have been able to stay here indefinitely, enjoying basing arrangements without paying up?

My message is this: Pay up or leave. If they don't put their money where their mouths are then they should pack up and leave. They are enjoying 'first class amenties' yet are paying dirt cheap rates. Umuupa sila ng mansyon pero ang bayad nila pang barung-barong.

If I recall, Pakistan receives billions of dollars in military aid just to allow US troops access to their territory. We get a few used Huey helicopters and one or two C130 airplanes that have seen better days.

Why we allow the US to throw breadcrumbs at us while it gives champagne and caviar to others is beyond me.

The world has changed dramatically in the last ten years since the VFA was first entered into. It's about time we correct the onerous arrangement and even up the score.

This is about regaining our self-respect as a nation and we most certainly deserve it.

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On PNoy mediating between Sec. Robredo and USEC Puno

Finally, the President has stepped in between DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno to iron out their differences. According to an interview with Sec. Robredo, he and USEC Puno met with the President on Sunday night. It was apparently a “very cordial and a very polite meeting.”

We welcome the swift action taken by the President to address the rift between the two. We hope this will be the last time the President will have to step in to mediate between warring personalities in the official family.

This should serve as a signal to all in the President’s team to focus on doing our work, setting aside our differences and uniting behind the President. We cannot hope to solve the serious problems of our country if we are unable to manage our differences by allowing it to get in the way of the work at hand.