On the UN vote on Jerusalem PH was just clueless?
When the Philippines abstention from the UN vote on Jerusalem means incompetence for not deciding what really is that matters besides what interest the country should prevail, one thing is certain based on it—the Philippines just didn’t know about the matter so well.
On Dec. 21, 2017, US President Donald Trump was even more than embarrassed and humiliated.
The 128 United Nations (UN) members approved a resolution that calls on countries to refrain from moving their embassies to Jerusalem. With nine votes that include the US and 35 abstentions in the voting against the nonbinding resolution, the US was seemingly left disrespected and disregarded in spite of being the world’s largest provider of financial contributions to the UN with over $1 billion or over 20% of the UN 2016 – 2017 budget (The New York Times, 2017).
Meanwhile, the Philippines abstained, making it the worst decision ever made so far by the Duterte administration. It appears that the abstained vote blindly supports the administration’s independent foreign policy propaganda while obviously siding with China (eyes roll).
Moreover, the Philippines’ abstention from the UN vote unexpectedly thrusts a jolt in the rules of conduct of the country in the international arena.
Would China and Russia consider the Philippines’ abstention from the UN vote on Jerusalem a language of doublespeak?
China and Russia were among the 128 UN member states that stood against the US move to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem. The Philippines’ abstention from the said vote apparently affirms how conceding a puppet at that the Philippines was to Uncle Sam.
Although the abstention appears somehow that the Philippines is just acting on the right side of the coin with the so-called independent foreign policy, the world that has long been watching the Philippines since time immemorial cannot be deceived. Thus, in my perspective, this abstention speaks of an anomaly the Duterte administration could not contain how its independent foreign policy by propaganda becomes a partisan caught off guard.
Furthermore, the Philippines’ abstention from the UN vote on Jerusalem not only does it assert the very historic relationship with the United States but also does it show the lack of independence on the matter of principles, clarity in looking at things from a global perspective, and loyalty to both any particular internal and external policies. By putting it this way, the Philippines’ decision to abstain from the UN vote on Jerusalem is but immaturity and incompetence. Having an independent foreign policy does not mean staying dead neutral on such matters of importance, rather it does mean having full conviction and belief system on issues notwithstanding somebody else’s backyard.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government made clear that moving its embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, despite abstaining from the UN vote on Jerusalem, has accordingly not yet become a subject of discussion. With that said, the Philippines appears too much of incompetence and cowardice to stand by what is reasonably right in all thy name thy kingdom come perspectives.
Abstention is more likely incompetence and distrust. It is something that lacks sufficient knowledge over the things at hand and thus prefers to side in the middle like a first grader. The Philippines’ abstention from the UN vote can be a manifestation of a weak great pretender. This could be the worst move in such a time when the Philippines badly needs a loyal friend in the international community. There could only be two clear sides of the coin—the head and the tail. The Philippines’ abstention from the UN vote on Jerusalem only leads the country to a limbo of nowhere from here on.
Since 2011, Regel Javines has been writing online, sharing news and analysis on a range of noteworthy and urgent social issues. He completed his bachelor’s degree in office administration at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)—Taguig Campus, where he also served as editor-in-chief of the official school newspaper. See Regel’s published articles here.