With the war in Ukraine, and perhaps even the imminent control over Taiwan by Communist China, the issues of foreign policies and pivots crafted by Rodrigo Duterte, our energy security in view of debilitating oil prices, and our overall sovereignty have each wormed into the 2022 electoral discourse and for some, stand out as centerpieces among platforms offered the electorate. These are very real election issues since two who currently lead in surveys for the highest positions declared an effective surrender our rights in place of what some describe as subservience if not brazen vassalage. The recent headlines over China’s bullying and the acquiescence of our highest officials to the demands of the Chinese over Reed Bank (aka Recto Bank) paint us as a pathetic de facto vassal state.

Dela Paz, D. (2022, April 1). The great Reed Bank robbery. Daily Guardian, pp. 4, 5.