In my column last week, I pointed out the reasons why former president Noynoy Aquino and President Bongbong Marcos elected to lean on the US rather than China. There are at least six reasons for their decision:

Philippine sovereignty is not under threat with the US, as it is with China. China’s bullying tactics have become untenable for the Philippines, especially towards the fisherfolk. China has proven unworthy of trust, what with multiple commitments broken, not the least of which is the freedom to fish in the disputed waters and multibillion-dollar investment commitments that never materialized. The Philippines and the US are of like minds. Both value democracy, the liberty to pursue individual goals, free trade and pluralism. We know how to navigate the American system and have proven to thrive in it. Chinese style authoritarianism goes against Filipino sensibilities.

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