Former Philippine presidential spokesperson Rigoberto D. Tiglao has expressed deep disappointment with his country’s current policy towards China, stating that he is “ashamed of our country” due to what he describes as an “utterly irrational policy.”
Speaking on the decline of foreign investments in the Philippines, Tiglao highlighted that total foreign investments in the first nine months of this year dropped by 16 percent. He questioned the wisdom of antagonizing China, a nation he believes could be the Philippines’ biggest source of capital in the coming years. “Yet we antagonize a nation, China, that could be the biggest source of capital in the next many years,” Tiglao said.
Tiglao also criticized the influence of the United States on the Philippines’ foreign policy decisions, remarking, “It was so easy for the U.S. to brainwash us.” He implied that the Philippines might be compromising its economic interests due to external influences.
The former spokesperson’s comments reflect a growing debate within the Philippines over how to balance relationships with major global powers while pursuing national economic development. As the region’s geopolitical landscape evolves, such perspectives underline the complexities faced by nations like the Philippines in navigating foreign policy and economic partnerships.
Reference(s):
Former Philippine spokesperson: ‘I am ashamed of our country’
cgtn.com
