HISTORY

203

Philippine – American
convergence towards
an Alliance
1900’s Factors to the Birth of Filipino Nationalism

JONNA M. SAEZ
Reporter
What is Alliance?
Alliance
 An alliance isa relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together
for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit
agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called allies.
Alliances form in many settings, including political alliances, military alliances,
and business alliances. When the term is used in the context of war or armed struggle,
such associations may also be called allied powers, especially when discussing World
War I or World War II.
Alliance
 A union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between
countries or organizations.

 An alliance is a group of countries or political parties that are

formally united and working together because they have similar
aims.
Philippine – USA
Foreign Relation
 The Philippines’ relationship with the United States has been robust,
dynamic and strategic. This relationship is nurtured by shared history and
adherence to common values, especially a commitment to freedom,
democracy and a market economy. From combating war against terrorism
to war against poverty, the partnership between the Philippines and the
US is broad-based, opening fresh avenues for greater cooperation.
 The Origin of an
Enduring Alliance
 In 1898 America’s manifest destiny and the Filipinos’ aspirations for freedom –
we had by then proclaimed our independence from Spain – clashed and collided in
a bloody guerrilla war ending with capture of our President Aguinaldo and the
demise of Asia’s first Republic.
Over time, the bitterness of defeat and the triumphalism of empire – gave way
to grudging collaboration, then evolving into mutual trust and respect.
Filipinos won America’s admiration for their patriotism, love of country, and their
steadfast and unwavering resolve to be free. And the United States committed itself
to ever-greater measures of self-government for its Pacific empire.
Eventually in 1935, we achieved home rule through a Commonwealth and the
pledge within a decade of full independence.
 The outbreak of the Second World War strengthened even more the
ties that joined the Philippines and the United States. The Filipinos stood
as one, shoulder to shoulder with America and its allies in the war
against aggression.
For both our peoples, Filipinos and Americans, freedom and
democracy are not just abstract ideas or principles. They are real, day-
to-day values we are willing to defend – values for which we are willing
to pay the ultimate price.
At war’s end, in 1946, the Philippines attained its hard- earned
independence. And, with the signing of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty,
the Philippines became the United States first treaty ally in Asia.
What is the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951?

Signed on Aug. 30, 1951, the MDT is an accord that stipulates that
the Philippines and the US would support each other if either of them
were to be attacked by an external party.
The overall accord contains eight articles and dictates for both
nations to support each other if an external party attacks the Philippines
or the United States.
Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of the
Philippines and the United States of America,
August 30, 1951
The Parties of this Treaty
 Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments, and
desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the Pacific area.
 Recalling with mutual pride the historic relationship which brought their two peoples
together in a common bond of sympathy and mutual ideals to fight side-by-side against
imperialist aggression during the last war.
 Desiring to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common
determination to defend themselves against external armed attack, so that no potential
aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the Pacific
area.
 Desiring further to strengthen their present efforts for collective defense
for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a
more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific area.

 Agreeing that nothing in this present instrument shall be considered or

interpreted as in any way or sense altering or diminishing any existing
agreements or understandings between the Republic of the Philippines
and the United States of America
Have agreed as follows:

 ARTICLE I. The parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle
any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner
that international peace and endangered and to refrain in their international relation from the of
force in any the purposes of the United Nations.

 ARTICLE II. In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty, the Parties
separately and jointly by self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and
collective capacity to resist armed attack.

 ARTICLE III. The Parties, through their Foreign Ministers or their deputies, will consult
together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and whenever in the
opinion of either of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either of the
Parties is threatened by external armed attack in the Pacific.
 ARTICLE IV. Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the
Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet
the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.
 Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported
to the Security Council of the United Nations, Such measures shall be terminated when the
Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace
and security.
 ARTICLE V. For the purpose of Article IV, an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to
include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the Island
territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in
the Pacific.
 ARTICLE VI. This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way
the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations or the
responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.
 ARTICLE VII. This Treaty shall be ratified by the Republic of the Philippines and the United
States of America in accordance with their respective constitutional processes and will come into
force when instruments of ratification thereof have been exchanged by them at Manila.
 ARTICLE VIII. This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one
year after notice has been given to the other party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Washington this thirtieth day of August, 1951.
For the Republic of the Philippines:
 Highlights of the
Philippine US
Bilateral Relations
Highlights of the Philippine US Bilateral Relations

a. Defense and Security Engagement

b. Legislative Affairs
c. Economic Affairs Bilateral trade and Investment
d. Socio-cultural Affairs Education
A. Defense and Security Engagement

 The Philippines and United States entered into a Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951. The Philippines
is one of only two US treaty allies in Southeast Asia (the other one being Thailand).
 For FY2012, the US has allocated a total of US$ 158.8 Million in defense and
development assistance for the Philippines. The package includes:
• US $30 Million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
• US $81.05 Million in Development Assistance (DA)
• US $33. 8 Million in Global Health Programs
• US $1.8 Million in International Military Education and Training (IMET)
• US $2.45 Million in International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE)
• US $9.52 Million in Non Proliferation, Anti Terrorism , Demining and Related Programs (NADR)
 Defense and Security cooperation is coordinated through the framework of the Mutual Defense
Board and Security Engagement Board.
Mutual Defense Board – provides continuing inter- governmental machinery for direct liaison and
consultation on military matters of mutual concern to develop and to improve both countries’ common
defense.
Security Engagement Board – provides the framework and mechanism for continuing liaison and
consultation on non-traditional threats to security such as terrorism, transnational crimes, maritime
security, and natural and man-made disasters.

B. Legislative Affairs
 The relationship between the Philippines and the United States Congress are steeped in history. From
1907, during the American occupation, the Philippines had been represented in the United States
Congress by Philippine resident commissioners until the U.S granted Philippine Independence in 1946.
The commissioners were chosen by the Philippine Legislature and the National Assembly, and they
represented the Philippines as one congressional district.
 Today, Philippine relations with the United States Congress continue to be actively promoted in
view of the sustained and enduring close linkages between the two countries as well as the presence
of some 3.5 million Americans of Filipino descent in the United States. Filipino-Americans represent
the second biggest Asian minority, and a good number of them have an active presence in practically
all states and congressional districts.
Bills in the US congress of interest to the Philippines are generally related to trade, economic and
security relations, US assistance to the Philippines, and those that promote the interest of the Filipino
population and the Filipino American community.
FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II
The most important piece of legislation in the US Congress that had been the focus of Philippine
advocacy for many years was the Filipino Veterans Equity Act. In February 2009, President Barack
signed into law a provision recognizing the military service of Filipino veterans in World War II and
providing them with lump sum benefits.
US ASSISTANCE TO THE PHILIPPINES AND DEFENSE COOPERATION

The US Congress had allocated US $2 billion for the Philippines from 1999 to 2011. US assistance
contributes to:
 Building peace in Mindanao
 Strengthening democratic institutions in the country
 Enhancing economic growth
 Reinforcing greater stability in the region

The supplementary foreign military financing approved yearly by the U.S. Congress remains a very
important component of the Philippine government’s effort to develop the country’s external defense
capabilities.
C. ECONOMIC AFFAIRS BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Bilateral trade and investment cooperation continues to serve as a dynamic dimension of the Philippines –US
partnership.
Bilateral trade - is the exchange of goods between two nations promoting trade and investment. The two
countries will reduce or eliminate tariffs, import quotas, export restraints, and other trade barriers to encourage trade
and investment.
Both countries meet regularly under the auspices of a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) -
provide strategic frameworks and principles for dialogue on trade and investment issues between the United States
and the other parties to the TIFA. Signed in November 1989.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

It is not legally binding but signals the

willingness of the parties to move forward with a
contract.
The MOU can be seen as the starting point for
negotiations as it defines the scope and purpose of
the talks. Such memoranda are most often seen in
international treaty negotiations but also may be
used in high-stakes business dealings such as
merger talks.
Currently, the U.S. is the Philippines number one source of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
Foreign direct investment (FDI) - is an ownership stake in a foreign company or project made by
an investor, company, or government from another country.

Philippine exports to the US valued at $7.1 billion in 2011 mainly comprise of components/semi
conductor devices, garments, coconut oil, electronic equipment and parts, electronic data processing,
manufactures, sugar, processed food and beverages, machinery and transport, among others.

In terms of imports, the Philippines sources from the US materials and accessories for the
manufacture of electronic equipment, telecommunication equipment and electrical machinery, wheat,
power generating and specialized machines, feedstuff for animals and other food and live animals,
among others.
PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH

The Philippines’ overarching goal of achieving broad-based economic growth is supported by a new
strategic development initiative of the US Government called Partnership for Growth (PFG).
The Partnership for Growth (PFG) Program is a bilateral engagement between the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) and the United States Government (USG). Its primary objective is to address the binding
constraints to economic growth and development in the Philippines.
The Program implemented projects along four thematic areas:
 regulatory quality
 rule of law and anti-corruption enforcement
 fiscal space
 human capital development.
D. SOCIO-CULTURAL AFFAIRS EDUCATION

Cooperation in Education is also a cornerstone of Philippine – U.S. relations. The public

education system in the Philippines is one of the legacies of American occupation in the Philippines.
Professional and student exchanges between the Philippines and the United States have expanded
over time. The fulbright Program in the Philippines, established in 1948.

FILIPINO ASSOCIATIONS
There are at least 3,000 Filipino and Filipino-American organizations in the United States
according to the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). The various
organizations may be classified as:
 Socio-Civic, Cultural, Alumni, Professional, Regional/provincial, Religious, among others.
Most of these organizations undertake projects that aim to extend assistance to various causes
in the Philippines.
 By working together, pooling our
resources and building on our strengths,
we can accomplish great things.

-Ronald Reagan-
Thank you and God
Blessed
What does a mutual defense treaty do?
As stated in Article I of the treaty, each party is to settle international disputes in a peaceful
manner so that the international peace is not threatened, and to refrain from the threat of the use
of force in any manner that is inconsistent with the purpose of the United Nations.

What is the treaty between America and Philippines?

The 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty provides a strong foundation for our robust
post-World War II security partnership. Strong people-to-people ties, and economic cooperation
provide additional avenues to engage on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues.