REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

URDANETA CITY, PANGASINAN

COURSE CODE: SOCIAL SCIENCE 101

COURSE TITLE: PHILIPPINE HISTORY
REPORTER: PAULANE R. NAVALTA
COURSE AND YEAR: BEED-I
TOPIC: CONTINUATION PHILIPPINE-U.S. RELATION

Overview of Philippines – United States of America Bilateral Relations

I. Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

The Philippines and the United States have an enduring alliance that is based on deep
historical and cultural ties. The Philippines gained its independence from the United States on
July 4, 1946, and diplomatic relations were formally established the same day.

II. Highlights of the Philippines-United States Bilateral Relations

The Philippines’ relationship with the United States has been robust, dynamic and
strategic. This relationship is nurtured by a 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 official visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Washington, D.C., capped by his
meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House on June 8 further strengthened
Philippine-U.S. relations.

A. Defense and Security Engagement

The Philippines and the 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 NonProliferation, AntiTerrorism, Demining and Related Programs
(NADR)

Defense and security cooperation is coordinated through the framework of the Mutual
Defense Board and the Security Engagement Board. The 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. The Security
Engagement Board on the other hand, 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

Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. has further intensified the Embassy’s engagement with the
United States Congress since assuming his post as Ambassador on April 4, 2011. Ambassador
Cuisia has met with Congressional leaders, Senators, and Representatives to highlight the
importance of Philippines-United States Alliance in pursuing mutual goals of economic
growth, democratic governance, and regional security.

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 Obama 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, and 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.

Save Our Industries Act

To expand textiles and apparel trade between the Philippines and the U.S., the SAVE Act
is an innovative win-win trade legislation that will sustain jobs and increase exports in both the
United States and the Philippines. H.R. 2387 was introduced by Representatives Jim
McDermott (D-WA), along with Brian Bilbray (R-CA) and Bob Filner (D-CA) co-chairs of the
Philippine Friendship Caucus. The Senate companion, S. 1244, was introduced by Senators
Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) on June 22, 2011.

Friends in the US Congress

During the term of Secretary Albert del Rosario as Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., the
Philippines-US Friendship Caucus was officially launched in Washington, D.C. in 2003 with
52 bipartisan Members of the US House of Representatives. The eight founding pillars of the
Caucus are Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Duke Cunningham (R-
CA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Todd Tiahrt (R-CA), Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Dana Rohrabacher
(R-CA) and Lane Evans (D-IL).

C. Economic Affairs

Bilateral Trade and Investment

Bilateral trade and investment cooperation continues to serve as a dynamic dimension of

the Philippines-US partnership.

Both countries meet regularly under the auspices of a Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA) that was signed in November 1989. Under the TIFA, a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on Stopping Illegal Transshipments of Textiles and
Apparel was signed by the Philippines and the United States in 2006. A Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) Regarding the Implementation of Minimum Access Commitments by
the Philippines was signed in 1998.

Currently, the U.S. is the Philippines’ number one source of Foreign Direct Investments
(FDIs). In January 2012 alone, FDIs from the U.S. rose significantly to $497.61 million
(compared to $19.45 million in January last year).
 In fact, January 2012’s performance is higher than the total for the past two years of
$454.11 million ($229.19 million in 2010 and $224.92 million in 2011). As of December 2011,
net FDIs from the US amounted to $224.92 million.

In 2011, the Philippines was the 33 largest U.S. trading partner; and the US was the
Philippines’ second largest trading partner (after Japan), with total two-way trade valued at
$13.6 billion or 16.2% of the Philippines’ total trade with the world.

The US also maintained its top 2 position in January 2012 with total trade at $1.1 billion.
Since 2006, the trade balance has been in favor of the Philippines.

Philippine exports to the US valued at $7.1 billion in 2011 mainly comprise of

components/semiconductor devices, garments, coconut oil, electronic equipment and parts,
electronic data processing, other manufactures, sugar, processed food and beverages, and
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.

According to the DTI Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Washington, D.C.
(as of May 2011), 75-80% of the Philippines’ total exports to the U.S. is either Most Favored
Nation (MFN) zero or GSP-eligible, i.e., also zero tariff. Conversely, roughly 20-25% remain
dutiable.

Of this, 20-25% of PH exports to the US are still subject to duty and apparel accounts for
75-82% (which could be secured once the SAVE Act is passed in the 112th U.S. Congress).

Partnership for Growth (PFG)

The Philippines’ overarching goal of achieving broad-based economic growth is

supported by a new strategic development initiative of the US Government called the
Partnership for Growth (PFG). The PFG’s three (3) focus areas are: improving regulatory
quality; strengthening the rule of law and anti-corruption measures; and improving fiscal
performance.

The PFG Statement of Principles was signed in Manila last November 2011 between
U.S. State Secretary Clinton and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary del Rosario.

On 05 May 2012, USAID and DOF signed a USAID-GPH bilateral agreement

amendment which made available $29.4 million to start the major PFG programs. The
amendment also provides information to the GPH regarding USAID’s planned funding for the
duration of the agreement, subject to availability of funds, in the amount of $140 million.
USAID and counterpart agencies are fleshing out the major programs identified under the Joint
Country Action Plan (JCAP).
Tourism

For 2011, total arrivals from the US is estimated at 630,170 American tourists,
representing a 5% increase from the 2010 level; with receipts amounting to US$591.1 million,
which represent the same percentage increase from 2010. The Department of Tourism (DOT)
projects a 3.5% increase in tourist arrivals (652,230) for 2012; representing US$611.79 million
in revenues, or a 3.5% increase over 2011 level.

D. Socio-Cultural Affairs

People to people ties remain the strongest ties that bind the Philippines and the US.

At the opening of the bilateral meeting between President Aquino and President Obama
in Bali on 17 November 2011, President Obama said, “But more importantly, we have
incredible person-to-person relations between our two countries.  Obviously, the contribution
of Filipino Americans to the growth and prosperity of the United States has been incredibly
important.”

2012 US Census

According to the US Census 2010, the total number of Filipinos (in any combination) in
the US increased from 2.36 million in 2000 to 3.42 million in 2010 or an increase of 44.5%. On
the other hand, the US Embassy in Mania estimates that about 250,000 Americans currently
reside in the Philippines. This has invariably enhanced people-to-people interaction at all
levels. A milestone in this dimension was celebrated in 2006, the Centennial Anniversary
Celebration of Filipino Migration to the United States.

Filipinos in the United States as whole are much more educated, speak English better,
have higher incomes, are less likely to live in poverty, and are more apt to own their homes
compared with the US general population.

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, is the
world’s oldest continuous Fulbright program.

Filipino Americans in elected office

Filipino Americans also occupy elected office such as Representative Steve Austria in the
US Congress, Delegate Ron Villanueva of the Virginia General Assembly, Delegate Kris
Valderrama in the Maryland House of Delegates and Filipino Americans in other states who
serve in local governments and in the judiciary.
Remittances

The US is the top source of overseas remittances with a 2011 level amounting to $8.48
billion representing 42 percent of the total remittances for 2011 according to the Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). As of March 2012, preliminary BSP data indicates that remittances
from the US amount to $2 billion. However, BSP also notes that data are not truly reflective of
actual source of remittance as the common practice of remittance centers is to course
remittances through correspondent banks mostly located in the US.

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.