ThrowBackThursday - Cherie with Brian McKnight

#ThrowBackThursday: Cherie with Brian McKnight

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Cherie Mercado's Interview with US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg

Held at the Ambassador's office US embassy, Manila

May 14, 2014

Cherie: President Obama just visited the Philippines and the Filipinos were happy about the visit but questions remain on whether the US will defend the Philippines in times of conflict, specifically with the current territorial tensions with China. Do you also share the stand that the Philippines should take a more active stance in building up its own defense capabilities with or without the US?

Ambassador Goldberg: I certainly think that every country should do as much as it can to try to defend itself and try to defend its interests and the United States is a treaty ally of the Philippines and we will help the Philippines along the way. As I understand it, the Philippines’ objective at the moment is to build a minimum credible defense and that will take into account many aspects of its security situation. The United States is a treaty ally and a long time friend of the Philippines, we’ll be there to help the Philippines finish that goal.

Cherie: With the signing of the EDCA or the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the US is supposed to help the Philippines in building up its defense capabilities, how exactly will this be done? 

Ambassador Goldberg:  Well, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is a framework and sets out the authorities for our ability to help the Philippines to have increased rotational presence of forces to work here in the Philippines and in many areas. So what it will do is allow us to have more inter-operability between our two militaries, more chances for exercises, exchanges, have the ability to preposition supplies for contingencies like humanitarian efforts in disasters. So, it will help in that regard, build up the Philippines’ capacity not just in humanitarian assistance though, but in maritime security, maritime domain awareness; the kind of new interests that the Philippines has seen on the agenda of its security needs.

Cherie: In terms of equipment as well?

Ambassador Goldberg: Yes, there will be equipment that will be involved. We also believe that there will be different projects that will take place to try to help build some areas, Armed Forces of the Philippines’ facilities for example, if something is needed on a particular airport facility or needs to be expanded, or a port has to be dredged. But these are decisions as I mentioned. What we've done so far is a framework and sets out the authorities on both sides about how to move forward because this is an agreement that was derived from our mutual defense treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement. So what we have now is the authorities but everything that we do henceforth, is going to be mutually agreed also through a process that already takes place through, our mutual defense for example, which meets military to military and decides where these things should be and how many people should be there, on how many locations, or how many troops are here and so forth.  

Cherie: Does this mean that we have to go through the specifics of the agreement? Will it be done on paper or as we go along, that’s when the two military bodies will have to talk?

Ambassador Goldberg: What I suggest to you Cherie, to your viewers and to your listeners, is that they take a look at the EDCA and what it says, and what it says again, is sort of the framework, what our relationship would be and how these things could take place but the specifics still remain to be agreed and they have to be agreed by both sides and the mutual interest of the both sides, so it’s a process it’s not all just that once.

Cherie: This might trigger doubts and fear on the Filipino people’s minds -- that if it’s not on paper and if it just goes through agreements later on, it might not be transparent?

Ambassador Goldberg: Well, we announce for example, every single exercise that we do with the Philippines. If we have a ship visit, every one of them is announced. We’re very transparent with what we’re doing, nothing will be hidden, everything will be very open, and it's necessary.  We live in a society that needs to be open and transparent with their public so I don’t think it’s an issue. Everything we’ve done until now in terms of visits, in terms of exercises, in terms of our cooperation in Mindanao and elsewhere had been open.

Cherie: Are there also commitment in terms of hardware, airplanes, helicopters?

Ambassador Goldberg: I would say that the equipment is related but not specific to the EDCA. The EDCA is a pre-particular purpose. The one we talked about which is for the assistance that we will lend to the Philippines in terms of building their minimum credible defense; in terms of inter-operability, in terms of maritime security, maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster reliefs those kind of issues. Some of the equipment that we’re talking about, for example, the two cutters, coast guard cutters that were given to the Philippines through our programs, are part of a separate kind of the relationship, and so we will continue that as well and it will be very complementary. These things will go together but they’re not necessarily part of the EDCA itself. I think people should consider the EDCA to be something that is evolutionary and not revolutionary in terms of our military to military relationship.  It has a specific purpose, but different parts of our relationship are in different channels. For example, we have foreign military financing which is one area, where we help Philippines purchase some of these articles or we have global contingency funds, where we’re helping the coast guard build up its capacity and do some of the maritime issues. So again, we have different areas where we cooperate and do not all fall to one agreement.                        

Cherie: There were reactions that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement took advantage of a time when the Philippines is vulnerable to help especially after typhoon Haiyan struck.  Some said other countries gave aid but did not forge any agreements afterwards. Your reaction?

Ambassador Goldberg: We've had a treaty alliance with the Philippines for 60 years. The Philippines was interested in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement for reasons of their own self interest. We have our interest as well, and that makes for mutual interest. I think we have a different kind of relationship than with the other countries. We would come to the Philippines aid with humanitarian assistance under any possible scenario. I’m sure it doesn’t have to do with EDCA or with other aspects of our relationship, but at the same time we have this defense relationship, the Philippines has its goals and so we have a mutually beneficial situation where yet it can make sense for both countries.

Cherie: Probably my last question, for the Philippines, it has its desire to build minimum defense capability, with the US, how will EDCA help attain its regional goals?

Ambassador Goldberg: One is through our presence here. You know, the Obama administration, since its inception has emphasized the US re-balance to Asia. Now, the central part of the re-balance or the origins of the re-balance were really economic. The idea with the rise of China, the rise of the rest of Asia, especially the South East Asia, and their growing importance as economies, their growing populations, that there was a shift going on in the world in terms of our shared interest and the idea that the American prosperity is very much tied to Asian prosperity. The security aspects of the re-balance are really part of that to make sure that the area is governed by rule of law and by a non-coercive measures, non-intimidation between countries; protecting what we consider to be our interest which are freedom of navigation in the air, in the sea; and to have a presence here, a security presence to complement what we’re all trying to do economically in these countries to work together.    

Cherie: May we get your message to the Filipino people in line with the recent visit of the US President and also with the recent signing of a new defense agreement?

Ambassador Goldberg: Let me repeat something that the President said while he was here which is that the United States views its treaty commitment to the Philippines as iron clad and that attack on the Philippines would trigger our commitments. And what I think, what happened during the President’s visit to the region, specifically to the Philippines but very importantly in the case of the Philippines was that there is a renewal, a revitalization of our relationship in many areas, and it’s not just in the defense area. We have very strong economic ties; the United States is the second largest trading partner with the Philippines. We are talking about issues like trans-pacific partnership which is a region-wide, actually more than region, the whole pacific rim-wide economic agreement which brings in new trade measures and modernization of our economies to bring into line our economic and labor and environmental policies, all with trade component as well. And it is important to remember that the US and the Philippines has huge historic people to people relations. And so, there is tremendous and rich history. So there is a tremendous people to people component, all of those things are highlighted in the President’s visit. And the idea is that, although some of the past is not remembered as fondly as other parts, the 21st century has brought new challenges , new interests into focus and at the same time, the US and the Philippines remain great friends and allies and that we can, maybe change the nature of the relationship and we want it very much to be partner with the Philippines and at the same time some of the values of democracy and our shared beliefs and our family ties all for us to renew this relationship and I think that’s what his visit represented.

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1,000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz

Cherie's Book Recommendation: 1,000 Places To See Before you Die by Patricia Schultz

Cherie's Notes:  

I've had this book for about 10 years and it has been overtaken by newer many travel books. But still it takes up precious space on my bookshelf and never becomes part of my donation box because it was the first travel book that inspired me to see more of the world. It traverses every corner of the globe with recommendations on things to do and places to stay. Their recommendations claim to be the best and is always extravagant and I love how it makes me dream of enjoying these places the best ways possible!

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Trabaho Lang - May 13, 2014 Episode (Tax Reduction)

Senator Bam Aquino

Topics: "Babaan ang tax ng mga manggagawang Pinoy." 'Yan ang panukalang batas na ipinaglalaban ngayon ng pinakabatang Senador na si Bam Aquino. Alamin ang nilalaman ng kanyang proposed tax reforms.
Click here to listen to entire audio episode.
AUDIO | TRABAHO LANG FULL EPISODE | MAY 13, 2014Trabaho Lang can be heard LIVE on Radyo 92.3 News FM every Monday to Friday from 8:00pm to 9:30pm.

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A Happy Place - Part of my Random Discoveries

Happily discovered a nice place in my neighborhood today. After late lunch at EDGY VEGGIE -- another gem of a place, a vegetarian resto -- my lunch date and I visited HEIMA store right beside it. Its happy colors pop out from the outside. I love the way they painted even the outdoor wall (not shown in photo).

Brixton Bldg, Kapitolyo Pasig

At first I thought it was a children's furniture store but even my husband found items he was interested in. A portable vinyl turntable and some well-made furniture. I fell in love with their books collection. It's by no means extensive but each title, maybe totalling 15, I wanted in my bookshelf. Prices don't come cheap, maybe some items you'd snatch cheaper from your travels abroad but quality does have its price. And with a barrage of poorly made items in many stores these days, this store’s a breath of fresh air!

Two books I love from their shelves: 36 Hours, 125 Weekends in Europe and The Perfectly Imperfect Home

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About my Mom

My Mom is independent and strong. She’s the type who would rather go out and explore than stay home and cook.

She loves to dress up. I remember distinctly a scene in her office when I was a kid and she was about 40, where i looked up from my drawing, saw her working and thought of how beautiful she was.

She would always wear feminine clothes at work, she was her boss' adviser, she was friends with most of her colleagues yet she’d never hesitate to stay home when one of us is sick or needs her attention.

My love for reading and studying came from our moments of reviewing my lessons together.

She’d work hard but makes sure she picks us up after school.

She’s quite an explorer. I got my love for travel from her. She becomes a kid again and has no qualms expressing her amazement with every new things she discovers.

My first time in New York city was one of my most memorable and fun trip. It was just me and my mom and my jaw would drop at how tall the buildings were and how crazily crowded it got at rush hour and my mom would belly laugh and switch to her native Visayan dialect when she gets excited. We had such a grand time, we'd head out every after breakfast and return just before midnightexhausted and satisfied.

When she’s mad, we all take cover and hide. But that’s only because she constantly worries about her brood. Her prayers are full of us getting out of our current challenges in one piece.

What i’m very thankful for is my mom’s simplicity and child like wonderment. She has shown me that it’s okay to laugh hard, to continue to be amazed by the littlest things and to appreciate every moment that make up our days.

But most of all, its her Quiet Strength that I hope to develop one day. To be the same rock that she is to us and hopefully I could be to my own family.

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Trabaho Lang - May 9, 2014 Episode (Animal Advocate)

Topics:

Post by Trabaho Lang with Cherie Mercado.

Trabaho Lang can be heard LIVE on Radyo 92.3 News FM every Monday to Friday from 8:00pm to 9:30pm.

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Trabaho Lang - May 8, 2014 Episode (Employment status with guest Attorney Jonathan Sale)

Topics:
Isa ka ba sa mga na-endo o 'end of contract'? Regular na empleyado ka na ba o contractual pa rin? Samahan si Cherie Mercado para sa isa na namang makabuluhang talakayan tungkol sa inyong mga karapatan sa trabaho kasama ang labor expert at Dean ng U.P. School of Labor and Industrial Relations na si Atty. Jonathan Sale.

Click here to listen to entire audio episode.

AUDIO | TRABAHO LANG FULL EPISODE | MAY 8, 2014

http://n5e.interaksyon.com/mobile/Top.aspx?c=1001&g=205ACA0AEA3F440

Trabaho Lang can be heard LIVE on Radyo 92.3 News FM every Monday to Friday from 8:00pm to 9:30pm.

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Where is the Philippines Headed?

Dean Jonathan Sale, UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP-Solair) and me at the Radyo5 TV5 booth May 8, 2014 

My conversation with a UP Dean

written just before midnight 05.08.14

Just before the day closes, I saw the news that S&P has again upgraded the country’s credit rating status to a notch above investment grade.

Two hours before I learned of this development I was speaking with Dean Jonathan Sale of the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR).  I was picking his brain on several issues from the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to nagging labor issues such as Contractualization, Outsourcing and Retrenchment to Capitalism to the Pork Barrel misuse and ultimately a discussion on how we can make the country’s growth truly INCLUSIVE.

First off, he agrees that the military agreement signed during the recent visit of US President Barack Obama to the Philippines “seems to be a knee jerk reaction to very recent situations like our issue with China”.  We both agree that it is quite bothersome that the country is committing ten years’ use of our facilities (and then some) seemingly disregarding what our lawmakers had fought so strongly for in 1991 when we decided to close the US bases.

We also looked at the country’s direction in terms of the economy. The chunk of the growth is in the Service sector, leaving behind a malnourished Agricultural block and a non-improving Industrial and Manufacturing sector.

This is a big issue the government has to address if it’s sincere in making the growth inclusive and if its sincere in aiming for a good quality of life for its citizens.

Think BPO workers with their health, social, mental and security challenges. I spoke with BPO Workers Association President (BWAP) Ruben Torres last week and his worry is that “we might be cultivating a generation that will be very sick in the future because of the lifestyle their industry imposes on them”

I have long been saddened by OFWs producing a breed of children with absentee parents, not to mention the effect of an absent partner.  

Our farmers, revered in other cultures for their role of providing nourishment, mostly live in poverty. Their average age is almost retirement age. 

We have thousands of new graduates whose hope will slowly fade as they become part of the millions unemployed or underemployed.

And yet our economy is supposedly second only to China in terms of growth last year. By now, despite poverty eradicating measures, most will agree that the poor and arguably even the middle class do not feel this so called growth.

A possible solution was discussed by Dean Sale.

A type of Capitalism that I believe our policy makers should be shifting their serious attention to as it could be the long term answer to poverty and could be the route to make our growth more inclusive.

A shift to a type of Capitalism that is more collaborative.  The Philippines, in its proud democracy, follows a Liberal type of Capitalism, similar to what is adapted in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.

As Dean Sale explained, in a Liberal Market Economy (LME), market forces dictate on the system. It encourages cost competition and fast innovation.  This is the reason why the Philippines’ BPO industry is booming, because companies in North America are cutting costs and looking elsewhere for cheaper business. We happen to be “elsewhere” in this case. In most cases, “elsewhere” is China.

This is also the reason why contractual workers (of the illegal and abusive kind) are increasing. Because the focus is to cut costs to increase profits.

On the other hand, economy and labor experts know that there is another kind of capitalism called Coordinated Market Economy (CME), where all the stakeholders coordinate and collaborate with each other to dictate and regulate the system.

For example a foreign auto firm wants to invest in a Coordinated Market Economy, it will have to pass through the whole auto industry sector represented by organizations such as (for example) the Auto Industry of the Philippines and the Association of Auto Manufacturers among others.  These organizations have actual powers to influence their own industry. These groups dictate standards on specifics of the industry such as wages, skills and professional practices based on agreements with workers.

Japan and several countries in Europe such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Belgium apply this variety of Capitalism.

As described in the Oxford index:

“CMEs tend to have high levels of job security, a good record on training and development, institutionalized forms of worker participation, based on works councils, and relatively cooperative relations between trade unions and employers' associations. These long-term, cooperative relations provide CMEs with their source of comparative advantage in the world economy: they tend to be good at process innovation and the production of high quality, high value-added goods in mature manufacturing industries.”

It has proven to produce gradual but steady improvements in the economy.

So why are we not looking into this model? Now I have yet to discuss that in detail with Dean Sale or an economist. 

So, back to the S&P upgrade.  We are considered an investment-worthy country coming out from junk status pre Benigno Aquino III’s term. We will hear phrases like “remarkable economic comeback” “towards the right track” “proof of good economics”.

But is it really? Will this country have the guts to look further than the US for models for growth?

And lastly, does anyone else see a possible connection between the Obama visit and the surprise S&P upgrade? 

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THE HUMAN ODYSSEY by Thomas Armstrong, PhD

Cherie's Book Recommendation: THE HUMAN ODYSSEY (Navigating the Twelve Stages of Life) by Thomas Armstrong, PhD

Cherie's Notes:
I was once asked by Lifestyle writer Amyline Ching of Manila Bulletin on what book has mad a big impact on my Parenting Life and why.

Although I answered that no book can effectively teach us how to be great parents, I did mention one book that I still find myself going back to every now and then.

The Human Odyssey -- speaks of the different stages of Life humans go through. Citing history, cultural references, medical studies and folklore, it gives us a wider perception and appreciation of each stage. And ultimately, respect for each chapter of this journey called life.

References:

• The Human Odyssey - on Google Books
• The Human Odyssey - on Amazon
• www.thomasarmstrong.com
• Thomas Armstrong - on Twitter (@Dr_Armstrong)

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Trabaho Lang - May 5, 2014 Episode (El Niño, Dam levels, water conservation, BPOs and online job opportunities)

Topics:
Taga-probinsya ka ba, at naghahanap ka pa rin sa internet ng trabaho? Alamin ang mga opportunities sa industriya ng BPO-IT sa tulong ng Department of Science and Technology; Matinding init na ang nararanasan natin kahit 'di pa idinideklara ng PAGASA na el nino na. Ano nga ba ang El Niño at paano ito malalabanan? 'Yan at iba pa ang tatalakayin ni Cherie Mercado.

Click here to listen to entire audio episode.
AUDIO | TRABAHO LANG FULL EPISODE | MAY 5, 2014 http://n5e.interaksyon.com/mobile/Top.aspx?c=1001&g=D11585E36B844B4

Trabaho Lang can be heard LIVE on Radyo 92.3 News FM every Monday to Friday from 8:00pm to 9:30pm.

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Cherie Sings at the 22nd KBP Golden Dove Awards

Last April 29, 2014, broadcast journalists Cherie Mercado and Martin Andanar from TV5 were joined by Atom Araullo and Bernadette Sembrano from ABS-CBN in a musical performance at the 22nd KBP Golden Dove Awards.  They sung a medley of "It Had To be You" and "The Way You Look Tonight."

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