Jun Ledesma
Take note of the title of this column: “LETTERS FROM SEATTLE”. This will be it for the next five months as I will roost in the State of Washington in my daughter’s home in Lakewood City. It is a wonderment that except for physical contact, I am in fact abreast with what is happening in Davao City including my dogs daily activities and see if the papayas are just right for the picking all in actual time.
Speaking of time, there’s a 9-hour difference between the west coast of the US and the Philippines which is ahead.
The weather is still wintry but tolerable. Our plane stabbed through the thin cloud when we arrived here a week ago and the rain clouds are still there. Rain, I was told, is all year round but only a drizzle. Sun shine is a rarity for now. Whatever the weather be you can control the temperature in the home and in the car to whichever suits you.
The Presidential Elections here is November 5, 2024. Former President Donald Trump is the Republican’s nominee after the four other aspirants can only muster single digit delegate in the primaries and subsequently withdrew. Trump, despite the magma of cases filed against him, had over a thousand delegates in his favor so that sealed his chance at a crack for a rematch with Pres. Joe Biden.
There’s a 3rd aspirant for the US Presidency – Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. – who is running as an independent candidate. Popularly known as RFK Jr. he is popularly known for his environmental crusade against corporate and government violators who either pollute or abet pollution and contamination of waterways. Believe it or not, he too is against the use of Covid-19 vaccines which to him is a multi-trillion enterprise of pharmaceutical firms.
Well, Trump has been the front-runner in the race to the White House but his is not a walk-in-the-park with so many court cases along the way. He and RFK Jr. are not the hawkish types and in a way their win will have an impact on the Philippines. Pres. Bongbong Marcos could kiss his EDCA bases goodbye and that will save the Philippines from the likelihood of becoming the veritable arena for WWIII.
Trump and our Past President Rodrigo Duterte are leaders who think in the same wavelength especially on foreign policies and in dealing with crime specifically drugs. Drug problem in the US is quite serious for it does not only involve cocaine but addiction to opioids the effect of which is like that of morphine.
On foreign policies, Trump who runs a business empire and has a net-worth of $6.5-billion would likely go business trade enhancements than building military bases and earning enemies like what BBM is doing since day one.Unknown to many Filipinos and ignorant and garrulous politicians, America and Philippines biggest trade partner is China. While the US of A is trading barbs with China, they are covertly talking on how to improve their trade relationship. BBM on the other hand is playing David and Goliath with China over an atoll which now you see it, now you don’t.
There are about 2.7-million Filipino Americans in the US who are great fans of Duterte. Will see whether that can be translated to votes in favor of Trump. Let’s see what happens after the US Presidential elections.