Kamala Harris’ Highlights in the Philippines

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited Palawan, a province facing the West Philippine Sea, amid tensions between Manila and Beijing.

Kamala Harris’ visit to the Philippines in November 2022 was memorable for many reasons. She visited PalawanIn New Delhi, a province on the west coast of the Philippines, U.S. officials headed to the front lines, the highest-level U.S. officials ever sent to the front lines, in a symbolic show of support for the Philippines in its maritime dispute with China.

The US Vice President visited Tabros, a fishing village, “Learning Innovation Center” Later, she spoke to the Coast Guard about her experience: “I met fishermen who go out to sea every day to catch mackerel and tuna. I spoke to a young woman named Jacqueline who runs a fish drying company that is very successful and teaches other women how to dry rabbit fish so that they can also participate in this important industry and benefit from the additional income.” Harris noted that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, also known as IUU, poses a threat to fishing communities like Tabros.

She then announced that the United States would provide new funding to the Philippine Maritime Enforcement Agency “to enhance its ability to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, strengthen monitoring systems, and upgrade equipment.”

One of her highlights Palawan Island Tour She met with Coast Guard officers aboard the BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the Coast Guard’s largest and most modern ships. “You are on the front lines of defending the international rules-based order,” Harris said. Tell them“Every day when you patrol these waters, you uphold the rules and norms that are essential to the prosperity of the Filipino people and people around the world.”

Harris also listened to briefing About Coast Guard activities and patrols in the West Philippine Sea. I found the conversation went a little overtime because she asked a lot of questions and showed a keen interest in the topic.

“The life I choose…”

But somehow what I remember most about her brief visit to the Philippines was her meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos at Malacañang Palace, where she was warmly received by him.

“We would have loved to have taken you to see more of the Philippines,” Marcos said. “But I think you did so because you saw the most beautiful parts of the Philippines in Palawan.” He added jokingly, “I’m sure you only went to the resorts and beaches.”

Harris smiled and replied: “This is not the life I would choose right now.”

That statement has even more meaning now that Harris is running for president of the most powerful country in the world, and on the campaign trail she’s choosing a life that’s anything but beaches and resorts.

A Harris presidency could have just as significant an impact on our region as a Biden presidency — but that’s for another newsletter.

Harris and Marcos

Harris has a certain reputation in foreign policy and has met with many world leaders. In Asia, she Most Interactive Met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Marcos.

She has Meeting with Marcos In his two years as president, he has met five times: the first in Manila in November 2022; twice in Jakarta during the East Asia Summit in September 2023, one bilateral and the other a trilateral meeting with Kishida; once during Marcos’ visit to Washington, D.C. in May 2023, and again during the 2023 APEC Leaders’ Meeting. San Francisco November 2023.

It is reported that through these contacts, Harris and Marcos established a “close personal relationship.” Politicoan American online newspaper.

The first female president?

recent polling Data shows Harris’s narrow lead over former President Donald Trump gives her “the largest advantage a Democratic presidential candidate has had over Trump in nearly a year.” If she wins in November, she will become the first woman, first Black person and first South Asian American president of the United States. She has already made history as the first woman of color and first female vice president of the United States.

Among the Group of Seven nations, only Japan and the United States do not have a female head of state. Female presidents and prime ministers are uncommon in these wealthy countries. Canada To date, there has been only one female Prime Minister. Italy It wasn’t until 2022 that the first female prime minister was born. Francethere have been two female prime ministers.

Angela Merkel She was the first and only female Chancellor of Germany to date. U.K. Country with the most female prime ministers: Three.

But something new is happening in the U.S. armed forces: Two of its branches are now led by women. Lisa Franchetti She is the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy and the first woman to serve as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position she took only last November.

Previously, in June 2022, Linda Fagan She becomes the first woman to lead the U.S. Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, while the Navy is part of the Department of Defense.

Swiftian Energy

Like everyone else, I stopped following the US presidential race — until Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris. A Donald Trump victory seemed inevitable, and it made me despair about what it would mean for us and other democracies.

But things have changed, and Swift-style enthusiasm has swept the US election campaign. Tim Waltz In his first campaign speech, he told Harris: “Thank you for bringing joy back.”

Please let me know what you think. Please send an email to marites.vitug@rappler.com. – Rappler.com