SUPPORTERS may have praised Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for standing up against America in declaration that he is not a puppet of Uncle Sam and that his administration’s foreign policy is veering away from the United States. But as far as Fil-Ams are concerned, this is not a good idea.

In the online viewer poll of The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America,” an overwhelming 92 percent of viewers who voted said they do not support Duterte’s efforts for the Philippines to become more independent from America.

Only 8 percent believe Duterte is on the right track when he thinks the Philippines can do things on its own. They are encouraged by the belief that he is the first president who can truly assert the Philippines’ sovereignty as an independent nation

This finding is understandable and even expected, considering the fact that these same viewers are kababayans who live and work in the United States, remitting their hard earned dollars to their family back in the Philippines, helping keep the Philippine economy afloat.

Those who do not support Duterte’s policy believe the Philippines still needs the United States, especially in the light of the territorial dispute against China’s “bullying” in the West Philippine Sea.

They also value all the help the Filipinos get from our long time ally especially during times of natural disaster, as well as the trade, investment and employment opportunities that kababayans back home enjoy as a result of the Philippines’ diplomatic and economic relations with America.

As ABS-CBN News reported, if Duterte loosens the Philippines’ ties with the U.S., the Philippines could stand to lose about $1.3 billion in foreign direct investments, more than $150 million in development aid, and about $8.3 billion in goods that the Philippines exports to America every year.

Recent headlines, however, make more kababayans in the U.S. worry. As Duterte strengthens his stand to distance the Philippines from the U.S., he has been “warming up” to China and Russia.

Duterte has clarified that while he is “not yet ready to really break ties with the U.S., he said he “will open up alliances with China.”

ABS-CBN News further reported that Duterte also said that the country may need Russia’s help if the Philippines distances itself from the United States.

“I’ve been talking with PM Medvedev. One-on-one kami. Walang nakaalam noon. I said, ‘I think I am about to cross the Rubicon between me and the U.S., at least for the six years. I would need your help and everything — trade, commerce. I will open up,” the president said.

On top of these concerns is the fear of some kababayans of how Duterte’s belief, or non-belief of God, may affect how he stirs the Philippines from democratic to communist principles.

“What if there is no God?” was the question Duterte posed during the oath-taking ceremony of Malacañang Press Corps officials on Monday, Sept. 26, with reference to his bid to revive capital punishment in the Philippines.

“Ang mga tao sa Pilipinas hindi na naniniwala sa batas because fear is not there,” Duterte said in a report by ABS-CBN News and other media.

“Hindi tumalab yung death penalty noon kasi hindi in-impose. One, because of the Catholic church. Second, the bleeding hearts, because only God can kill. Ang problema niyan, I ask you, what if there is no God?” Duterte said.

ABS-CBN News also quoted the president questioning God’s presence when women and children are raped and killed.

“So, where is now God when a one-year-old baby, an 18-month-old baby is taken from the mother’s arms, brought under a jeep and raped and killed. So where is God?” Duterte said.

I can hear Duterte’s supporters contend that this should not be an issue because there should be a separation of powers between the State and Church, and that Duterte’s philosophical question and position should be respected and not taken against him.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do you support Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s policy of distancing the Philippines from the United States and building stronger ties with China and Russia?

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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos