Abstract:
It is true that the Philippines must establish ties with other countries around the world to foster economic and political partnership that can lead to economic growth and progress for both countries. But reality shows that this is not happening in the Philippines. What’s happening is that the Philippines is still controlled by its former colonizers. They must have left the country many years ago but they are still here, lingering beneath the tall buildings in the country’s busy business districts. And adding insult to injury, the very government that is supposed to be protecting the country from harmful foreign elements is the very reason why the Philippines is in this backward economic position.
There is a need to assess the current foreign policies agreed upon by the Philippines and other countries. National interest is no longer achieved and only those in high government positions benefit from it. The national interest of the people is taken for granted and personal gain is being pursued. The president of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has been signing agreements with other countries in relation to economic policies since 2001 which will extend until 2010. There is no clear proof that the people are benefiting from these foreign policies despite the fact that these policies are supposed to be directed to promote the Filipinos’ interests. This study will focus on the economic foreign policies signed by President Arroyo from 2001 to the present particularly on its effect to the Filipino people. This is a critical assessment of each policy particularly on its bond to support and uphold the national interest of the people.
