Cliffhanger

Given the choices we have been making in Philippine elections, we're in no position to criticize Americans or roll up our eyes in case they restore Donald Trump to the White House.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

While all eyes are on the US elections, we should also wonder why far-right firebrands are enjoying strong support in other democracies, particularly in Europe.

Even if Kamala Harris manages to edge out Trump, it's still amazing that the US race has been so tight; some quarters are talking of a dead heat. Will a tie-breaker be needed?

Trump campaigned on a strong anti-immigrant rhetoric, so it's puzzling that, by most accounts, he enjoys significant support among Filipino-Americans.

Fil-Ams may identify themselves as fully assimilated Americans and no longer immigrants. Second and third generations have been born and bred in the US, like nearly all of my cousins, nieces, and nephews who I barely know or have never met.

But don't they have relatives, or Fil-Am friends with relatives who are immigrants? Shouldn't they be identifying more with the first Asian-American to seek the US presidency?

Some pundits believe the strong pro-Trump support among Fil-Ams is partly because many belong to military families—a traditionally Republican sector. The pundits also say that the older generations of Fil-Ams, in particular, are conservative Catholics who are alienated by the Democrats' positions on abortion, divorce, and gender bending.

But what about Trump's conviction on 34 counts of illegally trying to influence the 2016 presidential race by paying hush money to a porn actress who testified that they had sex? Aren't the family-centric conservatives concerned about his multiple marriages?