Trump 2.0 and the Philippines

"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," Donald Trump happily announced on election night.

- HARRY ROQUE

It hasn't even been a month and already we are witnessing the winds of change blowing strong after Donald Trump's decisive political comeback, with 312 electoral votes and 74.6 million votes.

And when America sneezes, the world catches a cold.

Last Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the newly elected 47th US President to personally congratulate the latter. PBBM described the phone conversation as "very friendly" and "very productive" and he later told Palace reporters that he plans "to meet Trump as soon as he can." As of this writing, no invitation to visit Washington has been extended to Marcos Jr.

In the same phone conversation, PBBM reminded the incoming American president that Filipino Americans "overwhelmingly voted for him" and, to quote PBBM, "I'm sure he will remember that."

On the other hand, even before PRRD sent his congratulatory letter, he openly campaigned for Donald Trump's election. PRRD even condemned the failed assassination attempt against then Republican candidate Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

While PRRD did not pay obeisance to the US President, it is no secret there was mutual admiration between the two leaders borne out of trust and respect.

The American president lavishly praised the Filipino president's war on drugs, saying the latter is doing "an unbelievable job." Trump even invited Duterte to the White House before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I therefore view PRRD as a big winner in Trump's electoral victory.