Asia Matters for America
America Matters for Asia
Explore US-Asia National and Local Connections
An initiative of the East-West Center and Asia Matters for America partners and stakeholders
This special feature highlighted how the US is discussed by the candidates of the Philippines 2016 Presidential Election, which took place on May 9, 2016.
Explore each candidate's background and experience in the US, as well as his or her positions on US-related issues.
Lead Researcher: Melissa Newcomb
73 years old, Binay's parents were middle-class, a librarian and a school teacher. He was orphaned at the age of 9 and adopted by his uncle, Ponciano Binay. Grew up in poverty and became successful through education. [Source]
In 1967 he graduated with a law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law and graduated. He passed the bar examinations in 1968 and went on to become a human rights lawyer. [
On joining regional trade agreements such as the TPP:“Any move for integration will certainly be beneficial for the Philippines. Considering the integration countries who are enjoying a lot of economic growth will have a lot of benefits. It will be negative for those who are having a problem with their economy.” [Source] Interview with CSIS, May 1st, 2014
“With the looming integration of the ASEAN economies, greater economic engagement with countries in the region becomes a major component of the United States…
“We, therefore, view the recently signed Enhanced Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, as an important pillar of our regional security policy. As well as an important response mechanism to humanitarian and natural disasters. A stronger American military presence in the Philippines and great interoperability between our respective armed forces dramatically increases our individual and collective defense capability. Providing an effective deterrent against external aggression.” [Source] May 1st, 2014
“Through the EDCA we have effectively upgraded our own security platform without shifting a significant…
Binay calls for cooperation with China on the South China Sea territorial dispute to improve trade relations: “China has money, we need capital." [Source] April 12, 2015
“[EDCA] comes after all on the heels of heightened tensions between China and its neighbors, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines over maritime and territorial control over one of the world’s most important sea lanes of communications, the South China Sea or the West Philippines Sea, as we now refer to it in the Philippines.”…