Assets - Liabilities = Capital (The Philippine Independence Equation)

It is June 11, 944pm Abu Dhabi time (we’re 4 hours behind Philippine’s time), and I am oddly formulating the following equation:

Spanish assets’ loss + expenses = US capitalization is greater than Philippine “independence”

June 12, 1898 = July 4, 1946

US Capitalization  = BUY OUT of Philippines

Philippine Independece = strings attached = The Miseducation of Filipinos

Sociology, Philosophy, Physchology, Asian Civilization- these were my well-loved minors during College. I especially love reading histories, of the Philippines, of Asia, of any other countries. Back in higschool our History classes were scheduled at 130pm at straight 4 years, what a timing ey? So while almost 90% of the class were sleepy except me, my professor and my other classmates comprising the 10% who were either pretending not sleepy or truthfully interested to listen, I enjoyed each minute of the discussion as long as it is about countries’ history.

In college, I thoroughly enjoyed doing the reflection papers about the geeky materials that we were asked to digest weekly. While my classmates/ friends found this so irritating and baduy, I religiously read all the pre and post hispanic to contemporary materials (The Miseducation of Filipinos and The Subservience of the Filipinos as my favorites) that we had to source from bookstores and different libraries in the Philippines. I am quite astonished as I recall now that I even took time to catch my Asian Civilization old maid slash Miss Tapia looking professor to chat about ancient stuff.

Every June 12, aside from that we celebrate the wedding anniversary of my closest aunt and uncle, we traditionally reminisce the independence of the Philippines. Today, I am re-embracing my historian side (it’s such a long time).

So, what actually transpired on June 12, 1898? For the uninitiated, that day the revolutionary forces under Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippines from the Spain ruling. But the declaration was not recognized by US or Spain, and by other nations. On a professional point of view. it was plain and simple: a buy out. How was that? The Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris after the idemnification for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

Fastforward. On July 4, 1946, the representatives from US and Philippines signed a Treaty of General Relations between the two governments.  This recognized the independence of the Philippines and the relinquishment of  American sovereignty over the Philippines.  But substance over form, there is a glitch with this treaty.  This independence came with numerous strings attached.  The US retained dozens of military bases and independence was linked to legislation passed by the US Congress which was designed to ensure that Philippines would remain an economic ward of the US.

Yes, we celebrate our independence day every June 12 (which ages ago was not recognized by any countries) as previously mentioned , although its independence was only recognized on July 4 by the US.  From 1946 to 1961, Independence Day was observed on July 4.  but President Diosdado Macapagal (father of the incumbent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo aka PGMA), as advised by the historians was reverted to June 12.

A lot of things transpired since then including the coming and going out of military bases in the country.  But without further analyses needed, regardless of celebrating the country’s independence on June 12 or July 4, it is a fact that Philippines remained, and remains an economic ward of the US.

Consider these quotes:

The Philippines are ours forever.  We will not repudiate our duty in the archipelago.  We will not abandon our duty in the Orient.  We will not renounce our part in the mission of our race, trustee under God, of the civilazation.  [Albert Beveridge, US Senator, Indiana]

When I next realized that the Philippines had dropped into our laps I confess I did not know what to do with them… And one night late it came to me this way… 1) That we could not give them back to Spain - that would be cowardly and dishonorable; 2) That we could not turn them over to France and Germany - our commercial rivals in the Orient - that would be bad business and discreditable; 3) That we not leave them to themselves - they are unfit for self-government - and they would soon have anarchy and misrule over there worse than Spain’s wars; and 4) That there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God’s grace do the very best we could by them, as our fellow-men for whom Christ also died. [US President William McKinley]

We do not want the Filipinos for citizens. They cannot, without danger to us, share in the government of our nation and moreover, we cannot afford to add another race question to the race questions which we already have. Neither can we hold the Filipinos as subjects even if we could benefit them by so doing…. Our experiment in colonialism has been unfortunate. Instead of profit, it has brought loss. Instead of strength, it has brought weakness. Instead of glory, it has brought humiliation. [William Jennings Bryan, 1900 presidential election Democratic Party candidate]

Harsh truths.  Part of the past.  We decide for our own future.  Small deeds as it may seem but let’s act on it.