FILIPPINE – ELEZIONI – a cura di Fabio Scarpello

In occasione delle elezioni presidenziali che si terranno il 10 maggio, Sudestasiatico.com vi propone due interessanti articoli a firma di Fabio Scarpello

Power brokers block Philippine paths to peace
By Fabio Scarpello Atimes.com
MANILA – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Philippines’ largest Islamic rebel group, does not recognize the country’s constitution or electoral process. But senior insurgent members of the ethnic Moro group are closely following the unfolding presidential campaign for how the result may pertain to their stalled peace process with the government.
Polls show Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Senator Manuel “Manny” Villar as the frontrunners, with former criminally convicted president Joseph Estrada running a distant third. Voting takes place on May 10.
Estrada told [Read more...]

Philippines Election Reflects China’s Inroads into U.S. ‘Backyard’
By Fabio Scarpello – www.worldpoliticsreview.com
MANILA, Philippines — Whoever wins the Philippines’ upcoming presidential election on May 10, it is likely that the special ties that bind the country to the U.S. will remain largely unaffected. In Manila, however, those ties are considered a necessity, not a choice, and some perceptible changes in attitude have emerged. The shift is aided by China’s inroads into what has historically been considered “the United States’ backyard.”
Segments of Filipino civil society have long opposed what they perceive as Washington’s interference in the country’s internal affairs, as well as the U.S. military’s presence during lengthy training exercises. Politicians, including the major presidential candidates, have been more restrained. But there has been a trend toward a more-independent and assertive stance regarding the country’s sovereignty and self-interest, and [Read more...]