America is all we have —Locsin

Despite previous diplomatic irritants and Washington's moments of "ambiguity and indecision" to defend its allies, America is an ally the Philippines can not live without, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.

In his remarks at a reception to mark the 243rd anniversary of the Independence of the United States in Makati City Wednesday night, Locsin said the two allies' relationship has been nurtured through the years with its treaty alliance, shared history, culture and adherence to common values, such as rule of law, freedom and democracy.

"For upon the current condition of her undoubtedly superior strength depends, on the one hand, the clarity and celerity of her commitment to defend allies; and on the other, the ambiguity and indecision of that commitment when she gets up on the wrong side of the bed. But she is all we have," he said.

"It's like a spouse; can't live without them but sometimes you wish you could. But really you can't. It is not fear of alimony but of being alone — of missing a dependable presence in a world that shows only three consistent aspects: nastiness, brutishness and brevity."

US Ambassador Sung Kim said America’s friendship with the Philippines “remains very strong,” noting that such relationship and alliance will endure and carry on into the future.

"So many great things happened in our relationship and I remain very optimistic about the future of Philippines-US relationship," Kim said.

"We have shared values, we have shared history, we have shared culture, common interests, and most importantly, the warmth and mutual affection and respect with the Philippines remain very strong."

He also said Washington stands by its Mutual Defense Treaty obligations to the Philippines in the event of an armed attack against the country – a commitment made clear by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to Manila early this year.

"We stand by that," Kim said.

Although President Rodrigo Duterte's swing toward China and his harsh criticisms of the US every now and then have raised questions on Philippines-US alliance, Locsin said relations have remained steadfast.

"It is something that waxes and wanes, depending on the stages of the moon it sometimes seems; and on the pubescence and climacteric of nations; but in the end it is what makes us love America — she is the larger image of ourselves as we are her smaller image. And we care for her as we hope she cares for us; but in any case we always care," he said.

America’s great power and commitment to freedom and independence for herself and for the rest of the world "allows her allies the freedom to maneuver with other nations; to make close friends of an untried disposition; to strike postures of friendliness dangerously bordering on blind trust; and of belligerence but without anxiety because someone has their backs," Locsin said.

"Few nations in the world have the wherewithal to protect their freedom and independence by themselves."

Duterte has been criticized for his friendly overtures to China and accused of compromising national interest in exchange for economic aid and investments.

He also vowed to realign the country's foreign policy by befriending China and Russia while cutting back on military engagements with the US.

But Locsin believes some setbacks in the relationship will not break the long-standing bond between the two countries.

"Her fortunes are as if they are our own — in the intensity of the experience. When her great men die, we grieve as hard; when she rises magnificently to the occasion, we exult with her; and when we rise as high our limited scope notwithstanding, she exults as much for us —as I had occasion to see for myself at the Joint Houses of the US Congress assembled after EDSA," said Locsin.

"Some of us may wish for variety, but we know and history shows it: there can be only one — true friendship, like that of our two Presidents. When we refused to vote with an anti-American majority in the UN, Nikki Haley said: 'America has many friends in good times; but only true friends in challenging times.' And so it is." —KBK, GMA News