Because of the experiences of World War II, the definition of security has
undergone overhaul revision and now involves at least three phases of
preparedness--- political, economic and military.
POLITICAL Preparedness may be achieved in part by employing some
strategies; e.g
1. creating a treaty network that will serve the dual purpose of forming
strong alliance and commitments with strong allies and, consequently,
isolating any potential enemy;
2. utilizing international tensions to implement policy;
3. framing and prosecuting a positive, popularly supported, and vigorous
foreign policy;
4. avoiding, by negotiation, the precipitation of an overtly hostile act that
might cause war;
5. using international machinery for collective security.
ECONOMIC preparedness involves;
1. the possession of essential minerals, foodstuffs, and other raw
materials or access to them;
2. industrial capability
3. administrative, industrial, scientific know-how necessary to create the
weapons and other equipment and facilities needed by the military
services
4. financial capability or national wealth to undermine all the foregoing
activities without incurring internal economic collapse.
MILITARY requirements for maintenance of national security include;
1. a long-range strategic plan of attack and defense, supplemented by
constant study of possible tactical situations that might develop in
encountering potential enemies;
2. the organization and training of a fighting service that can efficiently
utilize the modern engines of land, sea, and air power;
3. plans for coordinating civilians, personnel and facilities to meet a war
situation;
4. the provision of adequate and proper logistical support, such as
transportation and supply.
Political Scientists include psychological preparedness as a final factor in
national security. Whether it has been artificially induced by propaganda, the
morale of the population can become a vital element in the maintenance of
national security.
Protecting National Prestige
The fourth principle used in guiding the formulation of policy goals is the
maintenance of national prestige. Inasmuch as individuals are concerned
with their personal reputation in the community in which they live, the state,
by the same token, is obliged to consider its reputation in the international
affairs. A state must conduct its international affairs with pride and selfrespect as a sovereign political entity.
Developing Power
This is the last important interest that constitutes the guiding principle in the
formulation of policy goals, the acquisition of power. Power is a leverage. It is
the ability to initiate and control events to obtain results.
Kings, dictators and presidents are symbols of power. Winning a war is, in
effect, the result of the virtual application of power. In any society, one group
possesses the political, social, economic, and cultural affairs of the
government, which another group tries to control. Power in politics is the
capacity control or command over others to influence the peoples thoughts
for the attainment of political goals. It is in this context that power may be
inferred as the most universal of all principles that condition foreign policy
goals.
FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS CONDITIONING FOREIGN POLICY
When experts in government devise the foreign policy of a particular
country, there are certain requirements that must be considered. It is
important that the goals it purports to achieve are in line with the basic
tenets of existence in the international sphere that affect its status. These
are the geographic strategic situation, population potential,
economic endowment, and ideological environment.
1. The Geographic-Strategic Requirements
The characteristics of the size, climate, topography, and shape are
important requirements of the physical environment.
-the size should be large enough to provide an adequate standard of
living for a population.
-the climate should be conducive to physical vigor, either temperate
or tropical.
-the topography of the physical environment offers boundaries with
natural defense barriers such as rivers, lakes, oceans, swamps,
deserts, mountains, and forests.
-the shape should be relatively easy to defend in conventional
warfare.
These advantages are not present in all states.
2. The Population
This variable is reflected in the multi-facets of a states foreign policy.
The size, the socio-economic status and the dynamics of growth and
decline of a nations population come into play in the formulation of its
foreign policy. Other factors that are considered are the degree of its
social integration in the national community and the adequacy and
ability of its political institutions to cope with crises.
3. The Economic Endowment / Resources
The status of a states economic resources inevitably influence the
shape of its foreign policy. The health of a states economic resource is
an indicator of the vigor and viability it displays in its relation with
other states. Economic analysts describe the function of an economic
system as the utilization of land, labor, capital, and enterprise for
production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Normally, if the economic system comes up with expectations, the
standard of living of the people is better. A powerful state is usually
described as one possessing a well-integrated and highly industrialized
economy. It is endowed with human and natural resources which are
useful in the production of goods for consumption at home and for
export abroad. The states foreign trade can meet adequately domestic
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE
The information with regard to the compilation of economic intelligence is
vital through a separate network of consulates.
A consulate is staffed by senior officials of varying ranks designated as
consul general, consuls, and consular agent are assigned various tasks.
The consul;
o Generally in charge of providing information on economic conditions of
the country to which he is accredited
o Business and trade opportunities are carefully studied and analyzed,
and enforcement of any existing commercial agreements is supervised.
o He is also responsible to nationals of his country who are travelling to
the country in which he is stationed and are domiciled there.
o He reports to his superiors all information, political or otherwise, that
he believes to be og significance.
FOREIGN POLICY AND POLITICAL DYNAMICS
Policy planners on foreign policy usually cooperate within the
framework of reference provided by past experiences.
New policy stems from traditions deeply embedded in a nations history.
It is an extension of past policy projected in the light of new
developments and recent experiences.
One of the most important elements in this process is the impact of public
opinion as channeled through different parties and interest groups.
INSTRUMENTS AND TACTICS IN THE EXECUTION OF FOREIGN POLICY
The final stage of the process of formulating policy is reaching a decision to
adopt a course of action. The success hinges on the carefully designed plans
and the efficacy of its implementations. The execution of foreign policy
involves the skillful utilization of tactical instruments as an integral part of
the strategic approach to policy formulation.
The widely used instruments employed as policy device are categorized as
(1) political-legal; (2) economic-financial; (3) military ; and (4)
propagandistic-ideological.
1. Political-legal.
This device includes the use of recognized channels of negotiation such
as good offices.
This is done when one state offers to do the role of intermediary
between two countries in dispute.
Another case is adjudication wherein a dispute of two parties is
submitted to a judicial tribunal, with prior agreement of the
parties involved and they abide by its decision.
Others are negotiations of treaty, a declaration of neutrality and
the recall of instrumentalities which play a significant role when
applied to specific political situations.
2. Economic-financial.
The economic-financial instruments relate to the raising or lowering of
tariff barriers or the use of cartels.
Under Article VI, Section 23 (1) of the Constitution, Congress with the
concurrence of 2/3 of all its members, voting separately, may declare the
existence of a state of war.
Adoption of the generally accepted principles of international
law as part of our law.
International law refers to the body of rules and principles which governs the
relations of nations and their respective peoples in their intercourse with one
another.
The second portion of the declaration binds the Philippines to enforce or
observe within its jurisdiction, generally accepted principles of international
law, whether customary or by treaty provision, as part of the law of the land.
There is here an automatic adoption of international law as part of the law of
the Philippines under what is known as the doctrine of incorporation.
(1)When international usage to be applied. International usages or the
customs of civilized nations are given effect by our courts in the
absence of any treaty, executive order, legislative act, or judicial
decision. An example of a principle established by international usage
is that fishing boats belonging to an enemy are not subject to seizure
in time of war.
(2)A treaty has force of a statute. The constitution gives a treaty the
same weight and value as a statute of Congress. In case of conflict
between a treaty and a statute, the prior act superseded by the later
one in point of time.
When a treaty is superseded by a subsequent statute of Congress, the
treaty is repealed or abrogated as [art of the law of the land but it still
subsists as an engagement of the Philippines, although it may not be
enforceable by our courts. The other State may only present its
complaint to the political organs (i.e. President and Congress) of our
government.
(3)Constitution prevails over a treaty. the phrase law of the nation in
the 1935 Constitution was changed to law of the land in the 1973
Constitution in order to avoid any conjecture that the generally
accepted principles of international law are incorporated into Philippine
law with the force of constitutional provisions. The change is retained
in the new constitution. Thus, should a conflict arise between the
Constitution and a treaty, the former prevails.
Adherence to the policy of peace, equality, justice with all nations
The third aspect is a corollary to the foregoing portions of the above
declaration of principle. It shows a positive attitude on the part of the
Philippines toward the observance of the principles of the United Nations
Charter and to universally accepted rules and principles of international law.
In line with the objectives of the United Nations, the Philippines seeks only
peace and frienship with her neighbors and all countries of the world,
regardless of race, creed, ideology and political system, on the basis of
mutual trust, respect and cooperation. It supports the right of all nations,
big and small, to equality, freedom, and justice in their relations with one
another and the policy of non-interference and peaceful settlement of
international disputes and opposes the use of force, or the threat of force, in
relations among nations.
National Sovereignty
Territorial Integrity
National Interest
Right to self-determination
Principles of Independence and Self-determination
The state shall manifests general sovereignty of the people over their
territorial integrity, and over their wealth and natural resources.
It shall be the duty of the state to promote mutual respect for
sovereignty and equality among other states.
In the spirit of friendship and co-existence, the State shall foster
peaceful settlement of conflicts and the establishment of system
control for national security, capable of promoting peace and justice in
relations with other independent states. As such, the country shall
strengthen ties of friendship with neighboring territories in the region,
at the very least.
Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as "Philippine Foreign Service Act of
1991", gives mandate to the Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the
three (3) pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy, as follows:
1. Preservation and enhancement of national security
2. Promotion and attainment of economic security
3. Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of
Filipinos overseas.
UPDATES ON PHILIPPINE FOREIGN POLICY UNDER THE PNOY ADMINISTRATION
(President Benigno Aquino)
The purpose of PHILIPPINE FOREIGN POLICY is to secure the NATIONAL
INTEREST
in
our
dealings
with
FOREIGN
NATIONS,
REGIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL BODIES, this has been done through
its three long-established pillars as stated above.
1. Preservation and enhancement of national security
-From Poland, we procured helicopters. The first delivery of four (4) Sokol
Helicopters were made and the balance of another 4 units are expected to
arrive.
-We also signed similar defense cooperation agreements with Israel, Spain,
and Vietnam.
-Our country must also continue its vibrant relations with the countries of the
Middle East in resolving the Mindanao problems, the Palestinian issues, and
global terrorism.
-We should also remain active in the United Nations in promoting global
peace and development.
Last May 2011, the Philippines successfully chaired the 2010 Review of the
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is the cornerstone of the global nuclear
non-proliferation regime.
-The Philippines should also continue its involvement in peacekeeping and
humanitarian assistance. (In this manner, the Philippines is doing its part as
a responsible member of the international community of nations).
Why must the Philippines continue to be engaged on the regional
and global stage?
-It is because we seek stability not just for its own sake, but also for our own
reasons. We want to avoid foreign problems spilling over into our homeland
or our region. We want to pursue national development for which access to
prosperous world markets and safe maritime routes is essential. We want our
Filipinos overseas to be safe and secure in their host nations.
2. Promotion and attainment of
diplomacy enhancement