Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Willy Gaa
                       Evolution of Philippine foreign policy
By Heidi M. Pascual

   The Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Willy Gaa, spoke before a huge diverse audience in
Milwaukee on October 8, on invitation of the Institute of World Affairs-University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Gaa has
been in the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs since the '70s, serving in various capacities including, as
consul general of the Philippine Consulates in Los Angeles and New York, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary (AEP) of the Republic of the Philippines to the People's Republic of China, ambassador to
Australia and Libya, and non-resident ambassador to Tunisia, Malta and Niger, as well as Nauru, Tuvalu and
Vanuatu.
   Gaa focused mainly on educating Americans about the hows and whys of Philippine foreign policy changes
through the years.
   "Starting with the 1986 Constitution (Aquino Regime), in pursuance of an independent foreign policy and its
relation to other states, the foremost consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national
interest, and the right to self-determination," Gaa began. "Philippine foreign policy for the last 30 years has been
established (and reprogrammed based on) assessments brought about by the transformation of the international
order, and changes in internal structures, the democratization of politics, and the globalization of economy."
   Gaa took his audience to the past, before the 1986 Constitution was approved, to show the changes in such
policies. "(During) Pres. Ferdinand Marcos' (administration), 1965-1972, there was a renewed focus on Asian
regionalism, the RP-Asia relationship and renewal of relationships with socialist countries," Gaa recalled. “The
years after that, specifically 1972-1986, were punctuated by the Muslim separatist movement in Mindanao and
the communist insurgency.”
   "Pres. Corazon Aquino, 1986-1992, pursued a development diplomacy," Gaa stressed, "(in the light of) the
country's newly restored democracy. The Aquino administration provided a new beginning to Philippine relations
with Arab countries and Islamic states. It was Pres. Aquino who chose peace to arrive at the consensus on the
security of the region." [Gaa held the following positions during the Aquino administration: Director, Office of
Middle East and African Affairs (July-August 1986); Executive Director, Office of Consular Services (August 1986-
February 1987); and Deputy Consul General in Los Angeles (1987-1990)]
The next president, Pres. Fidel Ramos, focused on prosperity. "In 1992-1998, Ramos articulated the platform or
an action plan called 'Philippines 2000,'" Gaa reflected, acknowledging that this plan was the beginning of
economic prosperity and a good quality life for many Filipinos. "Under Pres. Ramos, four major foreign policy
objectives were developed: strengthening the nation's security; advancing in Philippine economic and social
development, assisting Filipino nationals overseas, and projecting a positive and accurate image of the
Philippines abroad."
   As far as the administration of Pres. Joseph Estrada, 1998-2001, Gaa said, "The protection of the country's
sovereignty and territorial integrity were the primary foreign policy concerns during his presidency. Like the past
administration, the commitment to ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) was also the cornerstone of
Estrada's foreign policy. The Philippines was instrumental in the inclusion of the Philippine community of peace,
so called, as part of the ASEAN comprehensive development agenda."
According to Gaa, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has focused the government's foreign policy on building a
strong republic. "Preservation and entrenchment of national security; promotion and attainment of economic
security through the mobilization of resources for economic advancement and social development; and the
protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas," Gaa said of the
current focus. "To make sure that Philippine foreign policy would be relevant and focused, Pres. Arroyo identified
specific realities of a regional and international environment that defines Philippine foreign policy under her
leadership." These include among others he mentioned, the paramount influence of China, Japan and the
United States, and the security and economic development of East Asia; the growing context of ASEAN in global
affairs; the role of international Islamic community; the role of the European Union; the building  of interregional
organizations; the protection of the environment, natural resources and territories; the drive for foreign markets
and foreign investments in which U.S. is also a major source, along with Japan, China, and ASEAN; the
importance of international relations; and the crucial role of overseas Filipinos in socio-economic stability.
   Gaa observed that today is an era of globalization marked with an international threat of terrorism, but that the
"ability to harness the benefits of diplomacy and the search for political and economic stability to bring about
lasting and meaningful change for the people and country" is very important for a nation's survival.
   "The Philippines experience has shown in the last 30 years that armed conflict greatly affects not only
communities but also the country at large," Gaa said matter-of-factly. "They take its toll on the economy, resulting
in low interest or confidence and that affects our country's international reputation." He then discussed how
different administrations dealt with these challenges, and the successes that the Philippines has so far achieved.
   The good news and things to be optimistic about the Philippines, Gaa said with confidence, are: the increased
GNP growth rate, a bullish stock market, growth in direct investments, exports registering double digits; inflation
dropping to an all-time low; and creating over 1 million jobs.
He concluded by stressing the importance of Filipinos overseas in 165 countries that mutually benefit the
Philippines and those other countries, and the Philippines’ position as a staunt ally in the global war against
terrorism.
   Later that day, Ambassador Gaa, together with Consul General Blesilda Cabrera and her staff from the
Philippine Consulate in Chicago, was welcomed by the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation
members at the Free Clinic with music, food, and a report of what PCCCF has accomplished.
Filipino Americans from the
Milwaukee & Madison areas
welcome Ambassador Willy
Gaa