US shift in COVID-19 response, return to Paris Agreement under Biden could benefit PH — Analyst

MANILA, Philippines — Some policies under the administration of US President-elect Joe Biden could benefit the Philippines, according to political analyst Tony La Viña.
Under Biden, the US government is expected to be more active and open to working with other nations in the search for a COVID-19 cure.
The Philippines may now consider the US as another potential source of Covid vaccine other than China and Russia.
“Kung si Trump ang nanalo, hindi niya ibabahagi ang vaccine nila sa atin. Ngayon kay Biden […] first day of office sabi niya, ‘We are going back to the World Health Organization to cooperate with other countries on the vaccine.'” La Viña noted.
As a country prone to natural disasters, the Philippines may also benefit from America’s return to the Paris Climate Change agreement.
On the other hand, La Viña said, one of the possible conflicts between the administrations of Biden and President Rodrigo Duterte is on the issue of human rights given the Democrats’ strong stand on the matter.
It can be recalled that the Duterte administration’s relationship with the administration of then President Barack Obama turned sour because of the latter’s criticisms on the former’s war on drugs.
Nevertheless, the overall US-Philippines relationship remains good despite conflicting stands.
“Minsan ine-exaggerate natin ang presidential statements. But in reality even under Duterte, we have been able to collaborate and cooperate with the US very well,” La Viña said.
With regard to the territorial issues on the West Philippine Sea, the US has been vocal about its support for the Philippines, and Biden is expected to sit down with its allies in the region. MNP (with reports from Rey Pelayo)