“An Evaluation of the Philippine Presidential Elections of May 2016: The Philippines Today and Tomorrow.”

A luncheon lecture featuring Chairman Andy Bautista, Commission on Elections of the Philippines. Chairman Bautista will be in Washington D.C. as on observer for the U.S. National Elections.

In light of the declaration by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday that he intends to end the Philippines’ military and economic ties to the United States, this event is likely to be most interesting. While speaking at the Philippines-China Trade and Investment Forum, President Duterte indicated a preference for dealing with Chinese officials and businesses, declaring, “I announce my separation from the United States both in the military but economics also… I have separated from them so I will be dependent on you for a long time. But don’t worry, we will also help.” Duterte also suggested he’d like Russia to join in this new Eastern Hemisphere alliance: “I realign myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin,” he said. “There are three of us against the world. China, Philippines, Russia.”