Great Decisions Speaker Hank Hendrickson on “The Philippines and the U.S.”

US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson was featured speaker at a Foreign Policy Association’s online discussion program, “Great Decisions: The Philippines and the U.S.” Setting the tone for the interview-style program, Hendrickson provided an overview of key historical events and current policy issues of importance in the bilateral relationship. The U.S. had acquired the Philippines from Spain at the Treaty of Paris that the U.S. Senate passed by a vote and approved in 1899. This came against the background of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule. Commodore Dewey’s decisive victory at Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War began a series of events that led to the U.S. acquisition of the Philippines, transitioning in a matter of decades from colony to commonwealth, WWII allies, independence and post-war security partnership.

Open forum participants raised questions covering the China factor, the Hague Tribunal’s ruling on South China Sea, Japan’s post-war role in Philippine development, the thriving BPO centers in the Philippines, U.S. support during the 2017 Marawi siege, prospects for trade, 2022 presidential election and more. In response, Hendrickson offered his perspective on U.S. priorities post-election. He described a positive and enduring relationship underpinned by shared history, people-to-people linkages and a foreign policy cooperation resting on shared mutual interests.

The program was moderated by former senior U.S. foreign service officer Michael Carpenter.