ILOILO City — Progressive alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Panay (BAYAN-Panay) has denounced United States President Donald Trump’s impending visit to the Philippines for the 49th ASEAN Summit, warning that the proposed “Pax Silica” agreement could deepen American economic and strategic dominance while Filipinos struggle with soaring prices and worsening poverty.
BAYAN-Panay secretary general Elmer Forro said the visit and anticipated signing of the agreement would primarily advance Washington’s interests amid intensifying rivalry with China rather than address the country’s economic problems.
“The Filipino people have nothing to celebrate in the arrival of US President Donald Trump. He is coming to Manila for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings; amid intensifying US-China rivalry, the summit provides Washington an opportunity to strengthen its political, economic, and military influence in Southeast Asia,” Forro said in a statement.
The group also assailed the Marcos administration’s spending priorities, claiming that P17.5 billion was allocated under the 2026 national budget to host the summit, including P10.78 billion for the Office of the President and P1.93 billion for the Philippine National Police.
It questioned the massive expenditure as Filipinos contend with rising food, electricity and transportation costs.
Citing economic figures, BAYAN-Panay said inflation climbed to 7.8 percent in October while the peso weakened to P63.67 against the US dollar on November 3.
“The Marcos Jr. administration is set to spend billions to host foreign leaders, especially Donald Trump, while ordinary Filipinos struggle to afford food, electricity, transportation, and other basic necessities,” BAYAN Panay stated.
The group further blamed recent US military operations against Iran and the Philippines’ Oil Deregulation Law for aggravating domestic economic difficulties, claiming gasoline and diesel prices had surged to P85 to P100 per liter.
“Trump dares to step into our country that’s currently ravaged by an economic crisis worse than the pandemic years, while it is his government’s recent war against Iran that brought about the recent wave of economic hardships we Filipinos suffer from,” group stressed.
BAYAN-Panay also accused multinational oil companies, including Caltex under US-based Chevron, of reaping substantial profits while Filipino consumers bear rising fuel and transportation costs.
Its criticism comes as the Philippines and the United States commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years of their Mutual Defense Treaty.
The alliance questioned whether the longstanding partnership has benefited ordinary Filipinos, citing persistent poverty, unemployment, landlessness and rising living expenses.
Instead of pursuing what it described as US-backed neoliberal policies, BAYAN-Panay called for comprehensive agrarian reform, national industrialization, living wages, price controls on essential commodities and stronger public services.
It also urged greater protection for farmers, fisherfolk, transport workers, street vendors and indigenous communities./PN
