Manchurian bets‘ invasion

Manchurian bets‘ invasion | Daily Tribune

Nicolas-Lewis, also an author, was promoting her memoir (now also an Audiobook) titled “Why Should Guys Have All The Fun? An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running a Billion Dollar Empire.”

In a discussion with the DAILY TRIBUNE staff, the influential magnate and philanthropist, known for her outspoken advocacy on national sovereignty, sees the 2028 national elections as a battleground for the strategic interests of the two global superpowers.

She warned that both will collide, seeking to influence candidates, narratives, and outcomes in ways that could redefine Filipinos’ future.

Nicolas-Lewis, whose roots trace back to Sorsogon and whose US empire spans retail and real estate, has long been a critic of foreign encroachments.

Political rivalries simmering ahead of 2028 will have on one side Beijing’s ambitions in the region, particularly its expansive claims over contested maritime areas, seeking to cultivate sympathetic voices among the elected leaders.

On the other hand, Washington’s push for stronger alliances in the Indo-Pacific will seek to win over Filipino leaders who prioritize defense pacts and economic ties with the West.

Nicolas-Lewis stated that she supports securing the Filipinos’ future.

She forecasts a high-stakes game where votes could inadvertently tip the balance of regional power.

China’s rise as an economic juggernaut in the 21st century has led to massive investments through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, which has funded infrastructure ranging from bridges to railways across the region.

These projects, while boosting growth, have raised concerns about debt traps and strategic leverage, with critics arguing that they facilitate political influence.

The US, in turn, has reinforced its presence in the Philippines through strategic alliances and security agreements, such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which provides American forces access to Philippine bases.

As the 2028 polls loom, the proxy conflict is casting long shadows. Recent public hearings uncovered allegations of “sleeper agents” and operatives embedded near key institutions, fueling fears of espionage aimed at swaying the electoral process.

Foreign-funded social media troll farms are also sowing disinformation to polarize voters.

These operations, mostly linked to overseas entities, disseminate narratives that challenge territorial claims or promote pivots toward alternative alliances, thereby eroding trust in democratic institutions.

Most evident are efforts to fabricate claims about maritime disputes that favor Beijing’s “nine-dash line” claim, which international tribunals have deemed baseless.

Nicolas-Lewis underscored a rules-based order consistent with the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidating China’s nine-dash line territorial claim.

A counter-argument is that Western propaganda exaggerates threats and that a pragmatic engagement with neighboring states is necessary for economic stability.

US aid and remittances from millions of Filipinos in America provide the impetus for the economic implications of the 2028 choices.

The stark reality in 2028 is that voters, aside from considering track records, must beware of candidates beholden to foreign interests.