Realpolitik 2

President Aquino today said that the Philippines did not attend the Nobel Peace Prize awarding ceremony because it was better for the national interest to go along with China.

"President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III admitted the country did not send a delegate to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony honoring a Chinese democracy activist for the sake of 5 Filipinos on China’s death row.

In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Aquino said “our interest [is] to advance our citizens’ needs first.”"

also

"Aquino also said the country is aiming for a “closure” with China over the August 23 hostage incident, where 8 Hong Kong residents died.

The hostage crisis has caused diplomatic strains between the 2 nations. The Hong Kong government has voiced out its dismay over the “watered down” penalties that those involved have received.

He also said he was concerned for the safety of the Filipinos who may be caught in the tension between North and South Korea.

China earlier offered to mediate between the 2 Korean peninsulas. China is an ally of North Korea."

At least it's not that bullshit about the ambassador not having the time to attend. Personally, I think it was the right decision, it was a shitty decision, but it was the right one when we look at it from the perspective of the Philippine's national interest.