CHIZ SAYS PH NOT AMERICA'S 'LITTLE BROWN BROTHER'

Leading vice-presidential contender Sen. Francis Escudero said the Philippines needed to step out of the shadows of the United States as its "little brown brother" if it wants to have an effective relationship with the superpower.

Escudero, who is running as an independent, said the Philippines must show that it is an equal partner in a relationship with any nation.

"Ano mang relasyon at ugnayan sa pagitan ng Amerika at ng ating bansa, dapat pantay, dapat on equal footing. Hindi sila dapat mas mataas porke mas mayaman o mas malaki sila," Escudero said during the three-hour vice-presidential debate sponsored by the Commission on Elections.

The candidates were asked by CNN International news anchor Kristie Lou Stout how they see the relationship between the United States and Philippines evolving with the next Philippine government, and who between US presidential aspirants Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump, they think, would be better for such relations.

"Ang relasyon sa pagitan ng Amerika at ng Pilipinas is one of equal partnership. Ang problema, ang tingin pa rin ng mga Amerikano sa atin, little brown brother pa rin tila nila tayo. Ang problema, masyadong minamaliit ang ating bansa kaugnay sa relasyong ito," Escudero said.

"Marapat, isulong at ipaglaban natin ang pagiging pantay at parehas ng relasyong iyan," he said.

The lawmaker said he does not think a Trump presidency would help the country's relationship with the U.S. government.

"Kaugnay ng pangulo, maganda mang pakinggan, nakakaaliw man ang mga maaanghang na salita, hindi ko po nakikita na magiging maganda para sa relasyon ng ating bansa at ng Amerika ang panguluhan ni Ginoong Trump," he said.