(Last Dec.14, the Union of Foreign Service Officers wrote Gloria Arroyo and copy-furnished the Commission on Appointments opposing the midnight appointments of Francisco Benedicto as ambassador to China and Antonio Cuenco as ambassador to Italy. The CA rejected Cuenco’s appointment upholding the reason forwarded by the Unifors which is the appointment is a waste of money with only five months left in the Arroyo administration. The CA, however, approved the nomination of Benedicto.
The author of this article, Mr. Roberto Romulo, son of the statesman Carlos P. Romulo,was formerly foreign affairs secretary during the administration of Fidel V. Ramos.)
by Roberto Romulo
Philippine Star
In the course of the year, I usually devote a column or two to critical issues of concern in the Philippine foreign service, believing how vital it is to our ties with the world. This yearend column is such a piece.
Contrary to the feeling of some that ambassadors may have outlived their usefulness in the age of the Internet, competent diplomats are more important than ever. The new global security threats — not only terrorism — require more intimate knowledge of foreign peoples and places that still cannot be acquired from Discovery Channel and websites. We still need to get our passports from a government office and not from e-Bay. Trade deals still need to be negotiated and economic promotions have to be carried out face-to-face and mano-a-mano in the face of intensive globalization. International migrations call for countries, like the Philippines, to deploy diplomatic and consular agents in far-flung and often hostile parts of the world.
And perhaps most important of all, we need effective ambassadors to man the ramparts of a new 21st century international order where many new players jostle one another for ever greater global and regional power and influence. This game has quickened considerably since the position of the United States has begun to erode in many international arenas, including East Asia
This view of diplomacy lies at the heart of the criticism of the appointment of Ambassador Frank Benedicto as our envoy to China, much of which is emanating from the career service. To paraphrase their brief, the United States and China are the two most important countries in our foreign relations, and no diplomatic postings are more critical than Washington and Beijing. In this light, we need “the best and the brightest” to represent our country in these capitals. Ambassador Benedicto’s political appointment hardly fills the bill. In addition, it is imprudent considering that President Arroyo’s term will end in June 2010, and considering also that the said ambassador is beyond the age limit of 65 years. Why, they lament, is our government wasting funds for such a short tenure?
The issue hovers between two poles: the prerogative of the President to appoint ambassadors of her choosing, subject to confirmation by the Congressional Commission on Appointments, and the need for the national interest to be ably served by our foreign service. While Congress has concurred with President Arroyo’s naming of Ambassador Benedicto, his colleagues at the Department of Foreign Affairs have not.
What lies at the root of the dissent?
I have known Ambassador Benedicto since the days when I served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs under President Fidel V. Ramos and when he was our Ambassador to Singapore. He is one of the most friendly, caring ambassadors in the service. He was beloved by OFWs in Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road. And he is known to pull out all the stops to be a generous host to visitors, even including pulling out his credit card to pay for their purchases. I understand that he has spent a lot of his personal money helping OFWs. After leaving Singapore to take up the post of ambassador to Korea, his successor complained that the ambassador’s residence was in poor condition for lack of proper maintenance. When I relayed the complaint to Frank, he immediately offered to make the repairs at his own expense. In sum, Frank is the kind of gentleman who is difficult to dislike.
Being a nice guy, however, is not enough rationale for one to be appointed Philippine Ambassador to China. The issue goes beyond just waste of money and short tenure; in all likelihood this political appointment will extend to the next President’s term. Frank holds the record of being the longest-serving political appointee in our foreign service. Age should not be a deterrent either, since many others of his age have been appointed before and some have performed capably. The core issue really is whether Frank’s forte – his genuine concern for our OFWs and his genial sociability — is suited for a post like China.
China, let’s face it, is the only other global power to reckon with besides the US. It will have an ever-increasing influence on our security and economy in coming years, more than the U.S. and Japan. Dealing with this reality — and promoting our national interest as China asserts its status as a global power — will be a major foreign policy challenge for our government. The Philippines will have to rely on our man in Beijing to provide the insights and the necessary inputs for us to craft the appropriate foreign policy response. Moreover, he must be able to effectively communicate our position and views to the Chinese. This is a responsibility that cannot be delegated to junior officers, no matter how skillful. He himself must possess the skill and “gravitas” for the practice of diplomacy and appreciation of geopolitics and security, economic and trade issues, environmental and health concerns, and the many other issues that make up our bilateral relations. This is not developed overnight but from years of experience.
Unfortunately, placing Frank in a situation like this is like putting a square peg in a round hole. There is no overseas Filipino community of note in China at the moment. Friendly chit-chat and affability can only take you so far. Diplomacy for all its niceties is cold and calculating, and we can be sure the Chinese will always have their national interest at heart and not necessarily ours, unless the two coincide. We have many delicate issues with China – Spratlys, Scarborough Shoal and our non-state relationship with Chinese Taipei to name a few. The management of such crucial issues calls for a very sure and steady hand, especially when it comes to calming tension and reducing the potential for conflict.
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Former DFA Secretary Romulo says it in his article above. I think he’s the only one — has anybody else even ever said that “…ambassadors outlive their usefulness in the age of the internet”?
And other than “GMA appointed him/Benedicto” and other Dept foreign affairs personnel (names not to be published) are against GMA making the appointment, the Romulo article is (in my opinion) a push for someone who was also eyeing the post (China) but did not get it.
Such is politics. There will be changes when GMA becomes a congressman and NoyNoy steps into Malacanang. [Or maybe it is Gibo (who I think is the better). Or Villar. or Jamby.] The changes will be in the cast of characters (while the way things are done will probably not change that much). Such is politics.
Why not just follow the rules when appointing and selecting candidates for an ambassadorial post? Benedicto more likely can do the job but others can do as well and this is the best way to expand foreign service for experience, by letting get involve.
If age is NOT an issue for foreign service, why not change the rule properly first before appointing someone.
Problem is this government keep on making rules but they themselves don’t follow it! they always think they are above the law expect others not to complain about it!….dahhhh!
..by letting others get involve.
I wonder if this Benedicto has any relation to the Benedictos of the Marcos years. Never in the history of Philippine diplomatic and foreign services has appointment of ambassadors such controversial as it is under the Arroyo government. Noong panahon ni Marcos, pati ang artistang si Eddie Gutierrez ay ginawang Ambassador sa Spain. Panahon naman ni Cory, the late Amado Cortez was made Consul General of San Francisco. It is worse today because even active and retired Generals are appointed Ambassadors.
Pilipinas needs to grow the economy if it wants to provide better to its citizens. Pinas has to rob from Peter to pay Paul if Pinas wants to provide better for all its citizens, but just think of these statistics. Pinas GDP-per-capita is $3,300.00. Thailand’s is $8,400; China is $6,600.00.
Pilipinas — there is not much there to tax from Peter to pay Paul.
Benedicto is the unwitting guy who can work it out for the chinese columns to come and and some to play golf, with the same or even less effort as he did with our OFWs. And spend this time though not necessarily coming out of his own pocket anymore.
I just hope that the next ambassador is more competent, Ms Ellen paki add po ang blog ko na nakalink sa username ko sa blog roll.
Agree 100% with the observation of former DFA Secretary Romulo especially about Amb. Frank Benedicto’s character as a person which is very true. I have the privilege of knowing Amb. Benedicto when he was at Ottawa and it’s quite an experience to be personally attended and kindly treated everytime we’re at the Embassy. Same thing with most of our kababayans doing business in the Embassy from whom we learned it’s really his usual way. But I, too, disagree and wonder aloud why he accepted to be appointed to that rather difficult ambassadorial post when he could have opted to enjoy his retirement.
sa atin sa pilipinas… it is not what one knows but who he knows that qualifies him for any job in the government..lalo na sa mga political appointments like this..this is a reality!
Thanks Valdemar. Here’s one from Ernie Maceda’s column that’s very interesting:
It is usual to greet friends with a happy New Year or even prosperous New Year. For a lucky group, they have become prosperous under GMA in the last eight years. They are:
1. Ricky Razon of ICTSI and power companies
2. Endika Aboitiz of the Aboitiz group also in power and shipping
3. Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and Liberty Tel./Qatar
4. Roberto “Bobby” Ongpin, local partner of Armstrong Investments who has just bought 28 percent of SMC after buying Petron
5. Chavit Singson who bets a million dollars in Las Vegas and P2 million per cockfight here.
6. Dodie Puno of Road Board fame who just bought Iñigo Zobel’s property in Boracay for P125 million
7. Manny Villar, real estate magnate
8. Lucio Co with more than 30 Pure Gold supermarkets, including Pure Gold Jr.
9. Paul Aquino of PNOC/EDC
10. Ephraim Genuino, Pagcor Chairman
11. Bong Pineda who now owns an expanded San Juan Cockpit valued at P500 million and No. 1 jueteng lord
12. Zaldy Co, Bicol contractor of the Arroyos, owns five-star Bisibis Resort in Albay
13. Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and sons who are billionaires without any major business, bets big on Pacquiao fights and high roller in the casinos
14. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., the richest Cabinet Member
15. Bert Gonzales, who went from renting an apartment to living in a P50 million mansion in Wack Wack
16. Reghis Romero II, the recipient of a P3 billion windfall on his Smokey Moutain South Harbor projects
17. Angelo Reyes, who prospered in the four departments he headed and as AFP chief of staff
18. Winston Garcia, GSIS CEO
19. Tommy Alcantara of Alsons Consolidated Resources with mega projects in power, energy and property development who, with sister Edith, are close friends of GMA.
20. Edward de Luna of E.C. de Luna Construction Inc. who is the person to see to get big contracts at DPWH, another friend of FG.
sobra sobra ngang prosperity ang nakamit ng mga kampon ni aling gloria na lalong ikinahirap ng masang pinoy.
Rules must be followed. No matter how flawed these may be.
But not in this administration where most rules are broken and trashed.
But, what are they in power for?
And why should we care when we already let the un-elected president rule us with impunity for nine years now?
Ngayon pa tayo aangal?
May kabuluhan pa ba?
O mas tamang – may kahihiyan ba sila?
Mr. Joeseg,
Meaning laang na dapat ay meron din kahit ga-hiblang guhit ng delikadesa ang sino mang i-appoint ni lelang gloria.
Problema nga, lahat sila walang bahid man lamang ng kahit konting kahihiyan.
Para bagang ‘yung patay na matagal nang nahihimlay ay biglang binuhay para sa sariling kapakinabangan.
Ipaubaya na lang kay Noynoy ang pag-appoint ng next amba to China. (Pinaliligaya ko lang ang new year ni Henry, hehehe).
Kahit magaling ang isang ambassador kung ang maglalagay sa kanya sa pwesto ay si Gloria ay subject s’ya sa doubt at kritisismo. Ako na lang, kahit kilala ko pa ng personal at kaibigan pa ang appointed official ni Gloria ay tiyak na hindi ko sya kakausapin at tuloy ay pagdududahan pa. E kung malinis o tapat na opisyal ba s’ya ay bakit didikit sya sa tangnang bitch na Gloria Arroyo?
If Noynoy becomes President, he may appoint his uncle Peping as Ambassador to China. Peping is one guy Noynoy and LP must watch out. He’s also corrupt.