We don’t expect him to master all issues but it is important that he knows how to choose people to help him run the country. He should have an eye for , to borrow a phrase from what American journalist David Halberstam , the best and the brightest.
The late President Marcos was gifted with such talent even as he himself was brilliant. There were executives who were not intellectually heavyweights but were honest enough to admit their inadequacies and did the smart thing of hiring the “best and the brightest.” The one that comes to mind is former Ambassador to the US Benjamin Romualdez who tapped the brains and skill of the bright boys in the Department of Foreign Affairs namely Pacifico Castro,Rodolfo Severino and others.
President Aquino and his Malacanang team are weak in the area of foreign affairs. And the worrisome thing about this is, they don’t seem to realize it. They do not know that they do not know about foreign affairs.
That’s why from the very beginning of his administration, all the President’s actions about the Department of Foreign Affairs showed that he does not give importance to the country’s foreign relations. If he did, he would not have retained Gloria Arroyo’s foreign secretary.
It cannot be said that he did not know of Romulo’s incompetence because the Union of Foreign Service Officers sent him a letter with details of Romulo’s lack of leadership in the DFA including his boo-boos in international meetings.
It’s public knowledge that Aquino gave weight to his sisters’ pleadings to retain their “Tito Bert” because of the Romulos’ closeness to their family. Romulo also enlisted the help of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
The Aug 23 tragedy and its diplomatic backlash showed the result of an incompetent DFA leadership.
Former Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo (cousin of the current foreign secretary), who foreign service officers would say was one of the better foreign secretaries together with Domingo Siazon, said in his column in the Philippine Star that the nation has been luckier in Aquino’s economic team.
But, he said, “In our foreign relations, which are so vital to national success in this day and age, initiatives have been scattershot and lacked focus on priorities. Handling of the Nobel Prize issue was inept, unwittingly showing our government as both craven and unprincipled. To date, no road map for foreign policy has been set, only planned trips.
“There has been too much temporizing on appointments, highlighted by the rumors about who will be the next foreign secretary. The DFA is totally demoralized from being in suspended animation. Ambassadorial appointments have been slow and worse only political ambassadors have been appointed so far.”“
Several times, Malacañang officials would assure those who are concerned about lack of direction in foreign relations that Romulo would only be up to December 2010 or at the latest, “January 2011.”
But what do you know, Romulo will stay on. He has convinced Aquino to let him stay. His reason: he has scheduled a number of meetings abroad.
Meetings in foreign affairs are all year round. That means, Romulo will stay in the DFA forever. Foreign service officers who expect reforms and improvement in the conduct of the country’s foreign policy will have to accept that.
A foreign service officer dreads the forthcoming foreign ministers meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Lombok, Indonesia on Jan. 14 and 15. “What dumb thing is he going to say again?,” he said.
He said in the last Asean foreign ministers meeting, Romulo asked the Vietnamese ambassador if Vietnam agrees to China’s 9-dash line theory in the South China Sea.
China submitted to the United Nations a map indicating claims of sovereignty which was the whole of the South China Sea which is also claimed partly by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
That was a stupid question because it’s known among those who follow the SCS issue, which he should, about Vietnam’s position. The DFA source said, the Vietnamese foreign minister told Romulo, “, Of course we reject it.”
Vietnam and Malaysia have formally sent to the United Nations written objection to the Chinese nine dash line theory in the South China Sea. Under Romulo’s lack of leadership, the Philippines has not protested formally to the UN about China’s claim which is contrary to its SCS territorial claim.
A foreign affairs official also related one Asean meeting in New York which Romulo chaired. Malaysia submitted a proposal, and Romulo said “Approved.” Indonesia submitted another proposal and Romulo approved it. Then it was Singapore’s turn to submit a proposal and Romulo also approved it.
The Malaysian foreign minister was upset. He asked Romulo, “What’s the position of ASEAN now? You approved all three proposals and they do not espouse the same position.”
Romulo stammered while saying the chair will study the three proposals.
The official said, “It was so embarrassing.”
They should brace up for more of that.
If I may conjecture, Sec Romulo of DFA and Davide of the Truth Commission are certainly worth of significant percent
points in the diminution of P NOY’s popularity and trusts of the people.
Sacking them could mean raised 5% to 6% increase in P NOY’s survey ratings.
Humus, thanks for your insightful comments.
Admin matters: could you do something about your margin so I don’t have to edit it?
At his age, what can Romulo give the Filipino that he hasn’t done when he was younger.
I though he is a decent person. I was wrong.Kapit tuko to the max pala.
The Malaysian foreign minister was upset. He asked Romulo, “What’s the position of ASEAN now? You approved all three proposals and they do not espouse the same position.”
Nakakahiya siya!
“They do not know that they do not know about foreign affairs.” -Ellen
Lupit mo, Ellen.
First working day of 2011 and you are ablaze.
So walang magagawa kundi hintayin na mamatay si Berto Romulo, ganun?!!! Taragis, ikatlong araw ng bagong taon ay nagmumura ako!
Just what exactly are Penoy’s strong points? What, the release of the Morong 43? The Magdalo amnesty? The sacking of the weather bureau chief among other things?
Actually, the only strong point that he can speak of is his keeping of his sisters wish to keep Berto.
And what about the popularity survey? The pinoy bakya crowd is easily fooled. Mga uto-uto. When penoy runs out of someone to free from jail, grant amnesty to, save his his cronies from their own ineptitude, find a date to “keep” his pathetic love life from going public or anything of that sort, his bungling will once again shine through all the distractions.
ano ang dapat gagawin? patalsikin si Aquiono at ibalik si putot? aln ang mas maganda..ang six yeas ni putot or ang less than a year ni Aquino? Cha cha que rico cha cha…change the form of gov’t and make putot the Prime Minister at maraming darating na mga mysteries and miseries..baka naman magbabago na si putot at magbabago ang buhay ng mga Filipino…let us be hopeful..and not be dismayed at what is happening…after all it is just the start of the year….may bukas pa hindi ba? we can still do a lot to make life better for us..hindi ba “Ako ang Simula ng Pagbabago” hindi si Aquino nor si Arroyo…each one of us can make a differnce and do good..and together we can change our country….
Just what exactly are Penoy’s strong points? What, the release of the Morong 43? The Magdalo amnesty? The sacking of the weather bureau chief among other things?
Actually, the only strong point that he can speak of is his keeping of his sisters wish to keep Berto.
And what about the popularity survey? The pinoy bakya crowd is easily fooled. Mga uto-uto. When penoy runs out of someone to free from jail, grant amnesty to, save his his cronies from their own ineptitude, find a date to “keep” his pathetic love life from going public or anything of that sort, his bungling will once again shine through all the distractions.
– isagani
———————
For starters, he’s a winner – you’re obviously a loser.
second, he has his own money (around 14M or so to his name) – which you probably don’t have.
then he gets the prettiest girls, you obviously don’t.
…and more than a million people like him – and I believe only one person likes you – YOURSELF…
too bad, next time you measure other people, be sure you make the standard yourself…some people like to put down others just so they can have some company in their misery… 🙁
this “pinoy bakya crowd” knows what its doing…believe me…and even inspite of the government, it will endure…and I’m pretty sure a lot of these bakya crowd are better persons than you are, richer, achievers, etc., etc…so you’re not pinoy? or you’re not bakya? tell us, how sosyal are you? are you one of the ayalas or something, someone unreachable?
…baka mapahiya ka lang… 🙂
From Manuel Diaz:
We can never expect efficient and good governance from President BS Aquino because of his divided attention. He is also looking for dates while trying to formulate government policies.
Remember the 911 occurred because President Clinton was distracted from the Lewinsky affair. President Clinton could not focus his attention on how to neutralize Bin Laden.
Same with President BS Aquino he could not focus on governance while looking also for dates…
PNoy is like Erap in some ways, he is too trusting of his people around him. Sincerity alone cannot help him through with his “tuwid na landas”. He should tell his men to shape up or ship out.
is pnoy corrupt? it could be his only strong point but a lot of people may be satisfied with that. in the long run he may also be corrupted specially if some in his govt are.
I believe PNoy is not corrupt and would not purposely commit corruption.
But because there are questions about his competence, there’s a danger that some officials with dubious agenda would run rings around him.
Butch Franco, formerly Malaya and Manila Times’ foreign affairs reporter who is now based abroad, posted this comment in Facebook:
To continue with that incident in New York, at the sidelines of the UN, where Romulo approved all three contradictory proposals:
When the Malaysian foreign minsiter protested, Romulo stammered and said, “The chair will study the three proposals”.
It was tantamount to withdrawing his approval to the three proposals.
Eto namang si PNoy, hindi ba n’ya alam na ang DFA Secretary is his image to the world? Palitan na n’ya! – Butch Franco
Alam sigurado nya but can’t say no to ate Ballsy. He definitely needs a wife to tell him so that Berto is useless! Yun ay kung matino ang magiging asawa nya. Juicekopo, will someone of his confidence slap him gently with a daisy, baka bumigay… na palitan si Berto. 🙂
When a government Changes, the very important Cabinet to change is the Foreign Ministry, (it is the Equivalent of Secretary of State and you will not see a holdover in any case) and the Head of Government will appoint an Individual that will advance the thinking, the goals, and the foreign policies of the Government of the Day…Secretary Romulo believe the Foreign Ministry is his own Kingdom and that should not be the Case…it is the Government of the Day.
Look at the photo. Mukhang tanga si Romulo.
RE: #9 & 10 – Jug
Well, jug you seem to know a lot about Penoy’s personal situation. How about your situation? Obviously, you don’t measure up to anything but a paid Penoy pumper.
You don’t deserve any more response since you comment for money and have a closed mind. Alrighty.
Isagani, Jug maybe an avid supporter of PNoy but he is not under his payroll. I know him. He is an executive of a European company.
Based on the above article and the ensuing entries, pls allow me to offer my 2-Cents;
1. If the Secretary of Foreign Affairs was hired based on the lobbying of Prez Noy’s sister and that of the INC, and not on his diplomatic skills and managerial leadership, then he has no business staying in that position.
2. Prez Noy must have the balls to fire any of his cabinet members whose performance are poor, unacceptable, and an embarrassment to him and to the Filipino people, Romulo is not an exception.
3. If Romulo is there at the behest of some foreign powers, Prez Noy must do everything to show that it is inimical to the interests of such foreign powers to retain him. (There was a rumor then that CPR was married to a CIA).
4. If Prez Noy is hesitant to do what is right and what is best for the country, then people who thinks that Romulo is now a liability must band together and keep on telling Prez Noy day-in and day-out that Romulo must go!
5. Going personal on this kind of issues will not lead us anywhere. Let’s stick with the message and not with the messsenger!
Thanks!
The L (Laban sign) of Berto… “This is what earned Romulo the retention to the foreign secretary post.”
Susmaryosep, ilan naman kaya ang nakuhang boto ng L sign ni Berto that it commands a forever gratitude from Noynoy and siblings?!
chi – January 3, 2011 8:55 am
So walang magagawa kundi hintayin na mamatay si Berto Romulo, ganun?!!! Taragis, ikatlong araw ng bagong taon ay nagmumura ako!
**********************************************************
Chi, three days is just the start. We still have 362 days to go para murahin ang mga hung-hang na ito hangga’t hindi sila sinisibak o magbabago.
Becky – January 3, 2011 8:22 am
At his age, what can Romulo give the Filipino that he hasn’t done when he was younger.
*********************************************************
RESIGN !!!
#21 Ellen, jug may be what you say he is, but his comments certainly does not speak well of himself.
PeNoy as a public figure is open to criticisms which your friend jug does not seem to understand. If he can’t defend his idol by showing his idol’s achievements which to date is bokya, he should keep his comments civil.
jug an executive? Ellen, could have fooled me.
Natutuwa ako sa litrato nitong dalawa. Para bang sinasabi ni Pnoy at ni Berto na kaya medyo mainitin ang mga ulo nila ay sapagkat pareho silang ma-igsi ang——————–pasensiya (sorry folks, I just can’t resist letting this pass).
isagani,
well, why don’t we compare payrolls just for the heck of it? 🙂
…I’m just one of the bakya crowd, probinsiyanos, baduy, working student, etc, etc,… who happened to got lucky…
…so I know how to dish out bs just as much as you do… 🙂
…and I don’t have to speak well for myself, me, sell myself to you? who are you?
I don’t have any particular admiration for the president, but he is the president, and he got elected fair and square…so we have to just bite the bullet, pray he makes good decisions and work our asses off…
we have to focus on “our” productivity first because for as long as we don’t see anything substantial about the government – our people need every help they can get…
…and for the record, I agree with ellen regarding this foreign affairs office of ours…colleagues in other SEA countries are giving me unfavorable side comments already about our government and the wiki leaks “basket case” comment didn’t help…
…this is not the time to belabor each other, its the time to buckle down, roll up our sleeves, and get to work…we have a lot of “bakya” pinoy crowd to look after…
isagani,
unlike you, some of us, when confronted with embarassing situations do not blame other pinoys as if we belong to another superior race…we have to stand up for each other, for our country…look, some people even lost a lot fighting for these “bakya” crowd and apparently their efforts are not appreciated, but still they forge on…
Bago magkapukpukan ng bakya dito, let me greet everyone first a prosperous New Year’s. Peace on earth. Goodwill to all bloggers. Hahaha.
In any job, I don’t care if someone is an asshole (or looks and smells like one), for as long as he gets the job done. But what gets my nose out of joint are mediocrity and incompetence. Trained managers can easily spot these and it reflects on their own leadership and performance if they can’t prod them to measure up. The best thing to do is ship out.
Foreign Affairs? Isn’t that something like making out with a buxomy blonde? Romulo obviously is flirting with a skinny chink.
isagani,
…and unlike an invertebrate like you, some of us when confronted with comments like “you’re army/police is a joke”, “the world is laughing at you” , or some particularly nasty ones about integrity in doing business in the country – we don’t say “its the fault of corrupt politicians/our president is incompetent – don’t blame me I didn’t vote for them” … some of us just shake it off with “we do our best” or “nobody’s perfect” or “we are doing something about it” and again work our asses off to prove them wrong…
…btw, invertebrate means “no backbone” or would you prefer “protozoan?” – you know that single-celled organism that hasn’t evolved much yet inhabiting stagnant waters discolored by algae and the like…or simply “pond scum?”
tt,
i hope the president realizes sooner before its too late to repair the damages…its apparent that they are basking in the sunshine of these economic gains we are having…but we are losing a lot of goodwill, and in the end, all these money will fizzle out leaving us with nothing but our INTEGRITY, if we lose that…its going to be tough trying to get it back…and this Romulo is digging a deeper hole each time… 🙁
Please take a look at the article by former Foreign Secretary Roberto R. Romulo that precedes this post. It’s an incisive yet sober and balanced analysis of the first six months of the Aquino presidency.
While he criticized Aquino’s lack of direction in foreign affairs (that his cousin in the DFA has a lot to do about) , he praised the President’s economic team:
He said
Jug is too emotional that defending Noynoy gets the goat out of him. Instead of defending his idol he gets tooooo personal and brutally attack blogger who can’t seem to say any good things about Noynoy and which by the way has nothing to do with the topic at hand. It’s a childish act that one can only expect from a child.
The issue here is Noynoy and nobody else, his competence, leadership and intellect. It’s not about how fat is his bank account compared to others, or about how many beautiful “chicks” he got. These things are non-issues and have nothing to do about governance and how to lead a country and so bringing these up is some kind of trash.
Parang bata na nagsasabi at ipinagsisigawan sa kalaro o kaaway na: “mas magaling ang tatay ko o ang kuya ko kaysa saiyo”.
Noynoy is so lucky to have a supporter like Jug. He can’t seem to see anything wrong about him. I suspect and even venture to say that writing the name Noynoy in a label and stick on the ass of a horse, he will willingly and blindly kiss and lick it.
If only the people has the same kind of loyalty, thinking and belief, maybe it’s OK, as Jake Macasaet said in one of his column na “walang utak si Noynoy” to appoint people like Puno and Romulo.
florry,
hehehe…if you only knew, i don’t have to kiss anyone’s ass, at least not in this country…
at the start of the campaign period, all i asked from the current president is to let my friends go, frop the charges, reinstate back in the service, and i had my wish…i said if he did that i will support him no matter what happens, guess what, its time for me to put my monye where my mouth is…
unlike you, i believe that there comes a time when we must be loyal to an organization, a person/s, and stick to it. you may like being a big bangaw flying from one pile of shit to another and spreading it around – don’t count me in…i run a different race…the human one…
..so if you and your shit shifters find fulfillment in this most unproductive, not to mention unhygienic “calling” of throwing feces around (my god), go knock yourselves out…
…and i don’t kiss horses asses, just nicely shaped ones like maybe ellen adarna’s (the new FHM cover girl), certainly not yours too… 🙂
the current administration will bugger on, making blunders as well as successes, its the dictum…as all the other administrations that came before it…hopefully they minimize the damage and leave something the next one can work on…if they do something spectacularly well – its a bonus…but personally i don’t see anything of the sort in the near future, but it will certainly make matters worst if we continue to do our favorite past time of “shit shifting” its a negative filipino habit that seems to reflect one’s inner situation – you know, you project your own frustrations, your inadequacies, etc, to others because you can’t accept the truth?
…what i’m pointing at is first lets start with ourselves before we shout “incompetent” or “bobo” … look in the mirror first, what have we achieved on a personal level? if we find out that we over achieved, reached superhuman proportions – then we throw shit at everyone else…then again people like that learn about the “abundance mentality” and stranger things…and who gives a hoot about macasaet? maybe gloria?
Several times, Malacañang officials would assure those who are concerned about lack of direction in foreign relations that Romulo would only be up to December 2010 or at the latest, “January 2011.”
May 27 days pa natitira this January… wag masyado ubusin lakas natin dyan… pero mabuti na din ma-remind ang presidente sa issue ni Romulo….
pero bakit parang wala pang nababalitang kapalit…
Perl, former ambassador to the U.S. Albert del Rosario, a member of the board of directors if First Pacific, has been asked and he agreed.
That’s another “nakakahiya” about President Aquino’s inability to get Romulo out of DFA.
It would be repeat of what happened to former Trade Secretary Johnny Santos. He asked the guy to be foreign secretary. Santos agreed. And when his sisters insisted for Romulo to stay, he had to withdraw his offer to Santos.
Del Rosario was “fired” by Arroyo when he opposed the hiring of the Venable lobby group which was an initiative of National Security Adviser Bert Gonzales.
Gloria also felt that del Rosario was not defending her enough on the 2004 elections cheating issue in the U.S.
Del Rosario is a decent person. He is a bit old though.
But to many of the foreign service officers, the most important is to replace Romulo so the foreign service could start the revitalization. As long as Romulo is there, the DFA will remain in stagnation.
When you discuss the competence of a subordinate, it invariably lead to the discussion of the superior who chose him. That is par for the course.
That Noy has the money, chicks, and millions who like him, is not a measure of his Presidency. Erap can claim the same. In fact, Erap scored with chicks. Noy only has attempts.
Ellen:
You deleted exchanges between Isagani and trublue, which are less vitriolic than this thread. Isagani is an invertebrate, a protozoan, and florry is a shit shifter. I suppose that is healthy political discussion.
I hope this is not allowed because the poster is a personal acquaintance.
Erratum: invariably leads to the discussion…
sax,
i don’t know where you’ve been but coming from someone who defends the country’s business viability on a daily basis – badmouthing the president is not healthy discourse. if isagani had any viable suggestions for the betterment of the country – now that would have been nice…but calling the president of the philippines – my philippines incompetent and calling the electorate bakya pinoy crowd is cutting too low. he deserves to be tarred and feathered…sure its easy for you, you went off and probably gave up your filipino citizenship…this is actually mild, did you read any expletives? i just used a word commonly used in the english language they even have bumper stickers saying “shit happens” and you’re concerned about scientific nomenclature? too shallow for a practioner of the law don’t you think? practice some more…
isagani,
if you wish to stick to name calling and overall ah-ness, stick with me…leave the president and the filipino people (bakya) out of it because they are clearly out of your league and they have serious issues to attend to…
so you, florry, (any comers pa?) want ellen to sort of “fire” me too for making unacceptable vitriolic comments? hmmm, now i know how that fat guy in malacanang feels…
…whatever happens is alright with me, although this is probably the only blog i read, and the owner the only media personnel i believe in…i don’t even comment on facebook… 🙁
isagani,
you left out several items on the “did not do much list” – the changes in the bureau of customs (several personnel with questionable characters are missing already), the changes in the department of education (some deeply entrenched contacts of monopolistic publishers/printers are missing) and this really serious move of the department to look into the content of the textbooks as well as the material…and have you been tracking the economic team lately? obviously not? have you been talking to businessmen lately? obviously not…and sax takes you seriously…
Hahahaha. New Year na New Year eh kinukuyog ang isang dating tedaks dito ah. Have no worry Jug. Ms Ellen will understand. Kahit acidic/vitriolic pa ang palitan, ok lang yan. That’s what makes this blog interesting. Di naman tayo magkakakilala kaya walang personal animosity. Banat lang! I have been in worse situations before. I lived. hehehehe. Happy New Year everybody.
Wow, someone’s nerve got shot big time. Not in Penoy’s payroll. An executive, kuno? Well, with all the tirade and nonsense, it’s all a scorned “woman’s” ramblings. Or, more likely, penoy’s wanna be boyfriend?
jug, god bless you na lang, oki-doki?
First of all, I would like to great everyone with belated and advanced Merry Christmas (the Orthodox Christmas is on 7 January) and a blessful 2011.
Saying that we cannot criticize Aquino if can’t provide alternatives for him to act on is rather rich and disingenuous. He was voted to lead reforms, but his retention of Romulo is only one of many cases showing that he is the one that needs reformation.
Moreover, a cursory glance of states across the world shows that the freedom to criticize leaders goes hand in hand with economic and cultural progress. In fact repressive regimes, where only favorable opinons can be voiced out, have degenerated.
Finally, we criticize because our dear leader is lightweight and not measuring up to standards. People have been doing this to all presidents. Why should Noynoy be exempted? There are always unreasonable criticisms, but the shameful and amateurish nature of this administration’s mistakes is like being poured boiling water on the skin. Our criticism is in this case a cry caused by the pain.
Henry:
Have you sent your donation to your charitable institution? Hubert Webb was acquitted. I said I did not believe that the Supremes would, but I like betting on the dehado.
Have you checked the poverty incidence in the Philippines? (Maybe will only be available late this month). That will determine whether you or I will send a donation to a charitable institution.
That, by the way (poverty reduction) is one measure of a Presidency.
In fairness, it would take more than six months. So maybe we can double the bet for results at the end of this year.
@saxnviolins,
I am curious how poverty is measured. The use of a crude poverty index would make the success of the conditional cash transfer program almost a certainty.
In this heated exchange, I am more for Juggernaut. I lay claim to constancy and to being among the very first avid readers of Ellen Blog. Every blogger has an agenda, a motive, an axe to grind, a debt to pay that somehow give color to what he says. Where a blogger gets or got more than his bread and butter fuels his intelligent discourse. Some bloggers may be like philosophers, owing nobody nothing in favors and livelihood and may contribute peculiar views.
From the very beginning I saw how blogger stick to positions on certain issues, dishing out mild, to vitriolic comments. How time can improve one’s objectivity or sink in the quagmire of gratitude driven loyalty, I was doubtful, suspicious, then intrigued by the ideas and decorum or total disregard (out of anger) of courtesy of some bloggers. I am awed by (A deBrux’s) anger’s eloquence to point out the truth.
I thought I saw Jug saw a person bad mouthing, spitting on an unresponsive person. Jug whack him, kick him and put his feet on his face to hold him to the ground. Some people detest so much wrong doing in this world they would prefer to give them double doses of their own medicine.
I wish A de Brux is reading the exchanges to speak out an objective view.
I fear that nature (eg. old age and illness) cause some people to stop their inputs to this microscope of Filipino hearts and minds, good or bad. I expect some criticisms or abuse in my direction. Did I not say I was an avid reader from the beginning.
Hindi maselan maganda pa ngang talakayin yun laya sa pagtuligsa sa isang demokrasya. Ang problema ay abuso sa pagtuligsa, gaano ka grabe o ka garapal. Ang presidente tulog man o gising laging nakarap sa reklamo, atake o tuligsa. Ang karapatan laging nandiyan yan. Ang mga mamamayan tungkulin pa ngan gamitin ang laya ng pag tuligsa. Pero ang sukatan sa pagaabuso sa pag tuligsa ay segun sa pagkatao at subok na pagkatao ng tinutuligsa. Maaring grabe at garapal ang tinatanggap ng isang tao na pinagbibintangang sinungaling at magnanakaw, kumpara sa isang taong hindi pa nagsisinungaling o nagnanakaw. Ano nga ba ang tamang pagtupad sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag upang maiwasan ang abuso? Ang tumutuligsa kailan be nagiging abusado?
Regarding certain posters that only post vitriol, I would suggest that it is best to ignore them, as what I have done by skipping juggernaut’s posts. This tactic saves you spare time, and still not disrespecting his sacred freedom to express his anger at us who happen to be afflicted with perpetual dissatisfaction.
Mahirap din naman ang may Pangulong mangmang (medyo mas magandang pakinggan kaysa bobo). Sunod sunuran lang kung ano ang gusto ng mga kamag-anak at kaibigan.
Ang kailangan natin ay yong Pangulong may paninindigan, marunong at medyo kinakatakutan …. at ito palagay ko ang dapat na ating iboto sa 2016. Pero sa ngayon tiis lang tayo at yong inyong ibinoto ay hindi yong ina-asahan niyo. Pasalamat na lang tayo at hindi ito mandaraya at magnanakaw.
Sus, wala yang bakyaan between Isagani and Jug compare nung early years ng Ellenville, mellowed na nga mga antiques dito e, ayun at nanahimik na si Yuko, hahaha!
Nalilihis kasi ang diskusyon kung palaging meron bakyaan sabi ni Ellen. 🙂
I meant bakyaan-personal….
nasaan na nga ba si yuko. retire na ba?
criticism is part and parcel of living even for ordinary people, what more for politicians. sometimes one can learn from it too.
norpil, nandun sa FB, wala syang kalaban…hehehe!
good luck na lang sa kanya……………..
jug,itong sa akin,chismis lang ang sa customs daw napalitan ang ibang tao pero lalong tumaas naman ang asking price ng container na gustong ilusot.if you have the capacity to check pls. do.
Sax:
Yes, I will. I always give to Caritas Manila. Win some, lose some. hehehe.
Ellen,
You can’t be serious! This Romulo who not only suffers from a wobbly gait but also from a wobbly mind is still in place, I mean, he got extended?
What’s wrong with Pres Aquino? Surely there must be other better qualified people who are capable of running foreign affairs professionally?
Re humus – January 4, 2011 9:00 pm
Hi Humus,
Much complimented by your post. Am afraid I’m just so stunned…
I mean, what on earth could be on Aquino’s mind? He must have been tickled pink to the bone that Romulo got him a number of meetings for 2011. Is that all Romulo can do? Set up meetings abroad for the chef d’état for 2011? That’s the job of an important sidekick alright but the secretary of foreign affairs’ work is to help forge stimulating and productive foreign affairs policies for the president and to work with his counterparts all over the world to ensure that RP is not missing out on the international level. But seems to me, it’s the other way around… our standing abroad is still suffering from mediocrity. And the guy that should get whacked and kicked for that is Romulo. And the guy who should do the whacking and kicking should be the president!
Good Lord, grow up Mr President! Get rid of this misfit! The guy is not worth a minute of your time… Get rid of him! He’s a clown and you don’t need court jesters abroad. You need a man who could translate your foreign affairs vision solidly abroad… But hang on, incidentally, will someone please remind me: just what is Pres Aquino’s foreign affairs vision for the Philippines? (Seem to recall before Christmas holidays that it was putting that shy, slow, monkey like animal to represent the Philippines in some plagiarised national tourism logo? 😛
Ooops, Ellen, You can’t be serious! This Romulo who not only suffers from a wobbly gait; but also from a wobbly;b(and decrepit, corny) mind is still in place, I mean, he got extended?
Ellen,
This is so disappointing… Aquino might as well appoint Gloria Macapagal his foreign affairs minister! The result would be the same. Useless humbugging shit all around the world for Pinas.
By the way, as far as criticism of president is concerned, I think, president’s a fair game particularly in a highly political forum such as Ellenville.
In the first place, would be downright boring if all of us started kissing Aquino’s butt non-stop, and in the second place, one could hardly expect every resident here to marvel at Aquino’s beauty, intelligence and competence all the time 😉 … so I reckon, a good dose of criticism his way every now and then (which I suppose he, who is not a nitwit at all ;-), expects anyway) is healthy — should keep him well jumping on his toes and prevent him from sleeping too much on the job.
As Theodore Roosevelt (that great and much-admired SOB of a US president who was perhaps one of the most macho presidents the US ever had) once said:
And before my comments get the ire of avid Aquino lovers, I voted for Aquino (I think I was one of the first ones who formally announced it in this forum…) That said, I am prepared to give him my all out support but by gum, he’s got to fucking earn it!
Anna, maybe… just maybe PNoy can’t let go of Romulo is because he has a nice yellow embroidered Philippine map on his barong. (see picture above). 😛
— Mike
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Mike! Happy New Year! Got to LOL lots here… 🙂 🙂 🙂
and if you noticed, lolling in yellow too…:-) 🙂 🙂
Happy New Year too Anna. 🙂
Hey, maybe Romulo also has his underpants embroidered with yellow ribbons just to keep his behind on his DFA throne. 😛
eventually, the same personalities that were at war in this forum before, who resurrected in some other life forms get back at it again…well, like history taught us, there will be wars as long as there are more than one man exits…and that is a given. it’s ok, at least here at Ellen’s they’re just war of words…with a little bit of pride and egos mixed up…no collateral damage…keep going…its boring just to be at peace all the time..
but let us all urge the President to get a new Brain in the Foreign Affairs Dept. Secretary Romulo long passed his prime.
Re 63 passim of A de B
Mahirap manungkulan at magsilbi sa Boss ng hindi sumisipsip. Ang mag arranged ng meeting ay trabahong sipsip kumpara sa pagaayos ng passport at tulong sa mga bumibiyaheng Filipino. Trabahong sipsip kung ang isang department head ng Health o Education ay mag a-arange lamang ng photos at publicity events para sa presidente.
Cataracts may have gotten the best of my eyes but I failed to read in Ellenville anybody explicitly or in very strong terms AGAINST criticizing Presidents or paid-by-taxes officials. Everybody seems to know anybody can, but how low and unreasonable the criticisms pump the heart of the debate. Between the lines, by your zeal and fanaticism in offense and defense, protagonists will know where you are coming from.
Posted in Facebook by Louie Dolor. Reposting here with his permission:
Ito ang mahirap sa paggamit ng English.
Makatutulong ang pagtuligsa sa sinomang nanunungkulan para mahikayat ang mga ito na lalong pag-ibayuhin ang paglilingkod sa bayan. Pero may tungkulin din tayong pangalagaan ang imahe ng bansa. Ito marahil ang buod ng usapan ukol sa responsibilidad ng media sa pagbibigay alam sa publiko at ang responsibilidad nito na tumulong sa pangangalaga sa imahe ng bansa.
Marahil napapanahon na pag-isipan ito ng lahat. Kailangan ngaba dapat English, kailan nga ba dapat Filipino? Madalas English ang gamit ng mga nanunuligsa dahil gamay nila ito. Pansinin nyo na lamang sa blog. Kunbaga parang nakaugalian nating maglaba, magkula at magsampay ng problema sa harap ng iba. Parang showbiz, kailangang gawing sala ang madla.
Hindi kaya napapanahon na na pangalagaan ang imahe ng bansa, na ang anumang pagtuligsa ay dapat nasa salitang gamay ng higit na nakakaraming Pilipino at hindi kabisado ng mga dayuhan?
Marc, express yourself in any language you are comfortable with. Criticizing officials is a healthy exercise. It’s not something to be ashamed of that should be kept un-understandable to non-Flipinos.
Criticisms of government officials stengthens governance. It’s good for democracy and benefits the people.
You deleted exchanges between Isagani and trublue, which are less vitriolic than this thread. Isagani is an invertebrate, a protozoan, and florry is a shit shifter. I suppose that is healthy political discussion. – SNV
SNV, may I buy you a drink? There’s catch though, you have to donate to my fav “charity”, The Jack Daniel’s Foundation. ;8))
The real “enemy of the people” here is Romulo! If he won’t resign then all efforts should be geared toward his removal!
Would it help to criticize Prez Noy towards this end? Maybe. Would it be more effective to laser-focus on the incompetence of Romulo through his past actions or inactions? I think it is! Do we have facts supporting such “allegation” of incompetence, in addition to what we have above? If we do, then that’s what we need to bring to the table, and push or pull on those, hoping that the eyes and ears of Prez Noy are around to hear and see in order to hasten the removal of Romulo, if the pushing is convincing, of course!
So counselor what are you drinking? San Mig Gin with Papait? “…(P)ractice some more…” ;8)) ;8)) ;8))
whooops…forgot the “a” before “catch”.
You can’t be serious! This Romulo who not only suffers from a wobbly gait but also from a wobbly mind is still in place, I mean, he got extended?- Anna
A Malacañang official said Romulo appealed to the President to let him stay at least until April to fufill the meetings abroad that he has made.
I told the official, what’s to prevent Romulo from scheduling more meetings up to the end of the year, and so on and so forth for him to cling to his position?
I said further, if Romulo was able to convince the President with that line, I’d like to sell him (PNoy) Quezon bridge.
You mean Jack Daniels cough syrup? Never liked bourbon, or any American “whisky”.
Single malt is better – smoother, and cheaper than the overrated Johnny Walkers, whether red, black or blue.
Aberlour, is reasonable, so is Glenlivet. When a windfall occurs, then I treat myself and friends with Laphroaig.
I do not get the point or humor of the “practice some more” part.
marc:
Hindi ko mawari yang puntong dapat ay pangalagaan ang imahe ng pinuno. Lahat ng mga ibang bansa, tinutuligsa ang pinuno kung kinakailangan – si Berlusconi ng Italy, si Putin ng Russia, si Obama ng mga Kano, at iba pa.
Maaaring hindi ka sang-ayon sa punto ni Isagani, ngunit natural lamang na kung mahina ang sa ilalim, ay masisilip ang nagtalaga – baka siya ang mahinang mamili ng tao.
Kung ako ang kokontra kay Isagani, ay haharapan ko siya ng mga natupad na ni Noy, upang pabulaanan ang paratang na incompetent si Noy (mangmang daw sabi ni Tedanz).
Ang hindi lang ako ayon ay yung mga ad hominem, na walang ginawa kundi ilihis ang usapan. Mga ad hominem na tulad ng – panay ang puna mo, ikaw, ano na ba ang nagawa mo? Ang nangyayari, yung kausap ang nagiging paksa, hindi yung pinag-uusapan.
Ang lahat ng nagsusulat dito ay walang obligasyon sa taumbayan; hindi sila nahalal, hindi sila sumusuweldo sa pamahalaan. Nguni’t ang isang taong nahalal dahil sa umusbong ng pag-asa ng taumbayan, ay dapat tugunuin yaong pag-asang iyon.
Tinitingala ang Pangulo ng kabataan, tulad ng pagtingala sa manlalaro ng basketball o ng boksingerong si Pacquiao. Kung barumbado ang manlalaro, ay pangit na halimbawa sa kabataan. Kung hindi mahusay ang Pangulo, pangit ding halimbawa di lang sa kabataan, ganoon na din sa lahat ng mamamayan.
Sa halalang nakaraan, ang isyu ko lang, kaya’t hindi hinalal si Noy, ay ang aking akalang kulang sa kakayahan. Hanggang ngayon, hinihintay ko pa ring isiwalat yang nakatagong kakayahan na iyan, na tila napakalalim ng pagkatago.
Yes, I meant the cough syrup! The humor is by the fact that you don’t need to be a member of any Bar to be in this discussion and to “practice some more”, if you are. Jug was so hyper that I found his sideswiping funny!
According to Jug, invertebrate or a protozoan has no backbone.
Now, picking up some pieces from him, keeping Romulo in the job only proves that Noynoy can not stand on his own and is helpless to go against the wishes of his sister.
In other words Noynoy as a leader is spineless or having no backbone.
It’s interesting to note if Jug will call his idol an invertebrate or a protozoa.
Hanggang ngayon, hinihintay ko pa ring isiwalat yang nakatagong kakayahan na iyan, na tila napakalalim ng pagkatago. – SnV
Talagang napakalalim ang pagkakatago at baka nakalimutan din niya kung saan niya itinago kaya hindi niya mailabas.
saxnviolins:
Sang-ayon ako sa pagtuligsa sa mga nanunungkulan. Isa rin ako sa mga tumutuligsa sa mga ilang kapalpakan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon dala na rin ng paniniwalang makakatulong ito para lalong maging maganda ang kanilang panunungkulan sa bansa.
Pero naniniwala ako na ang imahe ng bansa sa labas, kung ito ay maganda, ay makakatulong sa mabilis ng pag-unlad ng bansa. Hindi kaya mahikayat ang mga namumuhunan na maglaan ng pera sa bansa kung sa tingin ng mga ito nasa magandang pamumuno ang bansa?
Napaisip lamang ako ng pagpapalitang kuro. Hindi kaya makakabuti na sa Filipino ang pagpuna. Kumbaga sa tsismis, atin atin lamang?
Pero tulad ng sabi ni Ellen, malaya tayong magbigay puna sa alin mang-salita na gamay natin.
Marahil napapagod lamang ako sa negatibong imahe ng Pilipinas sa labas. Isa akong OFW at mahirap ang hindi mairita kapag walang masabing maganda ang mga dayuhan tungkol sa Pilipinas.
Napaisip lamang ako kung saan nakuha ng mga ito ang ganoon ka negatibong imahe ng Pilipinas. May kasabihan na “perception is reality.” Madalas ang imahe nabubuo sa media.
Nasa labas din ako, at hindi ko nararamdaman ang pangit na pananaw sa Filipino. Sa dami ng mga nurse dito sa Tate, at sa dami ng naalagaan nila, karamihan ng mga kausap kong puti ay maganda ang pananaw sa atin.
Nandoon na rin yung pagiging masipag ng Pinoy, sa lahat ng larangan ng trabaho. Nandoon na rin yung karamihan ng mga anak ng kakilala ko mga valedictorian sa paaralan. Sa grammar school (elementary) nga dito sa amin, nagreklamo ang mga itim dahil apat na taong sunud-sunod na Pinoy ang valedictorian. Lumaktaw ng isa, sinundan uli ng tatlong taon.
Kung ang batayan lamang ng dayuhan sa magandang imahe ay yung hindi pagbatikos ng kapwa Pinoy, mababaw na pagtingin yan. Sa katunayan, sa Kano, kung walang bumabatikos tulad sa Kanlurang Korea, ang tingin nila ay peke ang pag-ayon, at parang mga tupa ang mga tao.
# 84
Okay. Na-gets ko na. The repartee was too subtle. Pardon the dense audience.
# 51
Did not forget your point NFA Rice. I suspect that the poverty incidence is measured by whether or not people have eaten three times a day the past, few days, or week, or some measuring unit of time. If true, then your point is on the ball; the Dinky Soliman doleout will wipeout a big chunk of poverty incidence.
But as the tibaks (actibista), including Dinky, love to mouth, is that sustainable.
Marahil napapagod lamang ako sa negatibong imahe ng Pilipinas sa labas. Isa akong OFW at mahirap ang hindi mairita kapag walang masabing maganda ang mga dayuhan tungkol sa Pilipinas-Marc.
Ako ay journalist at ang pinakamahalang requirement sa aming pagreport ay katotohanan. Whatever the report is, the main consideration should be, “Is it true? Is it accurate?”
Walang good news, bad news sa amin. Just news.
Hindi kami maaaring pumili kung alin ang ire-report. Kung ano ang nangyari yun ang susulatin as accurately as we can.
Hindi batayan ng dayuhan ang pambabatikos sa kapwa Pilipino kung mamumuhan ba ito o hindi sa Pilipinas.
Madalas na batayan ang kalidad/pasahod ng manggagawa at ang kalagayan ng ekonomiya.
Maaaring humahanga ang mga dayuhan sa kalidad ng manggagawang Pilipino (na nasa labas ng Pilipinas) at mahikayat itong mamuhunan sa Pilipinas. Pero hindi maikakaila na higit na batayan ang kalagayan ng ekonomiya.
Saan nakukuha ang imahen na maganda ang kalagayan ng ekonomiya ng isang bansa?
Kung nakikita ng mga mamumuhunan na maganda ang tinatahak na direksyon ng bansa, hindi kaya mahikayat ang mga ito na mamuhunan?
Isa pa, talaga bang humahanga ang mga ito sa kalidad ng manggagawang Pilipino? Hindi ba’t dahil mura ang pasahod nito sa parehong kalidad ng gawa kaya mas gugustuhin ng mga kompanya ang manggagawa galing labas?
Paghanga. Marahil dyan sa Amerika.
Pero kung pag-iisipan. Sa mga may pagpapahalaga sa pamilya, sa kinalakhan. Hindi ba maaawa ka sa napipilitang mangibang bansa para lang kumita? Hindi nga ba’t mas nanaisin na kasama ang pamilya, na nasa kinalakhan?
Isa akong tagapagsalin (translator/interpreter) sa ibang bansa. Napapansin ko lamang na madalas din ang puna sa bansa at sa mga pinuno nito. Pero lagi sa salitang sila lang ang nakakaunawa. Sa kanilang English-based newspaper, magaganda halos nakasulat at kakaunti ang masama. Tuloy, hindi naiuulat sa ibang bansa ang mga kapalpakan ng pinuno, ng bansa. Napapanatili nito ang magandang imahe na sa tingin ko lalong nakakahikayat ng pamumuhunan.
To me, truth is always positive. Whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant, it’s always positive.
What is negative is dishonesty. Lying is negative.
Would you rather have lies rather than the truth?
# 92
Ayon ako. Ang economiya ay pagandahin. Ngunit hindi ito nakukuha sa pagpuri ng mga palpak, o pagtago ng palpak.
Yung sinasabi mong pagbatikos sa kapwa sa wikang hindi Ingles, yun ay gawa ng hindi marunong mag-Ingles ang karamihan sa kanila – Italy (Berlusconi), Russia (Putin – isa pa, dahil takot), France (bopol sa Ingles), Spain (bopol din sa Ingles). Hindi pinili yan, kundi pinilit ng pagkukulang sa kakayahan sa Ingles.
@ Ellen
I apologize if in anyway i offended you or your profession.
Media should always side with the truth.
My comments are only lamentations. The way I see it, other countries where news/blogs are written not in English but in the national language, negative write-ups seldom make it on English-based newspapers both local and abroad thereby maintaining a good image for the country. There is no dishonesty involved. That the good image is maintained abroad despite the actual failings/mismanagement within the country is only because these are not reported abroad (perhaps because of the language).
#95
May I ask if there is any censorship (be it light or heavy) involved? If not, then perhaps SNV is right that the people where you are right now are not proficient in the English language, IF it’s the language that is serving as your barometer. But even then, the truth will always comes out, it’s only a matter of time that an interpreter like you or one who knows the local dialect or foreign language will tell to the entire world what the real deal is.
In RP, the US Peace Corps volunteers can even speak better Tagalog than most Filipinos. Hence, we can not hide the truth by just sticking to our own language.
The media? Well Ms Ellen already talked about that and I do fully agree that telling the truth is their business, if they are true to their profession. They can’t be selective on news that promotes the good image of RP/government from those that don’t! Unless of course they belong to the Philippine Information Agency, which we all know is the propaganda arm of the government, or the DOT, which talks nothing but how beautiful RP is!
marc,isa lang ang gumagawa nyan,ang japan.
@saxnviolins #90,
That’s what I mean by a crude poverty index.
About sustainability: it looks like it isn’t. But our government is not really known to plan for the long-term.
@marc,
Which foreigner of consequence reads Filipino blogs? Are you concerned only with the image? If you really are, then you should demand that you are governed properly. Besides, what happens in the country is not a secret to foreign leaders. There are diplomatic cables.
— NFA rice
Agree.
tungkol sa ating ekonomiya:
Kailangan ko pa dagdag kaalaman tungkol sa foreign investments. Hindi yata efectibo yan economic strategy na yan. Noong sumobra-sobra ang progreso ng Taiwan, ng Singapore, Japan, South Korea, ngayon ay China, humahabol India at Vietnam, gaano kalaki ba ang kontribusyon ng foreign investments? Sa umpisa yata kayod kalabaw ang mga tao nila. Sumunod lang ang mga foreign investments na mga opportunistang sarado.
Meron panahon sa Pilipinas daming factory ng garments (Litex, Utex).Foreign investments ba yon? Anong nangyari? Sinong mga foreign investors ang nagsimula sa Japan, sa Singapore?
Malaking leksyon ang Thailand. Gumanda ang ekonomiya. Ngayon winawasak yata ng korapsyon at matakaw na politika. Aba ay ginaya yata tayo o sumunod sa yapak natin.
Ang krisis ekonomiya ay bunga ng katakawan na tawag ay investments (nakikita sa stock exchange). Ang progresso ng ekonomiya ay tila bunga ng banat buto, pawis at dugo ng mamamayan, produksyon ng serbisyo at kalakal. Ang isang barangay na may tulong ang gobierno, na masipag at ayos ang mga negosyante, magsasaka at mangingisda ay uunlad na hindi kailangan ang foreign investors o mga komunista. China lang ang komunista. Karamihan sa bansang kayod kalabaw umasenso sa ilalim ng demokrasya.
Foreign investments? Sariling kayod muna. Malaki ang pinapasok ng katas ng mga bayaning OFW. Bagong economics yan. Yun Economic Team ni P Noy dapat tutukan yan. Anong say ninyo? Wish ko lang tutukan ng debate dito yung kamalian kung meron man ang tila pekeng magic ng foreign investments.
Kung walang korap walang mahirap? Medio kulang yata. Kung walang foreign investors (FRAPORT, dami etc.) walang garapal na korap.
“But our government is not really known to plan for the long-term.” – NFA rice
The only president I remembered having a long term plan for the country was… *drum beat* Marcos. Unfortunately, he also had his long term plan not only for the country but for himself too. 🙁
mukhang nagkakaisa si NoyPi at si Romulo…foreign sa kanila ang mga affairs na tapat nilang asikasuhin…kaya nagkakaintindihan sila….
btw;;naextend si Romula…ilang pulgada ang itinaas niya? dapat na extend din si putot arroyo…
Poor choice, poor leadership.
“Pasalamat na lang tayo at hindi ito mandaraya at magnanakaw.” – tedanz
Thus his high approval rating. The guy (PNoy) is not that stupid….he is quite aware of most of the criticisms. However, I agree he needs to dump these old farts and useless cabinet members holding key positions.
The chatter when Gluerilla was in power was; “a monkey or a pig” is better than Goyang. Well, Noy is a lot better than the preceding animals.
A tall, bearded man from Illinois, USA once said “you have the right to criticize, IF YOU have the heart to help”.
Humus – you remind me so much of BitchEvil aka Fartsee. Ceaselessly on the firing line…lol…no pun.
trublu No. 107
salamat sa comment masama man o magaling. Pagmagaling tumatalab nagpapataba ng puso
Pag masama talbog sa pinanggalingan Nagpapakilala ng tunay na katauhan.
No rhyme on poetry intended. LSO (laugh softly only)
Tru blue No. 107
Yung sagot ko neutral yan.Akala ko kasi kinumpara ako sa isang salot na babae.
Sa kunting naremember ko sa posting,di naman masama yung kay bitchevil, masama kasi sa unang dating. Bitch na evil pa. Sa mga nabasa ko kasi Kasama ka sa tingin ko mga “happy” contributors sa Ellenville. Hindi akalain.