DFA eagerly awaits change

by Rey O. Arcilla
from MALAYA

‘Retaining Romulo will most certainly put into question Noynoy’s promise of change.’

I LIKE the way President-to-be Noynoy Aquino responded to the question about his smoking.

He said he will stop smoking at the appropriate time, but not now. How much more honest and transparent can one be? Smokers, like me, thoroughly understand his reply. Those who are not, won’t, while others who have stopped smoking, stopped “at the appropriate time”.

So there. Enough said.

***

It is plain to see that Noynoy commands the respect of those who are closely associated with him. They seem to be a truly disciplined lot.

Look at how they have kept close to their chest the people who would comprise his cabinet. There are speculations galore about who will be in or out. The only exceptions so far are Dinky Soliman and Ging Deles whose inclusion was announced by Noynoy himself. I’m not sure about Butch Abad.

No one outside his inner circle has been able to find out who the members of even his search committee are. That is truly amazing in a society that thrives on gossip and hearsay.

Of course, there are whispers that seem to have the ring of truth in them.
For instance, my friend and fellow Malaya columnist Ellen Tordesillas reported that sources close to Noynoy said that future ex-Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo would be retained.

Romulo and a daughter are allegedly close to Noynoy’s siblings.
However, the fact that Noynoy himself has not publicly announced that Romulo will be retained is an indication, I think, that he hasn’t really made up his mind about him yet.

As I said in an earlier column, some of Noynoy’s final choices may not be favorably received by the public. That is to be expected. But as long as they are persons of integrity who possess the required competence and expertise in their assigned tasks, including the necessary managerial skills to run their respective outfits, they will in all probability be eventually accepted by the public.

In the case of Romulo, however, retaining him even in a holdover capacity of one day, will definitely not be well received – not only by the public in general but also certainly by the vast majority of DFA personnel.

Except for a handful who cater to his whims and meet his comfort level, nearly the entire DFA workforce has been eagerly awaiting his departure at the end of Arroyo’s usurped presidency on June 30.

Reason? Alleged incompetence in the department’s line of work and lack of managerial skills. And this is not to mention the part he played, active or passive, in the “prostitution” by Arroyo of the DFA, foremost among which is the appointment of too many political ambassadors to the detriment of the corps of career foreign service officers. Romulo’s alleged tendency to abuse the perks of his office, his very frequent and unnecessary travels for instance, has also been severely criticized.

Likewise, his being a rabid Arroyo loyalist is definitely not a plus for his retention. Recall what he said, after declaring he will support then candidate Noynoy: “I am standing by the President (Arroyo) until the end of her term and beyond.”

“And beyond”?! Didn’t Noynoy say he is putting up a commission to investigate Arroyo and her cabal’s shenanigans? On whose side will Romulo be at that time?

Without a doubt, change is needed in the DFA. And retaining Romulo will most certainly put into question Noynoy’s promise of change.

***

Incidentally, if Noynoy is serious about giving priority to deserving career officials for appointment to his cabinet, it might be a good idea to sound out the people working in various departments on who from among their ranks they think will be good material. This is not giving unsolicited advice – just expressing an idea.

As I have previously said, appointing such qualified and deserving career officials will certainly be a plus to his administration.

***

A reader, “Rottie Harmon”, writes:

“President-elect Benigno C. Aquino III should not be swayed by arguments put forward by close friends of political ambassadors who have just been issued their recall order by outgoing Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo effective 30 June 2010.

“There are rumors that the affected political ambassadors, their close associates, backers and kiss-assers included, are lobbying for extension beyond the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“The president-elect should know that these political appointees are relics of the old regime and will not be of any positive contribution to the new government. A thorough scrutiny of their records at post would definitely show that most of them are anything but productive being content with enjoying the privileges and immunities that come with being appointed as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

“While having political ambassadors is not an entirely hideous idea (the president can choose to assign a threshold of say 10-15%), it is important that those chosen for the job are adequately screened in terms of their knowledge and skills in diplomacy, management, and moral uprightness.
“The new president-elect should give a strong signal of his intention to strengthen the Philippine foreign service by refraining to follow the footsteps of his predecessor by paying back political friends and backers and winning enemies with ambassadorial assignments.

“The foreign service is the single most important aspect in our intercourse with the international community and should not be treated as a dumping ground for political has-beens, retired military officials, as well as former or potential adversaries.

“If the intention is to really appoint political ambassadors, maybe the president-elect could start by looking at retired career ambassadors who have distinguished themselves professionally. But then, their number should be limited to a required minimum. The idea is to promote professionalism in the foreign service. Allowing recalled political ambassadors to continue through two different administrations is simply not the right way to do it.”

***

First, it was her feeble finance secretary who said Noynoy should raise taxes. Now, it is Ms. Arroyo herself who is saying he should. Both said it will be necessitated by the projected P300 billion budget deficit.

Again, I ask, whose fault was it that the deficit ballooned to such a humongous amount? It is because of your profligate spending and the graft and corruption under your stolen regime, Madame!

Noynoy had already said he will not raise taxes. He will merely curb graft and corruption, improve tax collection, stop smuggling, no unnecessary and frivolous travels abroad, among others. Enough! (A member of Arroyo’s advance party to Shanghai where she is going June 8-9 died over the weekend. Bad omen?)

Either Arroyo is simply needling Noynoy or she wants him to falter and fumble from the very start of his administration. I don’t think he will fall for it.

***

Headline: “RP Team Confident Even After Third Straight Loss”
Huh?

***

There are 29 days left before the end on 30 June 2010 of the stolen presidency of Ms. Arroyo, courtesy of “Garci”, et al.

“….I’ve lived a lie that’s full…”

***

Today is the 34th day of the fourth year of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance.

***

Email: roacrosshairs@yahoo.com