No rhyme or reason

BY REY O. ARCILLA

MALAYA

‘The proposed closure of some diplomatic and consular posts will not be consistent with one of the three pillars of Noynoy’s foreign policy.’

TAKING the cue from his boss President Noynoy Aquino, Foreign Secretary Albert “Amboy” del Rosario has been very particular about showing his official, if not personal, concern for the welfare of our heroic OFWs. And rightly so. It is one of the three pillars of Noynoy’s foreign policy.

Del Rosario has made several trips to strife-torn Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, Syria and lately, to Iraq, to somehow ensure the safety and in some cases the smooth repatriation of our nationals in those countries.

Recently, however, Del Rosario announced that about ten diplomatic and consular posts will be closed to “rationalize the foreign service posts”. While there is a case to be made in four or five of those reported to be shut down, there definitely is no rhyme or reason for the closure of the others.

If indeed Ireland, Palau, Barcelona, Frankfurt and Saipan are in the list of those proposed to be closed, it would not be consistent with Noynoy’s policy. There are tens of thousands of Filipinos residing and working in those places.

And yet, in absolute contradiction of the supposed “rationalization” of foreign service posts, Portugal, where neither a good number of OFWs work nor with whom our bilateral trade relations are significant, is being re-opened merely to accommodate and recycle one Philippe Lhuillier whose track record as political envoy to Italy for some twelve years is, to be kind, dismal.

His appointment of Lhuillier has raised questions about Noynoy’s apparent lack of consistency in his “daang matuwid” crusade. Other examples of his inconsistency are the following reminders (for his action) which have been a regular feature in this space:

1) Filing of charges against officials of the National Food Administration during Arroyo’s illegitimate regime. Noynoy himself said on several occasions that there is documentary evidence to prove the venalities in the past in that agency; 2) investigation of reported anomalies in the GSIS during the watch of Winston Garcia; 3) facilitating the investigation of rampant corruption in the military and police establishments; and 4) expeditious action by the AFP on the case of Jonas Burgos.

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With regard to the proposed closure of the consulate general in Frankfurt, Ms. Victoria Villar-Demmer, president of the UP Alumni Association, Germany chapter, in behalf of the Concerned Filipinos in Germany, wrote:

“We were encouraged by your recent article on the closure of diplomatic and consular posts, ‘Downsizing, not Closing’.

“All of us concerned and affected Filipinos in Germany hope and pray that there would be sincere and honest reconsideration, recomputation and reassessment of the facts and figures in the decision to close consular posts whose services are particularly important to many Filipinos, including that of the Philippine Consulate General Frankfurt.

“Your support and promotion of our cause would be appreciated.”

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Attached to Villar-Demmer’s letter was a copy of “An Appeal for the Continued Services of the Philippine Consulate General Frankfurt” addressed to Noynoy, copy furnished, among others, VP Binay, Del Rosario, ES Ochoa and Ambassador Natividad in Berlin, to wit:

“We are Filipinos of legal standing and diverse purposes, and are one in the mission of advancing the welfare of all Filipinos living in Germany. We support the present administration’s thrust of good and honest governance. President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III’s vision of ‘Tuwid na Daan’ is also our dream for the Motherland. We believe that politics must be a tool to attain the common good and is a concrete expression of serving God and our fellowmen.

“We need the assistance provided by the Philippine Government to Filipino migrant workers in Germany where its city of Frankfurt and its neighboring areas is home to a considerable number of Filipinos who have made and are continuously making imprints in German society through their dedication and hard work, aside from being breadwinners of their families back home. Many Filipinos in Germany are part of the diaspora of overseas workers that is widely believed to be instrumental in keeping the Philippine economy afloat – a contribution that had labeled us modern-day heroes. The region of the former ‘West Germany’ has been the area where Filipinos are concentrated more than the ‘East’, where the Philippine Embassy to Germany (in Berlin) is located.

“The closure of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Frankfurt would affect a major portion of about 40,000 Filipinos and their families living in Germany. They are continually confronted with a number of issues on their work, residency and immigrant status. For such issues and needs, traveling all the way to Berlin causes added hardship and financial strain. PCG Frankfurt has not only ably catered to Filipinos living in Frankfurt and neighboring regions but has made credible representation of the country in trade fairs such as Ambiente, Tendance, Christmas World and the world’s biggest International Book Fair. Frankfurt is the largest economic and financial center of the European Union. Most of the world’s banking and finance institutions are represented here. Not only is Frankfurt the seat of the European Central Bank, but also Germany’s Central Bank. Especially now that Germany is the central and strongest figure among the Euro-economies and in the European Union, in general, Frankfurt remains a major hub for trade, banking and finance. Further, the Frankfurt International Airport continues to be the main entry and exit point of Europe.

“PCG Frankfurt, which was opened in November 2008 and which started operating in March 2009, was established to rationalize the closing of the Bonn Office in 2008 and the Hamburg Consulate General in 2009. It is not difficult to imagine that opening a diplomatic mission is an expensive undertaking, not only involving the transfer of foreign service staff and their families but also the cost of refurbishing offices in accordance with the various consular services offered, such as issuance of passports and visas, document authentications and notarials, etc.

“An estimated 12,000 actions for consular services were rendered in 2011 alone. Closing a diplomatic mission after only three (3) years of existence may not only put the Philippine government in an unfavorable light especially with the host government, but also provides negative fodder to political cynics and disheartened Filipino citizens and their German relations and friends.

“We appeal to President Aquino to reconsider his approval of DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario’s decision to close PCG Frankfurt. With this, we call to mind the President’s ‘motto’ at his inaugural speech, ‘Kayo ang Boss ko’.

“We trust in the President’s sincere aspiration to serve the Filipino people and to continue in promoting the welfare of all Filipino citizens at home and wherever they may be in the world. Maintaining PCG Frankfurt would be a concrete manifestation and application of this noble theme.”

I daresay a stronger case cannot possibly be made for keeping the PCG Frankfurt open.

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In my last column, I wrote:

“I, and many others I’m sure, am eagerly awaiting the action that will be taken by our government, specifically “Amboy” Del Rosario’s DFA, on the complaint planned to be filed by two Filipino women against American Dean Chang, second secretary in the US embassy.

“Chang reportedly almost ran over the two young women near a restaurant in Makati and instead of apologizing, verbally abused them. He reportedly even said something like the next time he sees them, he will run over them. Ugly!”

A good number of people, including foreigners, are keenly interested to know what happened to the case, Secretary del Rosario, Sir.

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From Nicodemus de la Luz (a pen name) from North America:

“Two of the more glaring developments about justice obtaining in the old homeland as perceived by expatriate Filipinos over the past few years are:

“1. When Corazon Aquino sat as President of the Philippines, she should have devoted every ounce of her energy towards getting to the bottom

of who really assassinated her husband. To this day, it is still speculation and there is still no closure/conclusion whether it was truly FM or Imelda or whoever else. To the ordinary Juan, if a powerful entity like the President cannot even solve a monumental crime that was covered by world media, how can justice be expected by the poor taxpaying, law-abiding Juan?

“2. About all those generals who are scalawags: It is hard to believe that Fidel Ramos, a general who became president, did not know about the rotten ‘pabaon’ system. And it was Ramos, if we remember right, who placed GMA at the helm through his maneuverings amongst the generals,

foremost of whom was Angelo Reyes. Is anyone courageous enough to ask Ramos about how Fort Bonifacio was sold to high stakers? Supposedly to modernize the AFP? Nasaan yung salapi?

“It is hoped that President Noynoy’s sweeping winds of change will also address the above swept-under-the-rug items. We expats all pray that Noynoy succeeds in slaying the festering dragons and will not be smitten in the process. God help the land of our forefathers during these crucial times!

“Please keep writing bravely, Ambassador Arcilla. You have countless believers and supporters behind you.”

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A month ago, I wrote:

“I am one of those who earnestly believe that President Noynoy Aquino is dead serious about instituting reforms in government. I hasten to add, however, that I am also one who will never hesitate to question any of his moves that I think is not good for the greatest number of people or the national interest.” (Or is not consistent with his “daang matuwid” policy.)

Rufino L. Mendoza’s (of New York) reaction:

“While I read the above in your column, my thinking agrees with you that President Noynoy Aquino is dead serious about instituting reforms in the PH government.

“As a Phil-Am I hope and pray that he put behind bars those who would be proven guilty of his accusations.

“Now, there are other serious problems that are burying the Filipino people. Recently, an American citizen and his Filipina wife living in Tagaytay were robbed and killed in their own house. There were more killings, carnappings, banks and personal hold ups, ‘akyat bahay’, vehicular accidents caused by undisciplined motorists, and other street crimes.

“How would you suggest President Aquino solve these ‘way-of-life’ crimes before his term expires?

“Would it make sense if you publish in your column soon this matter once and for all?”

My suggestion is for Noynoy to bear down on his buddy and executive secretary Paquito Ochoa whom he made the “crime czar” sometime ago!

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Today is the 292nd day of the fifth year of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance.

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Happy Valentine to all!

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Email: roacrosshairs@yahoo.com