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Our political envoys in Athens, Madrid, Riyadh & Canberra are snubbing Noynoy as THE President;

Update: Raissa said Ambassador Rigoberto Tiglao wrote her a “nasty” letter. She said Tiglao updated the Philippine embassy in Greece today. He explained why he was not able to do it earlier.

Canberra also updated their websites.

Click here on Raissa’s post on the embassies’ website updates.

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So why the heck were their appointments extended?

By Raissa Robles

At least four politically-appointed ambassadors abroad don’t mention Noynoy Aquino is the new Philippine president on the official embassy websites.

In fact, at the Philippine embassy websites in Athens, Madrid and Canberra, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who appointed them, is still the Philippine president.

Look at the Philippine embassy in Athens website. There is no mention at all of Noynoy Aquino.

For the complete article please click here (raissarobles.com)

Published inBenigno Aquino IIIForeign Affairs

80 Comments

  1. This article should be shown to Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa and yes, President Aquino.

  2. MPRivera MPRivera

    As I had stated in the other thread, there should be full stop in appointing political allies and supporters in the foreign mission offices. Like those appointed by the illegitimate and never president gloria arrovo, they are only loyal to and recognize the mouse that rewarded them of ambassadorial posts.

    Ganyan pang para silang nang-iinis dahil alam ng ngang wala na sa Malakanyang ‘yung kanilang presidenteng kinikilala ay hindi pa sila umuwi bukod pa sa ayaw nilang linisin ang kanilang mga basura making their disregard to the mandate of the duly elected president a highest form of disrespect.

    Pauwiin na ‘yang mga ‘yan. Kung magmatigas pa, magpadala ng order directing their immediate termination sa embassies and consulates of the countries they are posted stressing therein that these no manners have no more right to represent the government of the Philippines and interest of the Filipino people.

    Nagmamatigas sila, gamitan ng kamay na bakal!

  3. Isagani Isagani

    Thank goodness heads of states of foreign governments are not stupid to believe that Gloria Arroyo is still president of the Philippines.

    Yeah, walang galang ang mga hayupak sa di pagrespeto sa bagong pangulo. E, bakit ba naman nariyan pa sa puwesto ang damuho? Kaninong mistake ba yan?

  4. rose rose

    Hindi ba karapatan ni PNoy na magpadala ng order na as of June 31 hindi na sila ang mga ambassadors..at ipadala na ang kapalit nila…hindi si PNoy ang maging kahiyahiya kundi silang mga tuko…baka umaasa pa sila na magkaroon ng cha cha at si putot ang reyna..sa pagapi nila sa bagong presidente si hindi sila magwawagi…God works in mysterious ways…

  5. MPRivera MPRivera

    Hoy, mga kupal na ambassador ni gloria, mahiya naman kayo! Umuwi na kayo. ‘Kakapal ng mga mukha ninyo! Sinasayang lamang ninyo ang pinapasuweldo namin sa inyo!

    Wala na sa malakanyang ang lola nunal ninyo. Nakagoyo sa kanyang mga utuutong kababayan sa second district ng Pampanga. ‘Andoon na siya sa Butasang Pambansa at kinawatan na nila ngayon.

    Alam n’yo ba ang unang bill na ipinasang akala’y lulusot? ‘Yung dating sayaw niya, ang chacha. Atat na maging prime ministress ang bruha!

  6. MPRivera MPRivera

    Baka naman kaya ang hinihintay ng mga kapalmuks na ‘yan ay ‘yung biglang maging prime ministress ang lola nila kaya ayaw umuwi?

  7. Oblak Oblak

    Ikaw din naman MPR, hinihintay mo si Arroyo at miss na miss mo na ang dating ginang pangulo.

    Iparating agad kay Noynoy ang mga kakapalan ng mga ambassadors na yan. Siguro sa facebook ipadala, sorry wala akong facebook. Mukhang mas receptive sila sa mga social network kaysa sa official channels.

    MPR kung may facebook ka, hala, ipadala dun!!!

  8. MPRivera MPRivera

    Oblak,

    Face lang meron ako. Book, wala pa.

  9. Wala bang kaso’ng diplomatic sabotage? Yan ang ginagawa ni Romulo.

    Nagpanting ang tenga ko dun sa statement niya sa yo Ellen, something like, “This is my decision” etc.

    Para bang “Ano pakialam ninyo. Ito ang gusto ko, desisyon ko ito.”

  10. balweg balweg

    Don’t expect sa loyalty ng mga Ambadsadors na yan…sipain sa pwesto at pauwiin sa Pinas?

    Tapos ang isyu!

  11. balweg balweg

    RE: Nagpanting ang tenga ko dun sa statement niya sa yo Ellen, something like, “This is my decision” etc.

    Ako din Igan Tongue, napanood ko sa TFC ang nangyari na yan kaya dapat bigyan ng leksyon ang tigulang na Romulo na yan?

    Matandang balimbing e sipsip pa, walang pinagkatandaan…isinusuka na ng bayan e kapit-tuko pa sa poder ng paglilingkod-bulsa.

    Mabuhay ka Maám Ellen sa iyo kami kampi!

  12. #9 Tongue-twisted:

    Talaga naman nakakapanting ng tenga.

    parang sinagot ko yata siya na but you have to follow the law. parang na -edit yung video. Yung pinakita yung sinabi ko na practice does not make a wrong thing right. Si Gloria arroyo maraming practice na ilegal, it doesn’t mean naging legal yun.

    Nakakainis lang because I get high strung kapag galit na ako.I’m not like others who are cool even when angry.

  13. Pinagtatawanan lang siguro nitong mga political ambassadors si P-Noy,

    Nauto nila si Romulo. Isinubo naman ni Romulo, with the tolerance of Executive Secretary Ochoa, si P-Noy.

    Kaya yan, they have to sanitize the transcript and remove his reply that showed his ignorance of foreign service law and practice.

  14. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    Ellen:

    I stand corrected. In an earlier thread, you posted that the ambassadors could be charged with usurpation of authority. My knee-jerk comment had to do with criminal law, because of the word “charged”.

    But now I realize you were referring to a suit for quo warranto (Rule 66 of the Rules of Court), which is an action to unseat an official who unlawfully holds, or exercises the functions of an office.

    Yes, that can be done, and the fruit will be the unseating of the occupant.

    It will also force the hand of the President, to either sign the order, so that the ambassadors will have some color of legal authority, or jettison the ambassadors and Romulo. I agree with you, and maintain that the President has no authority to extend by way of holding over. He must appoint anew. This legal issue will be decided by the courts.

    If the advisers of the President are astute enough, they will tell him to pick his fights; and this is not a worthy fight, so the President may just not sign the order.

    Either way, the suit for quo warranto will force the President to either choose Romulo, or choose the credibility of his Presidency.

  15. chi chi

    OKs lang Ellen na ma-high strung ka kapag galit lalo na sa mgaw kasong iligal na gaya ng kay Berto, it means you are involved and would like a better Pinas. Di baleng magalit kung may katuturan ang galit. 🙂

  16. chi chi

    #14 atty sax, let’s see if PNoy would choose wisely.

  17. chi chi

    Baka hanggang kubeta ay tinititigan ng mga mentioned Gloria’s political ambassadors ang official photo ni unana.

  18. rose rose

    Tongue: sa tingin ko hindi siya mukhang tanga…tunay na tanga!

  19. chi chi

    Hahaha! Nagmukhang tanga si Berto sa pagkapikon! “Why are you questioning my judgment” sabi kay Ellen.

    Hindi sya nakikinig sa kanyang president Noynoy. Ipinagdiinan ni PNoy na tayo ang kanyang boss, kung gayun e di mas boss tayo ni Romulo dahil boss nya ang pangulo!

    Following Noy’s line, meron karapatan na kwestyunin di lang ni Ellen kundi tayo ring lahat na Pinoy ang judgment ng “kalihim” ni Gloria! Besides, pinasusweldo ka namin hoy! Kung ayaw mong kwestyunin ang judgment o motibo mo, lumayas ka sa pwesto, pronto!

  20. chi chi

    Salamat Ellen at hindi mo pinalampas ang arrogance ng bobo Berto. Kung ganyan sya, sino ang rirespeto sa kanya liban na lang siguro sa fans nya.

  21. parasabayan parasabayan

    Hurray Ellen! Such an arrogance, this Romulo exhibited! Masahol pa kay bitch na dating boss niya ang dating!

  22. rose rose

    pagtatawanan nila si PNoy ngayon pero ang huling halakhak kay kay PNoy pa din…just you wait ang see!

  23. baycas2 baycas2

    Non-Career ambassadors

    1.Non-career ambassadors or political appointees are allowed according to the Philippine Foreign Service Act provided that the Career Service officers are in the majority:

    Section 17. Heads of Diplomatic and Permanent Missions. – In order to strengthen the Career Foreign Service Corps and to enable it to respond to challenges in the field of international relations, the President shall be guided, as much as possible, by the principle that a majority of diplomatic and permanent missions shall be headed by career ambassadors.

    This is complied with and according to a Palace statement on December 14, 2009:

    This administration has appointed more career Heads of Posts, i.e., Ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary and Consuls General (72.83 percent) than during the Estrada and Ramos administrations (70 percent and 67 percent, respectively).

    In this administration, the record is quite clear that there has been strict and ample compliance with the law. Under the present circumstances, the law is far from being breached by the number of non-career ambassadors.

    2. Non-career ambassadors are considered Non-Career Service officers according to this Supreme Court decision (G.R. No. 88183, October 3, 1990):

    x x x

    By these statutory standards, it seems plain that all three (3) petitioners: Isabelo J. Astraquillo, Alunan C. Glang, and Alejandro Melchor, Jr., pertained to the Non-Career Service. Their appointments to the Foreign Service were made on “bases other than those of the usual test of merit and fitness utilized for the career service;” their entrance was not ‘based on merit and fitness . . . determined . . . by competitive examinations, or based on highly technical qualifications.” This being so, their “tenure . . . (was) coterminous with that of the appointing authority or subject to his pleasures, . . . .”

    It is worthy of note that among the officers categorized in the Career Service by the Civil Service Law, PD No. 807, are “Career officers, other than those in the Career Executive Service, who are appointed by the President, such as the Foreign Service Officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Implicit in this reference to “career officers” in the Ministry (now Department) of Foreign Affairs is the acknowledgement of non-career officers in that ministry (department).

    This is derived from the Civil Service Law (P.D. No. 807) and like-worded in the Executive Order No. 297 on July 25, 1987 instituting the ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987:

    Section 9, Chapter 2 COVERAGE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, Book V

    Non-Career Service. – The Non-Career Service shall be characterized by (1) entrance on bases other than those of the usual tests of merit and fitness utilized for the career service; and (2) tenure which is limited to a period specified by law, or which is coterminous with that of the appointing authority or subject to his pleasure, or which is limited to the duration of a particular project for which purpose employment was made.

    and, as mentioned, it is implied that Career (and, of course, Non-career) officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs are covered by the Civil Service Law as instructed in Section 7, Chapter 2 COVERAGE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, Book V…

    (4) Career officers, other than those in the Career Executive Service, who are appointed by the President, such as the Foreign Service Officers in the Department of Foreign Affairs

    Therefore, the posts of the non-career ambassadors who are presently overstaying in “holdover” capacity are deemed VACANT.

  24. baycas2 baycas2

    karugtong…

    3. Holdover capacity, wherein a public officer whose term has expired or services have been terminated is allowed to continue holding his office until his successor is appointed or chosen and had qualified, is allowed by the Doctrine of Holdover provided in the Law on Public Officers. However, the doctrine is NOT applicable to the Non-career ambassadors according to these rules:

    Holding-Over Rules

    • Where the law provides for it: The office does not become vacant upon the expiration of the term if there is no successor elected and qualified to assume it. Incumbent will hold-over even if beyond the term fixed by law.

    Where the law is silent: Unless hold-over is expressly or impliedly prohibited, incumbent may hold-over. Law-making body favors hold-over except when the law fixes a specific date for the end of the term, therefore there is an implied prohibition against hold over.

    • Where the Constitution limits the term of a public officer and does not provide for hold-over: Hold-over is not permitted.

    Art 237 of the Revised Penal Code penalizes any public officer who shall continue to exercise the duties and powers of his office beyond the period provided by law:

    Art. 237. Prolonging performance of duties and powers. — Any public officer who shall continue to exercise the duties and powers of his office, employment or commission, beyond the period provided by law, regulation or special provisions applicable to the case, shall suffer the penalties of prision correccional in its minimum period, special temporary disqualification in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding 500 pesos.

    Maliit ang parusa, pero ilegal pa rin ang ginagawa nila at ‘di naaayon sa “Daang Matuwid!”

  25. baycas2 baycas2

    The non-career ambassadors holding on to their posts are:

    1. Francisco Benedicto (China)
    2. Domingo Siazon Jr. (Japan)
    3. Antonio Manel Lagdameo (United Kingdom)
    4. Mercedes Tuason (Holy See)
    5. Vidal Querol (Indonesia)
    6. Noe Wong (Cambodia)
    7. Ramoncito Marino (Palau)
    8. Jose Brillantes (Canada)
    9. Ana Ines Der Sequera-Ugarte (Spain)
    10. Antonio Villamor (Saudi. Arabia)
    11. Francisco Ortigas III (Mexico)
    12. Ma. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes (Chile)
    13. Rigoberto Tiglao (Greece)
    14. Delia Albert (Germany)
    15. Regina Irene Sarmiento (Czech Republic)
    16. Cardozo Luna (The Netherlands)
    17. Ernesto de Leon (Australia)
    18. Bienvenido Tejano (New Zealand)
    19. Shirley Ho-Vicario (Papua New Guinea)
    20. Perm. Representative Orlando Mercado (Jakarta)
    21. Perm. Rep. Manuel Teehankee (Geneva)

    Source: Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net, First Posted 17:36:00 07/05/2010

  26. I just listened to the Sheryl Mundo’s report. She was also wrong in saying that the provision cited by Romulo and Malaya referred to ambassadors. Wrong as SNv pointed out in another thread the case involved employees of DECS and another department.

    I didn’t accept that provision because I knew it didn’t apply to foreign service officers because they are governed by the Foreign Service Act. That’s when he said sarcastically , “Apparrently you know more than I do when it comes to Foreign Service Act.”

    And I replied, “Apparently.”

  27. Ito naman si Ochoa, ginawang tanga si PNoy talking about confirmation by the CA. Nakakahiya.

    Confirmation by the CA is part of the process when you appoint and nominate an ambassador. They themselves said it was only an extension (which has no legal basis).

    Also, if you appoint an ambassador, he doesn’t assume the post until after he completes the process, which also includes obtaining an agrement and formally presenting his credentials.

    And if that’s the case, it won’t be just for three months. It’s plain stupidity to appoint an ambassador only for three months.

    So if he appointed those 21 ambassadors of Gloria Arroyo, the process has not started. So why are they there in their post? As the UNIFORS said, they have no official personality in the embassies.

  28. Tongue, thanks for the video ha. How did you retrieve that? I was looking for it, hindi ko makita.

  29. Romulo and Ochoa got away with this because many of the reporters are not familiar with foreign service and they can feed them inaccurate stories, the reporters swallow them hook line and sinker.

    For us who have covered foreign service, we know at least the basics and mahirap naman lunukin the violations of the law. bastusan ang ginagawa nila sa DFA.

  30. sychitpin sychitpin

    #12 ET: “practice does not make a wrong thing right. Si Gloria arroyo maraming practice na ilegal, it doesn’t mean naging legal yun.”

    absolutely correct

  31. pranning pranning

    09 July 2010

    Ms. Ellen, can you please ask the DFA Secretary regarding his stand against overstaying career ambassador in thier assignments?
    1. One ambassador assigned in an ASEAN country is invoking the MC#1. However, this ambassador should have been recalled to Manila since last year. This ambassador again invoke a similar order stating that unless replaced, the ambassador is deemed extended. Dores this apply to a non-officer.

    2. this ambassador is causing divisivenes among embassy personnel.

    can you place take a look at this.

    prans

  32. Ellen, natsambahan ko lang na may nag-link sa video na isang foreign website. Di ko maalala kung anong site.

  33. florry florry

    Is Aquino still asleep and dreaming to be the president? When will he wake up to the reality that he is now the president, the most powerful man in the country? How much can he take more from all the incompetents and ignoramus in his cabinet? Is he always there to apologize and ask for patience and space for his people?

    Apologizing for the mistakes or bloopers of your trusted people is not in anyway a good sign and quality of a decisive leader. This is not a duty of the president. It’s no longer a campaign period. When you get these people to work for you, they should know what was expected of them. They are not expected to make booboos of simple things like preparing MC, they are not expected to berate the media and they are not expected to be ignorant of the civil service law.

    Whatever ties Noynoy has with these people, maybe because of sentimental reasons, memories of loyalty and service to his mother or support and contributions to his candidacy, he must be decisive, cut all the ties that binds them and decide not for the good or debt of gratitude to these few people, but for the majority who put him up there.

    Maybe he can just say, “Many thanks to all of you but I have a job to do”

  34. chi chi

    Thanks, baycas.

    Wala sanang atrasan ang demanda ng Uniffors kay Berto. Tingnan kung ano ang magiging aksyon ni PNoy kung makorner si Berto na iligal ang ginagawang extension, holdover, or whatever sa political ambas ni unana.

    Grabe din ang kapal ng mukha ni Romulo, nauto na si Ochoa at damay pa si PNoy sa kaso kapag naisampa ng Uniffors. And yet, tuloy pa rin ang pagiging arogante. Ugaling Pidal!

  35. baycas2 baycas2

    A. Please look here:

    Political ambassadors clinging to posts find ally in Agra
    by Pia Lee Brago (The Philippine Star) Updated June 09, 2010 12:00 AM

    It says:

    MANILA, Philippines – Political ambassadors who are aspiring to be extended in their posts have found the means to stay on after the Department of Justice (DOJ) rendered a legal opinion allowing them to hold over beyond June 30, senior officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed yesterday.

    The senior officials, who requested anonymity, told The STAR that the legal opinion of Justice Secretary Alberto Agra was a product of lobbying of political ambassadors, most of them retired generals, commodores and police officers who are co-terminus with President Arroyo.

    The legal opinion may also result in the withdrawal of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo’s April 28 recall order for all political ambassadors to the Home Office.

    The officials claimed that some of the non-career ambassadors have also approached the sisters of president-apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to get an extension after the appointing authority ends her term of office this month.

    They criticized Agra, as chief legal officer of the administration, of finding legal means to allow political ambassadors to hold over.

  36. baycas2 baycas2

    B. This is very important in our discussion:

    Agra’s two-page opinion dated April 23, 2010 obtained by The STAR showed that the DOJ opinion was already sought even before the ambassadors were recalled.

    The DOJ opinion came out even before Romulo issued the recall order for the 25 political ambassadors.

    Romulo tossed the ball to the DOJ by requesting confirmatory opinion on whether non-career ambassadors, who are political appointees, may continue to receive salaries, allowances and other emoluments until the next president shall have duly appointed their successors.

    Agra cited a similar query sent to the Commission on Audit (COA), through its Supervising Auditor at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), that applies to non-career ambassadors and undersecretaries who are legally entitled to the emoluments of the office they hold.

    Agra said “the government officer charged with the payment of said salaries and other emoluments can rightfully rely upon the apparent title of the subject officer and treat him as if an officer de jure, without inquiring whether another one has a better right.”

  37. baycas2 baycas2

    C. The DOJ order in the preceding article was clarified here in another article:

    SundotStar Manila
    Justice chief clarifies stand on co-terminus execs
    Wednesday, June 9, 2010

    It says:

    JUSTICE Secretary Alberto Agra defended his opinion, which was now allegedly being used by appointees of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to cling to their posts beyond June 30.

    In an interview, Agra said his legal opinion dated April 23 was meant to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with a guideline in compensating its non-Career Executive Service Officers (CESO) diplomats who are co-terminus with Arroyo.

    “The legal opinion is not about that holdover or extension of term. It’s about emoluments in case they continue to render their services and if it’s not in bad faith,” said Agra.

    It further reads:

    The query was sought by Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto Romulo, who asked whether non-career ambassadors may continue to receive salaries until their successors shall have been appointed by incoming administration.

    Agra denied that his April 23 legal opinion was meant to provide a legal anchor for emissaries appointed by Arroyo to extend their tour-of-duty. Senior DFA officials have also reportedly approached Aquino’s screening committee to have their terms extended.

    Nonetheless, Agra said his statement has been rendered immaterial after Romulo came out with an order on April 28 recalling all political ambassadors to the Home Office.

    “It does not hold water anymore because of the subsequent recall order of Secretary Romulo,” the DOJ secretary said.

    In his legal opinion, Agra stated that “when a person becomes a public officer de facto without bad faith on his part, and said person exercises the functions, he is legally entitled to, thus may recover or receive the compensation provided for by the law for the office or the services rendered.”

  38. baycas2 baycas2

    D. However, Leandro Mendoza recalled Romulo’s recall order, here’s the article:

    Political ambassadors’ recall recalled by DFA
    By Cynthia Balana, Philippine Daily Inquirer
    First Posted 06:44:00 06/11/2010

    Part of which says:

    DFA Spokesperson Eduardo Malaya said that a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza on June 7 deferred the recall of the political ambassadors and that the directive was transmitted by the DFA the next day to all concerned posts.

    x x x

    “The recall orders are therefore deferred without necessarily changing the nature of the appointments of the political ambassadors which are co-terminus with their appointing authority,” Malaya said. “This will be so unless the President-elect directs otherwise upon his assumption to office.”

    I put emphasis on the last sentence! This is where the problem lies. So far, I haven’t found justification for the “extension-cum-holdover” of the non-career ambassadorial positions.

  39. baycas2 baycas2

    E. I think they will be using the Law on Public Officers as regards the Holdover Doctrine (as mentioned above) and as regards Public Officer de facto in the De Facto Doctrine* (which Agra has opined).

    The De Facto Doctrine relies on the applicability of the Holdover Doctrine in the case at bar. Sad to say for Romulo et al (as well as the overstaying ambassadors), the Holdover Doctrine is not applicable to Non-Career Service Officers such as the non-career ambassadors.

    The Foreign Service Act may be silent on the Holdover Doctrine but there is an exception, i.e., when the law fixes a specific date for the end of the term – in this case, coterminous with that of the appointing authority as stipulated in the Civil Service Law on Non-Career Service and as instructed in the Administrative Code of 1987. Therefore there is an implied prohibition against hold over.

    The above doctrines are sourced from Scribd entitled “UP 2008 Barops Public-Officers-2007.”

    —–
    *De Facto Doctrine – It is the principle which holds that a person, who, by the proper authority, is admitted and sworn into office is deemed to be rightfully in such office until: (a) by judicial declaration in a proper proceeding he is ousted therefrom; or (b) his admission thereto is declared void. Its purpose is to ensure the orderly functioning of government. The public cannot afford to check the validity of the officer’s title each time they transact with him.

  40. florry florry

    Having watched her in action, I can’t help but wonder how many Ellens out there fighting for what is right? Maybe there are a few but our Ellen here is the one towering all over them. The most admirable thing is her ability and effortless way to be always non-partisan and balanced in her reporting.

    This is not in anyway a compliment but an admiration to a journalist like no other.

  41. Becky Becky

    Baycas, Angara is the sponsor of some political ambassadors. One of them is Anna Ugarte of Spain, the señora in Raissa Robles’ article.

    That’s the reason for his twisting the law to protect his proteges. Si Angara ba naman. Angara for Angara.

  42. PNoy mus pick his fights, he’s the president, too high profile to be sullied by issues that are supposed to be non issues in the first place, otherwise its easy to sabotage/bait him to do something wrong…
    He needs an alter ego who can really protect him and aggressively do so, even willing to take a bullet for him. This issue with the DFA is too high profile to mess around with, and will look like someone is out to sabotage this administration, I hope this will be handled as discretely and as swiftly as possible, I don’t believe that washing dirty laundry in public (in full view of the international community) is good foreign policy…
    …a calculated approach is required, not a knee jerk reaction…cool heads must prevail…

  43. I’m pretty sure they are aware of the situation, let them take care of it, as they already have plans of how to handle it, sometimes we have to let someone do their job first and not second guess them…

  44. Chi, re 37 “Wala sanang atrasan ang demanda ng Unifors kay Berto.”

    Chi I understand the Unifors is sending one last appeal to the President today. They are exhausting all administrative remedies available.

    I also understand that there is now a line between them and the office of Executive Secretary Ochoa. Finally. After ignoring them the past two months.

    Let’s see how these things are going to develop.

  45. It’s good that these things are coming out this early. They have to be addressed immediately para derecho tayo sa tuwid na daan.

  46. Thanks for the clarifications, baycas. It should now be clear to all.

    As it now appears, Romulo has junked his own act of recalling the political ambassadors, instead he is now justifying their extension using a neither-here-nor-there legal opinion by Agra and has swallowed Mendoza’s vial of bile, making him look stupid by recalling his recall. None of the justifications, however, have any legal foot to stand on.

    The problem persists UNLESS PNoy puts his own foot down and reappoints these people into fresh terms and go through the process which is impractical for a mere three-month term. Or the wiser option that he removes them altogether.

    Why is PNoy taking his sweet time and allowing this to happen? Please, get him someone who will push him to be more decisive and act quickly which are basic qualities of a good manager that is obviously lacking here. A fireman will do better in this situation.

    I suggest you read these comments thoroughly and follow baycas’ logic. In a battle of wits, knowledge is the only weapon.

    “Read, Alberto, read!”

  47. I for one would like to commend Ellen for her excellent fisking the Foolsdie of Romulo.Fisking this clown is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.

    We really have a humongous problems,To begin with a politician as an ambassador is universally acknowledged as a poor choice.Ambassadorial position should never be given to somebody hungry for publicity, narrow and self-centered, ethnocentric, unable to understand nuances in foreign countries, who think his/her country is the best in everything.

    The problem with diplomacy is that every one thinks he can do it. And why not? In our daily lives we at one time or other have to employ our diplomatic skills to get out of certain situations. Hence, many of our depressed politicians feel that they can also do the job provided that they understand the basic rules of diplomacy very quickly.

  48. Becky Becky

    Hindi naman nakapagtataka that Tiglao would trumpet Gloria Arroyo’s accomplishments. Propagandists nya yun. kaya nga rewarded with a taxpayers’ subsidized vacation in Greece.

    Tiglao is the author of the “The Strong Republic” policy of Arroyo.

    Ikaw na. “Dear Bobi,” ang assignment order sa kanya ni Romulo.

  49. Tongue, Baycas, the order to recall was issued by Romulo when he was still lobbying to be appointed. I think he was still in the stage of sucking up to P Noy.

    Now that he got the appointment, he showed his true colors.

    I reminded him of that during the presscon. I told him that you, yourself know that the proper thing to do was for those political ambassadors to come home before June 30. He said but they have not finished their protocolar duties, packing etc. Jesus!

    So I asked him so, so you are rewarding them for defying their term limits? balik na naman sa argument that it had been done before, etc. etc.

    That’s why I kept on saying, “Practice doesn’t make a wrong thing right.” If it’s illegal, it’s illegal. Practice does not make it legal.

  50. Which is exactly why nagkakagulo sa DFA. It is clear that the recall was simply for show and the real intention was to get his Old Boys’ Club partners in Gloria’s camp to stay as long as he can stretch it. The chronology reveals the ploy.

    Fuck Romulo, he is not for Noynoy at all. He remains under the midget’s smelly skirt sucking up all the foul things his forked tongue could lick.

  51. Although some of our Ambassadors are honest man and woman,they are sent there by Aling Gloria to lie for our country without fail, usually take the position right or wrong very seriously. And based on the kind of sound they produces they will be able to convince their colleagues of anything because they too will one day require them to be convinced of their explanations.That’s why they are a politicians turned Ambassadors.

    But, they must understand war will begin if diplomacy fails, once they fire a gun you cannot recall the bullet. Diplomacy is all about letting the other person have your right of way.

    Like any position in leadership life is very lonely at the top. You will be only be as good as the information gathered by you and the other members of your staff. Just like a doctor if the information on your illness is wrong, then the prescription will be wrong and you will end up solving the problem by creating more problems.

  52. chi chi

    Thanks, Ellen, for the update. Ochoa must listen to the appeals of the Unifors so as not to put PNoy in a very compromising and embarrassing situation. Saboteur itong si Berto!

  53. True, Cocoy…as Stephen Covey would put it, “Diagnose first before you prescribe” or “Seek first to understand.”

    …but I have to admit, after looking at the developments and trying my damndest best to understand Ellen’s point of view (where she’s coming from) as she’s looking more like a loose cannon than a reporter, I got it!

    This is plain sabotage, plain and simple, PNoy has snakes in his house and good thing some loose cannon just flushed them out in the open! These ambassadors could not have PNoy’s best interest in mind, much more the country’s, they should be removed, as decisively and surgically clean as possible.

    I’m reminded of the Aesop’s fable about a woman who found a freezing snake one winter morning, taking pity on the poor thing she put it inside her clothes just between her bossoms to help it get warm…sure enough, when it recovered it just promptly bit her and sped off leaving her to die in the forest…

  54. …Romulo is looking more and more like that snake…

  55. …if TT were that snake he would not bite 🙂

  56. Jug,
    Many of us would have illusions about what Romulo’s priorities are and where his loyalty lies.Hope he will have his chance to put that capital into good use.Right now,Romulo is an objectionary target from the yellow armies,Objections can be made on whether his “ideal of alliance” actually took place. Did Romulo actually pursue such a course that mutually benefit Filipino people and PNoy? Is “ideal of alliance” even possible, or illusory? Does Romulo invoke the “ideal of alliance” only when it suits his purpose?

    Regardless of whether or not it’s worth looking at the public opinion, ideas in it can be worth discussing. Or fisking. And even if it’s not worth fisking, it may be fun to do so otherwise. Heck, nobody really gives a shit what Romulo has to say, either. Still fun to read them, though.

  57. It depends, if it were the bosom of a big natural, I would take the longest time to nibble on the “hotspots” first. If it were like that of Gloria’s – silicone-filled – I would just immediately wrap myself around her neck and constrict.

  58. MPRivera MPRivera

    Art. 237. Prolonging performance of duties and powers. — Any public officer who shall continue to exercise the duties and powers of his office, employment or commission, beyond the period provided by law, regulation or special provisions applicable to the case, shall suffer the penalties of prision correccional in its minimum period, special temporary disqualification in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding 500 pesos.

    Maliit ang parusa, pero ilegal pa rin ang ginagawa nila at ‘di naaayon sa “Daang Matuwid!” – Baycas

    Kaya nga ganyan sila katigas ang hiya dahil ano ba naman ‘yung 500 pisong multa kumpara sa sarap ng buhay at laki ng suweldo bukod pa sa mahuhuthot nila sa pondo ng kanilang opisina?

    Ang kaparusahan ay binalangkas mga galamay ng abusadong hindi hinalal subalit ipinagpilitan ang sariling presidente upang ipahiya ang alinmang papalit at susunod na administrasyon (kung lumusot ang kanilang plan A upang manatili ang ganid na si gloira sa poder). Maliwanag lang na ang inaasal ng mga nagmamatigas na politically-appointed ambassadors ay matagal nang plano ng mga kapanalig ng bruha.

    Katulad ng ginawa kay Erap, may nakahanda na silang mga dahilan at hakbang na isasagawa upang muling pabagsakin ang pamunuang Aquino.

    Hinihintay lamang nilang ang pingki na kanilang isinasagawa ang magdulot ng lamat sa marupok pang gobyerno ni PeNoy at ang lamat na ito ang siyang magsisilbing hudyat upang muli silang magsagawa ng huwad na kaguluhan at pag-aaklas tungo sa muling pamamayagpag sa kapangyarihan. At ang paglikha at pagkakaroon ng lamat sa gobyerno ni Noynoy ang siyang misyon at sinisimulan ni Alberto Romulo.

  59. Agree Pareng Mags,
    Kaya pala hindi ibinigay ni PNoy kay Binay ang DILG Sec. Now I know!. Pero bakit si Rico Puno yata ang gagawing USEC ng DILG.Kapalaran nga naman….

  60. Thats Rico E. Puno. Not Rico J.

    Rico E. Puno is in the gun business. He is good friend of PNoy. I understand they are together in a shooting club.

    Puno has been doing liaison work for PNoy with the PNP. That’s why the Hawaii-Five O group that went with former DILG secretary Ronnie Puno to Hawaii before elections remains the powerful group at the PNP.

  61. MPRivera MPRivera

    ‘Langya. Kadami namang sanga ng puno ‘yan.

    Madahon at mabunga naman kaya itong bagong punong ito?

  62. Raissa has an update on the websites of Philippine embassies in Greece and Australia:

    Late last night, Philippine Ambassador to Greece Rigoberto Tiglao e-mailed me about his Embassy website. He said:

    Anyway, my side of the story and I really hope you correct your blog:

    Our webmaster had blocked us out of the website, and refused to update it for several months already, and just allowed us to update it ONCE after I practically knelt down to beg them to update it for the Independence Day celebrations since our countrymen kept on asking us how to get photos of the celebrations.

    The reason why they have blocked us out (and changed the passwords) is that we have not been able to pay the webmaster for a year already, and my finance officer refused to sign the check for this, on grounds that he needed Manila’s authority to pay for it. Please contact my finance officer Mr. Leo Comaya (egcomaya2000@yahoo.com) to confirm this.

    Be as it may, I will tap my own small personal funds to pay our webmaster so we could update our website.

    Click here for Raissa’s post on updates.

  63. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    They were able to update only ONCE, for the independence day, so they could have mentioned Noy.

    They celebrated daw, on June 5, before Noy was proclaimed. Nice try.

    You could have at least congratulated the President-elect, in order not to preempt the proclamation.

    Barya lang ang hosting of a website, not even the price of an expensive ambassador’s lunch, so don’t give us that crap. In fact, puwedeng i-host sa Manila yan, accessed by the webmaster from Europe.

    Hindi pa ba tapos ang mga inane excuses? I suppose hindi coterminus ang katangahan. Wala na yung boss, tanga pa rin ang nagpapalusot.

    Noy, you have to end this goddammit (sila, hindi ikaw). Sukang-suka na kami. Kung pasensyoso ka man, ang taumbayan ay hindi na; kaya ka nga nahalal.

  64. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    Yahoo hosts your website for $9.95. That’s the price of two cheap lunches in Chinatown, NY. Kung sa Little Italy ka kumain, pasta lang yan, na puro tomato paste, at konting basil. Hiwalay pa ang soda (ang soft drinks dito, tawag soda. Akala ko naman cracker ang inaalok.)

    Mas mahal pa ang isang prix fixe lunch sa Madrid, noong nandoon ako in the 90s. Hindi pa class yon, sa neighborhood resto, sa Calle Ercilla, malapit sa Atocha.

  65. chi chi

    Umuwi ka lang sa Pinas, Tiglao!

    Tiglao does not even know the right thing to do, nangungunyapit ng husto sa non-existent na pwesto.

  66. chi chi

    “I suppose hindi coterminus ang katangahan. Wala na yung boss, tanga pa rin ang nagpapalusot.”

    Read, Tiglao…..read. Isaksak mo sa utak mo!

  67. kapatid kapatid

    WTF!? Too pissed off to comment.

  68. From Rolando Galang:

    It was shameless of Alberto G. Romulo to lobby for his retention as Secretary of Foreign Affairs when he was Arroyo’s staunchest defender before the international forums. A dyed-in-the-wool opportunist, he expressed his support for Aquino when the latter announced his candidacy, yet sticking it out with Arroyo so as not to lose the perks and priviliges attached to being Foreign Secretary, such as free junkets abroad, dining in the finest reataurants abroad, staying in luxury hotels and savoring the pampering he gets from Philippine embassy and consulate officials who do not hide their abhorrence for him or even ridicule him behind his back.

    The UNIFORS has every right to question Romulo’s competency and even supposed integrity. It is common knowledge in the DFA that Romulo lacks the in-depth knowledge of foreign policy issues because his mind is pre-occupied with what interesting places to visit when travelling to a foreign country for a meeting or mission. Filipino diplomats are flabbergasted that instead of discussing bilateral issues when travelling abroad, his concerns are the history and attractions of places he is visiting. In fact he almost always makes side trips during his official visits to savor the beauty of the Spanish, Swiss and French countrysides, transforming ambassadors and consuls as his personal tour guides. To project an image of being erudite, he would out of the blue asked arcane questions on who is the philospher who hailed from the place he is visiting or the history of the place, for which he knows the answer but only to project the image of erudition.

    I have a question, Miss Tordesillas, why should our Foreign Minister be always a septagenarian or octagenarian? Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, UK, South Korea, etc., all have young Foreign Minister. Gone are also the days when speeches are delivered in such declamatory style as Alberto Romulo does. Speeches today are delivered in a simple, casual and business-like style. Surely, Romulo is an anachronism in a reformist government and young Cabeinet like Aquino’s. Is it because Alberto is a Romulo? Now, why does our Froeign Minister need be always a Romulo? Why do they have a vested right to this Cabinet portfolio? What do we owe them?

  69. chi chi

    Right, what do we owe these Romulos that DFA becomes their turf! Monopoly nila ang DFA a!

  70. chi chi

    Buti lang kung lahat sila ay kasing sa extraordinary serbisyo publiko ng General Romulo, walang akong reklamo! E itong si Berto, ipinahihiya pa ang kanyang ninunong uncle sa kabobohan at kasipsipan!

  71. baycas2 baycas2

    you’re welcome guys…and thanks to you too (especially ma’am ellen…what a wallop!) couldn’t help myself googling here and there for answers after watching the “ellen-bert” video clip. romulo’s such a disgrace to P.Noy’s cabinet.

    —–

    lubhang nakapipikon itong si alberto
    ‘di ko napigil nagngangalit sa loob ko
    k’ya naman napabulalas ako nang husto

    lalo pa’t nalaman ko ang galaw ni berto
    na nagpatunay sa maitim n’yang motibo

    —–

    i really like all the comments above. may the best of luck come upon those who are treading the straight albeit narrow path.

    tungo sa daang matuwid, mga katoto, tungo sa daang matuwid…

  72. Al Al

    Arogante talaga yang si Tiglao. May balita gustong magpa-appoint ulit kay P Noy. Baka i-recommend na naman ni Alberto Romulo nga.

    Pwede ba alisin na yang si Romulo. Aminin na ni Ballsy na nagkamali siya to have lobbied for him with her brother at paki-usapan nang mag-resign.

  73. chi chi

    Naging pangulo lang si Noynoy ay kadami ng naging makata kahit sa FB. Pati si baycas galing din tumula. 🙂 Positibo ang pagtanggap ng madlang pipol kay PNoy kung ganyan.

    Tulong-tulong tayo para sa “daang-matuwid”. Birahin kaagad ang mga aroganteng opisyal na magpapahiya lang kay Noy, kahit malakas pa ang konek sa kanila. Remember, tayo ang boss ni PNoy (daw) kaya meron tayong karapatang magreklamo kung palpak ang kanyang tauhan.

    Btw, thanks baycas…read them all and I learned a lot, siguro mas marunong na ako kay Berto ngayon, hehehe.

  74. rose rose

    kung sa ahas..si Romulo ay Cobra and Python in one…makamandag!

  75. MPRivera MPRivera

    Rose,

    Medyo mali ‘ata o kulang ‘yung pagkukumpara mo kay Alberto Romulo sa ahas, eh.

    Naniniwala akong puwede siyang ihambing sa ahas – sa pinakamabagsik ang kamandag na ahas na talo pa ang King Cobra.

    Si Romulo ay kahalintulad at hindi nalalayo sa isang ulupong na magkabila’y ulo.

  76. rose rose

    MPR; Thanks for the correction..wala kasi akong alam ng mga hayop sa bundok…kundi snakes and monkeys…mas nakakatakot pala si romulo..magkabilaan ang ulo…hindi lang abnormal freak pa! kaya naman pala ganyan siya!

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