SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
_____________________________________________
The special envoy issue and what lies beneath
First Gentleman Mike Arroyo had declined his appointment as "special envoy" to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Presidential spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao said that to avoid complications, Mr. Arroyo can be just a personal representative of the President.
This withdrawal came as the proposed appointment met stiff opposition from most sectors who claims that the move is in anticipation of the approval of the absentee voting bill, which will give OFWs the right to vote during elections. In addition, Senator Raul Roco had warned the President about violating the law against nepotism and her own Administrative Order prohibiting public officials from having transactions with her husband and relatives.
This issue is not as simple as it looks. There are 2 basic issues which every critic of the Arroyo government will notice. Firstly, this is the same President who deferred her daughter's foreign service officer's appointment because of one major concern: that it may be seen as nepotism and that a conflict of interest might arise in the future. One could only speculate that because the First Gentleman's post is more "politically-sensitive", the President risked making a controversial appointment. If that's true, we know now that she didn't get away with it. Secondly, on this particular issue, the Arroyo government seems to be trying to hide behind technicalities. The official appointment is secondary and even immaterial compared to the First Gentleman's exposure as "personal represenative" of the President to OFWs. So the issue is not whether he is appointed or not, but his being abroad representing the President (a member of the President's family performing official functions). This is the same line of defense of Malacanang when the Senate questioned the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA). Malacanang was quick to say that it was an "agreement" not a "treaty" and hence, does not need Senate approval - as if the Philippine Senate is that stupid.
posted by Allan at 3:49 PM (GMT+8)
permalink (URL of this post) ::
