IT'S A DOG'S LIFE
Diplomacy. To aptly define it, is a profession or skill of managing international relations. Another definition would be the art of dealing with people in a sensitive way. Now how are we to know if a person appointed by our well-meaning government is qualified for the job as a diplomat? Well the answer lies in the following qualifying criteria: a.) Should be a Filipino citizen with no drug or alcohol abuse record; b.)Should have at least one of the five career tracks: Consular, Economic, Management, Political and Public Diplomacy; c). Should pass the Foreign Oral Services Assessment test, after passing the written one; d.) Should pass the language eligibility test; e). Should undergo and pass background and medical examinations and; f). Should be willing to be assigned to another country. So in this on-going battle of wits and fame in our current government, are we following all these criteria in choosing our ambassadors to other countries? I would like to believe so. I would also like to believe that these chosen people would at least know the three Pillars of Diplomacy envisioned and set-up by former foreign secretary Alberto Romulo. In this dog-eat-dog world, we cannot allow weak people to carry our banner and represent our country in a foreign land. He or she, should at least be an "alpha" male or female to be able to speak on behalf of our country and manage disputes that are currently pressing or that would eventually arise. We Filipinos are not only fighting for diplomacy in terms of the manner in dealing with our foreign neighbors, but are also actually fighting over the diplomacy post of appointees or nominees. It is not enough that they get to be chosen based on the closeness that they have for the "Oligarchs" (excuse me for the pun) seated in our so-called democratic government. At the rate that Philippine politics is going, our system looks like an Oligarchy (a system that we have so long ago fought against). I think it is just proper for our government to present all the qualifications of their appointees first and then determine fitness to the job to avoid embarrassments on both ends. The government owes it to us... for all the embarrassments we have endured (throughout the world) in this new administration. Whew, speaking of embarrassment, I am embarrassed to even say this... in this country, we are indeed living a dog's life!
(video courtresy of YOUTUBE and uploaded by Affokaliftus)
WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE?
While browsing through my daily serving of cyber news, I chanced upon an article and video that shook me to the core. Yes, it is the much talked about news on the government's new nominee as ambassador to Beijing. As it is, our country is facing an infamous dispute on China's territorial claim on a group of Islands around the West Philippine Sea (to include the much-coveted Spratly's group of islands). This dispute has not only been sticking out like a sore thumb in our vast sea of problems but has also been the source of the thinning of the tie that binds us in peaceful coexistence with our neighbor, China. Yes dear countrymen, I will say it again, an ambassador has already been nominated to represent us in Beijing but is he fit for the job? Qualifications, I would like to believe, this gentleman possesses. For our government I am sure, did not only appoint him for he is a friend of the lot (much to the ire of the majority of the masses because this is what all reports are telling us) but also appointed him for his qualifications. But my argument here is this, not all qualified men are fit for the job. He may be qualified but is he knowledgeable on the existing pressing issues and disputes? Is he knowledgeable on the basic facts relevant to his post? Is he as eager to learn, like some "qualified" men (as he was given at least two months of briefing and assignments prior to this nomination confirmation)? And (if you look closely at the video), was he able to fully understand and internalize everything being shot at him? These basic questions, seem to me, have a common answer and that is a NO. No (for me) because of one of these few things: he was nervous; verbally inarticulate; he was lacking in support or was probably disinterested. But hold your horses everyone... who are we to judge? This video shook me to the core and at the same time saddened me for a lot of reasons. It saddened me to see that a gentleman, who we do not all know and has not been given a proper introduction to us by a body that has nominated him, has been greatly embarrassed because Honorable Osmeña (who was just doing his job by the way) had grilled him in front of the media and some spectators. That this gentleman, who probably is turning right now in his bed and couldn't get a shut-eye, is being ridiculed thanks to this circulating viral video. That this video, will not only be seen by our countrymen but by people around the world. That this gentleman, who may be a husband, a brother, a father or grandfather has not only embarrassed himself but also his whole family. What saddens me the most however, is the irresponsibility of the person or people who nominated him because until China would disprove of his nomination, he is still the sole appointee to the post. Friends, he was not given a proper introduction and was not given a chance to showcase his talents, contributions and qualifications for us to at least support him and bolster his appointment... and although this gentleman was briefed, he was not briefed enough.
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