Unknown to many, I once worked as Foreign Affairs Specialist at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). I was detailed at the department's think-tank, the Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS) or what we all call "sears". Handling the economic diplomacy desk, I was one of those who recommended and accurately predicted the inclusion of China in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the possible re-organization of the regional trade organizations into multilateral economic zones. This is happening right now.
This latest caper by China, issuing a protest over the Senate's watered down version of the Archipelagic Baselines Bill is a comedy, a laughable thing which, probably stemmed from the inability of the Philippine Charge d'Affairs in Beijing to translate the bill to Mandarin. The statement is a knee-jerk reaction from the Chinese, albeit, done grinning sheepishly while saying it. Come on, China. We both know that the bill diluted our claims to the Kalayaan Islands and Scarborough shoal. Under the "regime of islands" concept in the UNCLOS, the version practically abandoned the claims, and yet, you protest. And for what?
Because we did'nt unilaterally dropped the entire claim, as you suggested in talks with the Arroyo administration late last year? Your attaches and political operators went into full high-gear diplomacy with our Congressmen, those very close to Arroyo, to ask our government to abandon the claims in exchange for commercial transaction of the Congressmen's self-appointed companies and a whooping government-to-government loan under the China Exim bank.
Former UN representative Lauro Baja already told the whole world that the Philippines erred in passing that version since it effectively handed over to you the entire Kalayaan archipelago. You can now exploit those territories for themselves, says Baja.
China should re-read the bill and revert back to us with a reasonable answer.
Showing posts with label ambassador lauro baja. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ambassador lauro baja. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Villar's Truth About OFWs
Senate president and presidentiable Manny Villar is in very serious trouble. His foreign affairs and OFW adviser, Ambassador Lauro Baja is being charged for alleged human trafficking, racketeering and forced labor by a fellow Filipino.
What now, Mr. Villar? Should we be concerned, since, you said in that television commercial of yours, that we need to report those who commit human trafficking and such crimes against our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)?
How will we do that now when the very person you made as your adviser is himself, deeply involved in such affairs? How will you now justify your OFW campaign?
How many Bajas do you have in your circle of influence, Mr. Senate President? I'm sure you checked each and every one's background. Are you sure that every adviser has been checked out? Do you have others involved in other rackets, like jueteng, drugs, and smuggling?
More than this though, if news about Ambassador Lauro Baja is true, that’s a big blot in the eye for the Philippine foreign service. And it seems that he's not the only one involved in this kind of racket.
A few months ago, another Filipino diplomat pleaded guilty for a similar offense, that of forced labor and racketeering.
What happened to our once prestigious foreign affairs? This department has been our source of pride in the past. Many idealistic individuals like me dreamt of someday working there. I did manage to work there as head of the economic diplomacy unit of the DFA think-tank. It was a brief stint. Though entry was very competitive, I decided to go back to media, my first love.
Unlike any other government agency, the DFA seems to be the most viable and the most reputable place for one to work. It has the least record for corruption, unlike the BIR and Customs.
With this report on Baja’s and other similar incidents involving our envoys, a thorough investigation should be undertaken. This is a very serious offense which merits a total overhaul, if not, a total re-examination of the list of individuals we allow to serve our fellow Filipinos living abroad.
Baja is a career diplomat who once served the UN Security Council. What has prompted him to do such a despicable thing? Was it low pay? Was it for his retirement or pension funds?
What is happening to our society that the least corrupt government agency has been turned into a place of slave traders?
What now, Mr. Villar? Should we be concerned, since, you said in that television commercial of yours, that we need to report those who commit human trafficking and such crimes against our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)?
How will we do that now when the very person you made as your adviser is himself, deeply involved in such affairs? How will you now justify your OFW campaign?
How many Bajas do you have in your circle of influence, Mr. Senate President? I'm sure you checked each and every one's background. Are you sure that every adviser has been checked out? Do you have others involved in other rackets, like jueteng, drugs, and smuggling?
More than this though, if news about Ambassador Lauro Baja is true, that’s a big blot in the eye for the Philippine foreign service. And it seems that he's not the only one involved in this kind of racket.
A few months ago, another Filipino diplomat pleaded guilty for a similar offense, that of forced labor and racketeering.
What happened to our once prestigious foreign affairs? This department has been our source of pride in the past. Many idealistic individuals like me dreamt of someday working there. I did manage to work there as head of the economic diplomacy unit of the DFA think-tank. It was a brief stint. Though entry was very competitive, I decided to go back to media, my first love.
Unlike any other government agency, the DFA seems to be the most viable and the most reputable place for one to work. It has the least record for corruption, unlike the BIR and Customs.
With this report on Baja’s and other similar incidents involving our envoys, a thorough investigation should be undertaken. This is a very serious offense which merits a total overhaul, if not, a total re-examination of the list of individuals we allow to serve our fellow Filipinos living abroad.
Baja is a career diplomat who once served the UN Security Council. What has prompted him to do such a despicable thing? Was it low pay? Was it for his retirement or pension funds?
What is happening to our society that the least corrupt government agency has been turned into a place of slave traders?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)