In today's Inquirer Editorial, the paper voiced its hope that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo does not attempt another meet-up with President-elect Obama and risk a third snub—the first being Obama's cancellation of his September meeting with President Arroyo last September, the second is Obama's apparent lack of time to return our President Arroyo's congratulatory call. It says in the editorial that Obama is well informed enough about Mrs. Arroyo's reputation, hence his decision not to associate himself with her. Though I agree with the Editorial's message that President Arroyo should no longer attempt to arrange a meeting with Obama, I utterly refused to accept the deduction that Obama's apparent snub is because of President Arroyo apparent reputation abroad.
Obama's seeming cold treatment towards the leader of the Philippines is to be qualified as ignorance of the geopolitical importance of the Philippines. His genius campaign organization is most likely not well informed about the pivotal role of the Philippines in the Asia Pacific region (I pray for the intercession of VP-elect Biden). Now that the U.S. is being threatened yet again by Russia’s rise to the world stage, and being challenged by the erratic leadership of North Korea—to named of few—the U.S. may again find the Philippines support more important than any other Asian countries. The Philippines serves a strategic watch post in the region as was evident during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The U.S. could probably afford to lose this valuable advantage having the Philippines in its side, but to what cost?
With the charge against President Arroyo's reputation abroad, such conclusion by the Inquirer is apparently dubious and utterly far fetch. President Arroyo is a respected figure both in Asia and the world at large. She by the way specially requested by the King of Saudi, His Majesty Abdullah to speak on an important interfaith gathering in the United Nations. It is noteworthy that Mrs Arroyo's economic proposals for to counter or mitigate the effect of the global financial crisis has been discussed and taken into consideration by several "respected" and fair ,media outlets in the ASEAN Region.
Finally the paper says, “She must remember that she is the president of a sovereign country. She is not a star-struck teenager hounding a celebrity. She should not continue to embarrass herself and her country by dogging and stalking Obama.” How ironic that such a respected paper managed to put up these statements in one paragraph. Yes, President Arroyo is the President of a sovereign state. This is the reason why she is trying to build rapport—however desperate her action may appear—for the country’s sake, with the future leader the greatest nation on earth however arrogant he may be. This is for the benefit of our country, not her benefit.
I am an admirer of Inquirer’s vigilance. I salute its provocative and transcendental investigative journalism, but this specific piece, today’s Editorial, is just too much. Let us be fair in accessing everyone and every situation. Due credence must be extended to whoever deserves it.
Obama's seeming cold treatment towards the leader of the Philippines is to be qualified as ignorance of the geopolitical importance of the Philippines. His genius campaign organization is most likely not well informed about the pivotal role of the Philippines in the Asia Pacific region (I pray for the intercession of VP-elect Biden). Now that the U.S. is being threatened yet again by Russia’s rise to the world stage, and being challenged by the erratic leadership of North Korea—to named of few—the U.S. may again find the Philippines support more important than any other Asian countries. The Philippines serves a strategic watch post in the region as was evident during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The U.S. could probably afford to lose this valuable advantage having the Philippines in its side, but to what cost?
With the charge against President Arroyo's reputation abroad, such conclusion by the Inquirer is apparently dubious and utterly far fetch. President Arroyo is a respected figure both in Asia and the world at large. She by the way specially requested by the King of Saudi, His Majesty Abdullah to speak on an important interfaith gathering in the United Nations. It is noteworthy that Mrs Arroyo's economic proposals for to counter or mitigate the effect of the global financial crisis has been discussed and taken into consideration by several "respected" and fair ,media outlets in the ASEAN Region.
Finally the paper says, “She must remember that she is the president of a sovereign country. She is not a star-struck teenager hounding a celebrity. She should not continue to embarrass herself and her country by dogging and stalking Obama.” How ironic that such a respected paper managed to put up these statements in one paragraph. Yes, President Arroyo is the President of a sovereign state. This is the reason why she is trying to build rapport—however desperate her action may appear—for the country’s sake, with the future leader the greatest nation on earth however arrogant he may be. This is for the benefit of our country, not her benefit.
I am an admirer of Inquirer’s vigilance. I salute its provocative and transcendental investigative journalism, but this specific piece, today’s Editorial, is just too much. Let us be fair in accessing everyone and every situation. Due credence must be extended to whoever deserves it.
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