American Defense Secretary Robert Gates was in Manila for head to head talks with his opposite number, Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
It was a significant meeting to be sure, with Gates voicing out Washington DC’s “satisfaction over the defense cooperation between the two allies and the manner their bilateral Visiting Forces Agreement is being implemented in so far as addressing regional security concerns.”
Mr. Gates though did not expound when asked how whether the VFA should be reviewed.
Asked about fears of the 2010 elections failing, the US Defense Secretary had a more directed response:
We assume that the elections will go forward and that the Philippines will choose a democratically elected president. I do hope we will not have to address any extra-constitutional change in government.
Mr. Gates’ remark about the 2010 elections also must be counted as a clear signal to dissuade adventurists thinking of subverting the elections or forcing their cancellation.
It’s unfortunate that President Arroyo herself is away in South Korea during the whistle stop visit to Manila of the highest ranking member of the Barack Obama administration so far.
Coincidental as it may be, the unintended result is Secretary Gates pressed flesh with one of the Filipino presidential wannabees even though Secretary Teodoro is still court his boss’s anointment.
Business Mirror’s Rene Acosta, president of the Defense Press Corps told this writer Gates’s visit was on the personal invitation of his Filipino counterpart.
A source told me “Mr. Gates’ readiness to meet Teodoro “is a quiet endorsement.”
The Teodoro-Gates meeting cannot but boost Gibo’s stock.
Popularity: 1% [?]
“A source told me “Mr. Gates’ readiness to meet Teodoro “is a quiet endorsement.””
The source who said must have been a paid hack of Teodoro’s.
Secretary Gates is a highly respected and powerful man in the Obama camp. Defense moved seamlessly from Bush to Obama because of this man. He is willing to command – fire generals, change military weapons programs to fight today’s micro-wars, hunt terrorists relentlessly with missiles fired from drones.
That he met with Teodoro is a clear statement of respect for Teodoro’s role in running Philippine defense. You think Gates does not know what is going on in the Philippines, militarily, politically, economically, and socially? He does. The two countries recently conducted joint military exercises. He probably read a 12 page brief on the way over.
The US has just signaled “this is a man we HAVE worked with, and this is a man we CAN work with”.
For those who want the US totally out of Philippine affairs, go with Lacson or Villar or that ilk*. Stick with the old ways . . . toss the VFA . . . think small instead of big. Continue the backward slide into corruption . . . it is a sure path to “colonial stature” – which occurs when modern nations scorn other nations as largely irrelevant to their international dealings . . .
For those who want to stand side by side with the US (and China and Korea) as an equal, not a colony, go with Teodoro. Or someone of similar stature who commands international respect . . .
(*Edited for removal of all slime and slander per blogging guidance from Anna Nicole Smith’s mother’s attorneys and the Philippine Congress. Regrettably, some outrageous personal opinion slipped past the editor’s ancient eyes.)
Joe
And just when you have clearly endorsed Teodoro, no one gives a damn hoot. No wonder Alex Magno calls us a ‘demented psyche’.
“And just when you have clearly endorsed Teodoro.”
Who did, Prime?
If you misread my post, you exactly do.
Teodoro may technically be qualified but he has neither winnability nor understanding that his dogged support of GMA puts him on the wrong side of history.
He should try his hand at running for senator at best.
Ding,
Forgive me, but I refer to Joe America in what he has just stated (as shown in his 2nd paragraph).
On another point, it will be a mistake for Teodoro to think it will prop him up to have Mr. Gates come in the Philippines. It is one of those things that a defense secretary can be busy with – host arrivals of VIPs. I was once a protocol officer of the defense establishment.
I am naive, for sure. I also said “or someone who commands international respect.” I don’t know the presidential aspirants here that well, but I know this was a significant event. I do stand by the statement that electing a “stained” candidate would be a mistake. Perhaps I should sit back and listen (read), eh?
Secretary Gates is perhaps the number 3 US official in terms of power and impact behind Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton.
Joe
Joe:
You will have known by now, Gates endorsement, as far as this Philippine electoral exercise is concerned, given the populist anti-VFA rhetoric, is a kiss of death.
It will not be to Teodoro’s advantage.
Yes, Bong, the anti-US rhetoric is certainly useful to those who wish to gain by manipulating emotions. The emotionalism here is extreme, the logic fleeting. I do understand those who want the Philippines to stand alone, independent and free from US “meddling”. It would be great to get there. But isolationism is a poor choice, witness North Korea. And the first step to respect in a group of colleagues (like those of us at FV!!) is to stop blaming others, for that is truly colonial, and it denies the dignity of accepting responsibility for one’s own condition.
Teodoro is a big boy. He’ll do his best.
If the “populist anti-VFA” stance influences the will of the people, duly exercised at the ballot box, so be it. I’ve lived with the decisions of US voters and their choices of presidents, which once put me at the wrong end of a gun in Viet Nam, so I figure Filipinos can live through their collective choices . . .
Until then, my only contribution can be my typewritten voice, which is weak and insignificant, a mere ping of hope from the deepest, darkest depths of an unending cavern of illogic, emotion and confusion . . . and grand physical beauty, warm oceans, nice forex rate, fiestas et. al.
Have a great day.
Joe
Let’s see how it plays out.
As you would say “if we don’t know, we don’t know” – Teodoro can be a dark horse.
With regards to VFA, my take is that the mob is barking at the wrong tree, they should smack the Philippines’ lousy negotiators :lol:
out of “the deepest, darkest depths of an unending cavern of illogic, emotion and confusion . . . and grand physical beauty, warm oceans, nice forex rate, fiestas et. al.” reverberates unmistakable tunes… ulysses wonders how long can he resist the siren song. fortunately, he had himself chained to the ship’s mast. :lol:
Exactly, and the chief “Negotiator” I believe was your dear friend Estrada. He must have been on a binge at the time the imprisonment clause was done.
Juices, you go from Pooh to Ulysses. I’m impressed.
Joe
There will be trouble coming, if the Constitution is amended. I
fear the consequences. Martial Law was declared during the Marcos
Era. People were afraid then. Now, communication is worldwide. It
will be harder to disconnect Filipinos from the outside world. Besides, they know now how to deal with Dictators.
Trouble will come if the manner of amending it is so lutong makoy.
You hit it on the head…”lutong makoy.”
The end-game scenario bears a Marcosian blueprint, Bong.
Ding:
It need not be this time around, if people realize their potential to RECALL and REPLACE this mofos.
imho, this is the time for presidential candidates to step in and show their BALLS – and make their stand known instead of playing possum.
Mister Candidate – ADVANCE and BE RECOGNIZED.
Are you or are you not in favor of charter change?
What is your constitutional change mechanism of choice?
Same page tayo, bro.