Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Yasay speaks for me and I trust him – President Duterte

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Hmmm. I wonder why President Duterte felt the need to go on the air himself to squelch rumors that Yasay was out.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s Statement on Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay

Malacañan Palace

Good afternoon.

I would like to arrest if you…You know what is going around that Secretary Yasay of the Department of Foreign Affairs is on his way out. I would to assure the Secretary that he is in good company and there is no truth to the rumor that there is a plan for his ouster, far from it actually.

I would like the Philippines to know that I personally pleaded with Secretary Yasay to join my government because he is competent and honest and he knows his business. He has a professor — professorial job on the Western side of the United States and he knows from whereof he speaks.

So, hindi totoo iyan and although there is this caveat. Actually, Secretary Yasay accepted the position on the condition that he will only serve for a few months not even a year because he has his contractual obligations to teach, professorial chair in the most — well, most of the universities in the Western side, maybe California, Hawaii and somewhere else.

So let me just douse cold water on the rumor and arrest the circulating — it’s not good. Yasay speaks for me. Everything that he says in public both national and international comes from my guidance; and he has my backing and full support.

And I have — I said placed my entire trust in him to take care as being the spokesman for foreign affairs and that’s why he is there. At sana po matapos na ‘yang haka-haka. Maraming salamat po.

Comments

  1. Was that an impromptu verbal statement? Because it was structurally wrong, rather incoherent, including the “western” portions.

    • fvr forgot to mention his false teeth, and the daily meds he’s taking. he’s like a walking botica. I’m not sure if he has hearing aid, and maybe, penile implant too, he, he, he.

      babala ito, the onus on digong, na kapag fvr botched up the china talk it would be digong’s fault for sending a man with half his faculties.

      so, fvr made a public health disclosure: public beware. fvr is not the man he was, and could well die on the way to china.

      and digong may yet change his mind, and canned fvr. and canned the talk as well.

      • Did FVR telegraph a ‘health warning’?

        The aging soldier maybe willing, but frail health weakens him to give a 100%.

        Pacemaker s are susceptible to electromagnetic pulses. Some chinks may just use apps in their smart arse phones to send and dictate the rhythm, beats and pace of The Envoy.

        Du30’s first SONA Day The PCA Award for the SCS/WPS will be a big part of his speech. For him not to read the FVR’s telegraph may mar his State of the Nation plans and ‘vision’.

  3. In today’s Philippine Star, more of the same. Of 71 mandatory listings for Alien Employment Permits 35 were from Chinese Nationals. They are keeping up their 50% batting average.

    • will digong pls look into this matter? hwag siyang magbulag-bulagan sa mga antics ng mga intsik. give the jobs to deserving pinoys instead of driving them overseas. our workers are in demand overseas, but in pinas, their own country, our workers are treated as 2nd class citizens.

      I know the chinese chamber of commerce is strong and getting ultra, they want their relatives in china to come here and get jobs, but only as adjunct to pinoys, pls.

  4. Off-topic but hot issues of the day:

    Summary of SC Ruling on GMA:

    “The SC said the Sandiganbayan “completely ignored the failure of the information to sufficiently charge conspiracy to commit plunder against the petitioners; and ignored the lack of evidence establishing the corpus delicti of amassing, accumulation and acquisition of ill-gotten wealth in the total amount of P50 million through any or all of the predicate crimes.”

    The SC said all the prosecution showed was that Arroyo affixed her unqualified “OK” on the requests for the additional Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) by Uriarte.

    The High Court said affixing an unqualified “OK” could not be considered an “overt act” of plunder since the act was a common, legal and valid practice signifying approval of a fund release by the president, and there was no causal relation to the intended crime.

    The SC said the prosecution did not identify any one of those charges as the main plunderer and that the charges only implied a conspiracy, which the court considered a “fatal flaw” for the prosecution.

    The SC said the law particularly requires a public officer, among several individuals, must be identified as a main plunderer and co-conspirators,

    “It then became very difficult, if not impossible, to establish plunder by virtue of the inadequacy of the averments of the crime charges,” read the decision’s summary.

    The SC also found that the Sandiganbayan’s findings on the existence of conspiracy to commit plunder was not sustainable. “In the absence of such a conspiracy alleged or proven, petitioners Arroyo and Aguas could only be held criminally liable for their own actions, if any.” said the SC.

    The SC said there was no witness to show that Arroyo and Aguas had amassed, accumulated or acquired ill-gotten wealth and no evidence to show that the CIFs of the PCSO had been diverted to either Arroyo, Aguas, or Uriarte.

    The high court stressed that proof of where the money went and that Arroyo and Aguas benefitted were “essential ingredients” of the proof of the predicate act of “raiding the public treasury.”

    http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/574569/news/nation/two-days-later-sc-releases-decision-junking-plunder-raps-vs-arroyo

  5. From CNN 7/20/16

    “SOUTH CHINA SEA: PHILIPPINES TURNS DOWN TALKS NOT BASED ON COURT RULING”

    “The Philippines has turned down bilateral talks with Beijing over the South China Sea dispute, after China’s foreign ministry insisted a landmark court ruling against them could not even be mentioned at the meeting.

    “Perfecto Yasay, Foreign Affairs Secretary, told local broadcaster ANC that Chinese officials had asked them for talks, but only if Manila disregarded last week’s ruling, which went overwhelmingly in the Philippines favor.

    “They had asked us also to open ourselves for bilateral negotiations but outside of and in disregard of the arbitration ruling,” Yasay said in an interview.

    “I told him that this is something that was not consistent with our constitution and our national interest.”

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/19/asia/south-china-sea-philippines-talks-/index.html

  6. second try

    —

    ‘FVR inclined to accept offer to be special envoy to China’*

    IMO, FVR should respectfully decline the offer. Why?

    Not only for bilateral, include multilateral in the final analysis
    That Representation, as an Envoy for starters, is manyfold in the required description to fully satisfy, succeed with utmost proven continuum in representing the national & sovereign interests of the Phils. For it also calls & involves other nations in the asia region (ASEAN, APEC) apart from the Phils. and China to engage and deal with.

    Enormous physical stamina, firsthand knowledge & responsible risks for garnering The PCA Award, also fresh leadership experience to engage with other leaders in the asia region. The best respresentative of the Phils.’ Foreign Policy in the SCS and West Phil. Sea. Not along or midway subject to health permitting or subserviency, rather switched on to build on The Award, to foster goodwill relationships between neighboring countries, for it is also a winning award for their own freedom of sea navigation.

    Mayruong Tuldok
    Walang paruruonan ang puro ‘tok, tok … more tok.’*** To seek civil third party arbiter (PCA) was the only demonstrable course of arbitration when talk and talk was lokohan at bolahan lang pala. Habang ‘tok ng tok’, reclamations and building islands naman ang diablo. Hangang kailan ka parin hihingi ng permiso sa dayuhan para mangisda sa sariling mong dagat?

    Former President Benigno ‘Noy’ Aquino III is the best person suitable to fill & lead that role on the diplomatic front.^^ SC SAJ Antonio T. Carpio is the best person to second, assist the lead of Noy on the discourse on Law & Award. And for publicity, an Ambassador of Goodwill to the chinese people is Manny Pacquiao – ‘Eight (Octuple) different weight classes world champion’^. His accomplishment, presence and participation would help soften the bully rhetoric of China.

    IMHO I hope President Rodrigo ‘Digong’ Duterte would consider Noy Aquino to Lead the Philippines’ Diplomatic, Negotiating Panel & Committee to deal with China and other asian countries towards the next level.

    —

    * interaksyonDOTcom/article/130575/fvr-inclined-to-accept-offer-to-be-special-envoy-to-china

    ** Talks with China must be based on international law, wwwDOTphilstarDOTcom/headlines/2016/07/21/1605069/talks-china-must-be-based-international-law

    *** FVR willing to set aside Hague ruling in China talks, newsDOTabs-cbnDOTcom/news/07/19/16/fvr-willing-to-set-aside-hague-ruling-in-china-talks

    ^ Pacquiao to help set up boxing academy in China, wwwDOTdailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2735331/Pacquiao-help-set-boxing-academy-China.html

    ^^ Read also @moonie’s comment, wwwDOTraissarobles.com/2016/07/16/are-you-going-to-scarborough-shoal/#comment-383168

    • we have to look at all angles. it’s possible that if ex pres aquino goes to china, he wont be allowed to land, not allowed to leave the airplane kahit special envoy siya. the chinese will snub him, they wont see him and wont talk to him. yeah, we know the risk.

      we have the leverage, we won, if we have to have delegate, aquino is best suited to lead the delegation. it’s risky though. our delegation could well end up stranded in chinese airport, their flight diverted. worst, they wont be allowed to enter china’s air space, and could well be escorted by chinese aircraft back to pinas. it would give china immense pleasure to thwart aquino. to see him humiliated.

      china wants a yes man. aquino is not yes man, but they lost and we won. and we got to pick and choose, china barely. it’s push for modernization is being questioned worldwide, though pinas media quiet on the issue.

      aquino is better than fvr, but hold off the delegation just yet.

      • I think the best option is for the Chinese to come here if they want to talk. Let them show respect for The Philippines.

        • Agree.

          Phils. was given the Award. Not cheap, a milestone for UNCLOS and signatories.

          Why fly to flaunt it to the antagonists? Subservient din sa mga tsino?

          There is such a thing as a dignified approach.

      • Precisely why ex Pres Noy Aquino is the best to continuum the PCA Award. He will not be cow-towed to the whims & caprice of the Chineses.

        Ancestrals visit to China, pay homage to his ancestors. He is Filipino, part Chinese, hindi lang bihasa sa mandarin o cantonese.

        Rafael is not that bad. However, IMO the Phils. needs someone who is already well abreast, inside knowledge from start to present and proven track record to lead and delegate tasks, purpose to several teams. Multifaceted approach, from diplomatic enforcement to multi approach to ASEAN Members, other stakeholders who ply that body of water, economic compensation approach, ecological and marine claims for damages, assertive in ministerial & foreign affairs forums & gatherings… it is not only a single trumpeting or bilateral spectrum… while there is a momentum to social consciousness of peoples in different regions. Noy has that exposure and high level of experience.

        Whereas a newbie would have to catch-up, get acquainted, learn / relearn, nego-renego –

        Tough call for ex Pres. B.S. Aquino even to contemplate or even for Pres R. Duterte, there has to be a robust approach. Otherwise, pupunta lang iyan sa ‘dustbin’. Noy can jumpstart straightaway to higher levels.

    • (‘Mayruong Tuldok’, July 21, 2016 at 11:12 am)

      —

      Manila Defense Symposium: The South China Sea Arbitration Case
      Justice Antonio Carpio on what’s next for PH after case vs China

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuI6uVHEUVI

      Streamed live on Jul 22, 2016

      What’s next for the Philippines after winning the historic case vs China?

  7. ‘FVR inclined to accept offer to be special envoy to China’*

    IMO, FVR should respectfully decline the offer. Why?

    Not only for bilateral, include multilateral in the final analysis
    That Representation, as an Envoy for starters, is manyfold in the required description to fully satisfy, succeed with utmost proven continuum in representing the national & sovereign interests of the Phils. For it also calls & involves other nations in the asia region (ASEAN, APEC) apart from the Phils. and China to engage and deal with.

    Enormous physical stamina, firsthand knowledge & responsible risks for garnering The PCA Award, also fresh leadership experience to engage with other leaders in the asia region. The best respresentative of the Phils.’ Foreign Policy in the SCS and West Phil. Sea. Not along or midway subject to health permitting or subserviency, rather switched on to build on The Award, to foster goodwill relationships between neighboring countries, for it is also a winning award for their own freedom of sea navigation.

    Mayruong Tuldok
    Walang paruruonan ang puro ‘tok, tok … more tok.’*** To seek civil third party arbiter (PCA) was the only demonstrable course of arbitration when talk and talk was lokohan at bolahan lang pala. Habang ‘tok ng tok’, reclamations and building islands naman ang diablo. Hangang kailan ka parin hihingi ng permiso sa dayuhan para mangisda sa sariling mong dagat?

    Former President Benigno ‘Noy’ Aquino III is the best person suitable to fill & lead that role on the diplomatic front.^^ SC SAJ Antonio T. Carpio is the best person to second, assist the lead of Noy on the discourse on Law & Award. And for publicity, an Ambassador of Goodwill to the chinese people is Manny Pacquiao – ‘Eight (Octuple) different weight classes world champion’^. His accomplishment, presence and participation would help soften the bully rhetoric of China.

    IMHO I hope President Rodrigo ‘Digong’ Duterte would consider Noy Aquino to Lead the Philippines’ Diplomatic, Negotiating Panel & Committee to deal with China and other asian countries towards the next level.

    —

    * interaksyonDOTcom/article/130575/fvr-inclined-to-accept-offer-to-be-special-envoy-to-china

    ** Talks with China must be based on international law, wwwDOTphilstarDOTcom/headlines/2016/07/21/1605069/talks-china-must-be-based-international-law

    *** FVR willing to set aside Hague ruling in China talks, newsDOTabs-cbnDOTcom/news/07/19/16/fvr-willing-to-set-aside-hague-ruling-in-china-talks

    ^ Pacquiao to help set up boxing academy in China, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2735331/Pacquiao-help-set-boxing-academy-China.html

    ^^ Read also @moonie’s comment, https://www.raissarobles.com/2016/07/16/are-you-going-to-scarborough-shoal/#comment-383168

    • All 3 ‘systems’ go for FVR?

      Ex-Pres Ramos accepts special envoy to China post

      Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News

      Posted at Jul 23 2016 08:18 PM | Updated as of Jul 23 2016 09:24 PM

      DAVAO CITY – (UPDATE) Former President Fidel Ramos said Saturday he accepted President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer to act as special envoy to China after an international court invalidated the Asian giant’s vast sea claims in favor of the Philippines.

      The 88-year-old is well-experienced in dealing with Beijing, having handled the Philippines’ response to China’s occupation of Mischief Reef during his term in 1995 and singing an impromptu duet with visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin a year later.

      Ramos relayed his decision to Duterte during a two-hour meeting at the Marco Polo Hotel here Saturday evening. He refused to elaborate on his strategy but said he considered himself a “country elder.”

      The former president said his wife approved of his return to government. He also played down concerns over his health

      “I have 3 ailments or disabilities. First of all I have only one kidney. Number 2, I had a serious carotid operation here which means this controls blood flow to the brain. Number 3, I have a new pacemaker. Okay lahat with no exception,” he told reporters.

      Duterte said he would pursue a “settlement” with China, even if this would mean setting aside the decision of the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration, as suggested by Ramos.

      “Pero sa (South) China Sea, if we can just have a settlement with them despite the arbitral judgment, I think that marami tayong benefits na makuha,” Duterte said in a speech on Friday, after he inspected a power plant in Maguindanao province.

      China did not recognize the landmark July 12 decision of the Hague-based court.

      Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, who was at the meeting, said Duterte and Ramos would work out policy guidelines before the former president starts on his new job.

      “Malaking weight ‘yon doon sa policy directions that we will take on this issue. Nag-aantay pa si former president Ramos kung ano yung policy directions that we’ will have to pursue,” Dureza told reporters.

      A meeting between the two leaders after Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on Monday was being arranged, he added.

  8. Ang gulo kasi nitong ai DU30. He appoints Yasay but asks Tabako to go talk to the chinese. Parang kaso din ni BBM at Robledo. Wala daw cabinet position para kay VP Leni pero ayun, parang tatay-ager na nag-offer. Lol

    • parang conjoined twins sila ni digong at yasay, joined at the hips yan. one speaks for the other. between them, they share a brain, he, he, he.

  9. eh. it’s just Pdut’s “subtle” way for tabako to be not overtly papansin. “yeah yeah, malaki utang na loob ko sayo, pero lemme deal with china my way”.

    • Indeed, that is the correct reading. Sometimes, you do not have to read the words literally. As they say in 24, you always have to look at the bigger picture.

  11. This does stir up curiosity: if Yasay is the wise, self-respecting man that he was first thought of, could it be that perhaps he himself has fielded out signs or has put out a word that he now wants out? And could President Duterte be now on a dilemma of not having anyone to replace Yasay with if he does resign, thus his public statement? Considering that the Hague ruling has seemed to put the Duterte govt administration in an exploded mess, could Yasay be pre-empting self-preservation? Just wondering…

  12. I previous administrations, when the President starts denying you are on the way out, you are really out…
    Let’s wait and see then…

    • @chit navarro

      That’s probably how DU30 speaks. He even said he will not honor the Paris Agreement on carbon emission of which the Philippines is one of the signatories.

      • Paris Agreement on carbon emission, DU30 will not honor.

        Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the West Philippine Sea, China will not honor or abide.

        With DU30’s declaration it appears that Philippines loses its moral ground to initiate talks with China using the PCA ruling.

        Sasabihin lang ng China, e bakit kayo makikipagnegotiate sa amin gamit ang PCA ruling on the West Philippine Sea, ang Paris Agreement nga hindi ninyo honored?

        Stalemate????

        Baka sasabihin na naman, DU30 was taken out of context.

        • That’s a dagger of an argument. Besides, his statement being featured in repeatitive CNN Philippines short broadcasts is “I will honor our international commitments.” This is the problem with the president. He says one thing here then says something else there. His credibility is so difficult to pin down, let alone his diplomatic skills. Obviously, he doesn’t have the depth of a statesman and is not helping himself by making statements before thinking of implications specially foreign relations. If he is in a hurry to get things done (we all do), allow me tI remind him of the saying, “haste makes waste.”

  13. I was surprised when I watched the video address. When Duterte said arrest I really thought he was asking the police to arrest a drug personality or alleged criminal. It was all about arresting rumors that Yasay will be replaced.

    I certainly haven’t heard this rumor. Has anyone ever did? This is quite bizarre.