Ople pledge generates political heat

Incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople has not yet even been sworn in by President Arroyo as her newest Cabinet member, but his confession to be a friend of the United States and his pledge to work for closer Philippine-US ties are slowly generating political heat.

Trying to be diplomatic, Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., Ople’s predecessor as chief of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said Friday night he can only gauge the new foreign affairs secretary if his words match his actions.

"Let us wait for the action," Guingona told reporters during his first public appearance after his July 2 resignation from the Cabinet due to policy differences with Mrs. Arroyo, notably on the return of US troops in the country via the joint RP-US Balikatan 02-01 military exercise. "Until then, I cannot make any comments," he said.

Pastor "Boy" Saycon, secretary general of the Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA), was more direct in saying that the Filipino people could not expect anything from a self-confessed "American boy" but a pro-American foreign policy.

Former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile told a Sulo Hotel forum yesterday that the DFA would be violating the Constitution if it pushes through with the Mutual Logistics and Support Agreement (MLSA).

Guingona was interviewed by reporters after delivering his own state of the nation address before the Rotary Club New Manila East in Quezon City on Friday evening.

He said he will stick to his promise that he will remain politically relevant even if he had resigned from the Cabinet.

Guingona said doctors have declared him healthy following a health checkup in a hospital. He said he has rested and feels "recharged."

"I am raring to go," he said, even jabbing his fist in the air to prove his point.

On Mrs. Arroyo’s SONA, he said he refrained from reading newspapers, listening to radio or watching television and thus, he could not comment on it.

Enrile, on the other hand, told the Kapihan sa Sulo forum that the Arroyo government would certainly be taking pains to twist the words of the Constitution to justify a long-term presence of US troops and facilities in the country.

Saycon, who attended the Rotary Club gathering, said he could not trust somebody who had admitted to being a friend of the US and who at the same time heads the DFA.

He said Ople’s admission only confirms public perceptions that "Washington had a hand" in his designation as foreign affairs secretary.

Saycon called Ople’s statement as improper for a new foreign affairs secretary.

On Friday, Ople pledged to build closer Philippine-US relationship based on mutual respect for sovereignty, common security and shared values of democracy and freedom. – Romel Bagares