‘RP, US fight vs terror not affected by crisis’

The ongoing political turmoil in the Philippines will not affect development assistance from the United States or efforts by the two countries to fight global terrorism, according to the second-highest US official in the country.

US Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires Joesph Mussomeli refused to label the current problems facing the Arroyo administration a "political crisis," saying the ongoing debate only shows that the political process — highlighted by the opposition’s plan to file an impeachment complaint against President Arroyo tomorrow — is working.

In a chance interview on Friday at the completion ceremony of the third Congressional Internship Program for Young Muslim Leaders in Makati City, Mussomeli noted how the Philippine government and the Filipino people have handled the controversies hounding the President "very strongly."

And this, he said, is an indication that the US government should continue to support and give assistance to the Philippines.

"We should be supporting this country and giving assistance in any way we can because democracy thus far is working very well. It is supposed to be messy now," he noted.

Mussomeli added the battle against terrorism being waged by Washington and Manila has not been adversely affected by the political bickering because Mrs. Arroyo and the government remain focused on this important issue.

"The Philippine military is getting better and better at tracking down the terrorists, the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Jemaah Islamiyah, and that is continuing. So the current political turmoil has not, as far as I can see, affected that at all," Mussomeli said.

"But it is a great sign of a maturing democracy that you can deal with a political problem and still continue with your everyday work, sort of like we did during the Clinton years. Just because we had domestic political turmoil does not mean we should not continue with lots of issues that we need to deal with. And that has proven true in the Philippines also," he said.

The embassy official was referring to the controversy over President Bill Clinton’s sexual affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky which led to his impeachment and drawn-out political bickering.

Mussomeli reiterated that Washington is not opposed to a transition of government as the Philippines works through its political turmoil, but only if this is handled within the bounds of the Constitution.

He stressed that the US government is opposed to quick-fix solutions — like the people power revolts that unseated two previous presidents, martial law or a military coup — to resolve the situation.

On Wednesday, US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Bellard said the US government’s support remains for institutions and democratic processes, not for one person.

Bellard said the US government still sees evidence of a vibrant democracy at work in the Philippines amid calls for the President’s resignation and looming impeachment proceedings against her.

He echoed Mussomeli’s stand in saying "our support around the world is for institutions and democratic processes, not individuals per se. It is not a personal relationship that we have with the Philippines. It is a state-to-state relationship."

Washington repeated, however, that it would not support extra-constitutional means of changing the government.

Bellard admitted that embassy officials have met with the political opposition, but noted that most diplomats around the world routinely meet with political groups and individuals from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and views.

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham also met with the members of the opposition led by House Minority Leader Francis Escudero, who gave a briefing on the political issues a few days before 10 of Mrs. Arroyo’s Cabinet members — now known as the "Hyatt Ten" — resigned and called on the President to do the same, citing her loss of moral authority to govern the country.

But Beckingham belied reports that the opposition asked the British government to support their call for a change of government.

The envoy stressed that the United Kingdom would not support unconstitutional acts to remove the Arroyo government, which faces allegations of poll fraud in the May 2004 election.