Presidential snub of a visiting dignitary

I cannot understand why it has become a politically bad habit for President Benigno Aquino III and his subalterns to leak delicate information to the media and letting the public find out about it before official announcements can be made. Take the case of newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who previously led the government’s peace panel in negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for a “possible durable and lasting solution to the decades-old Mindanao problem.” The new Associate Justice is only 49 years old, making him the youngest member of the Highest Court in the Land. He was a former dean of the UP College of Law.

I have no qualms against Leonen being named to the Supreme Court, in fact, quite the opposite. He has excellent credentials and is highly qualified for the position. He brings with him an outstanding track record and a wealth of experience even at his young age. In fact, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has recounted in his speech at the UP College of Law alumni homecoming that Leonen’s appointment as the youngest member of the Supreme Court is another in a list of firsts for the country accomplished by UP Law graduates. As he said, “just a few months ago, the nation stood in awe as the very first woman Chief Justice, Ma. Lourdes Sereno, took her oath as the youngest and very first woman to ever be appointed as Chief Justice of the Highest Court in the Land. This appointment was preceded by another first in our history as a democratic nation. The impeachment trial that the Senate completed last May.”

Leonen began work at the Supreme Court just this week and vows to give the youth a voice in the judiciary. As the youngest member, he now represents the youth among his many other goals and aspirations. He also said he was ready to work with other Supreme Court justices and continue sharing his values for excellence in leadership and passion for justice. He added that he intends to follow the “straight path” vision of the President in the Supreme Court for the next 21 years and hopes that his words and those of his colleagues can exemplify what it can be to have a real government for our people.

I believe that he will do a good job. Again, I said that I had no qualms about his appointment. What I did, however, see issue with was that during the selection process, President Aquino already had a preconceived notion of whom he would name to the position. While there is no harm in that, why go through the entire screening and interviewing process? He continued to screen and meet candidates shortlisted to him from the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). The process itself is a good process, but if you already know whom you will be selecting early on, why not just do away with the circus and go straight to the point of naming people of your choice to the positions that are vacant. There is no need to give others the impression that they have a shot at getting the position when the decision is already been all but made. And, to top it off, to hear about it in the news and not directly just makes it even more difficult.

If you will recall, recently the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Chief Jose Gutierrez Jr. resigned or was asked to leave his post. According to him, he was surprised to see he was being replaced in the newspapers. He claimed that he did not resign and was surprised to find out that he was already being replaced amidst rumors of all sorts of shady dealings in the agency. While those problems surely had to be dealt with, it was surprising to me that it was being done in full view of the media while it was still ongoing, as opposed to dealing with the matter internally and coming out with a unified statement to the press.

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Another subject that has been on my mind is the unfortunate snub the President gave to one of the most powerful women in the world, International Monetary Fund managing director, Christine Lagarde. News reports said he had to cancel his meeting with her due to flu and colds. The timing was unfortunate to be sure, but I would have thought that he could have made time to meet her for a few short minutes, even if only to personally introduce her to the Vice President who was left to see to her during her short visit to the Philippines.

Her trip here was specifically to meet with the President and Philippine officials to determine the role of our country in helping resolve the global economic situation. The trip was part of a Southeast Asian tour that was to include Malaysia and Cambodia, although she had to cancel the Cambodia leg of her trip. She had also previously visited other Asian countries including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand.

While she was in the country, Legarde shared her thoughts on how the world can move forward from the economic crisis and how in the United States, Europe, and now Asia it was important to work together to continue the upward trajectory. She also took time to speak at the Asian Institute of Management where she was happy to address business students, entrepreneurs, and young professionals. She stressed the role of today’s youth in helping achieve this global goal. She reiterated that the world is interconnected and that one small glitch, no matter how small, can easily have a global impact.

It was actually quite easy to get caught up in the ideals and strong beliefs she shared and I wish that the President had been able to meet her even just for a little bit. It seems such a waste that she came here and was not even able to get a few minutes.

This is actually not the first time President Aquino has had to cancel or cut something short due to health concerns. Reports say that the President has been having recurring illnesses since his exposure to pollen during his Australian trip. So much so that he had to cut short his attendance to an official dinner hosted by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard due to a bad stomach.

I sincerely hope the President is feeling better. If it is rest that he needs to fully recover, then he should not delay in taking it. According to his spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, the President is due for an executive checkup. Due to his hectic schedule, he has not been able to take the two or more days rest doctors have recommended for his full recovery. This is something he should do soon. The way for him to be able to best and effectively lead the country is if he is feeling well and healthy. Since his Australian trip, on and off again illness have kept his condition unwell. Rest is what the doctor ordered and it should be taken. This way, the President need not miss any more meetings such as the one he had with Ms. Legarde.