DFA: Bothered and bewildered

A senior official of DFA described the attitude of the staff as I just stated above. In trying to determine the cause/source of this regrettable description, I learned that it was not just the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, but even selected undersecretaries. Further investigation seemed to indicate that it referred to the treatment of personnel devoid of “respect for the individual.” I will give one sad example of how a very senior career ambassador was treated and continues to be treated.

I refer to the case of Ambassador Evan Garcia who was formerly the undersecretary for policy. He was posted to London in April and presented his credentials to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in October of last year. A few weeks later the Commission on Appointments confirmed a new ambassador to London. A former British ambassador wrote me: “It would seem the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.”

Frankly, that was an embarrassment for the nation and a humiliation for Garcia. In my previous column, I expressed the hope he would be cross- posted to another country swiftly so that he would not be placed in an awkward position of having no post. I wrote that column in early November. Two months later, he is still in London.

I learned yesterday he was given an assignment order to go to Geneva, where he was previously the ambassador. But rubbing salt into the wound of Garcia’s humiliation, his assignment paper designated him the deputy and not the ambassador. I was told the secretary has the power to appoint a deputy, but only the President can appoint an ambassador. The secretary has written a memorandum to the President, but he has yet to sign it. It would seem that is the style of DFA bureaucracy: send the memo and just wait. I would suggest, out of respect for Ambassador Garcia, the Secretary should give it a sense of urgency and personally discuss it with the President. Why humiliate him further?

Once again, I share the sentiments of the career service and express the hope the secretary should strengthen and protect the career Foreign Service Corps. The reported demoralization among the career merits his preferential and urgent attention. The manner in which he has handled the regrettable case of Ambassador Evan Garcia displays a flagrant lack of respect for the individual.

New Year’s Eve at the Flame

This has become an annual family gathering and every year we try a new location, most often in a hotel with all the noise, crowds and questionable food and service. My family and I (22 direct descendants of my father) had a pleasant experience at a new restaurant called Flame on the 16th floor of Discovery Primea. So far, this was the most enjoyable and relaxing evening greeting the new year. Flame had excellent food, a five course offering with two choices per course and a fantastic dessert. Chef Luis Chikiamco outdid himself and deserves our gratitude and congratulations. Matt Salcedo, the manager of FLAME and his staff provided excellent service. We were fortunate to have reserved in early November the area overlooking Urdaneta Village. The ambience was excellent as we could watch the fireworks from Rockwell, BGC, Ortigas and Mall of Asia.

Moreover, we were delighted to be spared the noise of firecrackers in Urdaneta Village and Ayala Avenue. Unlike the past, I did not suffer from asthma on January 1 due to the heavy smoke caused by excessive fireworks.

I will suggest to the clan that we go to Flame again for New Year’s Eve 2017.

Traffic management

Equally delightful was the lack of traffic even on New Year’s Eve around Ayala Avenue and Apartment Ridge which has become, during normal business days, the shortcut for the knowledgeable drivers. For us, who are residents on the same street, we are frustrated because the Urdaneta Barangay officials have failed to provide proper traffic management. At five in the afternoon, cars are double parked from the Zuellig Building all the way to the Peninsula Hotel area. This is a narrow street and double parking can create many accidents. Moreover the administrators of the multiple apartments do not train their security on how to control the flow of traffic emanating from their respective driveways. We find it difficult to determine whether their hand signals direct us to proceed or if they are merely waving at us. I hasten to add that the problem seems to be normal with all the traffic police in Metro Manila. Perhaps the various city officials or the MMDA should provide a course on how to direct traffic like the military police. While they are at it, it might be worthwhile to have them properly equipped with a uniform, masks (due to pollution) and reflectorized jackets at night. Frankly, I find the ragtag band of untrained and ill-equipped traffic police a source of embarrassment when entertaining friends and colleagues who are also from developing countries. This is not the case in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Hanoi. Is it really a budget problem, indifference or just plain negligence?

I believe the process of issuing professional and nonprofessional driver’s licenses by LTO has reached the point of irresponsibility. Witness how drivers zig and zag in the traffic, pass on the right and sometimes stay on the right of a four way lane and then turn to the left. It is unbelievable how drivers of private cars and, of course, taxi and bus drivers behave especially to those who are accustomed to rules-driven traffic. More importantly, they cause accidents which should have been avoided if they followed the basic rules of driving. As a student abroad, I enrolled in a driving school to learn the basics of responsible driving. I then read a driver’s manual and was tested accordingly. Finally, I took a driver’s test and having passed it, I was given a license. I do not understand why LTO should not follow a more rigid procedure similar to what I just described. At the end of the day, future applicants will provide a safer environment if such a procedure is followed. I do not think this procedure will require emergency powers for LTO. Lastly, strict enforcement must be implemented!