Dumb move FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/21/2011

Dumb move

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

07/21/2011
Filipino lawmakers identified with the Akbayan party-list group, which is closely identified with Noynoy Aquino, went on a trip to the Kalayaan Group of Islands, the subject of dispute among other country claimants.

This trip comes at a time when relations between China and the Philippines are frayed, which makes these legislators irresponsible since this trip was pretty likely to ruffle Chinese feathers.

Malacañang says it has nothing to do with the legislators’ trip to the Spratlys, yet surely Noynoy could have stopped that trip, especially since his political adviser, Rolando Llamas, is a chieftain in Akbayan. It is impossible for Llamas not to have known of this move from his own partymates, as it was announced in advance. And because Llamas knew of the planned trip, he, as presidential adviser, could have advised Noynoy to tell his lawmaker-allies, led by Akbayan’s Walden Bello, not to further raise the hackles of China by making such a trip that destroys relationships, instead of repairing them..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110721com5.html