O
ur impeccable sources in Manila reported on Feb. 21, 2008, that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) extended the term of Amb. Willy C. Gaa for an indefinite period as the top Filipino diplomat in the United States. Ambassador Gaa was supposed to complete in February 2008 the normal six-year foreign assignment before being recalled to the home office in Manila. But today, April 30, 2008 (Manila time), Secretary Ermita is again reportedly being tapped for appointment as the Filipino envoy to the United States. And once again, Filipino Americans will prepare to oppose the appointment of a retired Filipino general as ambassador to the United States. If indeed Mr. Ermita is appointed as the new Philippine envoy to this country, his appointment simply proves that Filipino generals (both in active service and retired) continue to have their say in the Gloria Arroyo administration. Perhaps, as some of her critics allege, President Arroyo has become the virtual puppet of the military top brass. For many people claim, without the generals propping her up, she would easily be toppled and sent packing to exile.

Before Mr. Gaa was assigned as consul general in Los Angeles, California, in February 2006, and subsequently in July 2006 to his present position in Washington, DC, he was the Filipino envoy to People’s Republic of China for almost four years.

Ambassador Gaa’s office would not confirm or deny the report in February 2008. But this editor interpreted the “No comment” answer as validation of our report relayed just from Manila. This was after this website reported that PGMA was planning to nominate a retired general to replace Ambassador Gaa.

What is an "Ambassador General?" To read its connotation, please go to this link, General Ermita to Replace Willy Gaa as Filipino Envoy to the USA?

This is not the first time that supposed members of PGMA’s Cabinet tried to covet the top Filipino diplomatic plum in the United States. Last year, this website also reported an effort by a Cabinet member to get himself appointed as Mr. Gaa’s replacement. The link to that story, as written by Romeo P. Marquez, Is Ambassador Gaa On the Way Out?

This website published also a related article, Why Overseas Filipinos Should Demand that Only Career Diplomats Be Assigned Abroad

 
The Filipino-American community leaders should remind PGMA the ideal practice of assigning only career officers in the Philippine diplomatic corps to Philippine missions, embassies and consulates. # # #