Ambassador Sonia Brady: The right choice

Sonia Brady fits the bill of Philippine ambassador to Beijing as described by the President: “someone who understands the nuances of Chinese culture, how their system works and has developed contacts etc”. The country can now breathe a sigh of relief.

I have known Sonia since I was Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the early 90s. She has had an impressive diplomatic career spanning almost four decades. Sonia has been Ambassador to Myanmar and Thailand as well as deputy chief of Mission in Jakarta and Bangkok. She was also the DFA Undersecretary for Policy (the second most important post in the DFA) prior to becoming Ambassador to China from 2003 to 2006. As a young Foreign Service officer, she was also assigned to Beijing from 1976 to 1978. Her home office assignments were always related to Asian and ASEAN affairs. Her education was primarily in Manila. She finished Journalism (magna cum laude) from the University of Sto.Tomas. The she studied Foreign Service in the University of the Philippines and was a graduate student of International Relations in the University of Southern California.

Furthermore, she has the grit, determination and unswerving mission-oriented mindset that we need for our top envoy to the People’s Republic of China. She is not cut out to be simply our chief receptionist in Beijing, passively relaying messages to and from Manila. Articulate and savvy, she will contribute to the bilateral dialogue.

Sonia is also a tried and tested team player. In modern diplomacy, one has to be. The world has become too complicated for gifted amateurs or mavericks of any sort. Sonia instinctively grasps this and knows that if the Philippines is ever to succeed in managing its China relationship, it can only do so through a sustained national consensus behind our China policy. 

And if we are to project resolve and unity of purpose, then we must never send crossed messages. The fact is, our diplomacy has never been particularly skilled at strategic ambiguity. We are far better off playing a straight game from the highest level downward. This means that the messages have to be crafted by professional diplomats working closely with the presidential message machine rather than just by domestic spin doctors. I hope the Presidential press office and spokesmen finally understand the need to consult DFA before making statements related to sensitive diplomatic issues.

The Ambassador’s statement during the CA hearing is a realistic assessment of her challenge: “The reason that I’m being sent there is to try to seek a diplomatic solution to the problem. Whether we can do that early or later is something that I cannot say at the moment. The only thing I can do is to try and convey our position to the Chinese government and see how we can deescalate the situation and turn off the fire so that the two countries can talk and find a solution to the problem.” 

Recognition and thanks

On a personal note, I wish to commend Senator Serge Osmena for his steadfast determination to insure the selection of the right candidate for the China post. May I also take this opportunity to congratulate the President for the recent appointment of two individuals who are regarded with highest esteem in their respective fields. I refer to Ambassador Sonia Brady and Dr. Arsenio Balisacan, the incoming Secretary of Economic Planning and NEDA Director General. Both individuals are added value to the success of the Philippine cause today and the future.

Impeachment

The nation is relieved that the process is finally over. There will be multiple critiques of how it should have been done. I need not add to the kilometric columns that will inevitably see print. However, it is gratifying to note that there is a sudden surge of demand for transparency: the SALN. But more than that, it is my earnest prayer that the judiciary will now reform itself. Too many of us have been victimized by injustice caused by graft and corruption in the courts.

Urdaneta Village

The Urdaneta Village Association should be commended for the construction of a new attractive fence surrounding the perimeter of the subdivision. It was worth the substantial cost since it contributed to the enhancement of security. I was once a resident of the village but in my misguided wisdom I sold my house which has since appreciated in value. But I continue to be a tax paying resident of Barangay Urdaneta since I own a condominium apartment adjoining the village. I am aware that a portion of the taxes go to the coffers of the Urdaneta Village Association. In this context may I suggest that the association may wish to enlighten us (in the Apartment Ridge Area) as to what are our entitlements. For example, our cars cannot enter the village unless we have a sticker of one of the Ayala villages. Would it be possible to secure village stickers? Can we enter the village for jogging? As a taxpayer, can we run for the village association board?