Mercado accepts post as representative to Asean

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Orlando Mercado formally accepted yesterday his appointment as Permanent Representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Mercado said he received the official notification from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Personnel and Administrative Division transmitting the document signed by President Arroyo appointing him Permanent Representative to ASEAN with the rank of ambassador.

He said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo asked him last year – when he was having difficulty getting confirmed by the Commission on Appointments as Philippine Ambassador to China – whether he was interested in the ASEAN post.

“I expressed interest in this post because of the new ASEAN Charter and international relations. I looked forward to it although there are many challenges like economic cooperation, human rights and territorial problem. It is to me exciting,” Mercado said.

“I feel my past experience as senator and defense secretary, teaching and also consulting with international organizations will help me.”

He said his appointment is recognition of his experiences.

Mercado said he was interested in his ASEAN posting because it does not require a CA nod.

“I also expressed to Secretary Romulo that I’m no longer eager about going to the CA for confirmation at my age. I have been out of politics already. I told him I welcome the opportunity to be considered for another post. That simplifies the matter – not going through the CA,” he added.

Although his nomination was blocked by opposition Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, citing his poor performance as defense secretary of former President Joseph Estrada, Mercado said he understands the younger Estrada’s feelings.

Mercado supported the ouster of Estrada in 2001.

“I don’t want to open old wounds by going back to what happened in 2001 and 2002. I can understand Sen. Estrada’s feelings,” he said. – Pia Lee-Brago, Aurea Calica