EDITORIAL - The toll of KKK on the nation

This is the horrifying and at the same time sobering lead paragraph in a newspaper story whose implications can affect the conduct of our relations with the most influential nation in the region:

“Exasperation reigned at the confirmation hearing of the country’s ambassador to China yesterday after it became apparent that his only qualification is his closeness to President Aquino’s family.”

The ambassador in question is, of course, Domingo Lee, who claims to have been the godfather of President Aquino’s grandfather, Benigno Aquino Sr. As it turned out at the hearing, Lee could not even enumerate the three “pillars” of Philippine diplomacy.

Lee took over from Francisco Benedicto, a Cebuano whose diplomatic experience of over two decades of postings to several important countries, including the last one to China, did not seem to see merit in the eyes of the new administration.

Benedicto was first impressed into the diplomatic service in 1986 when President Aquino’s mother Cory appointed him ambassador to Singapore. Through four presidents, from Cory to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benedicto served his country well.

From Singapore, Benedicto was posted to South Korea, Brazil (concurrently with Venezuela, Colombia and Suriname), Canada, India (concurrently with Nepal), and finally China (concurrently with North Korea). 

In between these postings, Benedicto had a three-year break as a diplomat when Arroyo appointed him undersecretary of foreign affairs. Based on his experience and credentials, most Cebuanos expected him to be a shoo-in for retention as ambassador to China.

But it soon became clear that the best interests of the country did not matter to the new Aquino administration when it came to government appointments. This gave rise to the KKK tag that attached to its appointees. Recognizing the signs, Benedicto didn’t wait to be replaced. He quit.

And so the country lost a great asset to KKK. What happened to Benedicto also happened to another performing Cebuano, Ace Durano, who was replaced at Tourism for being an appointee of Arroyo. His replacement, Alberto Lim, evidently couldn’t handle the job and promptly resigned.