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Press Secretary Cerge Remonde
makes a strong pitch for Brand Philippines in his speech closing the first
of two days of the 1st Marketing Summit of the Philippine Marketing
Association held at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Pasay City Tuesday (June 16)
as hundreds of PMA members from all over the Philippines listened to and
viewed him via wide screens at the grand ballroom.(MORE
PHOTOS) |
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Congratulating the
president for a change?
01 July
2009 |
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One of the questions
asked of me when I arrived with the president last Monday from a hectic
but very fruitful working and state visits to Japan, Colombia, Brazil,
and Hong Kong, was with regards to my reaction to the attacks against
the President’s foreign trips.
Well, these things never surprise me anymore. As we all know these
critics have been attacking the president since day one of her
presidency and this has escalated because of the coming elections. It is
obvious that some politicians are trying to build their political career
out of habitually attacking the president with or without good reasons.
Even a simple businessmen find it important to ply their trade in the
international market. What more with the president who has the whole
country and citizenry to lead in grabbing the opportunities that the
global economy has to offer.
In today’s globalizing economy, a president of any country must always
be active in global engagements. It will be a serious mistake for the
president of our country not to engage in diplomatic initiatives and
exercise her diplomatic skills to place the Philippines in the
international economic.
Take for instance these recent visits of the president to the
aforementioned countries which accomplished many things beyond
expectations. It was a very successful marketing trip for the country’s
top salesperson who secured more job placements for our countrymen, more
investments to the country, as well as opened trade ties with friendly
neighboring countries.
In Japan, around $500 million worth of Official Development Assistance (ODA)
had been granted to the Philippines and over $2 billion worth of
investments have been secured from the private sector.
In Brazil, the president witnessed the signing of the memoranda of
understanding and agreement for the expansion of trade ties between the
two countries. Under the agreements, the Brazilian government will open
its market to Philippine products, assist Filipinos in the production of
bio-energy, and donate genetic material for the development of the
Philippine cattle sector.
On our way home, the president dropped by Hong Kong to meet top
executives of the Kuok Group, Shangri-la Group of resorts and hotels,
the Filipino community and anti-graft consultant Tony Kwok Wan Mai to
review the government’s anti-corruption program.
Mr. Kwok cited the president on the gains and development of the
administration’s anti-graft and corruption crusade.
He cited, among others, the institutionalization of the integrity watch
officers in every government agency, the periodic assessment of the
integrity watch officers, and the hiring of additional 200
investigators/prosecutors in the Office of the Ombudsman.
Kwok also noted the dramatic increase in the conviction rate
accomplishment of the Ombudsman in its drive to curb, if not eliminate,
corruption in government.
These are just “classic” examples of the benefits derived from all these
presidential trips. The President should have invited these critics in
one of her visits abroad so they may see and experience first hand how
the President works abroad. But then that would be another point for her
critics to talk around to “enhance” their political career.
Probably, next time they could also congratulate or thank the President
for all the benefits that she brings home. |
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