PERRYSCOPE

PERRY DIAZ

What did Gloria accomplish during her US visit?

Now that the dust has settled and the travelers have gone home, a lot of people are wondering what President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had accomplished during her 10-day visit to the land of milk and honey.

Let's start with her courtesy call to President George Bush last June 24, 2008. The White House and Malacanang had previously announced the talking points, to wit: "a wide range of issues, including counter terrorism, food security and the situation in Myanmar." Myanmar? How could Gloria help in the situation in Myanmar when her own people are suffering? Makes me wonder what her priorities are.

Upon her return to the Philippines, Malacanang issued a news release saying that President Arroyo's "working visit" -- not an official "state visit" as some media people have erroneously reported -- had "further strengthened Philippine relations with a key ally, advanced the interests of Filipinos, and draw new investments into the country." She just painted the sky blue.

Let's take a closer look at what Gloria's spin masters said: "The trip to the U.S. reaffirmed the strong ties between our two nations…" Huh? Has the Philippines' "special relation" with the U.S. ever been weaker before? We need to remember that the U.S. needs the Philippines as an ally more now than ever before because of the war on terrorism and China' status as the emerging super power in Asia. Who would Uncle Sam rely on but his little brown brothers?

Gloria, in a speech upon her return, also said, "We were able to press for economic aid, food security and stronger military cooperation." Doesn't Gloria realize that asking President Bush for economic aid when he is already a lame duck president would probably produce little or no significant result?

After landing at San Francisco airport on June 22, Gloria and her entourage of more than 160 people chartered another plane to bring them to Fresno, California to meet with Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain who was campaigning in Fresno that day. But McCain canceled their meeting and re-scheduled it in Washington, DC later that week. I can understand why McCain canceled their meeting: it would appear inappropriate for an American presidential candidate meeting with a foreign head of state while he is on the campaign trail. That would look like an endorsement from Gloria.

Gloria also requested a meeting with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama in Washington, DC. But in a letter to Gloria, Obama apologized for "being unable to meet with her because of his busy schedule." However, on June 26, while Gloria and her retinue were in New York City celebrating First Gentleman Mike Arroyo's birthday, Obama called Gloria and chatted with her for a few minutes. Interestingly, Obama's wife Michelle was having a meeting with a group of people during that time at the hotel where Gloria was staying. Perhaps Obama didn't realize that his wife was within "striking distance" from Gloria.

As soon as Gloria's meeting with McCain was confirmed, Gloria chartered a private plane and flew to Washington, DC. She and McCain met in a lounge at a hotel lobby. Several U.S. and Philippine flags were hastily arranged for "background effect." What did she accomplish? Ignacio Bunye, Gloria's spokesman, said that McCain "went down memory lane" and talked about his family's involvement in the Philippines since 1906. Beyond that? Nothing.

Oh well, there's the photo opportunity which Gloria could include in her scrapbook.
But the most embarrassing moment during her visit was at an event she hosted at the Crystal Ballroom of the five-star Willard Hotel in Washington, DC. She was supposed to confer the Golden Heart Award on six American legislative leaders in recognition of "their untiring efforts to protect the welfare of Filipino-Americans and promote Philippine interests in the U.S. Congress," an oblique reference to the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill.

But only four showed up: Sen. Daniel Akaka, Rep. Bob Filner, Rep. Darrel Issa, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, she gave Pelosi her award late in the event because Pelosi arrived two hours late. I am beginning to suspect that Pelosi is learning "Filipino Time" pretty fast.

But what about the other two recipients, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Rep. Mike Honda? For some reason, Reid insisted on receiving the award in private, which Gloria agreed to -- at the hotel's presidential suite. After Reid received the "Golden Heart," he remarked that he received it for the Filipino-American community who deserved recognition for its efforts in pursuing the passage of the Equity Bill.

The bill was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate, 96-1, last April.

Honda did not show up to receive the "Golden Heart." The word was that he refused to receive such an award because the Equity Bill has not yet been passed by the House of Representatives. Obviously, Honda -- who is the point man for the Equity Bill in the House -- is frustrated with the failure of the House leadership to calendar the Equity Bill or, more specifically, S.1315, the Veterans Benefits' Enhancement Act of 2007. If S.1315 will not be calendared for a floor vote by the end of July, it's dead.

I am not sure whether Gloria's direct lobbying in the U.S. Congress for S.1315 was appropriate or not. There were reports that certain groups of US-based Filipino veterans were disappointed that Gloria failed to secure a commitment from the House leadership to schedule S.1315 for a floor vote. The Internet is rife with comments that Gloria's lobbying efforts may have been counterproductive; thus, jeopardizing S.1315.

My source in Washington, DC said that Gloria led a large group of Filipino congressmen to the U.S. Congress and went knocking door to door asking American congressmen to support S.1315. Now, that's tacky.

My source also said that Gloria had an unannounced private meeting with Sen.
Barbara Boxer. The meeting was supposedly arranged by Sen. Richard Lugar. It is interesting to note that Boxer is concerned with the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. She had been very vocal about linking military aid to progress in stopping this murderous rampage that has been going on for seven years. So far, more than 900 extrajudicial killings and 180 forced disappearances since Gloria ascended to the presidency in 2001.

So, what did Gloria accomplish during her U.S. visit? In my opinion, nothing. Her extravagant junket clearly demonstrated that her standing in the U.S. has reached a low point. The truth may be too bitter for her to swallow but ignoring it will not help her sail through the final two years of her turbulent stewardship of the nation. Gloria has still a little time left to redeem herself. But would she do it? (PerryDiaz@gmail. com)