FVR seeks mission parameters as special envoy

MANILA, Philippines - If ever he agrees to start bilateral talks with China after an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines on overlapping claims in the South China Sea, former president Fidel Ramos must be armed with “clear parameters” of his authority to speak for President Duterte.

A ranking Palace official underscored the need to set such parameters for Ramos before the former president embarks on the mission to Beijing as special presidential envoy.

As this developed, the Palace is preparing the next set of moves to ensure greater consultation on the maritime issue through the National Security Council (NSC).

But the NSC meeting may be convened only after Duterte delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, the joint opening of the 17th Congress.

The NSC is chaired by the President, with members that include the Senate president, the House Speaker and other key leaders of Congress and the Cabinet, along with former presidents of the country and selected private sector representatives.

Requesting anonymity since it involves sensitive policy matters, the Palace official told The STAR that Duterte made a “master stroke” in diplomacy by tapping the services of Ramos.

“I would like to respectfully ask (Ramos) to go to China and start the talks,” Duterte said.

However, the President informally announced his request to Ramos in his extemporaneous remarks at a testimonial dinner in his honor by former classmates and schoolmates at the San Beda College of Law.

Naturally, the Palace official explained, Duterte must issue and sign the official designation of Ramos as “special envoy” to Beijing.

Before further steps are taken, the same Palace official said Duterte would have a full-blown meeting with Ramos to discuss the specifics of the mission.

Aside from being a former president, Ramos comes from a family of diplomats. His late father was ambassador Narciso Ramos while elder sister Letty Ramos-Shahani was also a former ambassador before she served as undersecretary of foreign affairs and later senator.

The President’s public request to Ramos came two days after the ruling handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that found no legal basis for the nine-dash line claim of Beijing in the South China Sea.

“War? It is not an option. So what is the other side? Peaceful talks. I cannot give you the wherewithals now, I have to consult many people, including (former) president Ramos,” Duterte pointed out.

Ramos, who attended the testimonial dinner, said he was “out of range” of hearing when Duterte made the request. “I think he just made that in jest because I’m busy writing my legacy for you young people and China is only one of my areas of interest,” Ramos told reporters in an ambush interview after the dinner.

Levity aside, Ramos admitted he was not aware of the President’s plans for him: “I have not seen the offer.”

Moreover, the 88-year-old Ramos cited his state of health, especially now that he has a pacemaker. He told The STAR he underwent surgery for this last October. 

“This is not to show disrespect to the President but you have to consider my increasing age. But I can do the job. However, I have bigger commitments in terms of peace in the world and sustainable development,” Ramos said.

After his presidency, Ramos was kept busy writing and publishing books of his speeches (which he playfully calls “sermons”) and columns published in The Manila Bulletin, and traveling abroad to deliver lectures and speeches.

Every year, Ramos attends the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held annually in Boao, Hainan province in China.

The Ramos Peace and Development Foundation Inc. is a founding member of the BFA. The BFA is an Asian forum initiated by Ramos, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, and other leaders to discuss regional issues and global concerns.

A West Point graduate, Ramos was once seen as an “Am-boy” when he ran for and won the presidency in 1992. During his term, Ramos hosted former Chinese premier Jiang Zemin in a tour of Manila Bay on board the presidential yacht, with the two leaders singing karaoke.

According to Duterte, it is important to be “careful” in dealing with China so as not to create bigger problems, not only for the country, but for allies of the Philippines as well, like the US.

“We gain nothing, but we also do not want to offend the United States. Why? Because we have identified ourselves with the Western powers. So there’s an interest that we also should not forget, our interests and the interests of our allies,” Duterte said.

The Palace official meanwhile disclosed the forthcoming trip of Ramos to Beijing would likely take place after the President convenes the NSC meeting at the Palace.

Aside from Ramos, also to be invited to this NSC meeting are former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, ex-president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ex-president Benigno Aquino lll.

However, it is not clear if Arroyo could be given court furlough from her hospital detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City while undergoing plunder trial at the Sandiganbayan.