The Vice President

Speculations about the President’s health has inevitably brought up the issue of succession. There is a lot going on out there for conspiracy theorists to latch on to possible post-Duterte scenarios. Regardless, one thing is clear, VP Leni Robredo is going to be a constant either as his constitutional successor should the unthinkable happen, or as the standard bearer of her party in the next presidential election. While several names have been floated, understandably and strategically, the administration has not yet decided on its choice of a candidate who they think has the best chance of winning.

I have met VP Leni Robredo only once in a seminar I hosted as chair of the Zuellig Family Foundation. She gave me the impression of an elected official who comported herself with the demeanor and sense of propriety expected of a senior official of the Republic. Her recent speech, proposing actions that should be taken to recover from the damage done to the economy by the pandemic and bring it back to the path of growth, did not diminish this impression. Although some of these economic recovery actions were outlined earlier by administration officials like Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez and NEDA Secretary General Karl Chua, it was never presented as comprehensively and in an understandable manner at the highest level as the Vice President did. I agree that restoring business and consumer confidence is key to our recovery. If anything, her remarks burnished her credentials for fitness to the top leadership.

Moving forward, may I respectfully suggest that she focus on five areas: 1) An evidence-led, data-driven and community-based public strategy in formulating policies. 2) The rule of law, respect for human rights and inclusive socio-economic policies in pursuing peace and security. 3) Protection of our territorial integrity. 4) Digital transformation for inclusive economic recovery, responsive education, and effective governance. And, 5) Our geo-political positioning in the regional and global community in pursuing the national interest.

I believe it is timely that she should at this point select advisers who could also become potential Cabinet members to thresh out each government department’s plan of action. After having reviewed and decided which issues she should focus on that resonates with the public, she can share with conviction her detailed plan of action at the appropriate time.

Ateneo School of Foreign Service

I was Jesuit-educated from 7th grade to Georgetown University (A.B.) followed by an LL.B in Ateneo College of Law. I have no complaints about my Jesuit education, except that in law school I found a lack of global awareness. I remember that in the many student body assemblies I attended, I hardly recall guest speakers talking about global issues. Having majored in political science with concentration on international relations, I found it difficult to accept that there was no discussion of global events and an appreciation of their relevance domestically.

Years later, I still remembered my disappointment. Last Aug. 17, there was a virtual turnover of endowment funds for the establishment of a Rodolfo C. Severino professorial chair at Ateneo. Similarly, Rod Severino was Jesuit-educated at Ateneo (AB Humanities ’56) and Johns Hopkins trained. Education is what prepares you for life. Training prepares you for your chosen vocation. The installation of a professorial chair to advance the understanding of international relations is in keeping with that characteristic of a well-rounded education. In a globalized world, nothing is local.

Fr. Roberto C. Yap S.J., Ateneo de Manila University president remarked, “This is the first endowment fund in Ateneo specifically directed for academic research activities about diplomacy and foreign affairs, strengthening Ateneo’s commitment to studying and understanding ideas and issues beyond our borders. The endowment’s timing could not have been better – our already globalized world is becoming more complex and the current pandemic is complicating things further. The endowment also strengthens Ateneo’s ongoing commitment to international studies and our thrust to become a more global institution.”

Father Bobby’s sentiments are on the same page as mine. The establishment of the Ateneo School of Foreign Service is the logical conclusion. There is no equivalent to Georgetown’s Edmund A. Walsh, S.J. School of Foreign Service in ASEAN.