A Malacanang insider said “she was passionate about getting Del Rosario out of Washington, D.C.” A few weeks back, Arroyo, through third persons, asked for Del Rosario’s resignation. She was throwing tantrums. “I want his resignation! I want him out!” a Malacanang insider quoted GMA.  Why she did not tell it herself directly to Del Rosario adds to her reputation of duplicity. When she finally decided to announce the termination of Del Rosario’s services last Tuesday, June 13, she didn’t even bother to call him before she issued the statement. But of course she leaked it to Philippine Star publisher Max Soliven who came out with the “scoop”, the day Malacanang announced Del Rosario’s “resignation”.

Del Rosario’s statement, issued after Malacanang’s announcement accepting his “resignation”, never mentioned that he quit. He said, “I have been recalled and will therefore end my posting as the Philippine ambassador to the United States effective July 8.”

“My departure from Washington D.C. shortly thereafter,” he added, “will enable my early return to the private sector.” Take note of the word “early.” That belies Arroyo’s statement that “after five very fruitful and meaningful years as the Philippine ambassador to the United States, he has asked that he be allowed to return home and resume his life in the private sector.” Actually Del Rosario resigned two years ago but Arroyo rejected it because she could not find anybody of his stature to represent her in Washington.  Del Rosario was prepared, at great sacrifice for him financially, to stay on until end of this year. In fact he has lined up a number of projects in the coming months. He is organizing the second Ambassadors and Consuls General Tour of the Philippines on July 13 to 22 for Fil-Ams and other prospective investors in the US and Canada to visit the Philippines. Another event is also being planned in Hawaii in September.

Del Rosario’s trouble with Malacanang started last year when he opposed the hiring of Venable LLP as another lobby group for the Philippine government, aside from the ones Malacanang maintains that include Burson Marsteller.  Although it was national security adviser Norberto Gonzales who was the front man in the million-dollar Venable LLP contract, Malacanang sources said the one really behind it was Arroyo’s brother, Diosdado “Buboy” Macapagal Jr.  The contract with Venable LLP was for the American law firm to “secure grants and (US) congressional earmarks” for her initiative to “reshape the form of government...into a parliamentary federal system.” Venable was also tapped by  Malacanang to get a White House invitation for Arroyo because they were disappointed by Del Rosario’s inability to get one. But up to now, there has been no invitation from President Bush for Arroyo.  Last February, Venable LLP arranged a speaking engagement for Arroyo with the Washington D.C. National Press Club but it was cancelled when they failed to get other meetings for Arroyo.  In a scathing criticism of Arroyo last April, a conservative think-tank, Heritage Foundation suggested using Arroyo’s fervent desire for a White House visit to compel her to stop her undemocratic tendencies. Heritage’s senior political analyst Dana Dillon said: “ We have a carrot to offer. Arroyo desperately wants a visit with President Bush to shore up her shaky political situation at home. We should tell her to get serious about apprehending those who kill journalists and about preventing intimidation of the press. If she does, we can discuss a presidential visit. But not before.” Arroyo blamed Del Rosario for that Heritage criticism and the April 5 New York Times editorial that said Arroyo is “reviving bad memories of crony corruption, presidential vote-rigging and intimidation of critical journalists.” A source said that when Arroyo’s displeasure reached Del Rosario, he refused to give his resignation given the circumstances under which it was asked. That incensed Arroyo, the source said. Thus, the firing.  Loida Nicolas Lewis, national chairman of The National Federation of Filipino American Associations, issued a statement praising Del Rosario belying the allegation of ineffectiveness of Malaca±ang advisers. Lewis said: “We are particularly grateful for his leadership in opening up opportunities for us to give back especially to the land of our birth: he encouraged and assisted us in our initiative to lobby for the amendment to the money laundering laws in the Philippines, facilitating our remittances to help our loved ones back home; and making sure that investment returns meet the expectation of CalPERS. Moreover, we’ve been heartened by his efforts to strengthen the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus (which raised the spirit of amity and understanding between the two countries), to establish a Memorandum of Agreement with NAFFAA on distressed Philippine nationals, and to collaborate with Filipino American organizations in providing much-needed assistance to Hurricane Katrina survivors.”

If Malacanang feels frustrated about Arroyo’s negative image in the US, despite all the propaganda they are dishing out, they should not heap the blame on Del Rosario. They should go back to Marketing 101. It’s the product, stupid.

Email address: ellen@i-manila.com.ph