The community told the President that despite the ambassador’s “loyalty, professionalism and dedication, you chose to treat him so shabbily. Such is simply beneath the dignity of your office."

Evidence of this outrage surfaced earlier during the Centennial Tribute celebrating 100 years of Filipino heritage in the United States where many American leaders, including Ambassador John Negroponte, director of National Intelligence, were present.

During the speech of Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, host of the centennial gala at the Ritz Carlton June 17, the Filipinos in the crowd booed or kept silent when he extended the greetings of President Arroyo to the community. The crowd loudly clapped when Romulo announced the US grant of $21-M to fight corruption in the Philippines.

Negroponte himself, the keynote speaker, expressed surprise at the sudden departure of his friend, the ambassador.

Asked to comment on the open letter,  the ambassador on June 23 thanked the community “for your zeal in taking a position on my behalf.” Saying he was “saddened that my situation has caused your expression of disappointment with our government,” the ambassador urged the community “to move on.” He added: “Let us look on how we can build upon our constructive partnership and our invaluable friendship to strengthen the institutions and to benefit the people of the Philippines.”

“I have no regrets whatsoever in coming to Washington, D.C.

“It has been a joy and a privilege to work hand-in-hand with all of  you to help our government and our people. It is fully my intention to continue serving my country in my forthcoming capacity as a private citizen."

The open letter to Arroyo said:

“Dear President Arroyo,

“We are deeply saddened and outraged that Ambassador Albert del Rosario has been unceremoniously dismissed from his post as the official representative of the Philippine Government to the United States. The news of his untimely removal was particularly shocking to us, coming as it did at the height of our Filipino American Centennial Celebration.

He has played a highly effective and visible role in projecting a positive image of Filipinos in America and in  nurturing the historic friendship between the U.S. and the Philippines.

“What is utterly dismaying is the unceremonious manner in which his exemplary service has been abruptly terminated. Common decency and respect require that a head of state treat her official representative with high professional standards. Ambassador del Rosario has performed his official functions with uncommon finesse even at the most scandalous and incredulous point of your administration. He even defended your positions during those critical times when nobody was sure whether your Presidency will hold or not. He was loyal to his office, to you and to the Philippines even when you faced intense criticism, growing public doubt and withering support.

“We are vehemently aghast that despite his loyalty, professionalism and dedication, you chose to treat him so shabbily. Such is simply beneath the dignity of your office, Madam President. What is the rationale of not even affording him a personal call informing him of your action? Instead, you used an underling in what could only be viewed as a cowardly act.

“Ambassador del Rosario may have lost your trust and confidence but he will always have ours, along with our deepest affection and respect. And in the true context of governance and public service, the people’s voice and faith are what matter most."

Leading the signatories was the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Irene Natividad of the Philippine American Foundation; Jon Melegrito; NaFFAA, Kensington, Maryland; Carl Abella, Chamber of Commerce, Rockville, Maryland; Lottie Buhain of Feed the Hungry; J. Calahong, Nurses Association; Lito Constantino; Jovy Eusebio, incoming President, Phil Medical Association of Metro DC; Dr. Alex Fangonil, Dr. Enigdio Lopez, Community leader, Clifton, VA; Mitzi Pickard, president, Phil/Am Chamber of Commerce, Metro DC; Drs. Vic and Bambi Lorica, co-chairs of the Philippine Festival Committee 2006;

Annie Cayaban, community leader, Washington, DC; Bettina Gancayco, IMF/World Bank Group; Arnedo Valera, Executive Director, Migrant Heritage Commission; Orlando Barbosa, banker, Washington, DC; Nate Ramirez of the Bethesda Navy Medical Center, Maryland; Ed Navara, Community leader, Michigan; Ferdie Manibog, World Bank, Washington, DC; Belen Saramosing, travel consultant, Others are Ramon Calalang, Gloria Caoile, Nilo and Monina Diaz.

Michael Chupeco, Thelma V. Estrella, Mary Anne Fadul, Dr. & Mrs. Tim Gabriel, Hockessin, Ding Gomez, Dan and Marilou Jimenez, Emigdioand Myrna Lopez, Jose Mararac, Leonor Garcia-Noblejas, Mody Olympia, Julian Oteyza, Maurese Oteyza Owens, Babsie Carag-Quinn, Linda Pirrone, Annie Rivera, Richard Tagle, and many more.

Pablito and Tessie Alarcon, Marisol Angala of the Pinoy Teachers group in DC; Elvi and Rey Bangit, Margarita H. Atilano, Mr. & Mrs. Gregory S. Atkinson, Olney, MD; Celso and Pagasa Barrientos, Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier, Remedios  G. Cabacungan, Ramon Calalang, Jimmy Cardano Jr. Ador Carreon, Frank Celada, Ben & Jen Dichoso, Celia Pangilinan-Donahue, Thelma V. Estrella, Naomi Fitzwilliam, EJEWEL,Inc, Virginia Beach, VA; Rodney D. Garcia, Ding and Fely Gomez, Reme Grefalda, Drs. Eufrocino and Dulce Guevara, Elizabeth A. Guevara, Aida P. Hulen, Dr. Valentin T.Ildefonso, PA._Greg Macabenta, Publisher, San Francisco, CA, Jojo Masanque , Ed Navara, Troy, Michigan; Nelly and Danny Orino, Art and Josephine Pangilinan, Johnny Pecayo, Publisher, California Imelda Roberts, Book Author; Castor Salazar, Ellen Salazar, Sonny Sampayan, New York City, Domingo Samson, Mitos Santisteban, Daly City, Calif., Albert Santoli, Washington, D.C.; Ike F. Santos, Pres. TAA Foundation,Inc. Baltimore, MD; Cora A. Seballos, Myriam and Larry Silverio; Virgie A. Sison, Felipe C. Solis, Percy R. Solis, Monette Gomez Staab, Nanette Suyat, Zeny A. Tabligan, Mya Talavera, Ft. Bobby Tamayo, Richard Tagle, Froilan, Tito, Magdalena, Christine and Jonathan Tolentino, Atty. Arnedo S. Valera, H. Van den Bogaard, Adoracion M. Vidallo, Annie Cayaban Wilderman.

As we go to press, more and more signatories from all over the US kept pouring in to join in the open letter.