MikeLigalig.com

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer

He has a reputation as some sort of “Rambotito,” (Read: mini Rambo) but he’s in no mood to pick a fight this time and would rather forgive and forget.

On Wednesday, while cooling his heels at the Manila Hotel lobby for Bill Clinton’s lecture on “Embracing Our Common Humanity,” Vice President Jejomar Binay was asked by the staff of the former US leader to leave the VIP holding area, according to his media officer, Joey Salgado.

“Everybody out!” an American woman yelled, Salgado said.

Binay, looking smart in a barong tagalog, was then in the company of Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but the two former Presidents were allowed to remain in the area and wait for Clinton’s arrival, Salgado said.

Binay dutifully complied and walked away.

As Makati mayor, Binay volunteered to fight coup plotters throughout the Corazon Aquino administration and came to be called, by some wags, a local Rambo.

But Salgado said the Vice President was “not making a big fuss about it” and quoted him as saying he would rather “forgive and forget.”

Clarification sought

Binay instead would ask for clarification from the Clinton Foundation, US Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs.

“The presence of the Vice President at the forum was pre-cleared with the US Secret Service,” Salgado said. “We’re waiting for a report from protocol.”

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr., interviewed at the annual Veterans Day rites at Manila American Cemetery, said he was unaware of the faux pas.

“I walked with him to his seat. I took a photograph with him. I sat beside him. And I was pleased to hear former President Clinton recognize him, recognize President Arroyo and former President Ramos,” Thomas said.

Estrada’s experience

It wasn’t the first time a Philippine vice president had a run-in with Clinton’s people.

During the 1996 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by the Philippines, then Vice President Joseph Estrada blew his top at the US Secret Service agents in charge of security for then US President Clinton.

Estrada led the group who welcomed Clinton at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on the night of Nov. 23, 1996. Security was very tight.

The US agents, carrying metal detectors, frisked everyone who was allowed on the tarmac, including members of the host country’s Presidential Security Group.

Estrada was then told by a Clinton aide not to tail him too closely. Estrada reportedly blurted out: “I’m the Vice President of this country. Nobody tells me what to do in my own country!” With a report from Inquirer Research


Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

Hmmm...

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

it goes without saying that we can't expect everyone to recognize everybody else.  there are occasions when such faux pas can be avoided by having a color-coded i.d. or ribbon, but then again it would have been a worse faux pas if a country's vice-president were required to use this.  some coordination between the reception's protocol and clinton's close-in security broke down somewhere.  i hope no one loses a job because of this.  anyway, the fact that veep binay was cool about it spoke of the man.  he didn't need to shout that he's the country's vice-president.  

far off, but somewhat similar, was my experience in my own home.  someone knocked.  i opened the door and, lo and behold, a stranger of a woman who denied me even the slightest polite greeting surprised me with her purpose:  "i want to talk to the lady homeowner.  what time is she coming home?"  well, since she concluded that i wasn't there, i gave it to her in equal measure.  i don't know when she's coming back, i answered, and closed the door on her face.      

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

 

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

hambugero ug arogante nga mga kano!!

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

huwata nga mahimong president si binay karong 2016. di ba bawsan tong naghingilin niya. 

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

Bisan ang mga dili tinuod? 

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

bwahahahaha.....pero man daghan man pod ang maayo.

pero kadtong mga tinuod, kasagaran gyud mga racist..

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

Klaro. El supremo pagarparero. 

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

kusia ang bugan..

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

ugay-ugayon una....dayon litkan ug kutsara..

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

daghang salamat sa inyong mga suggestions, bai hubs ug bai bugs.  makasiguro mo nga ako nang buhaton tanan, kutsara-tenedor and all.  kamo usa ang akong praktisan ha?  kitakits ta karong pasko, pohon, kun mahimo.  adto sa ayala sa cebu, high noon tang tulo, do not forsake me... 

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

entrance lobby kilid sa bo's coffee shop, adto ta magtiwas sa lemon grass restaurant.  suggested weapons:  fork and knife for you, chopsticks for mistel mugtay, bare knuckes ako.  hahaha, puwede man pod gani ko mokaon ug itlog nga tiniil, kinamot pa ba kaha.  watch out, i have nothing to lose.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

Asa man tawon ni dapita? Basin ilaron na pud ko anig Cebuano taxi driver... 

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

pagbaklay na lang aron safe ka.  warning:  may puruhan nga ang mangilad nimo bol-anon nga taxi driver sa cebu.

sa manila bitaw, giilad kog taxi driver nga cebuano, didto nagdako sa leyte.  bisan unsaon nakog binisaya, wa gihapon morespeto.  hinoon, nailad man gani kog pedicab driver sa tagbilaran.  ayaw ko ingna di to siya bol-anon.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0

Binay handled himself well.

But I know how it feels when I have lived here as long as I have (ten years) and be told by older Filipino persons that "You do not have any rights here!"

I am also calm as I know I am not the only Foreigner in where these type of words are being directed at.

I pity persons who behave in such a way.

I love all types of people no matter where they are from and if curious I will taste their foods and drink their wine with them together....

I am curious to learn about how other countries and cultures live... I do not want to be biased or be taught that one religion or country is all that matters in this world. .....It takes all types to make this world go around!!!!
Even the rude and the most kindest!

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34333.0