David Lapuz: ‘One prodigous fountain spouting forth brilliant ideas’

Dsvid Lapuz. From the blog of Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ

Dsvid Lapuz. From the blog of Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ

Aside from Salvador Panelo, spokesperson of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for a month, aspirant to be ambassador to the Court of St. James and now presidential legal counsel, another appointee of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte who is creating a different kind of buzz is David Lapuz as head of the Commission on Higher Education.

There is still a confusion on the appointment of Lapuz to the government agency that oversees public and private higher education institutions as well as degree-granting programs in all tertiary educational institutions in the country because while others say the position is co-terminus with the appointing authority, there are also those who say that the head of CHED has a fixed term and that of the current chair, Patricia Licuanan, is up to 2018.

The designation of Lapuz as CHED chair was first mentioned by Ateneo de Davao President Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J. In his blog more than a week ago.

According to an Inquirer report, Tabora related: “In fact, last Wednesday, June 8, at 2:30 a.m. in a room filled with people in the Panacan Malacañan of the South, President Duterte had publicly designated Professor Lapuz, long-time professor of political science and of the life and works of Jose Rizal at the Lyceum of the Philippines, CHED Chair. To the professor’s self-deprecating query, ‘Are you really nominating me CHED chair?’ the President replied emphatically, ‘Yes!’”

I have interactions with Lapuz through our twice –a- month lunches at Havana restaurant in Greenbelt started by the eminent writer Carmen Guerrero Nakpil some years back. Mrs. Nakpil has not been active in those lunches these days and it’s her niece, artist Marivic Rufino, who carries on with keeping the group together.

I also meet Lapuz in events organized for the fellows of the International Visitors Program of the U.S. State Department.
What I noticed in those events is his abundant gift for words. He is one person who can talk for about 30 minutes, no period, no comma. That’s why in forums, moderators see to it that the microphone is given to Lapuz last because once he has it, it’s almost impossible to take it away from him.

His curriculum vitae is impressive. Be sure you have adequate time when you check it out (http://www.pcfr.info/prof-jose-david-lapuz1.html) because it’s quite lengthy.

A portion of his CV reads,”Lapuz finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of the Philippines and his post-graduate studies in International Politics and Foreign Policy at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He started teaching at University of Santo Tomas in 1970…

“He is one of the 45 member-commissioners of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), on the Committee of Social and Human Sciences and is a member of the UNESCO Advisory Committee on Human Rights and Poverty based in Paris. He also teaches international relations and political science at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.”

‎The highly esteemed writer, Ofelia A. Dimalanta, in her review of one of the works of Lapuz, wrote: “Lapuz certainly has been one prodigous fountain spouting forth brilliant, fresh ideas and insights on sundry subjects particularly Rizal, foreign policy, international news and affairs, his formidable yield always rich, enriching, and boundless. ”

Dimalanta further said, “In Lapuz’s lectures and speeches, he would display the force and irrepressible energy of Juvenal (Roman satirist) one moment and the next, the urban savoir-faire of Horace (Roman writer). Certainly, all this is best captured by the readers when they finally have all the time to read him and absorb the quality of his mind, a mind vividly alive and alert to catch every every flow and flux of the goings-on in the contemporary historico-political scene and beyond.”
How about those who had the privilege of having Lapuz as a teacher?

Two of his fomer students posted in Facebook:

Chris Cahilig shared some “Fun facts about Prof. Lapuz”.

1. No. 1 requirement sa Rizal class nya ang pagsa-submit ng clippings ng kanyang published press releases sa broadsheets. The more creative ang pagkadikit sa bond paper, the higher your grade! So I embellished my clippings with fresh flowers straight from Dangwa kaya bongga lagi ang grade ko.

2 . You can write anything sa essay tests nya and you’ll still get good grades. Walang checking ng sagot na nagaganap so ang iba will write prayers, poems, lyrics, love letters, or even bad words and never ka nya masisita. He’ll even make you fold your yellow pad up to 1/8 (or 1/16). Para saan, kebs lang.
3. Makikilala mo sya ng husto sa buong sem dahil 90% ng discussion sa classroom ay tungkol sa kanya– his awards, his travels, his popular friends, and his talks. Sino nga naman ang interesado sa pambansang bayaning si Dr. Jose Rizal? Mas kapanapanabik ang kwento ng buhay nya noh!

Another student, Jojo Terencio, shared tips how to pass in Lapuz class:

“First order of the day, isubmit sa kanya ang mga paid photo and press releases about him. Pangalawa, bumili ng manila bulletin at basahin ang column nya. At isubmit na rin sa kanya. Sa prelims at finals, pahabaan ng essay kahit pasakan mo ng lyrics ng kanta o novena in between intro and conclusion di nya malalaman kasi di naman nagbabasa.”

Cayetano’s Leni remark shows he is not “in” in Duterte’s power group

Signing of NP-PDP Laban alliance. Photo by Mindanews.

Signing of NP-PDP Laban alliance. Photo by Mindanews.

After Congress, acting as National Board of Canvassers, declared last Friday Rodrigo Duterte of PDP-Laban as winner in the presidential contest and Leni Robredo of the Liberal Party for the vice-presidential race in the May 9 elections, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate, told media that a cabinet position awaits Robredo.

“Mayor Duterte is reviewing every day names and positions [in the Cabinet], and I think from Day 1 he has been thinking about what job can be given the Vice President-elect,” Cayenato said adding that the position to be given to Robredo would be “tailored to what we heard from her during the campaign that she would like to handle.”

Robredo had said during the campaign that she would be interested in a cabinet position that involved lifting the people from poverty.

The following day, in a press conference with Cayetano beside him (also in attendance was Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza and senator-elect Manny Pacquiao), Duterte said Robredo “never entered my mind,” in the forming of his cabinet.

“No, I don’t even know her! ..Why should I talk to her? I said I’ve not considered anything for her,” he said.

He said right now the names he has in mind are that of friends who helped him in his campaign. “I’m more worried about where I would place the friends na nagkautang ako ng loob,” he explained.

(In the presscon Tuesday after his meeting with those he has named to be part of his cabinet, he said he is not getting Robredo to be part of his cabinet because he doesn’t want to hurt Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, who lost in the vice-presidential race.
(Duterte said, the Marcoses supported him and he won in Ilocos Norte while he lost miserably in Bicol, Robredo’s turf. He also revealed that his father was a member of the cabinet of the late Ferdinand Marcos.)

In the March 29 presscon, while Duterte was denying what Cayetano said the day before, there was no hiding the embarrassment of the senator, who looked like a chastised schoolboy.

Where did Cayetano get the idea of Robredo’s appointment in the cabinet?

A review of Cayetano’s statement showed he based it on Duterte’s “earlier statements” saying that “ she’s welcome and that he will give a job to everyone who wants to work with him.”

It will be recalled that during the campaign, Duterte said if Robredo would not win he would make her “assistant president…..because she is beautiful“

This incident about the non-appointment of Robredo to the Duterte cabinet leads one to ask, “How “in” is Cayetano in the Duterte power circle?

Cayetano will be going back to the Senate as his legislative term is up to 2019. Duterte said he wants Cayetano to head the Department of Foreign Affairs and that his nominee Perfecto Yasay, Jr. will hold the position in an acting capacity, maybe until the one-year ban for losing candidates expires.

But is that the cabinet position that Cayetano desires, considering that he has higher political ambitions?

Also, sources said it‘s not true that Cayetano had something to do with the appointment of Mark Villar as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. It’s the support of Manny Villar of Duterte during the campaign that got Mark the position.
A source said the Villars went for Duterte-Marcos in the last election.

Three members of the Nacionalista Party – Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, who was number two in the VP race, Cayetano (third) and Antonio Trillanes IV (fourth)- who ran for vice –president in the last election.

A keen political observer suggested to us to take a close look at the photos and video of the signing of the NP-PDP alliance a few days after elections in Davao.He said, “Take note of Cayetano’s facial expression.”
Let me take a look.

PNoy, Del Rosario responsible for PH losing control of Scarborough shoal

Photo by Dana Batnag

Photo by Dana Batnag

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said early this week he wants to know why the Philippines lost Scarborough Shoal.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

When he said this, he was apparently under the impression that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who exposed his BPI bank deposits amounting to no less than P200 million despite before the May 9 elections, was responsible for the Philippines losing control over the coral reef formation 124 nautical miles off Zambales.

By all means, Duterte should order a probe.

The term “lost Scarborough shoal” is debatable. Security officials deny that. Foreign affairs officials will not say that because that would be detrimental to the claim of the Philippines on the shoal which is included in the case filed by the Philippines against China before the United National Arbitral Court.

The reality, however, is that Filipino fishermen are denied access to the area around the shoal by three Chinese ships stationed there since June 2012.

How that situation came to be started on April 10, 2012 when BRP Gregorio del Pilar arrested eight Chinese boats with sizable quantities of endangered marine species, corals, live sharks and giant clams.

Chinese fishermen caught in Philippine waters is not an unusual happening – be it in Scarborough shoal or in the Spratlys, in the northwestern part of the country. When that happens, the fishermen are charged in court and the Chinese Embassy works for their release. The case is usually handled in the provincial and regional level.

The use of BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a warship, to arrest Chinese fishing vessels changed the atmosphere in the maritime row.

The rules of engagement in a sea conflict is “white to white, gray to gray.” “White to white” means civilian ships are to deal only with civilian vessels. “Gray to gray” means navy to navy.

BRP Gregorio del Pilar

BRP Gregorio del Pilar

ASEAN diplomats say it was a mistake for the Philippines to have sent a warship to confront Chinese fishing vessels. When Aquino was made aware of the mistake, he ordered the withdrawal of BRP Gregorio del Pilar with a face-saving, “As a sign of our goodwill, we replaced our navy cutter with a civilian boat as soon as we could.”

The Chinese did not send a warship against BRP Gregorio del Pilar. Instead they sent at first three Chinese Marine Surveillance (CMS). Then more CMS, fishing boats and dinghies came.

A month after the interception of the fishing vessels, there were 90 Chinese vessels in the Scarborough area – 10 CMS, 30 fishing boats and 50 dinghies – as against the Philippines’ three, yes, a grand total of THREE vessels- two Philippine Coast guard ships and one by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario aggravated the situation when, instead of quiet negotiations, he went to media. He announced he was summoning the Chinese ambassador to file a diplomatic protest. Then he held a press conference with Philippine Navy Chief Alexander Pama and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Vice Admiral Edmund C. Tan by his side.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Navy Chief Alexander Pama in a press conference.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Navy Chief Alexander Pama in a press conference.

Diplomatic observers noted that the sight of a foreign secretary with the Navy Chief talking about the arrest of a Chinese fishermen sent a hostile message to the People’s Liberation Army, a potent force in China’s power hierarchy. It was an unnecessary aggravation, something that could have been handled on the department spokesmen level.

Talks in the diplomatic level deteriorated with Del Rosario calling the Chinese ambassador “duplicitous.” Del Rosario ran to Uncle Sam. Beijing, on the other hand, looked for a direct line to Aquino and this was when Trillanes entered the picture using contacts in Beijing which he made during his Nov. 2011 visit.

While Aquino was preparing for a June 8 meeting with President Obama at the White House, the Department of Foreign Affairs was informed that Washington does not want the issue of standoff with China included in the agenda. Malacañang became frantic for the standoff to end.

Both Trillanes and Del Rosario were working for a “simultaneous withdrawal” of vessels in Scarborough shoal but they were not talking with each other. They were both reporting to the President.

It was bizarre kind of negotiation. Del Rosario was talking with Kurt Campbell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who was talking with Fu Ying ,vice minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of “Asia, boundary and ocean affairs and translation and interpretation” and fourth in the hierarchy in China’s foreign ministry. She was China’s ambassador to the Philippines from 1998 to 2000.

Trillanes also was talking to Fu Ying and relayed the messages to Aquino back and forth.

The negotiations would require a longer narration of events. But this is a portion of Trillanes report on the back channelling that ended the two-month standoff in Scarborough Shoal:

“For the next 2 weeks (May 2012), confidence building measures were exchanged largely focused on toning down the rhetoric on both sides and arrangements for the withdrawal of ships and the lifting of the travel sanctions on the Chinese tourists…

“The President then directed me to work on the sequential withdrawal of government ships inside the shoal. However, on the morning of 04 June, PNoy called me to inform me that our BFAR vessel has already left the shoal but China has reneged on the agreement of simultaneous withdrawal of ships so 2 CMS vessels are still inside. I asked him, who agreed with what, since I was just hammering out the details of the sequential withdrawal because the mouth of the shoal was too narrow for a simultaneous withdrawal. He told me that Sec. Del Rosario told him about the agreement reached in Washington. This time I asked him, if the agreement was simultaneous withdrawal, why did we leave first? PNoy responded, “kaya nga sinabihan ko si Albert kung bakit nya pinalabas yung BFAR na hindi ko nalalaman.”

“Anyway, PNoy said the situation is grave because he won’t be able to leave for Washington while the 2 CMS vessels are still inside the shoal. I contacted the Beijing negotiators and told them that their ships need to leave the shoal as soon as possible or else PNoy would cancel his trip and we would close the backchannel.

“ Beijing immediately responded and said that 1 CMS vessel would leave at 1700H that same day while the other CMS ship would leave after 48 hrs. They said they needed to do this to project to the Chinese public that they were not pressured into leaving the shoal. I reported this to the President and he had me on speaker phone during an emergency cabinet meeting and (I )advised him to proceed with his scheduled trip at 1300H and if the Chinese reneged on their word, he would be informed while on flight and he can then order his plane to turn around. PNoy agreed with the arrangement and told me that ES Ochoa would be the OIC in relation to the Scarborough Standoff while he is away.

“At 1706H of 04 June, I was informed by Beijing that the CMS vessel has left the shoal. I then informed ES about this and the same was relayed to PNoy. He then told me that he gave explicit instructions to the PCG not to follow any order from Secretary Del Rosario.

“On 06 June, as agreed upon, the other CMS vessel left the shoal.

“Around 10 June, PNoy informed me that the BFAR vessel was ordered to proceed to Subic to undergo repairs and directed me to ask Beijing to reciprocate. I then informed the Beijing negotiators about this and they immediately responded by sending back 2 CMS vessels and 14 fishing boats to China.

“On 15 June, PNoy informed me again that he has ordered the pull-out of the 2 remaining PCG ships from the shoal citing the incoming typhoon as the reason and directed me to ask Beijing to reciprocate. I immediately informed the Beijing negotiators about this development and again, they immediately responded by sending back all the remaining fishing boats and dinghies to China. Only 8 CMS vessels remain at this time.

“Around 02 July, I was able to negotiate for the reduction of the remaining CMS vessels to only 3. At that time, PNoy told me that he would need to decide during the 05 July cabinet meeting whether to proceed with the bilateral/backchannel talks or to internationalize it during the ASEAN Regional Forum on 09 Jul.”

In that July 5 cabinet meeting, Trillanes said,

Del Rosario and Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto presented the multilateral/internationalize option. … I presented that, contrary to Sec. Del Rosario’s experience, our backchannel negotiations held and proof of it was the drastic reduction of the Chinese vessels from almost a hundred to only 3 with the commitment that they would pull-out the 3 remaining CMS vessels if we won’t raise the dispute during the ARF. Plus, Beijing gave the assurance that they will not put up any structure in or around the shoal. With this, I recommended to PNoy to not internationalize it during the ARF and see if they would live up to their commitment of pulling out completely. If not, I told him, that we could always raise it during the ASEAN Summit in September.”

Del Rosario’s suggestion to internationalize the issue won.

Trillanes further said in his report:

“On 14 July, Sec. Butch Abad asked me if the backchannel is still open. Apparently, we were snubbed by the ASEAN and we’re now stuck with the 3 CMS ships still at the vicinity of the shoal. I asked him if Sec. Del Rosario has a plan B, he said none. I then told him that the precondition for the withdrawal of the 3 ships was that the dispute won’t be raised at the ARF. I then politely declined from continuing with my role as backchannel negotiator since PNoy had already decided his policy action.”

One of the three Chinese Coastguard Maritime Surveillance ships in Scarborough shoal in April 2012

One of the three Chinese Coastguard Maritime Surveillance ships in Scarborough shoal in April 2012

A lot has happened since then. The Philippines went to the Arbitral Court of the United Nations International Tribunal on Law of the Sea in The Hague and asked, among others, that China’s all-all encompassing nine-dash line map be declared illegal. Decision is expected in July.

China’s three ships are still there in Scarborough shoal.

Erap endorsement expected to get Mindanao for Poe

Grace Poe and Col. Ariel Querubin (ret), who she said she will appoint crime czar if she wins presidency.

Grace Poe and Col. Ariel Querubin (ret), who she said she will appoint crime czar if she wins presidency.

It was almost midnight when Sen. Grace Poe made it to retired Col. Ariel Querubin’s birthday at the Clubhouse at Camp Aguinaldo last Monday. But she looked happy and energized.

She told the remaining few guests that she came from the proclamation rally of former President Joseph Estrada, who is running for re-election as Manila City mayor, at Plaza Miranda.

She related that Estrada called her up the night before to tell her that he had decided to endorse her.

At the Plaza Miranda rally, Estrada told the cheering crowd, “Mga kasama, mga kaibigan, palakpakan po natin ang aking inaanak, ang susunod na pangulo ng Pilipinas, walang iba kundi si Grace Poe.”

A grateful Poe, Estrada’s goddaughter, responded: “Ninong, maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong pag-endorso sa akin, nakakataba po talaga ng puso. Alam ko ito ay isang desisyon na pinag-isipan ninyong mabuti. Alam kong mahal mo ang aking ama, pero alam ko na ang mga desisyon na ganito ay para rin sa bayan.”

There was a lot of speculation who Estrada would endorse between Vice President Jejomar Binay who was his running mate in the 2010 elections and co-leader of the political opposition and Poe, who is the daughter of his best friend, the late Fernando Poe, Jr.
Estrada’s endorsement of Poe goes beyond his Manila constituency of almost a million votes. Poe needs Erap’s voting clout in Mindanao where she lags behind Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

In the March 22 survey conducted by Social Weather Stations post-second presidential debate for TV5 by mobile phone, Poe led with 35 percent of the respondents who were asked whom they will vote if elections were held today. It was a nine percentage point difference over closest rival Duterte with 26 percent.

Binay came in third with 18 percent, Mar Roxas was fourth with 17 per cent and Miriam Santiago, who did not participate in the second debate, got two percent.

In that survey, Poe was the number choice (43 per cent) in Luzon which has 55.95 percent (30,417,790) of the 2016 total voting population of 54,363,844. Binay was a far second with 24 percent. Duterte got only 16 per cent and Roxas 15 per cent.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada endorses Grace Poe as his candidate for the presidency.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada endorses Grace Poe as his candidate for the presidency.


In the Visayas, supposedly the region of Roxas because he is from Capiz, Poe led with 35 per cent followed closely by Roxas with 30 per cent. Duterte was third with 21 per cent, Binay, 10 per cent and Santiago, who is from Iloilo got only two per cent.

Visayas accounts for 20.82 percent (11,316,789) of the total voting population.

In Mindanao, however, Duterte dominated his rivals with 49 percent. Poe got only 25 percent, Binay and Roxas each got 12 per cent. Mindanao’s voting population is 12,629,265 or 23.23 per cent of the national total.

Mindanao, where 11 of 20 poorest provinces are located, has always been known as “Erap country.” Some attribute Estrada’s popularity in Mindanao to his being a silver screen hero, just like Poe’s father, FPJ, who cannot be defeated and killed in the movie or else his fans will shoot the screen.

Other say many Mindanaons approve of Estrada’s hardline stand against rebels.

In the 2010 elections, Estrada won in Mindanao over Aquino.

This is where Poe needs her Ninong’s voters charisma.

Grace Poe took the first presidential debate

Candidates: Jejomar Binay,Miriam Santiago, Rodrigo Duterte,Grace Poe,Mar Roxas

Candidates: Jejomar Binay,Miriam Santiago, Rodrigo Duterte,Grace Poe,Mar Roxas

The winner of the first Comelec-sponsored debates of presidential candidates organized with GMA-7 and Philippine Daily Inquirer based on my monitoring of social media and exchange of notes with friends was Grace Poe.

It’s not a scientific survey, of course.

Political analyst and De La Salle University Professor Richard Heydarian summed up the performance of the candidates as:

Grace: Forceful, assertive and displayed informed familiarity with issues;
Mar: Spent too much time defending status quo, but was very composed and combined a bit of drama with substance;
Miriam: Took an admirably principled but unpopular position on certain issues, bravely calling for Aristotelean leadership;
Duterte: Skillfully redirected questions to his own platform, and good to see him in Barong;
Binay: He should start boycotting debates, unless he changes his script

Grace Poe arrives at the Capitol University

Grace Poe arrives at the Capitol University

Justin De Jesus Sucgang ranking “for giving the most responsive and concise answers (not necessarily believable):1. Poe-Llamanzares; 2. Roxas;3. Binay;4. Defensor-Santiago 5. Duterte.

Marilyn Robles said, “It’s toss up between Poe and Duterte.” She added:”Roxas looked handsome tonight!”

Even early in the debate, journalist Jason Phillip Gutierrez scored it in favor of Poe:
Round 1: Grace is grace under pressure; Binay in attack mode; Roxas on the defensive; Miriam and Rody in mutual admiration.”

Another journalist, Manny Mogato, observed that “Grace Poe came well prepared for this debate.”

Netizens were very perceptive. Jaime Garchitorena noted early in the debate that “Miriam is losing steam.”

A number commented on Roxas’ negative start and his adherence to “Tuwid na Daan.”

Many liked the quote of Duterte,”Wala along nakitang matuwid na daan, puro kulubot.”

Philippine Graphic Editor-in-Chief Joel Salud posted his reaction to Binay’s declaration of “Ako po ay decisive and effective leader”: “Muntik ako masamid.”

Presidenital Spokesman Ediwn Lacierda Edwin Lacierda complained:”@gmanews: @comelec you changed the format 2 allow Binay to have the last say to Mar’s statement. That’s a clear violation of ur own rules!”

Miriam Santiago arrives at the Capitol University.

Miriam Santiago arrives at the Capitol University.

Journalist Peter Tabingo said, “The format of the Presidential debate was too restrictive, too structured to allow candidates to show their capabilities under adversarial conditions. In the end a lot of them missed the chance of calling their opponents on their “sablay” policies, personal issues, and checkered histories.

“There were also too many candidates to allow a meaningful exchange among them.

“Poe, Duterte, Roxas and Miriam came ready with stats and figures. They probably used less than 10 percent of those preparations and about 5 percent of their brain power.

“The only really shaky moment was Binay’s when questioned on his properties. Miriam, given half the chance, could have done a lot more, cancer or no cancer.”

Heydarian said “The debate was good in a sense that it showed which candidates are up for the task, can compose their thoughts, and understand the complexity of the challenge. And reach out to multiple audiences.”

The next debate will be on March 20 to be held at the University of San Carlos in Cebu with TV5 and the Philippine Star. It will be a panel format.

The third and last will be on April 24 at the University of Pangasinan with ABS-CBN and the Manila Bulletin. It will be a town hall format.

Before the last presidential debate, the candidates for the vice presidency will also square off with one another on April 10 to be held in Metro Manila. Lead media organizers are CNN Philippines, Business Mirror and Rappler.

Be informed. Vote wisely.

Mar Roxas, Rodrigo Duterte, Jejomar Binay

Mar Roxas, Rodrigo Duterte, Jejomar Binay