Dutch Pinoys ask Aquino to extend envoy’s term

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/09/2010 8:05 PM | Updated as of 06/09/2010 8:05 PM

HOOFDDORP, The Netherlands – Filipinos in Holland appealed to proclaimed Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to extend the tenure of the its envoy assigned in The Netherlands.

Ambassador Cardozo Luna is a political appointee of President Arroyo. He arrived in The Hague in August 2009. His stint as envoy is co-terminus with President Arroyo’s term which ends on June 30.

“The president has the prerogative whoever he/she wants to represent him and the new president has the new prerogative to choose his representatives in the different countries where we have posts,” Luna said.

Luna could not say yes or no to the Pinoys who are imploring him to stay longer. He said it is only up to the new president to extend his appointment.

“Ako naman sanay na ako sa magsilbi sa gobyerno. For the past almost 40 years, I have devoted my productive years in serving my countrymen. Kahit saan ako ilagay whether in diplomatic post, whether in local positions back home in our country or even as retired private citizen. As I have said, we serve at the pleasure of the president,” Luna explained.

Filipinos first felt awkward at Luna’s appointment because he is a former general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. There were also suspicions as to his appointment as ambassador in a country where Communist Party of the Philippines’ founding Chair Jose Maria Sison, National Democratic Front staff and other political refugees reside.

But after close scrutiny, Luna immediately received the Filipino community’s stamp of approval and even became close to the Pinoys.

“Nakita namin mas naging malapit siya sa mga tao dito sa mga Filipino at nakikita mo ang kanyang humility, nakikisama siya. Kahit galing siya sa mga top guns sa Pilipinas, nandoon pa din siya sa mababa at kasama ng mga tao dito kaya napamahal siya ng husto sa mga Filipino dito,” said Jun Ortega, a Pinoy from Hoofddorp.

Even the Dutch love him and his family.

“Talagang pagnakausap mo siya parang kaibigan lang. Pati yung asawa niya ang bait din. Pag tawag mo siyang madame, sabi niya di ako madame, Joyce lang. Sayang lang kung wala na si Ambassador Luna dito eh,” said Tagalog-speaking Dutch Peter van Overbeeke said.

The Pinoys are asking the new government to prolong Luna’s service to his countrymen here in Holland.

For them, Luna is God-sent and they consider his political appointment as one of the good and meaningful deeds that President Arroyo accomplished during her regime.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/09/10/dutch-pinoys-ask-aquino-extend-envoy%E2%80%99s-term