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To each his own game. Former President Fidel V. Ramos apparently
lives by this rule.
“There is nothing wrong with playing golf,”
he said recently. “Golf can be the perfect way to promote good
relationships,” Ramos added.
He made the remarks in New York City when he was
asked about reports on President Gloria Arroyo playing golf in China
allegedly with officials of the controversial Chinese
telecommunications firm, ZTE Corp.
President Arroyo has cancelled the $330-million
National Broadband Network project between Manila and Beijing over
accusations of corruption linking the government. Her political
critics recently claimed that she had a personal interest in the
project, citing that her trip to China came shortly before the
broadband deal was signed between the Philippine and Chinese
governments. Malacañang denied the allegation.
Ramos went on to recall that during his
presidency, the Malacañang golf park was rehabilitated to enable
him “to host tournaments so that the administration and the
opposition can discuss issues in a casual setting.”
Ramos, accompanied by his wife Amelita, were
welcomed by Consul General Cecilia Rebong, permanent representative
to the United Nations Hilario Davide Jr. and officers and staff of
Philippine government offices in New York on May 15.
The former president said he believes that many
Asians still see the Philippines as a democratic nation. But, he
added, without unity, national pride will continue to decline.
He sought support for Filipino veterans of World
War II from the Filipino community in New York, asking them to rally
behind the US Senate version of the Veterans Equity Bill. This
proposal seeks to give recognition to the veterans’ role in making
the United States win the Second World War. The former soldiers have
been fighting for equity for 62 years.
-- Katrice R. Jalbuena
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