DFA mourns death of 'foreign policy leader' Ramos; Bello remembers ex-boss

The Department of Foreign (DFA) on Monday mourned the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos as it acknowledged his contribution to foreign policy.

In a statement, the DFA said Ramos was considered as a “foreign policy president” for shaping the DFA by instituting economic diplomacy and the protection of overseas Filipinos as pillars of the country’s foreign policy.

"His visits to foreign countries during his six-year term focused on the post-Cold War opportunities offered in multilateral and economic diplomacy, and raised the profile of the Philippines in the region and globally," the DFA said.

The DFA also cited The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act as another key legacy of the Ramos administration. The law decreed higher standards of protection and the promotion of the welfare of migrant Filipino workers, their families, and distressed Filipinos abroad.

“The son of former Foreign Secretary Narciso R. Ramos, brother of two diplomats, and a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea, President Ramos demonstrated a keen understanding of government service and a strong work ethic that inspired generations of public servants,” it said.

“The DFA will always be grateful for his visionary leadership and contributions to Philippine foreign policy,” it added.

Ramos, who died on Sunday at the age of 94, was elected as the 12th President of the Philippines in 1992 and served until 1998. He succeeded President Corazon Aquino, for whom he served as chief of staff of the Armed Forces and then Defense secretary.

Bello remembers ex-boss

Meanwhile, interviewed on Unang Balita, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairperson Silvestre Bello III recalled his memories of Ramos, under whom he served as Solicitor General and secretary of the Department of Justice.

“Napaka-friendly ni Pangulong Fidel [President Fidel is very friendly],” Bello told Unang Balita.

Bello said Ramos used to wake up officials early in the morning and send them newspapers with marginal notes.

“Ang pinaka-maalala ko kay Pangulong Fidel ay yung araw-araw gigisingin ka, alas kuwatro pa lang gigisingin ka na. Alas sais, may newspaper ka nang matanggap sa bahay niyo at meron nang marginal notes yan,” he said.

(What I remember most about President Fidel was every day, he would wake you up as early as 4 a.m. At around 6 a.m. you will receive a newspaper in your home with marginal notes.)

According to Bello, when they suspended the peace talks with the National Democratic Front, Ramos ordered them to continue it despite the misunderstanding between the panels.

“Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Pauwi na kami Sir.’ ‘Bakit?’ ‘Sir, hindi nagkakaintindihan.’ ‘Bakit kayo nagsu-suspend. Never kayong magsu-supend tuloy  niyo kahit na may difficult situation kayo,” Bello narrated.

(I told him, ‘We are going back home Sir.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Sir, we have a misunderstanding.’ ‘Why are you suspending the peace talks? Never suspend, pursue it even if you have a difficult situation.’)

Bello added that Ramos directed him to check and call out problematic orders from government agencies. —KBK, GMA News