US Ambassador backs down

[Dan and Judy 614]

Palace: Thomas issue now closed

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated October 09, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (8) http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=735429&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang accepted yesterday the apology of United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. over his statement on “sex tourism” in the Philippines, and declared the issue “closed.”

“I think the statement of Ambassador Thomas clearly showed that he was not able to back up the statistics and hence he apologized to (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Albert) del Rosario and to our government,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said over government-run radio dzRB.

“So we consider the issue a closed case, but our fight against human trafficking continues. We will continue to prosecute those people who are taking advantage of our people and our young ones,” he said.

In his apology, Thomas said he should have backed up with figures and statistics his pronouncement that 40 percent of male tourists in the Philippines were only after sex with local women and children.

The ambassador’s claim about sex tourists came amid government attempts to revitalize the country’s tourism industry, which for years has lagged behind other Asian countries.

The Philippines recorded an all-time high of 3.52 million visitors last year and the government is aiming for tourist arrivals of six million by 2016.

Lacierda said Del Rosario relayed to the Palace the ambassador’s apology sent through a text message. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she received a similar message from Thomas but decided to keep it at the moment.

After castigating Thomas for his statement, Sen. Francis Escudero said the ambassador should now be praised for issuing an apology.

GS_googleAddAdSenseService("ca-pub-1876439796539993"); GS_googleEnableAllServices(); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1876439796539993", "PStar_Headlines_Medallion_300x250"); GA_googleFetchAds(); GA_googleFillSlot("PStar_Headlines_Medallion_300x250");“Although it was only through text as I understand, it is nevertheless appreciated,” Escudero said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Thomas’ apology was a show of humility “coming as it does from no less than the ambassador of the most powerful nation in the world.”

“Admitting error and owning up to it requires courage and strength of character, not weakness. His act deserves admiration and respect,” Pangilinan said.

But Senate committee on foreign relations chairperson Loren Legarda said the issue of sex tourism should not end with Thomas’ apology.

“This is not the end of the issue because was the apology made because he offended Malacañang or the Filipino people or for saying something without factual basis?” Legarda asked.

She said Thomas should still share with Philippine authorities whatever information he has regarding sex tourism in the country so that proper legal action can be taken against those found involved in the illegal activity.

“I want him to say what is that 40 percent? Is it untrue or incorrect or is there a semblance of truth to this? The apology is not enough. The element of partnership should still continue and so he must provide the basis of the 40 percent,” Legarda said.

“The sad fact is prostitution goes hand in hand with poverty, which is the source of our many problems. Corruption is the root cause of all these. A lot depends on our national leadership,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.

Lacson earlier asked Thomas to leave the country if he failed to substantiate his claims.

Del Rosario earlier revealed to senators the US government’s appreciation - relayed by Thomas - for the Philippines’ anti-human trafficking drive spearheaded by the Department of Justice.

Thomas had also raised concerns over some agencies’ lackluster performance in dealing with the problem.

“At least the good ambassador apologized,” Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said. “But I also read a report from the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) saying that the remarks of Ambassador Thomas have basis.”

She said the envoy’s coming out with such pronouncement should serve as a challenge to the Aquino administration to improve its efforts against sex trafficking.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said the “deeper issue is the lack of genuine employment and the lack of livelihood opportunities which lead people to the flesh trade.”

Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas also welcomed the apology but said the scenario raised by Thomas “does not only happen here but in other countries where tourism is one of the main sources of revenues for the government.”

He said prostitution is also a problem in the US even if some states have legalized it.

“I think the authorities should step up whatever it is that they are doing to stop the flesh trade instead of just complaining about how hurtful those comments are,” Cagas said.

De Lima said Thomas, in his text message, promised to send her and Del Rosario letters of apology but no such letter arrived before the end of office hours last Friday.

“Madame secretary: I am sending secretary De Rosario and you a letter expressing regret over my comments,” said Thomas in his text message to De Lima.

“I should have never used the 40 percent statistic without the ability to back it up,” he said.

“I am sorry for any harm that I may have caused,” Thomas also said in the text message to De Lima. - With Marvin Sy, Paolo Romero, Sandy Araneta,

[Karee 4,191]

Palace: Thomas issue now closed

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated October 09, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (8) http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=735429&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang accepted yesterday the apology of United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. over his statement on “sex tourism” in the Philippines, and declared the issue “closed.”

“I think the statement of Ambassador Thomas clearly showed that he was not able to back up the statistics and hence he apologized to (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Albert) del Rosario and to our government,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said over government-run radio dzRB.

“So we consider the issue a closed case, but our fight against human trafficking continues. We will continue to prosecute those people who are taking advantage of our people and our young ones,” he said.

In his apology, Thomas said he should have backed up with figures and statistics his pronouncement that 40 percent of male tourists in the Philippines were only after sex with local women and children.

The ambassador’s claim about sex tourists came amid government attempts to revitalize the country’s tourism industry, which for years has lagged behind other Asian countries.

The Philippines recorded an all-time high of 3.52 million visitors last year and the government is aiming for tourist arrivals of six million by 2016.

Lacierda said Del Rosario relayed to the Palace the ambassador’s apology sent through a text message. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she received a similar message from Thomas but decided to keep it at the moment.

After castigating Thomas for his statement, Sen. Francis Escudero said the ambassador should now be praised for issuing an apology.

GS_googleAddAdSenseService("ca-pub-1876439796539993"); GS_googleEnableAllServices(); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1876439796539993", "PStar_Headlines_Medallion_300x250"); GA_googleFetchAds(); GA_googleFillSlot("PStar_Headlines_Medallion_300x250");“Although it was only through text as I understand, it is nevertheless appreciated,” Escudero said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Thomas’ apology was a show of humility “coming as it does from no less than the ambassador of the most powerful nation in the world.”

“Admitting error and owning up to it requires courage and strength of character, not weakness. His act deserves admiration and respect,” Pangilinan said.

But Senate committee on foreign relations chairperson Loren Legarda said the issue of sex tourism should not end with Thomas’ apology.

“This is not the end of the issue because was the apology made because he offended Malacañang or the Filipino people or for saying something without factual basis?” Legarda asked.

She said Thomas should still share with Philippine authorities whatever information he has regarding sex tourism in the country so that proper legal action can be taken against those found involved in the illegal activity.

“I want him to say what is that 40 percent? Is it untrue or incorrect or is there a semblance of truth to this? The apology is not enough. The element of partnership should still continue and so he must provide the basis of the 40 percent,” Legarda said.

“The sad fact is prostitution goes hand in hand with poverty, which is the source of our many problems. Corruption is the root cause of all these. A lot depends on our national leadership,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.

Lacson earlier asked Thomas to leave the country if he failed to substantiate his claims.

Del Rosario earlier revealed to senators the US government’s appreciation - relayed by Thomas - for the Philippines’ anti-human trafficking drive spearheaded by the Department of Justice.

Thomas had also raised concerns over some agencies’ lackluster performance in dealing with the problem.

“At least the good ambassador apologized,” Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said. “But I also read a report from the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) saying that the remarks of Ambassador Thomas have basis.”

She said the envoy’s coming out with such pronouncement should serve as a challenge to the Aquino administration to improve its efforts against sex trafficking.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said the “deeper issue is the lack of genuine employment and the lack of livelihood opportunities which lead people to the flesh trade.”

Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas also welcomed the apology but said the scenario raised by Thomas “does not only happen here but in other countries where tourism is one of the main sources of revenues for the government.”

He said prostitution is also a problem in the US even if some states have legalized it.

“I think the authorities should step up whatever it is that they are doing to stop the flesh trade instead of just complaining about how hurtful those comments are,” Cagas said.

De Lima said Thomas, in his text message, promised to send her and Del Rosario letters of apology but no such letter arrived before the end of office hours last Friday.

“Madame secretary: I am sending secretary De Rosario and you a letter expressing regret over my comments,” said Thomas in his text message to De Lima.

“I should have never used the 40 percent statistic without the ability to back it up,” he said.

“I am sorry for any harm that I may have caused,” Thomas also said in the text message to De Lima. - With Marvin Sy, Paolo Romero, Sandy Araneta,

That's funny. Take a hike down the street to P. Burgos.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

What's the big deal about sex tourism anyways?

[Dan and Judy 614]

It's been a year since I was there. before landing I think I remember reading some warning about human trafficking and sex with kids. There was a form to fill out that asked what the purpose of your trip was but I don't think there was a box to check for sexual tourism. Im not sure who would be in charge of keeping those statistics.

[scandal 951]

You'd think Australia and New Zealand would be the world-leading destinations for sex tourism.

What with very high sheep:human ratio ............

[Captain Oates 911]

You'd think Australia and New Zealand would be the world-leading destinations for sex tourism.

What with very high sheep:human ratio ............

I have been to NZ - do you know that the average Maori wake involves 3 days of abusing alcohol and European people ? It invariably ends with the police being called but they never turn out coz those Maoris are fearsome

I found it deeply moving

signed

All Blacks fan

ps The average US Ambassador is so greasy, that if he lived in my garage, I would never need to get my car serviced again. eg Jon Huntsman