ROME, Italy – Filipino community leaders in Rome have come together to file a petition to ask President Arroyo to defer the alleged appointment of Congressman Antonio Cuenco as replacement of Philippine Ambassador to Italy, Philippe Lhuillier.

“Hindi pa prepared ang Filipino communities sa Italy para sa mabilisang pagbabago dahil kay Ambassador Lhuillier nakita namin ang kahalagahan ng aming karapatan dito sa Italy na itinuring niyang para niya kaming mga anak,” said Felix “Alex” Mendoza.

The FilCom meeting was organized by Mendoza, the vice president of the Consultative Body of Migrants in Asia.

With co-partner Boss Ramos, one of the Councilors in the Municipal City of Rome, they tackled the service performance of Lhuillier as ambassador to OFWs in Italy, whom they believe deserves to remain in office.

The petition requests Mrs. Arroyo to let the current ambassador finish his term until the end of the presidential elections on 2010. The signed petition, they say, is the best way to appeal to Mrs. Arroyo and let her know that they are against the move to replace Lhuillier as ambassador to Italy at this point in time.

The FilCom leaders’ move was prompted by a previous news report that Cuenco was 'verbally' assured by Mrs. Arroyo that she has approved the recommendation for his appointment as Lhuillier’s replacement.

They said one of the greatest achievements of Lhuillier was the approval of the OFWs campaign in Italy to reduce the cost of green passport fees from 65 euro to 50 euro now. The certificates, affidavit and drivers licenses, translation and other consular fees were also reduced from 32.50 euro to 25 euro now.

“Ang isa sa naitulong niya sa Filipino community in Italy ay ang kanyang pakikibahagi sa mga OFW sa pag-apila ng pagbaba ng presyo ng passport sa Italya,” Mendoza said.

Conflict of interest?
Mendoza also questioned why Cuenco, who is a representative of Cebu, will be designated to take Lhuillier’s position.

“Para bang there is a certain political maneuvering na nakikita ko kasi si ambassador is not a politician how come na ang ipapalit mo ay isang congressman na nakaupo from Cebu. There is a conflict interest,” Mendoza stated.

Ramos echoed his colleague’s sentiments adding that it is not the right time to replace the present ambassador.

“Malaking gastos sa aming mga Pilipino na nagbabayad ng tax at malaking gastos sa ating bansa. Nasa critical na sitwasyon tayo na sunod-sunod ang bagyo sa atin tapos bibigyan pa tayo ng ganitong bagyo,” said Ramos.

The news reports on the alleged replacement of Lhuillier shocked Filipino community leaders.

“Nabigla ako sa balita na tatangalin na o papalitan na si ambassador kasi maituturi siya na ambassador ng masa kasi bumaba siya sa kanyang upuan para libutin ang lahat ng community para ihandog ang kanyang maitutulong dito sa Roma at buong Italya,” said active volunteer Nick Calbay.

“Nakakapanghinayang na palitan siya ng hindi pa naman tapos ang panunungkulan niya,” said Norie Argana, active member of the Holy Spirit community.

Those who witnessed how the ambassador performed his duty maintained that he should stay until the end of his term.

“Kami kilala namin siya personally at marami siyang nagawa dito sa aming mga Pilipino kaya dapat lang na tapusin muna ang kanyang term bago siya palitan,” said Marie Jean Dameg from the Bagong Bayani Foundation.

Jeremias Benjamin, chairman of Concerned Citizen in Rome further added that Lhuillier helped the community a lot.

“Maraming natutulungan dito. Impormasyon, mga iba-ibang bagay, seminars, mga training kaya nais naming magkaroon siya ng extension hindi lang sa doubt sa botohan pero kailangan pa namin ang serbisyo niya. Malaki pa ang naitutulong niya dito,” said Benjamin.

FilCom leaders will continue collecting signatures from OFWs in their respective communities and would organize a text brigade to inform other Filipinos about their campaign. The signatures will be part of the petition letter which will be then forwarded to Malacanang before Mrs. Arroyo makes a final decision on the matter.