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NEW YORK --- The news about Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong renting a $10,000 a month condominium at the posh Trump World Tower near the United Nations in Manhattan is out in the open. Now more can be said and there's no holding back.
And it's a story that started in this page almost a year ago when I wrote "Strange Bedfellows in Looking for William" which mentioned "a government official renting a $10,000 apartment on 48th street in Manhattan"
I don't anticipate seeing an early conclusion of this story without the consul general taking more flak from people who are enraged by her high-class living. And despite the Department of Foreign Affairs coming out publicly to defend her use of the high-priced apartment, it may have also something to say to her in private.
We'll know the results later when the rupture subsides and if changes, no matter how subtle, happen either in the corridors of power on the third floor of the Philippine Center or when the Trump Tower unit is vacated.
If nothing happens, it is possible that street-power and the power of the Internet will ultimately put pressure on where the buck stops in Malacanang Palace. Just like what happened to the former Los Angeles Consul General Edwin Bael in 2002.
But even with that thought, people wonder if a change would occur as they consider Rebong's ability to exercise some form of high level power-play. When Rebong left New York for Manila as a result of her mandatory end-of-tour duty abroad, she eventually became chief of protocol at the office of the president.
Rebong's predecessor, Consul General Linglingay Lacanlale, took over her (Rebong) post when she returned to Manila. Whether or not that was a coincidence, like others, I could only guess. Or was it a case of quid pro quo?
Awhile back in Los Angeles, I interviewed Bael about the possibility of Rebong replacing Lacanlale when her tour of duty ended. Bael said: "I don't think that's possible. She's junior to anyone I know in the ministry."
Well, Bael was wrong. Rebong got her promotion and was sent back to New York, a plum diplomatic post.
As if by a twist of fate, he resigned from his post amid community clamor for his re-assignment or recall to Manila due to circumstances that are similar to Rebong's renting a luxurious residence in addition to other allegations of abuse of authority.
Bael rented a mansion in Beverly Hills instead of renewing the lease at LA's Hankok Park, a local version of the so-called Diplomatic Row.
Instead of going back to Manila, however, he was reportedly sponsored by an immigration lawyer and was assigned to the law firm's branch in San Diego.
Even while assigned in Manila, Rebong's family continued to live in their Staten Island residential house, which is a 45-minute drive from Manhattan. When she comes home for regular family visits, Staten Island was her place to stay.
Upon her return in late 2003, she could have opted to remain there but she went on apartment hunting. As it turned out, Trump World Tower was her final choice after reportedly rejecting a condo across the Lincoln Center, which cost about half the amount that Trump Tower charges. Apparently, the size of the apartment was small for her needs.
The question is: What's wrong with Staten Island? If she and her family stayed there for a number of years, why did she have to move to Manhattan?
Was the allure of luxurious living more appealing to her than the amount of money that can be saved to improve the conditions of the less fortunate and the poor in our homeland?
What's wrong with Queens where rent is cheap? Or in Jersey City where rent is cheaper? Will she consider going back to Staten Island where she is welcomed as a homeowner?
When Willy Gaa was consul general here (who is supposedly the new LA consul general), he lived in a modest apartment. Even the Philippines' Permanent Representative to the United Nations lives in a townhouse in Manhattan owned by the Philippine government. The place pales in comparison to Rebong's choice.
There are places that maintain the dignity due to a dignitary like herself; however, it becomes a personal choice when the option is like the Trump World Tower. It leads to having a lifestyle that is paid for by taxpayer's money.
The $10,000 rent the government pays for her apartment could be translated into hundreds of pesos that can pay for 30 classrooms for the government's "Adopt-A-Classroom" project or build 120 Gawad Kalinga houses.
Ironically, these two projects, which she proudly promotes and endorses to the community, were not in her mind when she chose to live at the Trump World Tower.
That's the $10,000 question.
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