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<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-2/philip-goldberg-and-duterte-sm.webp" alt="Goldberg and Duterte" />
</div>
<p>
There is a cooler and more thoughtful way to handle this tale, and that is to let it stew in its own delusions. Let it disclose its authors because if there is really a plot the plotters won't be able to resist the compulsion to rattle the seemingly imperturbable Duterte.
</p>
<p>
Let the public speculate on the delicious coincidence that the three Ls of the anti-Duterte movement (Leni, Leila and Loida) happen to be in America today, all at the same time. Sooner or later, there will come homeward stories about how they met with Goldberg to plot their moves together.
</p>
<h3>
Liberals emerge from foxholes
</h3>
<p>
Let us contemplate the prospect that this plot, real or not, will probably induce the Liberal Party (LP) to finally proclaim itself as the political opposition to the Duterte administration. Let's watch how Franklin Drilon, Sonny Belmonte and other yellow cultists will emerge from their foxholes to signify that they still have a pulse.
</p>
<p>
There's nothing like Uncle Sam by your side to make you brave.
</p>
<h3>
An incident-laden diplomatic career
</h3>
<p>
And then allow the incident-laden career of Philip Goldberg to provide credence and plausibility to the destabilization plot. Reading about Goldberg on the Internet, I wondered whether there is a film or fiction that can match the high-level intrigue, scandal and threats that Goldberg generated wherever he was posted? Consider:
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<ol class="k-list">
<li>
Golderg served as US ambassador to Bolivia from October 13, 2006 to September 14, 2008.  In August 2007, the US was accused by Bolivian Minister Juan Ramón Quintana of funding opposition to President Morales by providing opposition leaders and critical think-tanks with millions of dollars.  On September 10, 2008, the Bolivian government gave Goldberg 72 hours to leave the country, after declaring him persona non grata.  Bolivia expelled Ambassador Goldberg for fomenting civil unrest that threatened not only the country's first indigenous Indian president, Evo Morales, but the unity of the nation itself.  Morales said in the official announcement: "Without fear of the empire, I declare Mr Goldberg, the US ambassador, 'persona non grata'. He is conspiring against democracy and seeking the division of Bolivia."
</li>
<li>
Goldberg served as US Ambassador to the Philippines from December 2, 2013 to November 4, 2016.  During the 2016 campaign for the Philippine presidency, candidate Duterte joked about wishing to be first in raping a pretty Australian missionary during a  hostage crisis in Davao City in 1989. Goldberg criticized DU30 for the vulgarism.  On August 9, 2016, President Duterte told US Secretary of State John Kerry that Ambassador Goldberg was a "gay son of a bitch" for meddling in Philippine politics.
</li>
<li>
Goldberg has a background in intelligence work. In the US state department, he served as assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research from February 16, 2010 to November 21, 2013. Rumor has it that he worked at one time for the CIA.
</li>
<li>
Goldberg, now 60, is listed as a senior American diplomat. He has also served diplomatic stints in Chile, Columbia, Kosovo, South Africa and Bosnia.  Speculations about Goldberg plotting against governments may or may not be justified. His presence during tumultuous events may not be accidental.
</li>
</ol>
<p>
In the Philippines, talk of Goldberg plotting regime change will find adherents, because American interference in Philippine politics is well-known. The overthrow of president Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and the coronation of Cory Aquino as his successor are believed to be the handiwork of the US government.
</p>


Philip Goldberg and the arrogance of power - adding America's wrongs against the Philippines