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Tag: Department of Foreign Affairs

No Duterte fist pump for diplomat Delia Albert

Pres. Duterte at the 120th Anniversary of DFA, June 18, 2018. Delia Albert is sixth from right.Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante.

In the photo of President Duterte with diplomats at the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, distinguished diplomat Delia Albert stood out because she was the only one who was not doing the idiotic fist pump which has become the signature gesture of Duterte and his sycophants.

Albert, who was foreign secretary in 2003 under the Arroyo administration (she was at the helm of the foreign affairs department when truck driver Angelo de la Cruz was kidnapped by Islamist group in Iraq forcing the Philippines to withdraw from the US-led coalition) has served the country with distinction. A career diplomat she was ambassador to Australia and Germany, among the posts that she had held.

Albert is currently senior advisor at the Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co.

Erlinda Basilio expected to be named ambassador to China

Calm demeanor masks toughness
President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to name Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio as ambassador to China, reliable sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Malacanang said last Friday the President would announce Monday the new ambassador to China who will replace Sonia Brady,71, who suffered a stroke in Beijing last August.

Malacanang, however, made no such announcement, preoccupied it was with monitoring typhoon “Pablo.”

DFA sources said Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario submitted to the President three names, all career officers, for the post that is considered the most challenging in Philippine foreign affairs today.

Basilio has always been in the list of candidates for ambassador to China after Aquino family friend Domingo Lee withdrew from the position he was nominated for (he was never confirmed by the Commission on Appointments) in the wake of the standoff at the Panatag shoal, also known as Scarborough shoal, 123 nautical miles off Zambales in Central Luzon. But she has made herself valuable as undersecretary for policy in the home office.

Wanted: a well-paying job for Romulo

Albert del Rosario
Reports that former ambassador to the United Sates Albert del Rosario has agreed to be foreign secretary had raised the hopes of Foreign Service officers for reforms in the department that has been running without direction under Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo.
Alberto Romulo

But their hopes were dashed as quickly as they were raised because it has been confirmed that Romulo succeeded in convincing President Aquino again to let him stay until April this year.

Our sources at the DFA and Malacañang said the suspended departure of Romulo has created awkward situations as demonstrated by a scene at the recent vin d’ honneur in Malacañang. Members of the diplomatic community were all greeting del Rosario because it’s known in the community that he was assuming the position anytime that week.
Cabinet members have been told to coordinate with del Rosario on matters concerning foreign relations.

That was the same instruction given to Presidential Adviser for Peace Process Ging Deles.Those who are lobbying to be appointed or re-appointed ambassadors have also been told “to go see Albert.”