Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has been appointed as ad interim Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) chief. He replaces Albert del Rosario, who resigned from his post effective Tue, Mar 8, due to health reasons.
“President Noynoy Aquino acknowledged that Almendras is his troubleshooter and he is with him almost all the time during foreign engagements which makes him qualified for the post,” reports Frances Mangosing on Inquirer.net.
Aquino was quoted as saying, “Hindi ba parang—nag-function as Cabinet Secretary, nag-function siya parang troubleshooter. Ang dami niyang pinuntahan whether ‘yung pantalan, et cetera. Baka hindi masyado nating batid ‘yung pagsasara ‘nung isyu sa Hong Kong, malaking bahagi ang parte niya diyan. Iyong dito sa naging gusot natin sa Taiwan, nakihalo rin siya diyan.”
Translation: “He functioned as a Cabinet Secretary and also like a troubleshooter. He went to various places like docks and others. Others may not know it but he played a huge part in closure of the Hong Kong issue. He was also involved in resolving our spat with Taiwan.”
The report noted: “Almendras’ designation comes in a crucial time that the country is waiting for the arbitration court to decide on its case against China over the West Philippine Sea.”
