MikeLigalig.com

By Gloria Jane Baylon

Former ambassador to Washington Albert del Rosario, was sworn in late this afternoon as Secretary of Foreign Affairs by President Benigno Aquino III, succeeding Alberto G. Romulo who served close to seven years.

Following his swearing-in, the new Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) met with senior DFA officials, led by Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio.

DFA’s Union of Foreign Service Officers (Unifors) said it welcomed del Rosario’s assumption of office and expressed support for the new Secretary in his pursuit of foreign policy objectives.

At the same time, Unifors president and Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Jaime Victor Ledda, said his group thanks Romulo for his leadership of the DFA, particularly his “untiring support to the career corps.”

In an ambush interview after meeting with DFA senior officials, del Rosario said he is “honored by the appointment and the President’s confidence in me. I will try my best to live up to it.”

He said that he will immediately plunge into addressing the current challenges at the DFA, including the situation of Filipinos in the Middle East and North Africa.

The 71-year old Secretary confirmed he is joining President Aquino in the latter’s state visits to Indonesia and Singapore in March.

Del Rosario was the Philippine ambassador to Washington in the early part of the Arroyo administration. (PNA)

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