Romulo goes on indefinite leave
By Pia Lee-Brago, Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has gone on an indefinite leave of absence to pave the way for the assumption of his successor, diplomatic sources said yesterday.
The sources told The STAR that Romulo has been on leave since Wednesday but invited undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to a lunch yesterday at Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.
Malacañang sources said former ambassador to Washington Albert del Rosario would likely replace Romulo who is expected to be appointed as Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations.
“Secretary Romulo filed for a leave of absence in the morning of Feb. 16 and even packed his things in his room at the Office of the Secretary,†one of the sources said.
Career diplomats at the DFA may have clashed with Romulo over different issues but they do not agree with the “timing†of replacing him at the height of the crisis involving three Filipinos to be executed in China.
The diplomats said the DFA should be fully focused, acting strongly and being led by the secretary but he knew he is being replaced.
They believe Romulo should stay a little longer also in time for a special meeting next week called by Indonesia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to discuss the Cambodia-Thailand dispute. The ASEAN meeting could be Romulo’s farewell to his counterparts, they said.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=37941.0
Topic: Albert del Rosario Will Replace Alberto Romulo as DFA Secretary (Read 713 times)