‘Special envoy to China won’t overshadow Guingona’

Malacañang’s appointment of a special envoy to China will not interfere with the functions of former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr., who is now ambassador to China.

A ranking official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the appointment of special envoy to China Jose Antonio is not a regular item in the department.

The official said a special envoy has no budgetary allocation or salary from the DFA.

"I do not think this will intrude on the functions of (Guingona)," the official said. "This position is not from the DFA. There is no position of this nature."

While an ambassador must be based in the country where he heads a diplomatic mission, a special envoy carries out special assignments assigned by President Arroyo but is based in Manila.

The appointment of a special envoy could be another political "accommodation" by Malacañang, the official said.

Antonio was sworn in as special envoy to China by the President recently. He may be assigned to speak with Chinese investors on the President’s behalf.

"Unlike an ambassador, a special envoy does not really have clout," the official said. "It is really nothing but a special assignment." — Pia Lee-Brago