DFA exec named envoy to China

A career diplomat has been nominated as the new ambassador to Beijing following the resignation of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr.

Diplomatic sources said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sonia Brady was chosen from a "shortlist" of career diplomats.

Guingona, who was supposed to leave for Beijing this month, joined Chinese Ambassador Wu Hongbo at a dinner the night before he tendered his resignation.

His resignation was submitted last July 8, same day former Cabinet members, led by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, announced their resignation and demanded that President Arroyo step down, and allow Vice President Noli de Castro to take over as her constitutional successor.

Sources said Ambassador to Wellington Rora Tolentino, also a career diplomat, will replace Brady as foreign affairs undersecretary for policy.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said in a press conference Wednesday that he recommended to Mrs. Arroyo that a career diplomat be named the new ambassador to Beijing.

Romulo, who is in Vientiane, Laos for the 38th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting, said he supports the appointment of career foreign service officers who rose from the ranks.

Sources said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Protocol Jose Zaide will be named ambassador to Paris, while newspaper columnist Amando Doronila will be ambassador to Brussels, Belgium.

Last July 8, Guingona said Mrs. Arroyo is in a "push and pull" situation because she is bent on remaining at Malacañang, but the decision is now out of her hands.

"I think it’s a push and pull thing," he was quoted as saying in a television interview. "She’s really dedicated to stay, but the decision may be beyond her already."

Asked how Mrs. Arroyo is grappling with the situation, Guingona said he sympathizes with her, but that it goes beyond personal feelings and challenges the soul of democracy and governance itself.

"She finds comfort in the moral support of some people," he said.

His conscience had "dictated" that he resign as ambassador to Beijing, Guingona said.

Mrs. Arroyo named Guingona ambassador to Beijing last January to replace Ambassador Willy Gaa who was assigned to the consulate in San Francisco.

He was supposed to leave for Beijing this month after Gaa had arranged preparations for Chinese President Hu Jintao’s official visit to Manila last April.

At the celebration of 30 years of Philippines-China diplomatic relations at the Manila Hotel last month, Guingona, who started the impeachment process against deposed President Joseph

Estrada with his famous "I accuse" speech delivered in the Senate, declined to comment when asked by The STAR about the alleged involvement of First Gentleman Joe Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, his son, Pampanga Rep., Juan Miguel "Mikee" Arroyo, and his brother, Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo in jueteng payoffs.