Palace: Romulo to stay on as DFA chief until 2010

Malacañang maintained yesterday that Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo would be staying at his post until 2010 amid reports of a strong lobby to have him removed and named as ambassador to the United States.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye issued the statement following reports that Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. had been lobbying with President Arroyo to have Ambassador Lauro Baja, the country’s envoy to the United Nations, replace Romulo.

"Those reports have no basis," Bunye said in a press briefing. "Secretary Romulo will remain in his current position for the remainder of the term of the President."

Romulo on Sunday said he had "no interest nor desire" to take an ambassadorial assignment and that he was grateful for the President’s trust and confidence in him as Foreign Affairs Secretary.

He said Mrs. Arroyo and himself had agreed on a diplomatic agenda that will be pursued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) under his leadership "in the coming months and for the remainder" of the President’s term. — Paolo Romero