Romulo hosts lunch for Del Rosario, but no turnover yet

MANILA, Philippines - In preparation for the assumption of office of his successor, outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo initiated a meeting of former Philippine ambassador to Washington Albert del Rosario with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Del Rosario said in a chance interview that the lunch at the Diamond Hotel and meeting with the DFA undersecretaries yesterday was just a get-together with old friends.

“It was just a social, graciously put together by the foreign secretary to be able to meet up with old friends,” Del Rosario told reporters.

When asked about his appointment and assumption at the DFA, Del Rosario said, “I think we’ll have to wait for a proper announcement.”

Sources said Del Rosario was supposed to attend with Romulo the briefing for DFA undersecretaries and assistant secretaries in the hotel after the lunch hosted by Romulo.

But Del Rosario was not able to attend the briefing because Malacañang called him to an urgent meeting on the current civil unrest in Libya and the situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there.

Acting DFA Secretary Erlinda Basilio joined Del Rosario at the Palace meeting.

Romulo said Del Rosario was given some pointers during the talk with undersecretaries and discussion on current issues, including the unrest in Libya.

Romulo said Del Rosario will have an easy time leading the DFA, having served the country as ambassador.

“I certainly endorsed him because he’s a good friend of mine and a man of integrity. He’s competent. The President would not have chosen a better one than him,” he added.

Romulo said a turnover will be done in a formal ceremony at the DFA after the new secretary takes his oath.

Romulo has gone on an indefinite leave of absence.

DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said Romulo has designated Basilio, Undersecretary for Policy, as acting secretary for the duration of his leave of absence.

DFA sources said Romulo filed for a leave of absence in the morning of Feb. 16 and began packing his things at the Office of the Secretary.

Sources said the appointment papers of Del Rosario have been signed by President Aquino but there are legal questions regarding his assumption.

 GAA feted at Blair House

Outgoing Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa was feted by the US State Department with a farewell reception at the Blair House.

The Philippine embassy said that in attendance during the reception on Feb. 18 were guests from the diplomatic corps and several US government agencies.

Former central bank governor Jose Cuisia Jr. will succeed Gaa.

The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed Cuisia’s nomination last Feb. 8.

The embassy said Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall, chief of protocol, cited Gaa’s accomplishments as the Philippines’ top diplomat in the US and read a letter from Secretary Hillary Clinton, which expressed the American people’s and the Obama administration’s gratitude for Gaa’s service and efforts to strengthen the partnership between the US and the Philippines.

In his remarks, Gaa cited the significant strides that have been made in building the US-Philippines bilateral relations and in maintaining their relevance in the lives of citizens of both countries.

Gaa said his tenure in the American capital is and will always be a source of personal pride and honor.

Located opposite the Old Executive Office Building in the White House, the historic Blair House serves as the official state guest house of the US President.

Foreign heads of state visiting the President are accommodated at the Blair House, as well as several American presidents-elect and their families, who spend there the last few nights before their formal inauguration.

The DFA said Cuisia’s appointment would complement the efforts of President Aquino’s economic team.

In addition to fostering close relations with the US in the political, economic, people-to-people, and other fields, the DFA said Cuisia’s appointment would be a huge boost towards the attainment of the country’s development goals.