Brady recuperating, says DFA

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Brady is recuperating and will shortly be flying back to Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

“She’s fine. Ambassador Brady is fast improving and she’ll be back soon in our country. She’ll be coming back very soon,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said during a press briefing.

Brady is having difficulty speaking after she suffered a stroke last month.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in an interview that there are plans to fly Brady to Manila in the latter part of this week.

Del Rosario said Brady’s condition has been improving everyday. He said a team from the DFA would fly to Beijing to escort Brady home.

The foreign secretary visited Brady in Beijing last Aug. 25. President Aquino had instructed Del Rosario to start looking for the envoy’s replacement so she could have more time to fully recover. 

Del Rosario has submitted to the President the shortlist of candidates for the next ambassador to China.

He said included in the shortlist are three to four career diplomats and experienced professionals, two of whom have previously been posted to China. He hoped the President would decide soon.