Cayetano: Don't use DFA, career diplomats on calls for my resignation

MANILA, Philippines — Denying reports that career diplomats have been calling for his resignation, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano urged detractors to leave the department out of the issue.

Cayetano said that he will "go happily" if President Rodrigo Duterte wants him to step down.

"If there are people making calls, it’s their privilege and I respect that. But don’t use the name of the Department and the career officials unless sila talaga ‘yung nananawagan," Cayetano told reporters Wednesday evening.

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The Foreign Affairs chief was reacting to a report that career officers and his appointees at the DFA are calling for his resignation for gross incompetence that led to the diplomatic row with Kuwait.

Admitting that some senators and congressmen have been calling for resignation, Cayetano said that career officials should speak for themselves if they share the same sentiments.

"If a majority in the Department of Foreign Affairs says, 'We cannot follow you,' I have no business being there," Cayetano said.

"But so far, I have had meetings with them and, so far, they understand. They might not necessarily agree with our direction, but they understand," he added.

Cayetano also denied rumors that he was using the DFA, particularly the release of the videos showing rescue operations of OFWs in Kuwait, for early publicity for his political plans.

"Bakit, nandoon ba ako sa video? Kung gagamitin ko sa pulitika, eh ‘di ako na pumunta doon, ako na ang nag-rescue. Napaka-obvious naman ‘nun," Cayetano said.

Prior to Cayetano's interview on Wednesday night, the DFA had released a statement disputing a report that career diplomats have written Duterte to call for the secretary's resignation.

"The alleged clamor by career officials for the secretary to resign as contained in the supposed letter came from some who do not represent the views of the entire career Foreign Service Corps," the DFA said.