Noynoy retains Romulo as DFA chief By Michaela P. del Callar 06/28/2010

Noynoy retains Romulo as DFA chief

By Michaela P. del Callar 06/28/2010 President-elect Benigno Aquino III yesterday ignored the call of Philippine career diplomats demanding a new leadership at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and decided to retain Alberto Romulo as secretary of Foreign Affairs for an undetermined time.  Emerging from a meeting with Aquino in the President-elect’s Times Street residence in Quezon City, Romulo told reporters that he will continue to serve as DFA secretary. “He asked me to remain in the Cabinet. I am honored and I have accepted,” he said. “There is no period (for my term). You know all of us serve at the pleasure of the President.” Several career diplomats who belong to the Union of Foreign Service Officers, the sole organization representing Philippine diplomats, have threatened to take a mass leave if Aquino reappoints Romulo whom they accused of political turncoatism, incompetence and mishandling of an allegedly graft-tainted passport project.  They added Romulo is a “major impediment” to the DFA’s forward movement. Romulo, who served as Budget secretary of Aquino’s mother, late President Corazon Aquino, was the first Cabinet member of President Arroyo to openly declare support for Aquino’s bid for the presidency last year.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100628hed2.html

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