Robredo’s spox on Locsin’s decision to nix diplomatic passports: Start with yours

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. should start his plan to revoke existing diplomatic passports by canceling his own, Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesperson said Monday.

In a tweet, former Rep. Barry Gutierrez said “cancelling ‘courtesy’ diplomatic passports after China refused to honor Sec. ADR’s [Albert del Rosario] is not promoting professionalism but justifying cowardice,” Gutierrez said.

“Besides, if @teddyboylocsin really wanted to limit these passports to ‘real, working diplomats’ he should start by cancelling his own,” he added, throwing a shade at Locsin’s body of work.

Cancelling “courtesy” diplomatic passports after China refused to honor Sec ADR’s is not promoting professionalism but justifying cowardice. Besides, if @teddyboylocsin really wanted to limit these passports to “real, working diplomats” he should start by cancelling his own.

— Barry Gutierrez (@barrygutierrez3) June 24, 2019

Gutierrez’ comments came after Locsin called Robredo “stupid” for warning against moves to cancel the diplomatic passports. Locsin countered that the special passport should not be used as favors to retirees and friends.

“Hey boba, that is precisely why I have ordered the cancellation of all courtesy diplomatic passports because I refuse to single out Del Rosario,” Locsin said on Twitter.

READ: Locsin calls Robredo ‘boba’ and asks someone to ‘give her a brain’

“Will someone please do her the kindness to give her a brain? Here I am trying to do what’s right, which is to restrict diplomatic passports to real existing working diplomats so as not to devalue them abroad—and not pass them out as favors to retirees & friends,” he added.

https://twitter.com/teddyboylocsin/status/1143059671160279040

Will someone please do her the kindness to give her a brain? Here I am trying to do what's right, which is to restrict diplomatic passports to real existing working diplomats so as not to devalue them abroad—and not pass them out as favors to retirees & friends. https://t.co/ME8599EeAU

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2019

READ: DFA to cancel all diplomatic passports issued to ex-top diplomats

READ: Locsin: Canceling courtesy passports isn’t unlawful

He eventually ‘apologized’ to Robredo, saying there are issues that require “study and thought.” (Editor: Eden Estopace)

I don't mean to be disrespectful Ma'am. You are just a missing heartbeat away from the Presidency. I respect you for that accident of fortune. But there are things that require a measure of study & thought. Please ask me next time. At your service, Ma'am. https://t.co/ghTHGtwKeg

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2019