DFA’s Manalo positive for COVID-19, to skip 55th ASEAN foreign ministers’ meet

FILE PHOTO: DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo. Philippine Daily Inquirer/ Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo announced Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.

Manalo also said that he would be skipping the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings in Cambodia this week due to this.

He maintained that the Philippines’ participation in the conference would not be affected as the country will be represented by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro in the meetings.

“I wish to inform everyone that I will not be participating in the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, this week, as I tested positive for COVID-19 early this weekend,” Manalo said in a tweet.

1/5 I wish to inform everyone that I will not be participating in the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this week, as I tested positive for COVID-19 early this weekend.

— Enrique A. Manalo 🇵🇭 (@SecManalo) August 1, 2022

“This would have been my first ASEAN engagement in my capacity as Secretary for Foreign Affairs, so it is unfortunate that my absence happens at this important time,” he added.

READ: Bongbong Marcos appoints career diplomat Enrique Manalo as DFA secretary

Manalo said he would concentrate on his recovery to return to working at the Department of Foreign Affairs as soon as possible.

“I have also sent regrets to Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and this year’s AMM Chair, H.E. PRAK Sokhonn,” he said.

“I will concentrate on recovery so I can go back to working at DFA as soon as possible, and I look forward to the next opportunity to meet with ASEAN colleagues and our  Dialogue Partners,” he added.

KGA/abc