‘Why not?’ Zubiri says of proposal to appoint Duterte as special envoy to China

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri. Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — Asked to disclose his thoughts on the proposed appointment of former President Rodrigo Duterte as the country’s special envoy to China, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday said: “Why not?”

“Anyone who can help [with] diplomacy in this part of the world, in this exclusive economic zone, would be a big help,” said Zubiri in an interview over CNN Philippines’ The Source.

The lawmaker added that it could be Duterte, but he quipped that it could also be Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Why not Senator Alan as well to help in the backchanneling since he’s quite close to some of the officials there, being the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs?” said Zubiri.

Cayetano on Monday said the Marcos administration should appoint Duterte as a special envoy to China, citing the former president’s “good standing” with the Chinese government.

Cayetano, who served as chief of the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Duterte administration, also claimed that he “never” once saw Duterte compromise and sell out the Philippines.

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JPV/abc