Aquino on new DFA chief Almendras: He’s my troubleshooter

New DFA chief Jose Rene Almendras. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

FERNANDO AIR BASE, Batangas—President Benigno Aquino III wanted to make the most out of his remaning 113 days in office so he chose Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras as ad interim foreign affairs secretary.

“He has, of course, my utmost trust and confidence proven his skills in so many different fora and, at the end of the day, ‘yung pagdadamay niya sa akin ((he was sympathizing with me) in the remaining—what? Is it a 113 days, ano (right)? Talagang sinagad-sagad ko na (I’m making the most out of it),” he told reporters in a press briefing after the Air Force turnover ceremonies here.

Almendras replaced Secretary Albert del Rosario, who resigned from his post effective Tuesday due to health reasons. However, the latter reportedly recommended career diplomat Laura del Rosario (not related).

READ: Del Rosario quits DFA, cites health

Aquino acknowledged that Almendras is his troubleshooter and he is with him almost all the time during foreign engagements which makes him qualified for the post.

“Hindi ba parang—nag-function as Cabinet Secretary, nag-function siya parang troubleshooter. Ang dami niyang pinuntahan whether ‘yung pantalan, et cetera. Baka hindi masyado nating batid ‘yung pagsasara ‘nung isyu sa Hong Kong, malaking bahagi ang parte niya diyan. Iyong dito sa naging gusot natin sa Taiwan, nakihalo rin siya diyan,” Aquino said of Almendras.

(He functioned as a Cabinet Secretary and also like a troubleshooter. He went to various places like docks and others. Others may not know it but he played a huge part in closure of the Hong Kong issue. He was also involved in resolving our spat with Taiwan.)

Almendras’ designation comes in a crucial time that the country is waiting for the arbitration court to decide on its case against China over the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Almendras named DFA chief

“Kasamahan ko siya kadalasan dito sa mga foreign engagement natin. Nakakadagdag siya sa mga tinrabaho (trabaho) ni Secretary Albert (del Rosario) at saka ng Department of Foreign Affairs lalo na ‘pag ‘yung mga…Katulad ‘nung ano sa Taiwan, sa batas po nating na One China Policy prevented ang President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs at saka Secretary of National Defense from dealing with anybody in the Taiwanese government. So, tamang-tama somebody na senior (official) like the Cab Sec (Cabinet Secretary) could go at points in time without—actually with adherence or full adherence to our One China law,” Aquino added.

(I was with him most of the time in our foreign engagements. He assisted in the works of Secretary Albert and Department of Foreign Affairs epecially with regard to Taiwan, in our One China Policy, the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of National Defense are prevented from dealing with anybody in the Taiwanese government. So, it was appropriate that a senior (official) like the Cab Sec (Cabinet Secretary) could go at points in time without—actually with adherence or full adherence to our One China law.) RAM