PNoy hopes to fill top diplomatic post in China by February

November 30, 2012 5:38pm

President Benigno Aquino III is hopeful that the country will be able to fill the top diplomatic post in China by February, to replace Sonia Brady who will resign due to health reasons.

Interviewed at the sidelines of his meeting with Liberal Party members in Mandaue City in Cebu, Aquino said he is set to meet with the candidate, whom he did not identify but whose gender he hinted at, on Monday.

“‘Yung process na ino-nominate natin, haharap sa CA [for] approval ng CA bago siya makaupo... with a little luck, hopefully, by February, she will be in Beijing,” Aquino said, referring to the Commission on Appointments, the body that confirms presidential appointments.

Aquino said the candidate was referred to him by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. “Mukhang very capable ‘yung kanyang candidate,” he said.

Aquino had earlier outlined his requirements for the ambassador in light of the country's territorial dispute with China. “You need somebody who’s nandoon na lahat: Alam ‘yung system, mature, patient—ang daming criteria dahil nga very sensitive post,” he said.

Aquino's statement came following the Philippines' decision to protest China's move to include on its e-passports image of a map that includes areas in the South China Sea that were being claimed by the Philippines and other countries. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will not recognize such e-passports.

Also, in a move that provoked negative reactions from Manila, Beijing announced that come 2013, Chinese authorities will board and seize foreign ships that will pass by the disputed territories.

Brady, 71, suffered a stroke in her home in Beijing late August. While she is recovering, her deputy Alex Chua is taking over most of her duties.

Brady was appointed ambassador to China to help sort out diplomatic issues with Beijing, which has been locked in increasingly tense territorial disputes with the Philippines since April. Her May appointment was the second time she accepted the top envoy post to China, having first served ambassador to Beijing from 2006 to 2010 under then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News