Incoming DFA chief shuns ‘microphone diplomacy’

PHNOM PENH  – Newly appointed foreign affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano promised to refrain from talking too much in public in carrying out his duties as the country’s top diplomat.

Cayetano, who is known as an outspoken senator, said that as foreign affairs secretary, he would engage in less “microphone diplomacy” because many things in diplomacy could not be discussed in public.

“It would be a totally different strategy this time with the Executive department. There will be no more microphone diplomacy,” he said in a press briefing at the Himawari Hotel on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) here.

Cayetano promised he would work hard in implementing President Duterte’s foreign policy, especially on the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which Duterte himself promised in his recent meeting with the OFWs.

Cayetano also expressed confidence he would get the nod of the powerful Commission on Appointments, which recently rejected the appointment of Gina Lopez as environment secretary and Perfecto Yasay Jr. as foreign affairs chief. 

While Cayetano has promised to talk less, members of Duterte’s Cabinet, including Cayetano, jostled for the microphone during the international launch of the government’s economic agenda dubbed as Dutertenomics at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel on Thursday.

“Too many competing ministers,” said Adrian Monk, host of the launch and member of the managing board of the WEF.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar were the main presenters.

Also present were Cayetano, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Bases Conversion and Development Authority head Vicencio Dizon and Press Secretary Martin Andanar. 

The foreign press asked about the country’s growth rate and the priority infrastructure projects, which Tugade said included the establishment of new airports outside of Metro Manila. 

Cayetano also wanted to answer the question on what assurance investors would get if they invest in the Philippines.

But Tugade and other Cabinet members already spoke, so Cayetano and other officials did not get the microphone when the press conference ended.