Romulo appoints temporary ambassador to Washington

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has appointed Consul General to Los Angeles Willy Gaa as temporary ambassador to Washington, diplomatic sources said yesterday.

The sources said Romulo has already signed Gaa’s appointment papers.

They called Gaa’s appointment as charge d’affaires an "unwise" decision that would result in duplicity of functions since there is already a current charge d’affaires, Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy in Washington, Evan Garcia, who for the time being is assuming the responsibilities of resigned ambassador Albert del Rosario.

"Gaa is going to Washington as Charge d’Affaires and I think that sending him there to temporarily head the embassy is not a good decision. We have a deputy ambassador at the Philippine Embassy in Washington who can take care of the embassy," one of the sources said. 

Garcia, a career diplomat with the rank of Chief of Mission Class II, had always been appointed as charge d’affaires when the ambassador is not in Washington.

The sources said Garcia was expected to head the embassy when the resignation of del Rosario takes effect on July 8 but plans have changed.

"But that is not the case. The secretary decided to send Gaa instead for reasons we do not know. The secretary has the prerogative to appoint anybody as charge d’affaires. Washington needs a high ranking person with stature who can open doors let alone, enough resources," another source said.

The sources said there is no schedule yet of Gaa’s arrival in Washington but the home office has already informed the embassy of his appointment. 

Meanwhile, DFA spokesman Gilberto Asuque said Gaa’s appointment as charge d’affaires was not yet final since Romulo has not yet signed Gaa’s papers.

"Evan Garcia is there. I don’t think the secretary will appoint a charge d’affaires. That’s speculative," Asuque said.

Asuque added that appointing Gaa to head the diplomatic mission post would be a very tedious process. 

"For one, he is accredited as Consul General by the State Department. His immunities are different from that of someone with full diplomatic status. It might cause confusion within the State Department so why go through all that complicated process?" Asuque said.

Last Tuesday, Romulo told reporters in a press conference that he has recommended three DFA career officers to President Arroyo as possible replacement for del Rosario.

But Romulo refused to divulge the names of the diplomats. 

Aside from Gaa, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja Jr.’s name was also floated as possible replacement.

Both Baja and Gaa are career diplomats.