Palace defends order to defer recall of political envoys

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang defended the order for the Department of Foreign Affairs to defer its recall of political ambassadors so as to avoid a vacuum in leadership of the affected diplomatic posts around the world.

Deputy presidential spokesman Rogelio Peyuan emphasized that the deferment of the recall order issued by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo for the political ambassadors does not change the fact that they have to vacate their posts on June 30 when President Arroyo steps down from office.

DFA assistant secretary Victoria Bataclan said that the order from Malacañang could create confusion among the affected ambassadors who might interpret it as a signal to hold over.

However, Peyuan said the memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza to Romulo did not conflict with the recall order but was merely for clarification purposes only.

We see no conflict at all. Its just a reiteration or a clarification of the Palace by the Executive Secretary so as not to create a vacuum, Peyuan said.

He explained that the recall of the political ambassadors, which he estimated to be around 22 or 25, would basically mean that we will not be having ambassadors at all at the same time, 25 of them in different posts all over the world.

Romulo has reportedly resented the order from Mendoza and maintained that unless these ambassadors terms are extended by the next president, they have no other choice but to come home.

Peyuan expressed confidence that orders would eventually be reconciled and all the parties concerned would be clarified about the matter.

He said that there should be no confusion about the political ambassadors being co-terminus with the appointing authority.

The DFA, however, yesterday said the controversy on the deferment of the recall orders for political ambassadors has implications on the conduct of Philippine diplomacy.

Ambassadors who have concerns about the recent guidelines may communicate internally with the concerned administrative offices at the DFA for guidance, said DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya.

The DFA declined to comment further on the deferment of the recall order.

Philippine Ambassador to Poland Alejandro del Rosario said yesterday he was complying with the recall order for all political ambassadors even as Malacañang deferred its implementation.

Del Rosario, a former newsman and the second political ambassador to leave his post, said he is booked to return to Manila on June 19, the first available flight home after hosting Philippine Independence Day commemoration activities.

In Iran, Rosario Lemque, career minister and next ranking senior officer, has assumed as charge d’affaires at the Philippine embassy in Tehran after former ambassador Generoso Senga submitted his irrevocable resignation effective May 15.

Sources said that Philippine Ambassador to The Hague Cardozo Luna may already be preparing to leave his diplomatic post after requesting quotation for the shipment of his household and personal equipment.

The ambassadors recalled to the Home Office are Ma. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes (Santiago); Acmad Omar (Muscat); Antonio Villamor (Riyadh); Francisco Ortigas III (Mexico); Jose Brillantes (Ottawa); Ernesto de Leon (Canberra); Orlando Mercado (ASEAN-Jakarta); Vidal Querol (Jakarta); Ramoncito Marino (Koror); Francisco Benedicto (Beijing); Noe Wong (Phnom Penh); Shirley Ho-Vicario (Port Moresby); Domingo Siazon Jr. (Tokyo); Bienvenido Tejano (Wellington); Rigoberto Tiglao (Athens); Delia Albert (Berlin); Manuel Antonio Teehankee (Geneva WTO); Antonio Manuel Lagdameo Jr. (London); Regina Irene Sarmiento (Prague); Mercedes Tuason (Vatican); Alexander Yano (Brunei); Ana Ines de Sequera-Ugarte (Madrid); Luna, Del Rosario and Senga.             – With Pia Lee-Brago