Beauty queen cop Sofia Loren Deliu is new Duterte aide

MANILA, Philippines — A female police officer and former beauty contestant is President Duterte’s new aide.

The appointment of Senior Insp. Sofia Loren Deliu as aide-de-camp came on the heels of the resignation of special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go, who is running for senator in the midterm elections next year.

But Go emphasized Deliu is not his replacement.

The President announced Deliu’s new task in his speech at the 2017 Philippine Quality Award and conferment ceremony at Malacañang yesterday.

In his remarks, Duterte called her Go’s replacement.   

“She’s Bong’s replacement. Stand up... Face them. Stand up,” he said while introducing her to his audience. Go served as Duterte’s aide for more than two decades.

Deliu, a Filipina-Romanian, was a contestant in the Ms. Earth-Philippines competition in 2015. She was then already a member of the Philippine National Police.

The President stood as godfather in Deliu’s wedding to P/Insp. Abdul-Bassar Abdurajak last March in Zamboanga City.

With her appointment, Deliu was also promoted to captain yesterday.

Deliu was among the first women police officers detailed as security officers of the President soon after he assumed office in 2016. She entered the PNP Academy in Cavite in 2006.  

While she serves as Duterte’s aide, Deliu will not have Cabinet rank and will not be called SAP, or Special Assistant to the President, a title created for Go.

Sources said Duterte might no longer appoint a new SAP. Two people are reportedly handling the functions that Go used to perform.