PRESIDENT Aquino said whoever will replace outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has a “tough shoes to fill.”
In his interview with reporters at the Intercontinental Hotel here on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), President Aquino commended the 76-year-old Cabinet official for his exemplary service as head of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“This is the first time you gave me the opporunity na dapat pasalamatan natin si Albert,” he said during his traditional interview with the Philippine media delegation covering his 3-day visit in California.
The President recalled the “propensity” of Del Rosario for going to conflict-ridden countries like Libya even without his permission.
“Nung umpisa binibiro ko sabi ko: ‘Albert, I don’t relish negotiating for the safe release of my Secretary of Foreign Affairs,’ he quipped.
He described the official as a “blessing” bestowed upon him in his six-year administration.
“An area where I don’t really have that much expertise, he took in quite a lot of the burden and really performed his role as adviser. So, tough shoes to fill,” he said.
He admitted that del Rosario had to quit his post due to “severe health issues”, which he has been enduring for quite a long time.
“Maaawa tayo doon sa tao. Napansin naman niyo kapag nakatayo, naka-stoop, kung minsan naka-angle e. He really has severe health issues and this has been going on for quite some time. And the treatment that was expected to resolve it, especially the issue sa back, did not produce the anticipated result,” he said.
“The issue with the back makes it difficult for him to sit a long time, to stand up a long time and even to sleep. Any movement causes a lot of pain,” he added.
“Albert still is able to fulfill his functions but as a friend, as a fellow citizen, he has really borne a lot of the burden for a lot of us, for a very long time… Kailangan nating bawasan ‘yung burdens niya,” he said.
Del Rosario’s resignation will take effect on March 7.
Aquino said he has four people in mind to replace del Rosario but he has yet to meet with them.
He, meanwhile, denied that Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda is interested in the position.
“Hindi, hindi. Well, news sa akin iyan. Never niyang binanggit sa akin na interesado siya doon sa pwesto,” he said. (PND)