CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City’s 2nd District has urged President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to retain Secretary Enrique Manalo as head of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“Among the officials replaced, he is the least deserving,” Rodriguez said.
The lawmaker praised Manalo’s leadership, citing his efforts to uphold the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea and his support for the passage of laws on the Philippine Maritime Zone and Archipelagic Sea Lanes.
Rodriguez also credited Manalo for strengthening security partnerships with nations that respect international law.
“He has served the DFA with professionalism and order,” he said.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin earlier confirmed that Manalo would be appointed as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations, a post he previously held under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The current UN envoy, Antonio Lagdameo Sr., is set to retire on July 31.
Manalo will be replaced at the DFA by Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro. Rodriguez criticized the move as a demotion.
“He will move from secretary to ambassador and will report to someone who was once his subordinate. That setup is not fair,” he said, recommending that another senior diplomat be assigned to the UN post instead.
He added that the role is important and that many officials within the DFA would be both qualified and interested in the position.
