/ AFP / Ted Aljibe/
(Eagle News) – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday, May 2, dismissed calls for him to resign, saying they were only part of “politics.”
“So the calls are normal, you know — politics — but I think kayo na mag- in this last year whether we stepped up or we’ve slacked off in taking care of concerns of our OFWs,” Cayetano told reporters after welcoming at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa, who was expelled by the Kuwaiti government.
The expulsion took place in protest of what the Kuwaiti government deemed an illegal rescue mission conducted by Philippine Embassy officials of distressed Filipino workers there.
According to Cayetano, he remains “focused” on his job.
“If a majority in the (Department of Foreign Affairs) says ‘we cannot follow you,’ I have no business being there. But so far, I have had meetings with them, and so far, they understand. They might not necessarily agree with our direction, but they understand,” Cayetano said.
Earlier Wednesday, a letter attributed to unnamed DFA career officers was published in a Philippine daily, asking Cayetano to resign from his post, citing his supposed lack of experience as a threat to the welfare of the Filipino workers in Kuwait.
The report said the resignation call was sent to Malacañang.
The DFA, however, said in a statement later that day that the “Office of the President has not seen such a letter.”
It also called the report “malicious,” and based on “unverified information.”
“The alleged clamor by career officials for the Secretary to resign as contained in the supposed letter came from some who do not represent the views of the entire career Foreign Service Corps,” DFA said.
“Career officials remain committed to the highest standard of professionalism and patriotism. Under the guidance of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the career foreign service corps can be counted upon to pursue the President’s vision of an independent foreign policy,” the DFA statement added.