Roque says Cayetano “still enjoys trust, confidence” of President Duterte
(Eagle News) — The Palace on Thursday, May 3, said there was no need for Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to resign.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Cayetano, after all, “still enjoys the trust and confidence” of President Rodrigo Duterte.
He said it should be Cayetano who should address the calls for resignation.
“(But) as far as the Palace is concerned, there is no reason for him to resign,” he said.
On Wednesday, May 2, a Philippine daily published a letter allegedly written by career officers asking Cayetano to resign from his post.
The supposed group made the call, citing Cayetano’s supposed lack of experience as a threat to the welfare of the Filipino workers in Kuwait, which expelled Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa over the allegedly illegal rescue of abused OFWs in the Middle Eastern country.
Kuwait also recalled its Manila representative.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, 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.
