Usec. Manalo named as acting DFA secretary

March 9, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed an acting secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs after the Commission on Appointments rejected the nomination of Perfecto Yasay Jr. to head the agency. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte has chosen DFA Undersecretary Enrique Manalo as acting secretary of the Department. "He will hold the position until the President appoints a new Secretary," he said in a statement. According to Abella, Manalo is an "excellent transition man, and has been on top of many crucial issues" together with Yasay. The 15 members of the CA present during deliberations unanimously voted against Yasay’s appointment due to his US citizenship. Celerina Monte/DMS