2 Guingona men in DFA quit too

Taking the cue from the boss, two undersecretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have voluntarily stepped down to give President Arroyo a free hand in reorganizing the agency.

Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Merlin Magallona and Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Sixto Roxas submitted their courtesy resignations to the President last Wednesday, two days before Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. was considered to have officially vacated his concurrent post as secretary of foreign affairs.

Magallona, a former law dean at the University of the Philippines, said their offer to resign is subject to the acceptance of Mrs. Arroyo, who appointed them upon Guingona’s recommendation.

"I did not state any reason. I thought it is part of propriety that (since) the President is taking over as secretary of foreign affairs, it’s proper that she be given the opportunity to work together with her own choice of officials," Magallona said.

He regretted that he could not pursue the reforms he started during his term to enhance the welfare of millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Among the changes he initiated were "empowerment of the OFWs," building of Filipino communities abroad, and the first international convention of seafarers slated in September this year.

Organizers have expressed interest in holding the global meeting in Manila, the Philippines being one of the largest suppliers of seamen worldwide.

Asked if it is advisable for the Chief Executive to handle the DFA portfolio in concurrent capacity, Magallona hinted that only her performance can determine the answer.

He expressed optimism, though, that the President would consider the projects he had started when she decides on their courtesy resignation.

For his part, Roxas said his short stint at the DFA "has been challenging because Guingona opened the horizons for translating the national interest into the reality of the 21st century situation and reflecting the genuine national interest."

Roxas, a classmate of Guingona at the Ateneo de Manila University, joined the DFA only last May. He was tapped largely because of his rich background in economy and finance.