'Diplomats should hold congratulatory messages'

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday said diplomats should hold their congratulatory messages to presidential race front-runner Sen. Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III until he has been officially proclaimed the winner.

“Noynoy will be proclaimed but is it proper for foreign diplomats to publicly pay their respects to Noynoy before official proclamation? The Philippines is supposed to be a sovereign nation, not their fiefdom,” said Pimentel.

Diplomats from major economies –US, Japan, China, and the European Union – have paid courtesy visits to Aquino ahead of his proclamation as the next president. 

During his visit, United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. congratulated Aquino on his apparent victory in the presidential race and reaffirmed the US government’s alliance with the Philippines.

Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura had expressed the interest of the Japanese government to enhance the strategic partnership between Tokyo and Manila.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said his visit to Aquino was a personal visit to a “very good friend.”

Last Monday, 13 ambassadors from member countries of the European Union congratulated Aquino on leading the presidential race.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Michael Rudd had likewise called Aquino to extend his congratulations and intention to meet him.