DFA withdraws Benedicto's nomination as envoy to China

MANILA, Philippines –  Francisco Benedicto’s nomination as ambassador to Beijing was withdrawn on Tuesday after he informed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that he would no longer pursue his appointment.

DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said Benedicto has informed the DFA that he would no longer pursue his nomination “due to medical concerns.”

“We conveyed it to the Commission on Appointments and the CA approved,” he said.

Benedicto, one of the political ambassadors reappointed by President Aquino, had rough sailing in the CA.

Sources told The STAR Benedicto paid a farewell call on Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister and former Chinese ambassador to Manila Song Tao at the Foreign Ministry on Feb. 1.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the photos of the farewell call on its website.

Sources said the DFA is sending DFA Office of Personnel and Administrative Services Executive Director Alex Chua to Beijing as deputy chief of mission at the Philippine embassy.

“In the absence of an ambassador, ex-director Chua will be the charge d’affaires when Ambassador Benedicto leaves,” the source said.

Sources said a political ambassador might be named for Beijing as the name of Domingo Lee floated.

However, no possible replacement coming from the career corps was being eyed.                         

Lee used to be chairman of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the administration of the President Corazon Aquino.