2 DFA officials eyed to replace Brady as envoy to China

VLADIVOSTOK – Two career officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are being considered by President Aquino to replace Philippine ambassador to China Sonia Brady, who suffered a stroke in Beijing last month.

“There are two names and both seem to be very competent. I just have to talk to them,” Aquino told Manila-based reporters here over the weekend, when he attended the 20th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting. 

He did not, however, name these two candidates.

Brady, who recently turned 71, retired in 2007 and admitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA) during the hearing on her nomination in May that she suffered a stroke earlier this year.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III asked Brady if she could handle the high-pressure job and if she felt that she was strong enough to serve her tour of duty.

Brady said that she underwent therapy and was certified by her doctors as being fully recovered.

The CA confirmed in May the appointment of Brady as ambassador to China, less than a week after Malacañang announced her nomination.

Brady, a retired career Foreign Service officer, had no problem hurdling her confirmation hearing because of her extensive experience as a former ambassador to China and undersecretary for policy of the DFA.

She breezed through the CA unlike Aquino’s original nominee, businessman Domingo Lee, who underwent three hearings without getting a favorable action.

The urgency of sending a representative of the country to China was well understood by CA members.

The CA said that the waiving of the requirements for Brady was allowed because of critical matters that had to be attended to in China, with which the country is locked in a territorial dispute over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and the Spratly Islands.

Brady told the CA that her mission to China was clear and that her experience in dealing with Chinese officials would help ease tensions between the two nations.