AMBASSADOR TO SYRIA REPLACED / NOY MEETS FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN CHINA
[Replaced: Ambassador Wilfredo Cuyugan]
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago - former Philippine ambassador to Iraq experienced in Middle East crises and repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has replaced the country's top diplomat in Syria.
[[PHOTO - former undersecretary of Migrant Workers Affairs, now new Ambassador to Syria, Ricardo Endaya]
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced yesterday that DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs executive director Ricardo Endaya, who was also ambassador to Kuwait, was named charge d'affaires of the Philippine embassy in Damascus, replacing Ambassador Wilfredo Cuyugan.
Cuyugan, a career ambassador, was allegedly recalled due to his lack of expertise in repatriation procedures and differences with the Home Office in the assessment of the security situation in Syria.
But the DFA said no politics was involved in the recall of Cuyugan.
"Because we are on a repatriation mode, Secretary Albert del Rosario has decided to replace Cuyugan with an operative and with extensive experience in repatriation," said DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez.
Upon the instruction of Del Rosario, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. went to Syria to assist the embassy in the implementation of its contingency plan and to implement measures for the Syria-wide Alert Level 3.
Noy likens love life to Coke - from regular to zero (The Philippine Star) Updated September 02, 2011 12:00 AM
BEIJING – President Aquino again made fun of his love life by comparing it to his favorite soft drink Coca-Cola, which varies from regular to light to zero.
In a speech before the Filipino community here Wednesday night on the sidelines of his state visit, Aquino said someone asked him about his love life and he replied: "Like Coca-Cola."
He said the person could not understand why and he explained that it used to be regular, then it became light, and now zero, referring to the variants of Coke.
The audience burst into laughter.
Since taking office last year, Aquino has dated and broken up with several women, often blaming journalists' prying eyes for ruining his romances.
The bachelor President also toured two major tourist destinations here – the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City – where a "wedding night room" captured his attention. He showed it to his newly married lawyer-aide whose wife is expecting twins.
The room has a large bed covered with an embroidered red silk bedcover signifying happiness and good fortune for the couple.
Signing the guest book at the Forbidden City, Aquino wrote: "The scope of the undertaking and achievements of the Chinese people are truly amazing. Again, we show the seemingly limitless capabilities of men."
Aquino and his officials – Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda – all wore rubber shoes during the long walking tour.
They were accompanied by Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao and other Chinese officials and staff.
Security was tight and other tourists were not allowed to be at the same place where Aquino and his group were.
Fortunately, the weather was kind and the oppressive summer heat was not too bad here yesterday compared to previous days. – Aurea Calica, AP
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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