Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo

26 July 2010 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo ranked third among 11 Cabinet appointees in terms of public approval, a survey by Pulse Asia, Inc. showed.

According to the survey, the appointments made by President Benigno S. Aquino III in key government positions, including that of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary, are generally well-received by the public. Secretary Romulo received 67 percent approval, after Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman (72 percent) and Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (69 percent).

Eighty-two percent of those surveyed are also “aware” of his appointment.

The DFA welcomed the result of the survey saying this augurs well for the promotion of Philippine foreign policy not only overseas, but within the country as well.

“Foreign policy starts at home and we need domestic consensus, the strong support of our people, in the promotion of our national interests.  The work that we do in the DFA is for the benefit of our people, whe ther here or abroad.  If we do not have their support, foreign policy is irrelevant,” Secretary Romulo said.

Under his leadership, Secretary Romulo said the men and women of the DFA will work to uphold the major foreign policy priorities of President Aquino.  These include:

• Creation of jobs at home so Filipinos need not look for employment abroad. While local job creation is being pursued, the DFA, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and other relevant agencies are ordered to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.
• To make the Philippines a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works”, and support such drive with a robust economic diplomacy.
• The Philippines is ready to take its place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.