Cayetano Welcomes Appointment of Former Presidential Spokesman Abella as DFA Undersecretary

24 November 2017 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano welcomed the appointment of former Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella as undersecretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs, saying he expects this to help the Philippines more effectively deliver its message to the rest of the world.

"On behalf of the men and women of the Philippine foreign service, I would like to welcome former Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella to the DFA family," Secretary Cayetano said in a statement.

Secretary Cayetano said Abella, who had served as Palace spokesperson since President Duterte assumed office in July 2016 until 27 October 2017, shall be in charge of strategic communications.

"As head of strategic communications, which is among the duties he will be assigned to, Undersecretary Abella can be expected to help us more effectively articulate President Duterte's foreign policy and his directive to serve and protect the millions of kababayan OFWs we have abroad," Secretary Cayetano said.

He said Undersecretary Abella will be an asset to the DFA as there is much work to be done in the international community and the Filipino Communities Around the world.

Before joining the Duterte Administration, Undersecretary Abella was in the private sector as businessman, writer and evangelist in Davao. END