10 February 2016 – Secretary Albert F. del Rosario is leaving the Department of Foreign Affairs at the start of March after five (5) years of serving as Cabinet Member of the Aquino administration.
“It has truly been a distinct honor and privilege to have fully dedicated myself to our country and the Filipino people under the leadership of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Chief Architect of Philippine Foreign Policy,” Secretary del Rosario said.
Recognized for bringing new dynamism to the DFA, Secretary del Rosario, under the President’s guidance, has pursued a foreign policy that is independent, principled, and based on the rule of law; standing firmly in promoting and defending the Philippine national interest in the global arena.
He has staunchly defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, raised the standards of economic diplomacy as a tool of statecraft and proactively ensured the safety and security of overseas Filipinos everywhere.
During the July 22, 2013 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Aquino praised Secretary del Rosario stating:
“All things considered, Secretary Albert could have said ‘no’ to working again in Government after being removed from his position as Ambassador to America for opposing the past administration’s declaration of a State of Emergency back in 2006... Now, he is contributing even more as Secretary. He is ready to put himself in harm’s way because he knows that no one else will save Filipinos but fellow Filipinos. For continuing to stand up for our rights, I salute you, Secretary Albert del Rosario.”
On Assistance to Nationals
Barely 36 hours after being sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Foreign Affairs on February 24, 2011, Secretary del Rosario arrived in Tripoli, Libya to extricate some 400 overseas Filipinos out of the war-torn city, into the Libyan-Tunisian border.
Since then, in addition to Libya, he has been, several times, to Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Egypt resulting in the DFA’s repatriation of over 24,000 Filipinos in these countries torn by civil strife, devastated by natural and other disasters, and affected by pandemics. From 2011 to 2015, the DFA extended assistance to over 80,000 overseas Filipinos and members of their families.
On Advancing National Security
With the President’s directive, the Secretary has made the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea issue a foreign policy priority, intensifying its advocacy for the primacy of the rule of law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Closely working with key agencies under the President’s directives, the Secretary championed arbitration as an open, friendly and transparent mechanism in resolving the maritime dispute, negotiated with allies for the Philippine Defense Modernization Program, and consulted with foreign counterparts on policy and operational issues.
On Economic Diplomacy
Under the Secretary’s guidance and in cooperation with partner agencies, the DFA, through its 84 Posts, has taken a revitalized role as promoters of Philippine trade, investments, tourism and ODA.
Guided by the DFA Strategic Plan for 2012-2016 and in consonance with the One Country-Team approach, Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) have been guided by the following overarching goals for economic diplomacy: (1) Strengthen DFA structures and capacities in relation to economic security; (2) Contribute to jobs generation; and (3) Assist in poverty reduction.
From 2011 to 2015, a total of 205 economic agreements were signed, covering labor, trade, education, tourism and air services. We have had four (4) rounds of negotiations and look forward to the conclusion of the Philippines-Europe Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
On Consular Services
The DFA established more efficient and streamlined electronic passport processing facilities in cooperation with partner agencies such as the APO Production Unit, Inc., while the 21 Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) and 5 Satellite Consular Offices made DFA’s consular services more accessible to the general public.
A DFA Transformation Program
Throughout his five-year stewardship of the DFA, the Secretary embarked on and pursued a carefully thought-out DFA transformation program, namely:
1. Restoring morale by further strengthening the career service corps;
2. Upgrading economic diplomacy skills through a partnership with AIM;
3. Placing merit over seniority in the career advancement process;
4. Rationalizing PH presence overseas and reallocating resources where these are most needed;
5. Bringing cost-effective consular services closer to the people by moving DFA offices to malls such as Ayala, Gaisano, Robinsons, SM, and Ali Mall;
6. Developing effective strategies to negotiate and assert the rightful position of the Philippines in the community of nations;
7. Submitted and awaiting the President’s approval of a new scheme for the Non-Resident Ambassadors (NRAs) to cover Africa and Central America;
8. Strongly encouraging all foreign service personnel to reach beyond their grasp, at all times, to promote the national interest;
9. Emphasizing the management approach of leadership by example; and
10. Embarking on 151 Official Missions over five (5) years to advance the three (3) Foreign Policy Pillars of the Philippines.
Results
Under the Secretary’s leadership, the DFA has consistently ranked as one of the top government agencies, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, in surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and the Makati Business Club (MBC).
In the SWS’ December 2015 survey results on the Aquino administration’s performance, four (4) out of 14 issues received the highest grade of “GOOD.” These are: “Helping the poor;” “Foreign relations;” “Promoting the welfare of OFWs;” and “Protecting the country’s territorial rights.” The DFA was directly responsible for delivering three (3) of the top 4 (four) issues. On “Helping the poor’’, DFA’s efforts have also directly and indirectly contributed by increasing to record-levels the Official Development Assistance or ODAs to the Philippines.
For the MBC survey for the Top 10 Government Agencies in the last three (3) years, DFA’s ranking has improved from 11th spot in 2012 (no 2013 rankings), to #6 in 2014 and ranked #4 in 2015.
Accomplishments
With President Aquino’s guidance, Secretary del Rosario has provided leadership in the following major Philippine advocacies and priorities: signing of Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Indonesia Concerning Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary on 23 May 2014, successful hosting of the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) on 18-19 November 2015, the launch of the ASEAN Community in December 2015, the PH-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Philippines’ arbitration case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague.
Other milestones in international diplomacy actively led by Secretary del Rosario include the broadening and deepening of Philippine bilateral relations with valued partners through the signing of cooperation agreements, namely, Philippines-Japan Joint Declaration on a Strengthened Strategic Partnership, Joint Declaration on Philippines-Australia Comprehensive Partnership, and Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Philippines-Vietnam Strategic Partnership.
At Multilateral and Regional Platforms
Attending the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Debate from 2012 to 2015, Secretary del Rosario is consistent about his key policy messages on “Right is Might” when discussing the rule of law as a great equalizer among States; “inclusive growth” when highlighting the importance of MDGs and the new Social Development Goals or SDGs; and on “climate resilience” when promoting a bright and low-carbon future for the next generation.
Whether in ASEAN, East Asia Summit (EAS) or at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Secretary has articulated strong Philippine statements on combating extremism and terrorism, human trafficking and migration, and climate change and disaster risk reduction & management (DRRM), while underscoring the need for solidarity and policy coherence to address these complex regional and global issues.
Accolades
On 25 September 2015, the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City, President Cory Aquino’s alma mater, conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree (Honoris Causa) to Secretary del Rosario for “principled commitment to democracy, integrity and the rule of law both at home and around the globe.”
“The Honorary Doctor of Laws that the Mount Saint Vincent has conferred upon me will always be my treasure as well as my inspiration,” the Secretary said.
In November 2014, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), in turn, conferred on the Secretary the prestigious MAP Management Man of the Year 2014 for his “contribution to re-shaping national values by setting an example that Filipino professional managers can emulate through his track record of integrity, professional competence, and strong leadership in his management career in both public and private sectors.”
Other distinguished awards conferred upon the Secretary during his term as foreign affairs Chief were the Order of Lakandula with a Rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) as co-Chair of the 2015 APEC-National Organizing Committee (December 2015); one of People Asia’s 2015 People of the Year awardees (January 2015); the 2014 Dangal ng Lipi from the Provincial Government of Bulacan (September 2014); The 2013 Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance awarded by the Ateneo School of Government and The Metrobank Foundation (December 2013) and The Outstanding Manilan Award from the City Government of Manila (June 2013).
From the Art of Management to the Art of Diplomacy
Prior to joining the Government in 2001 and in 2011, Secretary del Rosario’s business career included insurance, banking, real estate, shipping, telecommunications, consumer products, retail, pharmaceutical, and food industries, among others.
“With 40 years of private sector experience, I have endeavoured to bring the business sector’s culture with me in navigating the challenging and ever-changing world of diplomacy, first as Ambassador to the United States and then as Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” the Secretary said.
As Philippine Ambassador to the United States (2001-August 2006), Secretary del Rosario was instrumental in, among others, securing US$1.2 Billion U.S. funding assistance for the Philippines; realizing investments in the country's Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry; and acquiring greater access for Philippine exports.
His enduring legacy also includes a first-time formation of the Philippines-US Friendship Caucus composed of over 80 legislators from the US House of Representatives; successful launch of an unprecedented challenge to the decision of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to remove the Philippines from its list of approved investment locations; pro-actively supported the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Program (AFPMP); successfully lobbied before the U.S. Congress not to prejudice the Philippine canned tuna industry as a result of a preferential treatment for Andean countries; undertook efforts to realize major benefits for Filipino and Filipino-American veterans; and pioneered the Annual Ambassadors/Consuls General Tour (ACGT) of the Philippines.
Message from the Man-on-the-Move
On his plans post-DFA, Secretary del Rosario explained, “I plan to return to the private sector, spend more time with my family, especially with my precious grandchildren, and work on being in good health.”
To the DFA Officials and Employees, he has this to say: “It has been a real honor and privilege to have worked with all the outstanding men and women of the ‘Department that never sleeps.’ Please accept my most profound appreciation for all your hard work, sacrifice and service and above all, for reaching beyond your grasp.”
The Secretary also conveyed a message to the Philippine media: “I deeply appreciate the friendship, support and cooperation that the Philippine media has accorded me. I want to thank them for their inherent love of our people and our country and their uniting with us in promoting our national interest.”
Asked on how he wants to be remembered after his tenure as Secretary of Foreign Affairs?”, Secretary del Rosario said, “When I first met President Aquino, His Excellency stated that he had called for me because I was a fighter for democracy. In truth, I simply want to be remembered as a patriot.” END