Malacañang yesterday announced the appointment of Undersecretary Enrique Manalo as acting Foreign Affairs Secretary.
Manalo, described by Malacañang as an “excellent transition man,” replaces Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. who failed to get the nod of the Commission on Appointments on the basis of his US citizenship status.
“Undersecretary Enrique Manalo has been designated and appointed as Acting Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
“He will hold the position until the President appoints a new Secretary. Undersecretary Manalo is an excellent transition man, and has been on top of many crucial issues together with Atty. Perfecto Yasay,” he added.
Prior to his latest appointment, Manalo worked as DFA undersecretary for policy with a vast experience on Association of Southeast Asian Nations and United Nations matters. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)