Obama names new US envoy to PH
They couldn’t get him out fast enough.
US President Barack Obama has appointed a new ambassador to the Philippines to replace Ambassador Philip Goldberg who earned the ire of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte for his criticism of the then candidate’s comments on women during the presidential campaign.
Ambassador Sung Kim is a career member of the US Foreign Service. Since 2014 he was minister-counselor and special representative for North Korea policy and deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State.
In a statement by the White House on the naming of other ambassadors as well, Obama said, “I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country. I look forward to working with them.”
Kim’s appointment to the Philippines came after Obama congratulated Duterte on his victory in a telephone call early this week.
During the presidential campaign, Duterte advised Goldberg and Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely to “ shut their mouths” and not “interfere” with the local elections. Gorely had also criticized Duterte’s comments about women.
Duterte threatened to sever ties with United States and Australia should he win.
“If I become president, go ahead and sever it [diplomatic ties],” he had said.
The controversy stemmed from Duterte’s comments about the gang rape and murder of Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill in 1989 when he was mayor of Davao City.
“It was not a joke when I uttered it [in 1989]. They took it as a joke when I narrated it. These ambassadors are stupid. I was mad when I uttered it. When I narrated it, I was not angry anymore,” Duterte said during a campaign rally in Kalibo, Aklan.
Days later, the candidate reportedly took back his words, blaming leading questions from reporters for his statements, according to CNN.
Goldberg, after the vote count, tweeted “Congratulations to presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and to the Philippines for record voter turnout.”
