Palace looking for new envoy to China

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang is searching for a new ambassador to China after President Benigno Aquino’s nominee, Domingo Lee, backed out following another rejection by the Commission on Appointments.

Lee has asked Aquino to withdraw his nomination, Palace spokesperson Ricky Carandang told reporters Thursday. He said the President had agreed to the request.

In an April 12 letter to the President, Lee cited two reasons for wanting out—he and his family had been affected by the “pressure from the rigors of the confirmation process” and that he recognized the urgency of filling the top diplomatic post in Beijing in the midst of the standoff at Panatag Shoal.

“I believe that it is my patriotic duty to advance the interests of the country that I profoundly love and allow Your Excellency a free hand in selecting a new nominee to the ambassadorial post to the People’s Republic of China,” Lee said in his letter, which Malacañang released to reporters.

Asked whether Lee was pressured by the Palace to withdraw his nomination, Carandang said, “As far as I know, this was a decision of Ambassador Lee.”

Carandang said the Department of Foreign Affairs was expected to submit a list of nominees and the Palace would announce its choice in the coming days.

Lee’s failure to answer questions by Senator Sergio Osmeña III on the Spratlys dispute resulted in the rejection of Lee by the commission for the third time since the retirement of Ambassador Francisco Benedicto over a year ago.

Aquino also has said that the “considerations” which led him to nominate Lee had changed following the spat between the Philippines and China over Panatag, internationally known as Scarborough Shoal.

Career diplomats in the DFA have opposed Lee’s nomination, claiming it was “demoralizing” the staff.

Lee, honorary president of the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, has claimed he is a godson of President Aquino’s grandfather.

In a text message Thursday, Osmeña said, “The country should be grateful to Ambassador Lee for his graciousness and magnanimity. His continuing support for the diplomatic thrusts of President Aquino would be of value in tactical situations in the future.” With a report from Christian V. Esguerra