President Duterte appoints Usec. Manalo as acting DFA chief

“Usec. Manalo is an excellent transition man, and has been on top of many crucial issues together with Atty. Perfecto Yasay,” Abella said. (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs/ Facebook)

MANILA –President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday appointed Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo as Acting Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) a day after the Commission on Appointments (CA) rejected lawyer Perfecto Yasay Jr.’s nomination to the post.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella announced the appointment in a statement, saying Manalo will hold the position until the President appoints a new DFA Secretary.

“Usec. Manalo is an excellent transition man, and has been on top of many crucial issues together with Atty. Perfecto Yasay,” Abella said.

In a unanimous vote on Wednesday, the CA rejected Yasay’s appointment to the post over citizenship issues.