Albert del Rosario, former Secretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who led the country's arbitration case against China in 2016, passed away at the age of 83, his family confirmed in a statement. The DFA announced that he died on Tuesday while en route to San Francisco. Del Rosario was known for his low voice, steady but firm policy positions, and kind heart. Many who worked with him described him as a hands-on and hardworking diplomat who always promoted the national interest. Del Rosario spearheaded the successful arbitration case in 2016 that resulted in the Philippines' legal victory in connection with the South China Sea disputes. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen, and their children.
When a Filipino laborer named Mary Jane Veloso was about to be executed by firing squad earlier in the year, Del Rosario secretly bargained with Indonesian authorities to stop it. President Aquino's covert efforts to persuade the highest Indonesian officials to save Veloso were supported by Del Rosario. Veloso, a 30-year-old mother of two, was one of nine death row inmates from across the world and the Philippines, including an Australian, who was due to be executed on April 29, 2015, for drug-related offenses. Veloso was unexpectedly saved from execution while the other eight were put to death.
DFA Chief Del Rosario Establishes Strong International Relationships to Boost Philippines' Security and Economy
According to diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), former DFA Chief Del Rosario has formed close bonds with counterparts worldwide during his tenure. These include former US Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, as well as top ASEAN diplomats. Del Rosario has utilized his extensive network to negotiate improved security and economic deals for the Philippines, DFA officials claim.
Del Rosario has gained recognition as a vocal advocate for a rules-based approach to resolving issues in the South China Sea and other matters. Diplomats note that he has emerged as a prominent leader within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where many of his counterparts have traditionally taken more cautious, yet less effective, policy stances. Del Rosario's stance has won him widespread respect and admiration from his colleagues, who recognize the importance of adhering to international laws in addressing regional disputes.
Aside from his frantic foreign policy activity, the DFA undertook a number of measures to lessen the demands on the public, such as building satellite DFA offices in malls to make consular services, such as passport applications, more accessible.
Del Rosario subtly opposed the hiring of individuals backed by prominent politicians, a contentious and ongoing topic at the department, resulting in an all-time low for the number of such political appointees in the DFA under his leadership. He advocated for a merit-based promotion system in place of the contentious practice, according to diplomats.
Expressions of condolences flow for Del Rosario, while the autonomous research organization Stratbase ADR Institute grieves over the loss of its leader.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conveyed his sympathies for the demise of Del Rosario and acknowledged his valuable contribution during his tenure as Secretary of the DFA
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