Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Thursday anyone who can help diplomacy in the face of Manila’s maritime dispute with Beijing can be appointed as special envoy to China.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source, Zubiri was asked about the suggestion of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to appoint former President Rodrigo Duterte as special envoy to China.
“Why not? Anyone who can help diplomacy in this part of the world, in this exclusive economic zone, would be a big help. It could be former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Zubiri said.
The senate leader said Cayetano could also be designated as such given his close ties with some Chinese government officials as a former foreign affairs secretary.
Cayetano led the Department of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2018.
In an earlier statement, Cayetano said Duterte is one of the best representatives the Philippines has when dealing with China because of his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The former chief executive “has also gained the trust and respect of the Chinese government in the highest levels,” he added.
Duterte met with Xi in Beijing last month. However, not much details about this meeting have been made public, even after the former president met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday.
