Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) — Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday said former Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella could help reach out to Filipinos worldwide as the department’s new undersecretary for strategic communications.
“On behalf of the men and women of the Philippine foreign service, I would like to welcome former Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella to the DFA family,” Cayetano said in a statement.
“Undersecretary Abella can be expected to help us more effectively articulate President Duterte’s foreign policy and his directive to serve and protect the millions of kababayan OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) we have abroad,” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Abella’s appointment letter on October 27. Then-Kabayan Party-list Representative Harry Roque took over the role as presidential spokesman.
Cayetano, who was confirmed as DFA secretary on May 17, said Abella will be an asset to the department as there is “much work to be done” in the international community.
Abella was a former pastor and social entrepreneur. He assumed the spokesperson role when the President took office on June 30, 2016. In his bass voice and with his calm demeanor, he was instrumental in helping clarify President Duterte’s policies and pronouncements.
He crossed paths with then-Davao City Mayor Duterte when he was kidnapped by bandits in 1996. Abella was freed in 24 hours after Duterte sought the help of Moro National Liberation Front leaders.
