Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Malacañang has confirmed that President Benigno Aquino III on Monday (February 8) has accepted the resignation of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario.
“According to Executive Secretary Ochoa, President Aquino has accepted the resignation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario effective 7 March 2016,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a statement.
Reports say Del Rosario, 76, is resigning from his post due to health problems.
In a text message to CNN Philippines earlier, DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose said it is “better for SFA to announce it himself. He’ll meet the media on Wednesday.”
Del Rosario has been at the helm of the country’s foreign affairs department since 2011. He is part of the Philippine delegation which presented to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hauge, Netherlands.
Back in July, Del Rosario made a plea for the tribunal to recognize its jurisdiction. He noted that the case is important not just to the country but also to the global community, owing to its impact on the rule of law in maritime disputes.
The Hague-based tribunal on October rejected China’s claim that the disputes were about its territorial sovereignty. The tribunal found it has authority to hear Manila’s submissions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
CNN Philippines correspondents Isabella Montano and Patricia de Leon contributed to this report.
