Nakikiisa si House Speaker Martin Romualdez sa pakikiramay sa mga naiwan ni dating Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario.
Sa isang statement, sinabi ni Romualdez, na nawalan ang bansa ng isang consummate diplomat, mapagkumbaba at maprinsipyong public servant, at isang passionate na tagapagtanggol ng national sovereignty.
Tiyak din aniyang maaalala ng mga Pilipino si del Rosario sa kaniyang maigting na paninindigan para depensahan ang territorial waters at mga resource nito sa West Philippine Sea.
“Our country has just lost a consummate diplomat, a humble and conscientious public servant and civilian, and a staunch and passionate defender of national sovereignty. The Filipinos would remember the late Secretary del Rosario for his strong and consistent defense of territorial waters and features and resources in them that belong to the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. Our thoughts and prayers go to his loved ones, friends, associates, colleagues in government, and most especially to his family, at this most difficult time.” ani Romualdez.
Ganito rin ang pagtingin ni House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Mannix Dalipe.
Aniya, si del Rosario ang halimbawa ng tunay na kampeon ng demokarsya at soberanya ng bansa.
Bagamat may pagkakaiba aniya sila ng pananaw sa usaping nasyunal ay hinahangaan ni Dalipe ang pagiging genuine statesman at Filipino patriot ng dating kalihim.
“My deepest condolences to the family of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert DelRosario. I have known Secretary Del Rosario as a true champion of our democracy and sovereignty having been one of one of the prime movers of our bid to secure the position of the UNCLOS in relation to our claims in the West Philippine Sea. While we have differed on many national issues, I have always admired Secretary Del Rosario for being a genuine statesman and a true Filipino patriot.” saad ni Dalipe.
Ngayong araw, April 18 nang pumanaw si del Rosario sa edad na 83.
Bilang kalihim ng DFA noong Noynoy Aquino administration ay pinangunahan ni del Rosario ang pag akyat sa Arbitral Tribunal sa The Hague ang usapin ng territorial dispute sa West Philippine Sea laban sa China. | ulat ni Kathleen Forbes
