The appointment of Rogelio Villanueva Jr. as the first spokesperson for maritime affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to place diplomacy at the center of state-to-state engagement, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Under the new arrangement, the DFA will serve as the government’s authoritative voice on regional and international issues, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro.
“Iba-iba po kasi ang kanilang goal, iba-iba po ang kanilang pagiging spokesperson, iba-iba ‘yung kanilang topic. Pagdating po sa DFA it’s more on the policy. Pagdating po, let’s say, sa Philippine Coast Guard, sa operations sila,” Castro said.
(They have different goals as spokespersons of agencies focusing on different topics. The DFA focuses on policy, the Philippine Coast Guard on operations.)
At present, the Philippines has three government officials authorized to speak on WPS issues: Villanueva from DFA, Commodore Jay Tarriela from the Philippine Coast Guard, and Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad from the Philippine Navy.
Castro added that the public may sometimes perceive multiple voices because each agency communicates on specific topics.
“Nagkakaisa naman po, aligned naman kung ano ang gusto ng Pangulo – firm pero diplomatic (The group is unified and aligned with what the President wants—firm but diplomatic),” she said.
The move comes amid heightened tensions in the WPS amid ongoing debates in the Senate and public discourse regarding the Philippines’ maritime claims.
Castro emphasized that regardless of heated discussions, no part of Philippine territory will be surrendered to foreign powers, and the executive branch maintains a unified stance.
“Of course, being Filipinos, we should all be pro-Philippines,” the Palace official underscored.
Last October, President Marcos said he seeks to redefine relations with China, noting that maritime disputes should not define the entirety of the bilateral relationship, especially given opportunities for trade and regional cooperation as the Philippines chairs ASEAN.
