Malacanang: Let Brady recover

MALACANANG confirmed Sunday that Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Brady has returned to the country, but it appealed for privacy for the ailing career diplomat.

“It is confirmed that she (Brady) is back in the country and while people are interested in speaking to her, we’d like to also appeal that allow Ambassador Brady to recover,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Valte said the full recovery of Brady is the priority of the government at the moment.

She said Brady will not be allowed to be interviewed regarding her supposed notes on the role of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as backroom negotiator to China over the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.

Brady, who suffered a stroke in Beijing on August 22, arrived in Manila on Friday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said the 71-year-old ambassador needs plenty of rest because she still has some difficulty speaking.

Brady, a retired diplomat, was appointed envoy to China for the second time at the height of tensions between the Philippines and China over the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

She is now in the middle of controversy after Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile revealed in a Senate session on September 19 that some portions of her supposed notes detailed the controversial statements of Trillanes on backchannel talks and dissatisfaction on the efforts of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to resolve the dispute.

Valte said she has no idea if the Palace is doing something to confirm the veracity of Brady's notes.

Meantime, the Palace spokesperson said Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II will be reporting to President Aquino on Monday regarding the details of his meeting with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Nanning, China.

Roxas earlier described his meeting with Xi as “constructive," adding that both countries have expressed mutual desire to resolve issues affecting bilateral relations. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)