Duterte extends terms of special envoys to China for this year

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has extended the terms of five special envoys to the People’s Republic of China.

The special envoys are Fernando S. Borja, William D.J. Lima, Carlos Chan, Wallie Lee, and Cheng Yong.

Except for Mr. Yong, who will be serving until Nov. 23, 2019, the rest will serve until Dec. 31.

Sought for comment, political history assistant professor Marlon B. Lopez of the Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography said via chat: “It is clear that [Mr.] Duterte wants to make good relations with (Chinese leader) Xi [Jinping] by appointing five envoys. But what is striking is the personalities of some of his envoys. [Mr.] Borja is with Adnama, [Mr.] Lima is with DC Invest and [Mr.] Chan, one of the country’s richest [men], owns Oishi.”

He added: “The choices are very interesting, with [Mr.] Duterte insisting that it is perfectly legal [to have a] joint China-RP exploration on mining and petrol exploration in the disputed waters and [with] the food [sector] remaining as one of the [industries] to exploit and open for investment. The choices are just so interesting. Perhaps [Mr.] Duterte wants to talk business with the Chinese on food but on the latter for appeasement .... ”

Ateneo Policy Center research fellow Michael Henry LI. Yusingco said via e-mail: “This move by the President is certainly unusual. I am not sure if this is even allowed by law. I also question the rationale behind this move. Appointing [five] persons to do one job is a perfect recipe for chaos, which can be detrimental to our standing with China.”

In a phone message, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Political Science Department chairperson Dennis C. Coronacion said: “The appointments of several special envoys to one country is an unusual but accepted diplomatic practice. It is also in accordance with our laws. Special envoys are appointed to help address an issue or undertake a particular task. However, their appointments can undermine the ambassador.”

For his part, UST political science professor Marlon M. Villarin said via text: “It is a strategic approach to appoint multiple envoys to make sure they would be able to address multilateral issues.” —