Palace exec: PHL diplomatic relations will not be affected by closure of embassies

Malacañang on Tuesday said the closure of consular offices in some countries will not affect the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with them.   “It’s internal to us. There is no effect on them as long as we have presence there,” said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda at a press briefing. “The diplomatic relation is not diminished by the cutting down on consular offices in their countries.”   The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will close down 10 foreign service posts this year, including those in Koror in Palau, Caracas in Venezuela, Barcelona in Spain, Stockholm in Sweden, Dublin in Ireland, Frankfurt in Germany, Havana in Cuba, Saipan, Bucharest in Romania, and Helsinki in Finland.   Lacierda said budgetary constraint was the main reason why the DFA decided to close the embassies.   In order to address the concerns of Filipino workers in affected countries, he said the DFA has set up mobile consular officials.   “So that’s one way of addressing the concerns of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), at the same time, also addressing the concerns of the budget for the DFA. So we’re going to have more mobile consular officials,” Lacierda said.    Lacierda said another reason was the lack of activity in the said areas. “The basic reason is walang masyadong activity doon, so that’s one way of cutting down on consular activities there.” - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News