Palace says Sonia Brady top choice as ambassador
to China
Malacañang defended on Sunday its choice of
career diplomat Sonia Brady as the country’s ambassador to China saying the
long time official of the Department of Foreign Affairs had the training and
expertise to handle the high level assignment.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said President Benigno S. Aquino specifically chose Brady as she was “someone
who could hit the ground running.”
“Sonia Brady was chosen because, if you
remember, the President said he wanted someone who could hit the ground
running, someone who is already familiar with the culture of the host country,
its politics, essentially the ways of the host country,” Valte said.
“And if you look at the background of Ambassador
Brady, she is an old hand at foreign affairs, she formerly was our ambassador
to China in 2006 to 2010, and prior to that, her very first posting outside the
country was to Beijing, so she is someone who fulfills the requirements for the
post,” she added.
Valte expressed confidence that with her
credentials, Brady could easily hurdle the Commission of Appointments.
“Ambassador Brady is a career diplomat so we
don’t want to sound arrogant and say they will have no problem with her, but
with her extensive experience in foreign affairs and foreign relations we are
confident that she will ably answer the questions of the members of the
Commission on Appointments,” Valte said.
Brady served as Philippine Ambassador to Beijing
from April 2006 to January 2010. She also served as Ambassador to Thailand from
2002 to 2003, and Ambassador to Myanmar from 1995 to 1999.
Previously, Brady served as deputy chief of
mission to Indonesia from 1994 to 1995; deputy chief of mission to Thailand
(1992-1994); third secretary and vice consul and then second secretary and
consul in Beijing, China from 1976 to 1978.
She was also appointed as Undersecretary of
Foreign Affairs for Policy from July 2003 to 2006; special assistant, then
assistant secretary to the Office of the Secretary for Policy and Coordination;
director of the Office of Asia Pacific; assistant, then principal assistant, to
the Office of Political Affairs.
She earned her Master of Arts in International
Relations degree from the University of Southern California, B.S. Foreign
Service degree from the University of the Philippines, and AB Journalism degree
from the University of Sto. Tomas. (PCOO)
