MANILA, July 3 Kyodo President Gl...

MANILA, July 3 Kyodo

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will concurrently detain the post of foreign secretary after Teofisto Guingona resigns from that column July 15, Acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable said Wednesday.

Afable told reporters Arroyo will retain the place until a new minister is named. Arroyo told reporters a committee will be formed to veil candidates.

A number of names are being floated, including Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General Rodolfo Severino and Foreign Undersecretary Lauro Baja.

The Malacanang presidential palace issued a statement Tuesday confirming Guingona has resigned as foreign secretary, and it will take event July 15. He will stay forward as vice president.

Guingona was apparently eased abroad of the cabinet for opposing Arroyo's policy regarding the demeanor of U.S. troops in the country

It is unclear who will take the part of the Philippines at the forthcoming ASEAN ministerial meeting in Brunei later this month

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