Roberto "Bobby" Romulo (December 9, 1938 – January 23, 2022) was a Filipino businessman, diplomat and government official best known for being the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.

Roberto Romulo
Former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Robert Romulo in 2019
19th Secretary of Foreign Affairs
In office
June 30, 1992 – April 30, 1995
PresidentFidel V. Ramos
Preceded byRaul Manglapus
Succeeded byDomingo Siazon, Jr.
Personal details
Born(1938-12-09)December 9, 1938
Manila, Philippine Commonwealth
DiedJanuary 23, 2022(2022-01-23) (aged 83)
NationalityFilipino
Alma materAteneo de Manila University
OccupationBusinessman, diplomat

Early life and education

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Roberto Romulo was born on December 9, 1938, in Manila to Carlos P. Romulo and Virginia Llamas.[1]

He attended the Georgetown University of the United States where he finished his primary, secondary and college education before returning to the Philippines to study at the Ateneo de Manila University's College of Law to obtain his law degree.[1][2]

Career

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Diplomatic career

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Romulo under the administration of President Corazon Aquino served as Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Commission of the European Communities. As a diplomat, he received various honors from Belgium, Thailand, Spain, Chile, France and the Philippines.[3]

He was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs in 1992 by President Fidel V. Ramos.[3] As head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, he oversaw the case of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipino migrant worker in Singapore, who was sentenced to death for murder which human rights groups argued were coerced to admit to committing crime. Contemplacion's execution led to a diplomatic crisis with the city-state and Romulo's resignation as secretary on April 30, 1995.[2][4][5]

Death

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Romulo died on January 23, 2022.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lee-Brago, Pia (January 25, 2022). "Roberto Romulo, ex-DFA chief, 83". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Tomacruz, Sofia (January 25, 2022). "Former foreign affairs secretary Roberto Romulo dies at 83". Rappler. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Tamayo, Bernadette (January 24, 2022). "Former Foreign Affairs chief Roberto Romulo dies". The Manila Times. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  4. ^ "Fallout From Singapore Execution Widening In Philippines". Chicago Tribune. New York Times News Service. April 18, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  5. ^ "A short history of Cabinet secretaries who quit, axed". The Philippine Star. July 11, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  6. ^ "Former DFA chief Bobby Romulo passes away". ABS-CBN News. January 24, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.