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 | |
|---|---|
 Roberto Romulo (right) and Teodoro Locsin Jr. in 2019 | |
| 19th Secretary of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office June 30, 1992 – April 30, 1995 | |
| President | Fidel V. Ramos |
| Preceded by | Raul Manglapus |
| Succeeded by | Domingo Siazon, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 9, 1938 Manila, Philippine Commonwealth |
| Died | January 23, 2022 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Alma mater | Ateneo de Manila University |
| Occupation | Businessman, diplomat |
Early life and education edit
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 edit
Diplomatic career edit
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 edit
Romulo died on January 23, 2022.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b Lee-Brago, Pia (January 25, 2022). "Roberto Romulo, ex-DFA chief, 83". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Tomacruz, Sofia (January 25, 2022). "Former foreign affairs secretary Roberto Romulo dies at 83". Rappler. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Tamayo, Bernadette (January 24, 2022). "Former Foreign Affairs chief Roberto Romulo dies". The Manila Times. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ "Fallout From Singapore Execution Widening In Philippines". Chicago Tribune. New York Times News Service. April 18, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ "A short history of Cabinet secretaries who quit, axed". The Philippine Star. July 11, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ "Former DFA chief Bobby Romulo passes away". ABS-CBN News. January 24, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.