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Raissa Robles

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario flew to Beijing yesterday after the country's ambassador reportedly suffered a stroke.
Sonia Brady, who turned 71 on Wednesday, had been in the job for only three months.
Her appointment came at a delicate time, with the countries' relations strained by overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea.
"Ambassador Sonia Brady was brought to the hospital on Wednesday after she passed out in her residence in Beijing," the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday night.
"Her condition is stable but she is under observation," it added. Reports in the local media said it was Brady's second stroke.
The first was mild and it occurred before her May 27 appointment to Beijing.
Presidential palace spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Brady would be consulted on whether or not a replacement was needed. "The thoughts and the opinions also of ambassador Brady should be considered before anything like that happens," Valte said. Her health was the prime consideration, Valte said.
Foreign affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said Del Rosario went to Beijing to visit the ambassador.
But while in Beijing, he also had talks with foreign minister Yang Jiechi, their first meeting since a stand-off between Chinese and Filipino ships at a disputed shoal renewed tensions in the South China Sea earlier this year. Hernandez said the talks covered "issues of mutual concern" and were "productive".
Three Chinese vessels remain near the Scarborough Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island.
Asked on Friday whether Manila would respond by sending vessels back there, Del Rosario said: "The president believes that this is not the proper time because of the very bad weather. We're waiting for better conditions." Del Rosario said he would address the UN General Assembly next month to urge a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
He told the Daily Inquirer: "I think the dispute should be pursued without the use of force or the threat of the use of force."
One of the most controversial moves in the region recently was the establishment of the city of Sansha on Woody Island (Yongxing Island in Chinese), 350 kilometres southeast of Hainan Island , that China intends will administer the territories it claims in the South China Sea. Manila has refused to recognise the authority of Sansha, while Vietnam said Beijing had violated international law.
"China has been aggressive on many fronts," Del Rosario said. "Everyone is concerned about this administrative unit that's been put up [on Sansha]."
Del Rosario also said Cambodia was poised to send a high-ranking diplomat to replace ambassador Hos Sereythonh, who was recalled abruptly after Manila protested against his accusation that Vietnam and the Philippines were playing "dirty politics" by pushing Asean to forge a common stand on the South China Sea dispute.


Philippine foreign minister flies to Beijing after ambassador's stroke

Ambassador Sonia Brady

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Asia