President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today swore in former Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo as her new Secretary of Foreign Affairs and erstwhile Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita as the new Executive Secretary.

Both Romulo and Ermita thanked the President for allowing them to be part of her administration’s "most shining moments" during the oath-taking ceremony at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall.

Romulo will formally assume the Foreign Affairs post tomorrow in turnover rites to be held at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Romulo served the President for three years and two months. He also briefly held the same post under former President Corazon C. Aquino.

With his background as a statesman and an economic manager, Romulo is expected to significantly help attain the government’s foreign policy goals. His vast experience in economics, both as a senator and a member of the Cabinet, is also viewed as a big factor in pushing the government foreign policy thrusts of utilizing development diplomacy to achieve economic security.

Romulo is also expected to vigorously promote the welfare and protection of overseas Filipino workers.

Romulo served as secretary of Budget and Management, Chairman of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) and member of the Monetary Board under the Aquino administration, and as finance secretary under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

As a senator, he served as minority leader for five years, and was also chairman of the committee on banks, currency and financial institutions. He authored and sponsored major legislations such as the new Central Bank Law and the Salary Standardization Law, among others.

On the other hand, Ermita also served as chairman of the bipartisan Executive-Legislative Advisory Council on the Sabah issue.

As a military official, Ermita was designated AFP Deputy Chief of Staff (1986-1988) and AFP Vice Chief of Staff (1988). He received numerous awards, including the Presidential Golden Heart Award and Philippine Legion of Honor.

Ermita also served as undersecretary of National Defense (1988-1992), member of the National Unification Commission (1993-1994), and vice chairman of the Government Peace Panel with the Moro National Liberation Front (1992-1996).

As a politician, the former general was elected to the House of Representatives from 1992-2001, representing the 1st District of Batangas. The Macapagal-Arroyo administration has also appointed Ermita as Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (2001) and chairman of the Government Peace Negotiating Panel in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (2003).