Philippine ambassador to China likely to be replaced

The Philippine ambassador to China Sonia Brady is likely to be replaced as she is recovering "slowly" from a recent stroke, a senior Philippine government official said on Monday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told reporters that "if the recovery rate continues, we may be able to bring her back to the Philippines in about two weeks time."

Asked if there is a possibility that Brady will be replaced, he said, "there is that possibility," adding that he will discuss with President Benigno Aquino III the envoy's likely replacement.

Del Rosario said that Brady is being well cared of and that the Chinese Foreign Ministry is monitoring her situation very carefully.

Del Rosario went to Beijing last Saturday to visit Brady, who has been confined in the hospital since she passed out at her residence there last Wednesday.