THE PHILIPPINES: Triple Threat

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Bouncing little Carlos P. Romulo got a backhanded bid to be Foreign Secretary of the Philippines. President Elpidio Quirino told the press last week that Romulo had not been offered the post, but "could have the job any time he wants it." Romulo promptly flew from Manhattan to Manila.

For economy reasons, the Philippine Congress has recommended that Romulo's present post, chief of the Philippine delegation to the U.N., be merged with the ambassadorship to Washington. Romulo thought he could be both—and Foreign Secretary to boot. Pondering the protocol problems, the U.S. State Department shuddered. Said a Washington official: "Can you imagine Secretary Acheson having to rush to the airport every time Ambassador Romulo comes to town, because the U.S. Secretary of State has to greet the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs upon his arrival?"