House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan (Speaker’s office, contributed photo)

Two of the highest-ranked officials in the House of Representatives gave words of praise to the late former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Albert del Rosario.

“Our country has just lost a consummate diplomat, a humble and conscientious public servant and civilian, and a staunch and passionate defender of national sovereignty,” House Speaker Romualdez said in a statement, referring to Del Rosario.

Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, said Filipinos would remember Del Rosario "for his strong and consistent defense of territorial waters and features and resources in them that belong to the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)".

“Our thoughts and prayers go to his loved ones, friends, associates, colleagues in government, and most especially to his family, at this most difficult time,” added Romualdez, who is the president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan similarly extolled the late top diplomat, who died Tuesday, April 18 at the age of 83.

"Kaisa po tayo ng pamilya at lahat ng mga nagdadalamhati sa pagpanaw ni dating DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario (We are one with the family and all who are grieving over the death of DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario)," Libanan wrote in a Facebook post.

"Isang mabuting kaibigan at huwarang lingkod bayan na nagpamalas ng galing sa ugnayang panlabas. Mananatiling dakila ang iyong ala-ala (A good friend and model public servant who displayed skill in foreign affairs. You will remain great in memory)," he said.

Del Rosario served as DFA chief under the late former president Benigno S. Aquino III. He was instrumental in pursuing the Philippines' case against China’s expansive maritime claims, which ultimately resulted in a favorable ruling for Manila by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in July 2016.

The PCA ruling invalidated China's nine-dash line claim, which encompassed much of the WPS.