MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Libran Cabactulan denied allegations there was a breach in UN protocol when former Senator Mar Roxas attended the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

“Senator Roxas is a member of the Philippine Delegation as an adviser of the President.  He is entitled to a UN I.D.,” Cabactulan said.

“There is no prohibition to having non-government individuals join the Philippine Delegation in the General Assembly.  One does not have to be a Cabinet Member to be at the UN.  People from the private sector can be given UN IDs,” he said.

He was reacting to reports that Roxas used the identification card of Education Secretary Armin Luistro to gain access to the UNGA.

Meanwhile, a source at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the former senator did not use a fake ID but was given an invalid pass card.

This is now being investigated by the DFA, the source said.

Cabactulan noted that Roxas has been to the UN several times and has spoken before the General Assembly himself.

“His photo and other details are already in the UN ID system and it was a simple matter to obtain his UN ID,” he said.

According to Cabactulan, Roxas’ presence in the UNGA was important as he is a member of the private sector who can help advance the UN’s aim to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

“There was nothing controversial in the presence of Senator Roxas in the General Assembly.  In fact his presence reinforces the specific importance given to the private sector in the Millennium Development Goals,” Cabactulan said.

“Senator Roxas’  vast experience as a businessman in New York places him in an excellent position to advise the President on how the private sector can help nations achieve their Millennium Development Goals,” Cabactulan said. “Senator Roxas has also served as a Cabinet member and in both houses of our Congress.  He is in a great position to advise the President and to contribute to our work in the UN.”