Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) — Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez will retain his position under the presidency of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., he said Thursday.

Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Romualdez dispelled claims that he was offered by his second cousin to head the Department of Foreign Affairs under the next administration.

“To be very honest about it, president-elect Marcos and I had a meeting. He told me he was very pleased with how effective I have been in Washington DC,” Romualdez said. “He told me he would like me to continue what I have been doing in Washington, with the relationship we were able to establish there.”

“I told him, ‘I’m ready to do whatever it is to help you.’ For me, anything I can do to help him and to help him succeed is what’s important to me than positions,” Romualdez added.