Rody names envoys to Iraq, Argentina, the Vatican

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has nominated new ambassadors to Argentina, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and the Vatican, among others, in a bid to further bolster the country’s diplomatic relations with these countries.

Duterte has nominated Grace Relucio Princesa as ambassador to the Vatican with concurrent jurisdiction over the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Marichu Barredo Mauro is nominated as ambassador to Brazil with concurrent jurisdiction over Colombia, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.

Mohammad Omar Albano Fajardo is designated ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iraq with the salary and emoluments of a chief of mission, Class 1.

Linglingay Fonancier Lacanlale was appointed ambassador to Argentina with concurrent jurisdiction over Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Frank Revil Cimafrancia has been nominated ambassador to Greece with concurrent jurisdiction over Cyprus.

Hjayceelyn Mancenido Quintana was nominated ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Cesar Lee Hiong Wee, on the other hand, was named as ambassador to Indonesia.

In separate memos dated Jan. 16, all were directed by Malacañang to submit their credentials to the Commission on Appointments and report to the Office of the President and the Civil Service Commission once they have taken their oaths.

Meanwhile, the Korean embassy clarified yesterday the errors contained in a press statement issued by the Presidential News Desk on the credentials of new ambassador of South Korea to the Philippines, Han Dong-man.

“Ambassador Han is not a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. He used to be the Director-General for International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said Kristiana Rosario, executive assistant at the Political Section of the Embassy of Republic of Korea in the Philippines.

Han also had more than 30 years of experience in representing South Korea in the areas of policy planning, trade issues and public relations, the embassy said. 

Han is among the ambassadors who presented their credentials before Duterte on Wednesday.

The Korean embassy traced the errors to the official statement released by the Presidential News Desk on the matter.

Malacañang, on the other hand, has yet to issue any statement or if proper action was taken on the matter.