Philippines to open more embassies worldwide – Marcos Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — To further strengthen ties with the international community, the Philippines will open more embassies in different parts of the world, President Marcos announced on Saturday.

Speaking during the vin d’honneur at Malacañang, Marcos highlighted the Philippines’ increased bilateral engagements and cooperation with traditional partners and new allies in key economic sectors and security areas since he assumed office in 2022.

“Through our independent foreign policy, we have broadened and strengthened our diplomatic reach and engagements with the world,” the President said.

Vin d’honneur is an official reception hosted by the President at Malacañang for the diplomatic corps.

Last year, Marcos said the Philippines opened four embassies in Europe and in Latin America.

This year, he said the country will open four more foreign service posts in North America, Asia and the Pacific.

“And by the end of 2025, we will have 102 posts, effectively widening our reach globally,” Marcos said in his toast remarks. “We are poised to establish more down the road.”

In 2024, a number of countries opened their consulates in Manila such as Bahrain and Slovenia, Marcos said, adding the Philippines is “eager to welcome new foreign missions in the years to come, such as from Central Asia.”?

“Our continued pursuit of our constitutionally mandated independent foreign policy has also allowed us to function and flourish in the complex web of interactions with various international actors,” Marcos said.?

“Our foreign policy has always been to encourage peace and to foster cooperation whilst also ensuring that international law is faithfully complied with and permeates all facets of relations amongst nations,” he added.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, in his remarks, commended the rank and file of the Department of Foreign Affairs for their warm and thoughtful engagement with the Philippine-accredited diplomatic corps.

Phiippines consulate opens in Szczecin, Poland

Meanwhile, the Philippines has opened a consulate in Szczecin, its first official presence in the northwestern and mid-northern regions of Poland since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries on Sept. 22, 1973.

Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah Basinang-Ruiz led the ceremonial opening of the consulate, which was held at the Business Club Szczecin.

Szczecin is the capital and largest city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and is approximately 566 kilometers from Warsaw.

In her speech, Ruiz congratulated Philippine honorary consul Zbigniew Jagni?tkowski on his appointment and welcomed him as a member of the Philippine embassy team in Poland.

Ruiz also conveyed her appreciation to Adam Rudawski, of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, who graced the occasion and spoke to congratulate the newest addition to the consular corps in Szczecin, and to Anna Szlesi?ska, who represented Szczecin Mayor Piotr Krzystek and delivered his message of welcome and support.

The new consulate is located at Moniuszki 5/1, 71-430 Szczecin, and operates from Monday to Friday (except on public holidays) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  – Pia Lee-Brago