DFA Holds Diplomatic Briefing on Updates in Government Procedures

(Clockwise): Foreign Affair Secretary Enrique A. Manalo addresses the diplomatic envoys. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is joined on stage by Secretary Manalo, Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales, Assistant Secretary Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, and Assistant Secretary Adrian Bernie C. Candolada. Speaker Romualdez delivers his keynote address to the Diplomatic Corps. (Photo Credits to DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)

MANILA 23 July 2023 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through its Office of Protocol, in partnership with its Department Legislative Liaison Unit, organized on Thursday, 20 July 2023, a briefing for the members of the Diplomatic Corps. 

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales welcomed the foreign envoys. He affirmed the commitment of the Philippines to faithfully implement the Vienna Conventions which facilitates the conduct of diplomatic missions across the world. 

In addressing the heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations and their other representatives, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo noted the Department’s commitment to support the work of resident diplomatic missions by balancing the country’s international and domestic legal commitments. He welcomed the opportunity for the Department to provide protocolar updates to the accredited diplomats in this regard. 

In his keynote message to the foreign diplomatic envoys, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez of the House of Representatives highlighted the continuing interest of the Congress of the Philippines to develop and strengthen inter-parliamentary relationships with their foreign counterparts. 

Deputy Assistant Secretary Mary Jennifer Dingal moderated the event as (l-r) Director Siegfred Masangkay, Director Ireneo Cornista, Director Ruel Gunabe, LTO Director Johnny Dog-e, BIR Assistant Commissioner Larry Barcelo, and PNP Colonel Pamela Balasabas prepare to brief the foreign diplomats. (Photo Credits to DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)

The diplomatic briefing is an annual event envisioned to allow the DFA Protocol to inform the Diplomatic Corps of updates in government procedures which affect the operations of diplomatic missions and international organizations. Joining the DFA Protocol officials were other senior government officials led by Assistant Secretary Hector Villacorta of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Assistant Commissioner Larry M. Barcelo of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Colonel Pamela D. Balasbas of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP). END

The attendees included heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations based in Manila and their other senior officials. (Photo Credits to DFA-OP)