Eight Non-Resident Ambassadors Present Credentials to President Marcos, Pay Tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal

Non-Resident Ambassadors-Designate pose for a photo with DFA Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda

MANILA 25 March 2025 — Eight newly accredited non-resident ambassadors presented their credentials to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a ceremony held at Malacañan Palace on 19 March 2025. The President was assisted by Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega.

The ambassadors who formally presented their credentials were:

• H.E. François Balumuene Nkuna of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• H.E. Miguel de Mascarenhas de Calheiros Velozo of the Portuguese Republic
• H.E. Analisa Lianna Low of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
• H.E. Victor Hugo Rojas González of the Republic of Costa Rica
• H.E. Harold Burgos of the Republic of Honduras
• H.E. Pavlin Todorov of the Republic of Bulgaria
• H.E. Mukasine Marie Claire of the Republic of Rwanda
• H.E. Michel Leesch of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

The presentation of credentials marks the official commencement of their diplomatic functions as their respective countries' representatives to the Republic of the Philippines. A non-resident ambassador is an official representative of a foreign country who is accredited to the Philippines but is based in another country and visits periodically to carry out diplomatic duties.

Following the ceremony, the ambassadors paid tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal by offering wreaths at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park—an expression of respect for the Philippines’ national hero and a symbol of their commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with the country.

The Department’s Office of Protocol, led by Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda, assisted in both ceremonial events, working closely with the Office of Presidential Protocol, led by Deputy Chief of Presidential Protocol Dennis John C. Briones, during the presentation of credentials. For the wreath-laying ceremony, the Philippine Navy and other relevant partner government agencies also provided support. END

From left to right: Costa Rica, Portugal, DR Congo, and Trinidad and Tobago during the wreath-laying ceremony (Photo courtesy of DFA-OP)

From left to right: Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Honduras, and Rwanda during the wreath-laying ceremony (Photo courtesy of DFA-OP)