Washington Policy Community Welcomes New PH Ambassador to US
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez delivers his remarks at a reception marking his formal introduction to the Washington policy community held at the Philippine Chancery in the evening of 07 December 2017.
11 December 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Government officials of the United States of America, members of the Washington foreign diplomatic corps, business community leaders, and other sectoral partners welcomed new Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez at a reception held on December 07 at the Embassy’s historic Chancery Annex building.
“My assumption as Ambassador is timely as President Trump just completed his first trip to Asia, which culminated in the Philippines. The Philippines and the region are pleased with the reassuring commitment of President Trump and the US to Asia and ASEAN. The Philippines is also very pleased with the positive meeting between our two Presidents,” Ambassador Romualdez said in his remarks.
He added, “The rapport between President Duterte and President Trump was evident and that rapport, together with the joint statement both our sides issued, reaffirms and strengthens the foundation for Philippines-US relations to develop further. Certainly, it provides me the guidance as I set out to engage all of the Embassy’s stakeholders.”
A veteran journalist and media business executive, Ambassador Romualdez was appointed as the emissary of the Philippines to the United States of America by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in July. He presented his letter of credence to President Donald J. Trump on November 29 at The White House, thus formally completing the process of accreditation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the US.
“I intend to secure a deeper partnership with the US that injects dynamism in our economic, security, and people-to-people relationships. This deeper partnership I speak of is more than aspirational. I will ensure that the relationship evolves into one that is more pro-active and responsive to our common interests and concerns,” Ambassador Romualdez told the audience.
Among the esteemed guests are Ambassador Nathan Alexander Sales; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Felter III; Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA); and Representative Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam).
The reception also showcased world-class Filipino musical talent as Filipino-American soprano Teresa Ferrara and concert pianist and tenor Carlos Ibay serenaded the guests with their outstanding rendition of “Ave Maria;” Filipino kundiman “Pakiusap;” and the upbeat yuletide carol “Winter Wonderland.” END
For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/philippinesusa @philippinesusa on Twitter
Ambassador Nathan Alexander Sales (right) greets Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez at the reception held at the Philippine Chancery on 07 December 2017.
Ambassador Romualdez with Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Representative Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) at the Philippine Chancery on 07 December 2017.