02 June 2014- Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales presented his Letter of Credence and the Letter of Recall of Ambassador Minda Calaguian-Cruz, his predecessor, to President Tony Tan Keng Yam in a ceremony held at the Istana, the official residence of the Singapore President, last May 29. 

Ambassador Morales was accompanied by Minister and Consul General Alan L. Deniega and First Secretary and Consul Mersole J. Mellejor.

The ceremony started with the customary review of the Presidential Honor Guard at the grounds of the Istana. After the presentation of the Letter of Credence and Letter of Recall, Ambassador Morales had a one-on-one meeting with President Tan.

During the meeting, Ambassador Morales thanked President Tan for receiving him and conveyed the best wishes of President Benigno S. Aquino III for his personal well-being and for the prosperity of the Republic of Singapore. He also recalled President Tan’s successful State Visit to the Philippines last month even as he reiterated the Philippines’ expression of gratitude for Singapore’s assistance to the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). At the same time, Ambassador Morales thanked President Tan for Singapore’s hospitality to Filipinos who are residing or working in Singapore.

Ambassador Morales expressed hope that bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore, with their shared commitment within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will continue to grow from strength to strength. In more specific terms, he told President Tan that he “look forward to stronger economic relations between our two countries”.

President Tan noted that the Philippine economy has been performing remarkably well. He lauded the Filipino “bayanihan” spirit, which was evident in rehabilitation efforts in the areas affected by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). He also expressed appreciation to Filipinos working in Singapore for their positive contribution to the economy and society. He said people-to-people exchanges underpin the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

In the evening, Ambassador Morales hosted a salu-salo for the Filipino community in Singapore at the official residence. The gathering gave him the opportunity to meet key members as well as friends and supporters of the community.

Ambassador Morales shared President Tan’s message to the community members even as he thanked them for their partnership and support for the Philippine Embassy. He urged them to help continue spreading the good word about the Philippines.

Prior to his assumption as top Philippine envoy to Singapore, Ambassador Morales served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing. He also served as Consul General in Milan, Italy and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and as Deputy Consul General in San Francisco. He was also posted in Rome and Ankara.

In the home office, Ambassador Morales served as Special Assistant at the Office of the Undersecretary for Ocean and Special Concerns, Executive Director at the Office of Consular Affairs, Director at the Authentication Division of the Office of Consular Affairs and as Acting Director at the Office European Affairs.

Before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Morales worked at the Office of the Press Secretary.


Ambassador Morales earned his law degree at the University of the Philippines in 1990 and passed the Bar Examinations the same year. He undertook further studies in diplomacy and foreign relations at the Multilateral Diplomacy, Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland, and at the International Relations Course, Escuela Diplomatica, Madrid, Spain. He is married to Shirlene C. Mananquil, also a Foreign Service Officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs. END