12 August 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. presented his credentials as Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Venezuela to Vice President Jorge Arreaza at ceremonies held at the Casa Amarilla Antonio Jose de Sucre in Caracas. Ambassador Dilem was one of six ambassadors (all non-resident) who handed over their Letters of Credence to Vice President Arreaza on the same day.
The six ambassadors and the members of their delegation were transported in a six-car convoy to the Casa Amarilla. Upon arrival at the Casa Amarilla, Ambassador Dilem accompanied by Administrative Officer Bernardo Bagalay and Philippine Honorary Consul General Andres Duarte were welcomed by the Chief of Protocol of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry after which they were directed to stand at the entrance to the Casa Amarilla to listen to the Marching Band of the Venezuelan Honor Guard play the Philippine national anthem.
Ambassador Dilem and his delegation were then ushered into a sitting room to await their turn to meet the Vice President. The Philippine Ambassador was the third to present his letter of credence. Before entering the receiving room of the Casa Amarilla where Vice President Arreaza was waiting, the Chief of Protocol announced the arrival of the Ambassador. The Chief of Protocol then introduced Ambassador Dilem to the Vice President who in turn introduced the members of his delegation to Vice President Arreaza and the two Vice Ministers from the Foreign Ministry. After the brief introduction, Ambassador Dilem handed over the copies of his credential letters to Foreign Ministry Vice Minister for Asia, Middle East and Oceania Xoan Noya. Immediately after, he presented his letters of credentials to Vice President Jorge Arreaza. He also presented the book “Best of the Best – Philippines” to the Vice President and a Philippine gift to Vice Minister Xoan Noya.
After the letters of credentials were handed over, a meeting between the Ambassador and the Vice President ensued. Ambassador Dilem conveyed the greetings and felicitations of President Benigno S. Aquino III. During the meeting, both expressed hope that the cordial relationship between their two countries will continue and expand to other spheres.
Ambassador Dilem also expressed the hope that the trade relations as well as investments and tourism exchanges would improve in the years ahead. He thanked the Venezuelan Vice President for the successful exchanges of mutual support between the Philippines and Venezuela in their respective candidatures to international organizations and bodies.
The meeting ended with Ambassador Dilem thanking Vice President Arreaza for his government’s hospitality accorded to the Filipino community in Venezuela.
The ceremony ended with the Marching Band of the Venezuelan Honor Guards honoring the Ambassador with a Venezuelan song. END